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living educational series. I've come to a few conclusions after talking to a lot of students, a <br />lot of experts in the field and one of those is that for us to move forward with sustainability <br />efforts, we will need a more open and transparent framework to work with them; and that <br />includes leadership. So, I'm coming to you today to support multiple amendments to the <br />Charter as they relate to an open and transparent government. I believe we are very fortunate <br />that we don't have to do anything. We could sit and wait for a more open and transparent <br />government. That is one very viable option; and we will make a lot less mistakes. However, <br />if we begin to embrace some of the practices and principals that are outlined in some of the <br />amendments, we can actually achieve sustainability much sooner than I think we even think <br />is possible right now. Ultimately, the single truth is awareness, and if we look at <br />sustainability as being aware of the challenge and aware of what it takes to overcome the <br />challenge, then we know that we simply need to free the information. And that information <br />is our key indicators; such as our water supply, our food supply, our energy supply, how well <br />we do in a digital economy. <br />All of these factors can be provided, and should be provided, as indicated in some of the <br />amendments on line. The only thing that I think we should look at carefully is the way that <br />we provide the information. Some of the amendments now call for websites to be created <br />and maintained by the County. I would oppose that idea. I think any digital economic <br />efforts should be given to a private business and the model that we should follow on the local <br />County level should be the model that has been adopted at the Federal level by our Chief <br />Technology Officer and Data.Gov. So rather than build websites and take responsibility for <br />creating and maintaining those sites at the County level, I think we should make an effort to <br />share the data in a standardized format that private business can then take and mash up the <br />data and use it, and come up with new and exciting to approach sustainability. Thank you for <br />your time. <br />CHR. HAITSUKA: Does anybody have any questions? Thank you, Mr. Norris. Next we <br />have Jacqui Hoover. <br />JACQUI HOOVER <br />(At this time Jacqui Hoover, representing Hawaii Leeward Planning Conference and Hawaii <br />Economic Development Board, came forward to address members of the Charter Commission.) <br />MS. HOOVER: Good afternoon. I'm Jacqui Hoover, I represent both the Hawaii Leeward <br />Planning Conference, a member -based organization with a history of 35 years of <br />commitment to sound planning, wise use of our resources, and effective government process; <br />and I am also the Director for the Hawaii Economic Development Board, another member - <br />based organization who in its 25 -year history has committed to providing and promoting <br />private sector support and expertise for balanced growth in Hawaii County in partnership <br />with both pubic and private resources. <br />I'm here to speak today on proposed Charter Amendment CA -21, which seeks to "ensure that <br />the planning process is above reproach and to maintain the integrity of the Planning <br />Commission and the Appeals Board by avoiding charges of the appearance of impropriety in <br />the composition of these bodies, "... by excluding anyone "who: (1) receives or has during the <br />previous two years received, a significant portion of the person's income directly or indirectly <br />12 <br />