2013-08-01 Windward Planning Commission Transcript Kuwahara

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If you can come up, please. Good morning. If you could raise your right hand. I’ll swear you in. Do you affirm to, do you swear to tell the truth before the Windward Planning Commission over this matter? TESTIFIERS: I do. ISHIBASHI: Okay, thank you. You can go first Max. Can you use the mike please. If you could state your name and address for the record. NEWBERG: My name is Max Newberg. I live in Waikoloa, Hawai‘i. I am representing the Hawai‘i Regional Council of Carpenters. We’re better known as the Hawai‘i Carpenters Union. We’re in support of responsible community development. We feel this project falls within those guidelines quite well; and I think it would be good for Pāhoa and the surrounding area. More so, we also advocate for area standard wages. Area standard wages is not a catch-phrase. It’s a livable wage for trades people to be able to build up family/community and also give back to the community. It creates a level playing field within the building industry for things like unfair trade practices, misclassification; and, you know, sometimes it gets to a point where it’s a race to the bottom. A tradesperson sometimes has to sacrifice the welfare of the family to try and compete in sometimes unfair practices in the labor industry. More so, we advocate for this development within the community as it builds and grows to become part of the community. I think it will be good for people to have options in the area with the commercial areas that will be developed; and we’re looking forward to the project. And we support your Commission allowing them to move forward with this project. Thank you. ISHIBASHI: Thank you, Mr. Newberg. Any questions for the testifier? Okay, thank you. Mr. Hinshaw, please state your name and address for the record. Thank you. HINSHAW: Good morning. My name is Mark Hinshaw and I live in Pāhoa. It’s Rural Route 2, Box 4585. I am the chairperson of the Pahoa Regional Town Center Steering Committee. We are a subcommittee of the Puna Community Development Plan’s Action Committee. At our meeting this morning, at 8 o’clock this morning, we voted unanimously in support of this project. We actually look forward for construction to begin, and looking forward to the new shopping center. So that’s all. Any questions? ISHIBASHI: Thank you. Any questions, Commissioners? Okay, you may be seated. Thank you. If we can have the applicant come up, representatives. Is there anybody else from the public who would like to testify? I’ll give you an opportunity now. Okay. Raise your right hand, please. Do you swear and affirm to tell the truth before the Windward Planning Commission over this matter? MCELVANEY: I do. KUWAHARA: I do. ISHIBASHI: Thank you. You can state your name and address for the record. Go ahead. 5 EXHIBIT A