2012-12-06 Windward Transcript Connections

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OKUHARA: You know, people are working. Not everybody is a retired person or everybody is, you know, a teacher who will be on vacation. People would have to take off from work. When we’ve had our meetings, our meetings were always during the evening time. So this did not interfere with people’s working status, that they have to take off from work to attend the meeting, or they have to do this or that. You know, as far as I’m concerned, it’s not fair. Thank you very much. AU: Thank you. Any questions for the testifier? Okay, moving on to Jane Yokoyama. YOKOYAMA: Jan, it’s Jan. AU: Jan Yokoyama representing Kaumana Drive Neighborhood Watch. YOKOYAMA: Yes. AU: Okay, please state your name, where you reside, and your three minutes. YOKOYAMA: My name is Jan Yokoyama. I live at 1300 Kaumana Drive. I did receive the letter right before I came here. My concern, like Norine said, it’s between 12 and 2 when most of our community members are working. It’s also scheduled at Connections School which I do not consider a neutral ground. However, if so be it, I will attend. But I want to address my quality of life. I’m a lifelong resident of Kaumana Drive. I will probably die there also. This school is proposed to be a 24/7, 365 days a year school. They’re going to have dorms, they’re going to have a horse barn. You know, most regular public schools close at a certain time. They’re closed on weekends and holidays. So we’re going to be subject to smells, noises, of course increased traffic. And I just want to live the rest of my life in peace. Thank you. AU: Thank you. Any questions for the testifier? Okay, next testifier, Ming Peng. You can go ahead. L. NOVAK: My name is Layne Novak. I’m testifying on behalf of Ming Peng. Ming Peng has lived on Mele Manu Street -. Sorry, this is his written testimony that I didn’t pass out. This is what he says: I live on Mele Manu St. I am still opposed to the proposed construction of Connections Charter School on Edita Street and would like to follow up on testimony since the last meeting on November 9. As you have heard and read from testimony, there is overwhelming opposition within the community, with no community support for this project. By Connections administrator’s own admission, this project has been planned for at least seven years. Therefore, they have had years to consider and develop plans that would not impact the community, including access roads and water usage. They have had attorneys and other professionals to help them along the way. For example, as Commissioner Gonzales astutely realized during the last meeting, the increase in traffic along Edita Street of up to 200 additional cars per day will be significant, such that alternatives should have been considered. Yet, this was not done. Connections administrators have had years to garner community support. I realize that the Land Use Commission suggested that the community and Connections administrators continue to meet. 13 EXHIBIT D