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recommendation. You know, Vipassana Hawai‘i is a project that actually my former partner, Ben
<br />Tsukazaki, had worked on in 2000, and I kind of inherited so to speak. Their mission statement
<br />really is to support the teachings of classical Buddhism to make them relevant to the issues of our
<br />day, and to give them roots through the land and stewardship. And I think the mission statement
<br />really has been fleshed out in terms of what Vipassana has done in the last ten or so years. They do
<br />own some of the other property that’s located makai where you see. You know, these resources and
<br />the location are really particularly unique. And if you are familiar with the area, it’s a very
<br />beautiful location. It includes some shoreline lands as well. And so their goal is really not only to
<br />undertake, you know, working in the meditation center that we’ve discussed, but also to kind of
<br />protect the remaining resources. And how are they really doing that in terms of creating a unique
<br />meditation center that’s conducive to the environment, compatible with what they want to do?
<br />There was some discussion that there is a conservation plan that they’ve already obtained approval
<br />from the Natural Resource Conservation Service, that requires them to do management techniques
<br />that preserves soil, eliminates or prevents erosion, results in some replanting of natural vegetation.
<br />So they’ve got that approval. They also have recently received approval actually from the Governor
<br />to receive funding that will assist in creating a conservation easement for this and their surrounding
<br />lands, which requires them basically to limit their development of the property to no more than two
<br />percent of the lands that they have available. They also have, are in the process of working out a
<br />public access easement, grant of easement to the County for lateral shoreline access for their
<br />shoreline lands. You can reach those lands from either the Kohala Lighthouse or from the Kapanaia
<br />Road. So if you take a look at what they’ve done and what they are proposing to do, they are really
<br />very unique in terms of their being able to actually do a sustainable management plan.
<br />
<br />Now, you know, all these efforts really do take time from dealing with the various agencies and
<br />working out the development plan. They do also, as part of their retreat activities, propose to
<br />maintain much of the agricultural component for the parcel that you are taking a look at. So the
<br />retreat activities will actually include participation by the participants in doing agricultural activities
<br />as part of their program. So that, you know, essentially retains the character of the land, allows
<br />them to do their retreat facilities, and has a combined approach that’s pretty sustainable.
<br />
<br />I was just going to mention also that, yes, I mean, we looked at the issue also in terms of what the
<br />previous plans in 2000 had proposed. And I think the Planning Department is, you know, spot-on
<br />in terms of saying, you know, if there is a need for flexibility, it’s there currently; because of, you
<br />know, the economy and some of the scale-down issues, they are looking at a smaller plan and still
<br />consistent because it has a major components of what was there before. But, you know, having the
<br />flexibility is a good thing. But if there are any other questions, we are certainly open to entertain
<br />those.
<br />
<br />GIFFIN: Commissioners, any questions of Tom Yeh? Hearing none, or, ma’am, the woman who,
<br />I’m sorry, your name is?
<br />
<br />SCHWEITZER: Sophia Veronica.
<br />
<br />GIFFIN: You want to speak into the mike.
<br />
<br />SCHWEITZER: Yes, thank you. Thank you, Chair. Sophia Veronica Schweitzer.
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<br />EXHIBIT A
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