2012-11-09 Windward Transcript Connections

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And for the sake of further brevity and to save time, I'm just going to allow these documents to speak for itself, and I ask that they be made a part of the record of the proceedings. I just want to add to what is already stated in these documents, assurance to the students of Connections Charter School. Okay, nobody that I know is opposed to you. Nobody has said anything negative about the students. Basically I want you to understand that this is in opposition to the location of the school, that there are many, many other places where the school would not be so intrusive, so it would not be so problematic for the residents; and nothing that I know of is in opposition to you as to your curriculum or to your character. And that is the essence of it that I wanted, the message I wanted to communicate. So I am going to leave the rest of my time open to the Commissioners for questions if they have any about me. But basically what I wanted to say was that there was no basis for the establishment of an agricultural program, nothing. There was no research, no study to indicate that an agricultural program is necessary or that one will actually be implemented. And without an agricultural program everything must fail, because everything is based upon that. The size of the lot, they say that this is the only site available, not so. If you eliminated 20 acres set aside for the agricultural program then the lot, there are many other lots that would be suitable for this program. And I don't know what is unique about this particular piece of property which makes it the only site available to them. DARROW: One minute. YOSHIOKA: So with that I’ll leave the rest open for questions. KERN: Thank you. Are there any questions for testifier? Seeing none, thank you. Jan Yokoyama. YOKOYAMA: Good morning, Members of the Commission. My name is Jan Yokoyama and I live at 1300 Kaūmana Drive, close to the Connections Charter School, to the proposed Connections Charter School. I have lived in Kaūmana all my life, like the Otanis, the Fujisawas, the Hoshides, the Kitamuras, the Okutsus and Yamamotos. I am also the block coordinator of the Kaūmana Cave Neighborhood Watch. And we object to this project as the roads leading to the project, not only Edita Street but Kaūmana Drive, are not adequate for the increase in traffic. I am also concerned about the proposed dormitory to be built. It scares me and my neighbors that strangers to the community will be able to wander around our neighborhood day and night. This proposed school will adversely affect the quality of our life and not serve the needs of our community. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to express my concerns. KERN: Thank you. Any questions for the testifier? Seeing none you all may have a seat. One second. Jeffrey Gomes, good morning. JEFF GOMES: Before I start, I left a package of information. KERN: Okay. Are you going to be speaking on this? JEFF GOMES: Yes. 25 EXHIBIT A