2012-05-03 Windward Transcript Circus

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Brian Schatz, the Hawai‘i State Lieutenant Governor, recently commended us for our many outstanding accomplishments and he stated “the training and guidance provided… to young adults has been valued around the world and is a treasure to the community of Hawai‘i.” Hawai‘i’s Volcano Circus is a member organization and, as you see, many of our members are here today. The Village Green Society, who are the owners of the subject property which is also referred to as Bellyacres, is also an IRS designated 501 c, it’s a 2, a 501 c 2 non-profit corporation, organized as a land trust. There are currently 34 corporate members of the Village Green Society, but only a handful of them are present today because, as professional performers, they mostly live and work out of state. We describe ourselves as an artistic eco-village. And most of our members have been involved since 1987 and have donated their money, as well as thousands of volunteer hours, to create our self- sustainable performance arts education center. They are not owners, no more than I am. None of us can sell anything. We get no dividends, no paychecks, no banker’s bonuses. The homes we built, all of the SPACE facilities, and all of the assets at Bellyacres belong to the Village Green Society in perpetuity. And we see our obligation is to maintain and sustain these assets as stewards so that they can be passed on to future generations. Our experience working with the Planning Department suggests that we are actually the first eco- village and the first land trust that has been involved in the special permit process, and there has been considerable misunderstanding as a result of this. However, I believe it’s important to note that we are the look of the future and our organizational structure not only reflects many of the goals of the State of Hawai‘i 2050 Sustainability Plan and the County of Hawai‘i Sustainability Primer, but it has also been acknowledged in recent letters from high state officials, our highest state officials. Senator Daniel Inouye recently praised us for “providing a positive, enriching, and a safe place that helps to motivate the whole community with a focus on self sufficiency and self improvement.” Governor Neil Abercrombie, he commended our eco-village for serving “as the gathering place for a community of 1200 homes and 3000 residents.” Senator Daniel Akaka congratulated us for “a long list of public service, including the support of the Puna Makai community and other charitable events,” and he commended us for our “many outstanding accomplishments.” Now obviously eco-villages, land trusts, and other innovative community organizations have a respected and important role to play in the future of our society. And we need a means by which we can do this legally and with the support of our county administration. So to facilitate this, please allow me to take this opportunity to inform you regarding what is our organizational structure at Bellyacres and SPACE and, which is similar to many emerging groups around the island. 15 EXHIBIT B