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that you have had in designing the districts, not that you didn't have information, have <br />interest, but the Census Bureau's census tracts did not give you the proper common interest <br />areas. I think your recommendation should be that prior to the next 2020 census, that the <br />County make an effort to work with the Census Bureau to provide data so in our next go <br />around in 2020 we can provide much better representation within the common interest <br />areas. Again, I think the whole moku districts that the Hawaiians established 600 years ago <br />should be superimposed on everything that we do today to see how we can affect. Thank <br />you very much for listening to me. Thank you all. <br />CHR. SIRACUSA: Thank you. We now come back to Kona. Marnie Herkes, <br />representing herself. <br />MARNIE HERKES <br />(At this time Marnie Herkes came forward to address members of the Commission.) <br />MS. HERKES: Thank you very much. I am going to agree with Mr. Green, but we are <br />going to have to wait for a Charter Commission and maybe we can go back to Judicial <br />Districts and then talk to the Census people. I want to thank you so much. In these times <br />of dysfunctional political processes, and when people can't cooperate and collaborate to <br />come to a conclusion; it is really wonderful to see a Commission like this work your way <br />through some problems. You all come from different perspectives, but you all got together <br />to come up with a solution. It give all of us a little bit of hope that maybe some of these <br />things can be solved and some people can learn to work together to solve some problems. <br />So thank you very much for your graciousness and for all of your time. I know, I have sat <br />through some of your day long meetings, and thank you; we appreciate it. <br />CHR. SIRACUSA: Thank you, Marnie. We have another testifier in Pahoa. <br />MS. LIVELY: Thank you, our last testifier this evening is Greg Smith. <br />GREG SMITH <br />(At this time Greg Smith came forward via videoconference from Pahoa to address members of the <br />Commission.) <br />MR. SMITH: Aloha folks. Again, I can't tell you how much I appreciate the change that I <br />have seen in this process, particularly how much better it was than the last two processes I <br />have been through in this redistricting. I do have one concern or question; if it is possible <br />to include Kea`au into one of the Puna districts. The maps that we have hanging out here <br />in Pahoa show that Kea`au is now in District 3, the way it is proposed. If that could be <br />changed, that would be wonderful. If not, I guess we have to go with it. But in any case, <br />this overall plan and the maps look very, very good and there is fully good representation <br />for everybody around. I am very pleased with it. I am very pleased with your conduct and <br />the openness of this process. Please continue; this has been one of the best functions, <br />governmental functions that I have witnessed since the 23 years that I have been on the <br />island. So, again, to all of the Commissioners: mahalo, and continue the good work. <br />Aloha. <br />7 <br />