2017-04-10 Joint Meeting Exh A (Amend Commission Rules)

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And, just a last note, I’d like to say that these meetings that are east-west should be video-conferenced. The poor woman who had to drive all the way from Hilo to speak for three minutes, I mean, what a citizen she is. But there are a lot of other people who would like to be here, and it’s true that being here in person is different speaking to you than sending a piece of paper. And, then the other thing I’d like to mention is as much as I appreciate you guys in being volunteers and all of that, these decisions are so complex and so long reaching that it seems like maybe people should consider them being made by elected officials rather than appointed ones. Thank you very much for your attention and time. WILLEFORD: Aloha, Commission. My name is Sharon Willeford. I’ve been a, I’m a retired teacher. I taught third grade on the Island for 35 years. I’m speaking on behalf of the children and their future. This is the last island that we have left. This is the last island standing. All of the other islands – I have friends on every island – got congested, overdeveloped, having problems with water and traffic. I’ve seen many permits over the years being given that should not have been given, and I don’t understand if payoffs are being done or who’s getting – What is happening? How are these permits allowed with huge structures on Ali‘i Drive? And there’s no sewers on a section of Ali‘i Drive, and all of the sewage is going into the ocean. Who is allowing this? My son is a diver, and he just confided in me – he didn’t want me to know – but the reef in that section is dead, and there are no fish. Do we care about this community? Do we want our children to have something to look forward to? I ask you those questions in a – I have participated and observed contested case hearings. In the pre-trial hearings, the lawyers, developers, and commissioners get to communicate, they get paid big bucks, they talk all the time, and the individuals who might have good standing have to do it on their own. There ha- you know, sometimes the people in the Planning Commission do help and that’s so wonderful. But it’s a very difficult thing. And if we’re not allowed to participate and educate each other, the community, then you’re taking away our rights. For instance, I have a section of the SMA statutes, HRS 205, that, Number 8 says for this particular thing, the reason for public participation is to stimulate public awareness, education, and participation. In this case, it’s on coastal management, and that, that is the objective I’m looking at. Also, notifying persons other than the contested case participants that live in the area after the case, they might like to know right away what’s going on in their neighborhood. I would. And – let’s see, what else – I think other people have done a fantastic job of expressing their desire for freedom and preserving our precious island. Let’s not over-develop. Let’s not just pass out permits like it’s candy for you. I don’t know what the reason for foreign developers and off-island developers. Let’s let our people have a chance to establish themselves here in their community. The Hawaiians, so many are homeless right now. Do you have any idea how many 24 EXHIBIT A