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attention that these were not necessarily within the counter permits. So, you know, in terms of
<br />long-term use activities, they are really, it’s very limited, or no increase in usage than it has been
<br />occurring. Now, one of the things that happened is once we found out and started this process,
<br />Barbara stopped all of these other activities; so the place hasn’t been in use since we started this
<br />application, once she found out that there were some issues going on. So that’s why you’ll see the
<br />greenhouses are used as greenhouse now, you know. So she has been trying to follow the rules.
<br />But in terms of long-term use, the garden has been used for community meetings, it has been used
<br />for special functions in the past. We are trying to legitimize and legalize those now.
<br />
<br />DEFRANCO: I think I should talk about Kamehameha Schools. Kamehameha Schools in the last
<br />year took two acres where the greenhouses are, and put them into commercial use, took my rent –
<br />come from a lease standpoint, excuse me – took my rent from $153 a month to $980 a month, and
<br />told me I had to get a special use permit to be, to do this, to do what I’m doing, and I said okay, I
<br />will do this. So I, you know, looking at how to exist, how to make it work, without imposing
<br />anything on my neighborhood, I think that, you know, I am glad that you are here and sharing this
<br />with me so I can even be more sensitive to how you are feeling, which I always respond, if someone
<br />tells me. I, oh, yeah, I have, I have these letters from other neighbors here that have written letters
<br />in support of Paleaku, and every other neighbor that I’ve talked to, including all the other neighbors
<br />across the street and on either side of me are 100 percent for what I’m doing, and they know that I
<br />respond to it. So, now I know this feeling and, you know, I will respond to it. I am sensitive like
<br />that.
<br />
<br />GIFFIN: Thank you. And I just conferred with the Director regarding other neighbors who may
<br />have concerns, and the Director affirmed that if there are any, any other public concerns,
<br />neighborhood concerns, in addition to going to the applicant, you can always call the Planning
<br />Department. And so I feel very good about on being there is an avenue for your neighbors or any
<br />one of the public to be able to express their views.
<br />
<br />DEFRANCO: Yeah, and, you know, I walk on the road all the time, too, and, you know, I am
<br />aware of that. And I actually work with the County roads department to clear rock off the road and
<br />to make it easy for people to walk on the road. So I think we share actually a lot of the same
<br />concerns that all my neighbors share, living on that road and being a good neighbor.
<br />
<br />GIFFIN: Commissioners, any other questions or concerns that you have about this application?
<br />Hearing none, thank you very much. And I just want to make sure that we only have one person
<br />who signed up for this agenda item, correct, Noriko? Thank you. Daryn, you look like you want to
<br />say something.
<br />
<br />ARAI: Madam Chairwoman, hearing the concerns that were expressed and the response by the
<br />applicant, if you allow me to maybe provide some perspective on this, and maybe it will help the
<br />Commission and the applicant to address the concerns.
<br />
<br />GIFFIN: Thank you.
<br />
<br />ARAI: First of all, the property, as well as the surrounding areas, are agriculture, or agriculturally
<br />designated, I’m sorry, and as such, it does allow various types of uses that are related to the
<br />cultivation of plants, crops, animals and so forth. It is not like a residential area where the uses are
<br />limited and, you know, maybe there is a greater expectation regarding the type of uses that could
<br />generate noise. It is an agricultural designated area and agricultural uses alone can sometimes
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<br />EXHIBIT A
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