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And, we're here to celebrate in part because there's three fundamental things that if you leave
<br />with nothing else tonight, I'd ask you to try to remember these three things: credible process,
<br />thorough vetting, and this idea that the work is really ongoing as long it stays, and it's going to
<br />improve the plan as long as it stays based in fact -based analysis and clear rationale, right?
<br />And, so just to quickly overview. This has been an extremely credible process, highly
<br />participatory at every step of the way. Highly collaborative. Bouncing those different
<br />perspectives. Very strategic in terms of a building block approach to planning. I'll say more
<br />about this later. Systematic and transparent. You could see all along the way what was being
<br />considered, why different options were being considered, the pros and cons and how the Steering
<br />Committee arrived at different decisions.
<br />So, not only was the plan developed in a very credible way, but then once it was developed, it
<br />went through thorough, thorough vetting. First, with the Steering Committee who decided first
<br />of all, it needed to massage the plan to make sure it's even ready for community review. And,
<br />they went through extensive review of every strategy and the rationale behind it. Then, when
<br />they thought it was ready for the community, then it went through an extensive community
<br />review process then back to the Steering Committee. They incorporated more strengthening and
<br />revisions based on community feedback. Then, it went to the Planning Department, the agency
<br />review, and now it's to you for further review. So, it's, this thing has been vetted by everybody
<br />from every different perspective.
<br />And, so considering all that, we ask you to continue along that vein as you consider this plan.
<br />Remember what the community's objective are because that's fundamental. That's really what
<br />we're trying to achieve here. And, keep your own analysis. Build on the fact -based analysis that
<br />has been done already. Help us improve it if you see ideas for improvement. But, help us keep
<br />it to be, keep it a clear, rational approach to, to planning.
<br />Okay, so now I'm going to get a, do some quick overview of the plan just to, so we're all on the
<br />same page about what these are all about. Fundamentally, CDP's and other community plans are
<br />a form for strengthening the three pillars of any sustainable and healthy community:
<br />environment, community, and economy. And, CDP's are empowered to do that, particularly in
<br />two ways. One is around directing land use, because we all know that settlement patterns are
<br />fundamental to a healthy community. And, secondly, through actions. And, those actions can
<br />take a variety of forms, and I'll say more about that in a, in a few minutes. You should note at
<br />this point that the planning area is the judicial District of Ka`u, with the exception of a couple
<br />areas in the Volcano area that were part of the Puna CDP. So, it does include all of Ocean View,
<br />Na`alehu, South Point area, Waiohinu, Pahala, Wood Valley, Punalu`u, and all the Ag and
<br />Conservation area in between those towns, Discovery Harbour, Mark Twain.
<br />We were really blessed with a fantastic Steering Committee, and unfortunately, not everybody
<br />was able to make it here tonight, and I really hope you don't see their, their absence tonight as
<br />any indication of their enthusiasm for their work or the plan. Two of them are on Oahu for
<br />medical reasons; a third is on the mainland for a family emergency; and two others had work
<br />commitments they couldn't get out of. This was a great group not because, not only because
<br />they're great people because they're extremely representative not only of the different geography
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