2012-07-19 Leeward Exh B - Bill No. 255

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WILLS: Yes. Hello. I’m very grateful for what happen today with the Green Market being able to be at the Ethnobotanical Garden. I’m really happy. And I thank you, all of you, for supporting that. BOWMAN: Thank you. Commissioners, any questions? No? Thank you. SCANPULE: Good morning. My name is Robert Scanpule, and I’m a sometimes-volunteer there, and enjoy going to the South Kona Green Market for the produce and the music. And the people that are there are very friendly, and it’s a nice area to be at. And it supports people who are growing food to give to other people and share. And it’s nice to see a lot of people come out on that day to enjoy each other. Thank you. BOWMAN: Thank you. Any questions? Thank you. Ms. Isbell? ISBELL: Aloha. My name is Virginia Isbell, and I’m very happy to be here this morning. And I think you all have received a copy of my testimony. I would like to remind you of only one thing, and that is on the mainland they are having the most severe drought in the history of the United States. They have never had one this bad. And they are hoping for anything, even if it’s a calamity, to bring rain. If we don’t have our farmers prepared and us ready to buy, we have ourselves in another situation. If we have another drought, like, I remember having several times over the 52 years I’ve lived here, then we should be thankful for anything that we can get. So I’m saying to all of you we need to start working together, instead of finding reasons why not to work together. And I think it’s wonderful that Amy Greenwell Botanical Garden is ready to help us. And I am personally very happy to know that there are farmers here. And we are still getting a little rain and we are still in good shape. But I feel for all of those on the mainland who are going through the worst time of their lives. So in my testimony really basically what I want you to know is I am in full support of this. I know them all very well, not all farmers, but I know the people who run the Amy Greenwell Ethnobotanical Garden. But there is another part of this that’s very important. The parking for the vendors would not be competing with the parking for the visitors, because around the back of the Amy Greenwell Ethnobotanical Garden over by the old office is room for 20 to 30 vehicles. And that’s where I always parked, and everybody else does usually. Because remember there were days there was nothing going on there on the other side. So I just want to remind you that there is plenty room for parking, there is plenty room for the vendors then to be on the paved area, not on a slope like they used to be. And I just feel very comfortable about it. But I think it’s very important that we do all we can to help farmers. And if they can raise the food and we get the rains, thank goodness, for all of that. Thank you very much for allowing me to speak today. Mahalo. BOWMAN: Thank you. Any questions? Thank you. You may be seated. Will the applicant come forward? ARAI: Madam Chairwoman? BOWMAN: Yes. ARAI: I just want to clarify to -. Mr. Van Dyke has been speaking. It is a Council initiated bill, so actually, the applicant, or initiator, is the County Council, and -. 13 EXHIBIT B