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live, including the subdivisions of Keauhou Estates, and Bay View Estates, was thrown in with an area to the south that has nothing to do with the every day life of its citizens. That area, in the triangle formed by Kamehameha III, and Kuakini, has been separated from its community. For those reasons, I have had to rethink whether Volcano should remain in a strictly Puna district, if making up for an injustice that happened ten years ago causes equal injustice now. I now believe that hybrid Plan 40, just introduced by Margaret Wille stands the best chance of providing fair and balanced County Council redistricting for Hawaii island. With the exception of retaining Volcano in District 6, the redistricting concerns I have heard most citizens express, have been dealt with in Plan_40. Please give as much consideration and time to examining the latest version of the adjusted or hybrid Plan _40 in detail as you did to Plan _A at the last meeting. I don't believe a final map can be ready today, and hope you will work on it next week as well. An apathetic public is finally waking up now that you have more solid plans to display, and it would be advisable to allow them to testify next week as well before a final plan is pronounced ready to take out to the public hearings. Thank you. CHR. SIRACUSA: It is Waimea that has 18 testifiers, is that correct? MR. HIRT: That is correct, we currently have about 18 testifiers. CHR. SIRACUSA: Okay, let's take two. MR. HIRT: Our first testifier this morning is Karen Clarkson, representing herself to speak on the redistricting plan. KAREN CLARKSON (At this time Karen Clarkson came forward to address members of the Commission.) MS. CLARKSON: Good morning. I am here to express my strong disapproval of the Plan _A that has been put forward for redistricting our island. I appreciate the Commission's efforts, and I know it is very difficult to try to balance the number of voters. But to sever Honoka`a and Ahualoa and Kukuihaile from the rest of Hamakua, is an artifice which is simply unacceptable. As a 25 year resident of Hamakua, and a member of the steering committee of the Hamakua Agriculture Plan, I have learned a great deal about the area's unique history, people, values and resources. Our geography has shaped who we are, and our needs are different from residents on the west side. Our focus is on promoting diversified agriculture and sustaining the rural character of Hamakua. We cannot achieve our vision if we are separated when it comes to voting on matters pertaining to the entire island. As Hamakua's biggest town, Honoka`a is its hub. People would essentially be disenfranchised by Plan _A as the interest of the much greater west side population would overwhelm ours. Our issues are different; I believe that the west side has a lot of issues with coastal development, which are quite different from the Hamakua issues. The physical barriers between these two areas are a significant obstacle to having a true representation by a council member that is trying to serve this great diverse area. No one 7