2013-01-10 Windward Transcript Connections

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J. SAKAMOTO: June Sakamoto. I live on Mele Manu Street. I am here to once again express my concern over the negative impact the school will have on traffic safety and our quality of life. The school is downplaying the traffic aspect, but we who must navigate Kaumana Drive almost every day know what a dangerous stretch of road it is. To subject the residents of Kaumana Drive to heavy school traffic and increased safety concerns when the school has not fully investigated other possible, more suitable locations, is not only unfair to the surrounding neighborhood but also suggests a lack of prudent planning. Commissioner Au conceded that community consensus is important. After all, the community is the one that will be driving by the project every day. Commissioner Moses expressed it perfectly when she said “An important criteria for any development is the community support for it.” There is a definite lack of local community support in the vicinity of the proposed project as can be seen by the testimonies given and the over 500 signatures collected of people opposing the school location. These are people who live up and down Kaumana Drive. Therefore, I resent Mr. Thatcher’s statement that this is a matter of an affluent neighborhood saying “Not in my backyard.” The school has shown a consistent lack of consideration for the community it will impact the most. I ask that you please deny this project. Thank you. AU: Any questions for Ms. Sakamoto? Okay, Ming Peng, please state your name and where you reside. PENG: My name is Ming Peng. I live on Mele Manu Street. I am still opposed to the construction of Connections Charter School. The initial meetings suggested by this Commission unfortunately was unsuccessful. For example, during this meeting, Mr. Boyd’s response to the lack of funding and water for this project was that these issues were in the “planning phase” and it will be “phased approached”. I took that to mean that they still have no current plan to resolve critical issues to accommodate a 400-student school that includes faculty and a dormitory. Despite their assurances, unfortunately, the administrators have broken the trust of the community that cannot be repaired. I have not been given concrete reasons as to why the Edita location is appropriate: there is not enough water for the school, there will be an increase in traffic and crime, there are already two schools in the area, and, most importantly, there is overwhelming community opposition. In my opinion, the best course of action for the Connections administration is to find an alternative site where community support exists and the infrastructure is appropriate for the school to be successful. Please deny the special permit. Thank you. AU: Any questions for Mr. Peng? Okay, Kaainoa Enaena. He’s not here? Okay, Allen Novak, please state your name and where you reside. 24 ATTACHMENT C