Laserfiche WebLink
if they want to try to find health care right in that vicinity, they can get into the clinic but it may <br />take 6 to 8 weeks to get your first appointment. And that clinic is certainly operating above <br />capacity. <br /> <br />One of the other factors about the clinic is that since it’s a Federally subsidized clinic most of the <br />providers that end up working there go there fresh out of medical school, because they’re able to <br />get a subsidy by working at a Federally subsidized clinic. There are college loans, there are <br />medicals loans that are repaid within two years. So we have kind of a revolving door, which <br />isn’t to say that they’re bad providers, but they’re not here for the long haul. <br /> <br />By establishing, and I know there is on the drawing board another clinic proposed for a <br />commercial development over by Bryson’s Cinders. But from what I can tell that’s a couple of <br />years away before that’s open. <br /> <br />So I think the establishment of a medical facility in Puna and Pāhoa would be a very positive <br />thing. And one of the other issues that I think it would impact -. You know, this Commission <br />and certainly County Council have obviously been concerned and will continue to be concerned <br />with transportation issues as the population grows in Puna and the log jam and the traffic flow <br />back and forth to Hilo and other points on the island. Being that health services are an essential <br />service, if we could provide this clinic and the clinic in that commercial center proposed for <br />Bryson’s, it’d thus further reduce the need for people who make what would potentially be <br />unnecessary trips. I think in the long run it helps promote health and safety of everybody. So <br />I’m just simply here to support this project and say that I think it’s going to be a good thing. <br />Thank you. <br /> <br />ISHIBASHI: Thank you. Okay, any questions from the Commissioners? Commissioner <br />Henkel. <br /> <br />HENKEL: Hi. I’m Greg Henkel. If there’s no other comments, I’d like to make a motion that <br />this Special Use Permit Number 13-40 for the Hirakami’s be approved with the -. <br /> <br />ISHIBASHI: Try hang on, brother. We’ve still got public testimony. <br /> <br />HENKEL: I’m sorry. <br /> <br />ISHIBASHI: I just wanted to know if you had questions for the applicants. <br /> <br />HENKEL: Okay. My bad. <br /> <br />ISHIBASHI: Okay. Any questions for the applicant? <br /> <br />GONZALES: I have a question, Mr. Chairman. <br /> <br />ISHIBASHI: Go ahead. <br /> <br />GONZALES: Steve, so, this, what you call it, the water -. <br /> <br /> <br /> 6 <br /> EXHIBIT B <br /> <br />