2015-03-19 Leeward Exh B (Amend SPP 378)

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DOMEIER: My name is Michael Domeier, 68-1825 Lina Poepoe in Waikoloa. And myself and my wife are the owners of the Rare Hawaiian Honey Company, which occupies space at Lalamilo Farm Partners. I have to question the logic of deeming our business in violation of the Agricultural zoning. Three out of four, three out of four of the plate, or 75 percent of the food everyone eats, is depended upon bees for pollination. And we are not just a honey company; we are also a bee company. We have 500 hives. We’ve just finished, we get calls every year for pollination service from farmers on the island, because the bees have been wiped out on this island since 2007 when blow of mite was introduced. So we just finished pollinating over 600 acres of macadamia nut. But in the facility is our administrative offices and that’s also where we finish our product for distribution. So I firmly believe we are definitely agriculture; if you Google it, you will see that we are one of the most important functions in agriculture. Thank you. Just one more thing, I have a little bit more time, I also want to say we bought this business two years ago, and in the contract for purchase we had to relocate the business from where it was in Hōlualoa. It was really hard to find a place to move to that was in the area that we needed to work, and I do think that John and Nancy Edney, they are critical, they serve a critical function in Waimea as really important incubator for small businesses like Rare Hawaiian Honey Company. RESENDIZ: Aloha. My name is Brenda Case Resendiz. And I, Bill is my younger brother, and I want to say that I’m very proud of my brother Bill and what he has accomplished. When Susan touched on one of the programs that they worked closely with, the Ho‘omalule Program, I was a case manager for the program, and the program was a pilot program and it focused on addressing the health needs of Native Hawaiian people. With the influx of fast foods and westernized foods, we have seen an increase in health disparities, chronic illnesses with our Native Hawaiian population. And so with the program what I witnessed was Native Hawaiian people up to 300 pounds, maybe even more, going to a gym with knowledgeable personal trainers and exercising sometimes for the first time in their lives, eating better, exercising. And the result of that was better vital signs, like Mr. Mills touched on, lower blood sugar levels, lower cholesterol levels, and it was very important for our people. If you take that away from us, where will we go? Again, like Mr. Mills touched on, when we go to the doctors, our physicians recommend exercise, exercise and diet, and Five Mountain Fitness has been there for our Native Hawaiian population in that regard. So I want to say that on a professional level. On a personal level I live with a chronic illness that I suffer from chronic pain on a daily basis. And when people suffer with chronic pain, many times they don’t want to move; they don’t want to exercise for fear that they will get worse. What my brother did for me a few years back was teach me personally that movement is most important to lessen chronic pain and to get better and to feel better and feel healthier, and that’s what he has done for me personally. And in turn I’m able to give back to my community as a certified nutrition and wellness consultant. So I want to say that I am in support of this. Thank you very much. BEGA: Good morning. My name is Manuel Bega. I live at 64-640 Puuluna Place. And I’m in favor of the special use permit. I’ve been attending the Five Mountain gym for about the past three years. And as a result of that I got myself into pretty good, pretty good physical shape. And what they taught me was not only how to exercise but the whole program; there is diet involved and the whole wellness thing. And I’d like to see this, I’d like to continue going there. As far as a negative impact on the community, I don’t, I don’t see any. There is no traffic problem. It’s not like an area where you go to and there is loud partying. It’s a venue where our young people can go. So it’s a total positive experience. And I’d like to see, you know, that continue. Thank you. 10 EXHIBIT B