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January, I think it was the 8th, and testified, and I'm sorry that two of you were not present at that
<br />time. I'm also representing Ohana Ho`opakele, and if Palikapu Dedman, our president, were
<br />here, he would be representing Ohana Ho`opakele, but he has business in Oahu today, so I'm
<br />sorry that he's not here.
<br />I feel a --strongly that something is not right with this process. And, I understand that according
<br />to the Sunshine Law, that whatever is discussed before a County Council body like a commission
<br />should be given six days notice so that when I heard the Deputy Corporation Counsel speak, I,
<br />yeah, I wish I had that in writing six days ahead, because that would give the community and us
<br />who did the research to bring forward the Edelstein study time to explain why the merits of the
<br />study, which we argued the last time, the last time, is so overwhelming, that you should go
<br />continue with the study. He made some reference, and I wish I had it in writing, about because
<br />this expert is not on a list of experts that the County has used in the past, you going out for RFP.
<br />Now, Edelstein, geothermal has been around a long time. And, if there were anyone better than
<br />Edelstein, the name would have popped up long time ago, but it hasn't. And, and, and—and, we
<br />questioned that I think in this case the community has more knowledge about what is going on
<br />with geothermal than some of the people being hired by the County. Now, so, I'm, I -I think that
<br />what is being done here is you're not giving the, the not only the public, but those who have
<br />researched the reason for doing Edelstein, to do the six, six-day study to come with more
<br />independent, intelligent arguments before you, before you make this decision.
<br />Now, the last time, I think you did the right thing. And, now, we have two Commissioners who
<br />weren't there at the last meeting, voting on a, on something when they weren't there present to
<br />hear the impact of the testimony the last time. I think it's bad. I think the two Commissioners
<br />who represent Puna know better about geothermal than the others representing other parts of the
<br />County, and the rest of you should follow their example in their argument on what is best for
<br />Puna. And, I wish, I just saying, I wish we had more time that we could prepare for this, because
<br />I think we would be able to present much better intelligent information for you to make a
<br />decision like this that wasn't shared with us. I call the Planning Director, the Planning
<br />Department, the phone number was there and the name, and I asked what is the reason for this
<br />request or reconsideration? And the answer which was called back on my answering machine is
<br />we do not know, we just know that one Commissioner asked for reconsideration, and we will
<br />know the same time as you will what the reasons are, and I don't think that's true. Because we
<br />heard some things before this meeting that gave us more insight on what we could have prepared
<br />better on. So, I'm, I really appeal that you stick with your original decision and not reconsider
<br />this.
<br />My understanding is the County has done studies in the past without RFP, and if that is true then,
<br />that you've done that before, then there's no reason for you at this point to do a RFP. Thank
<br />you.
<br />TRAVIS: I'm Tom Travis. I'm representing Puna Pono Alliance as its Vice President and also
<br />myself. I live in Puna. There have been four studies already authorized from the Geothermal
<br />Asset Fund. One of those studies was the $750,000 health study which was awarded or is being
<br />awarded by an RFP.
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<br />EXHIBIT E
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