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STATEMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC ON AGENDA ITEMS <br />CHR. HAITSUKA: Before we start, I would like to remind everyone that the public <br />testimony is limited to the items that are on our agenda and that testimony will be limited <br />to three- minutes per agenda item. I would also like to remind the Commissioners that <br />they will not be allowed to ask questions of persons giving testimony. However, if any of <br />the Commissioners wish to have someone present during our deliberations and discussion <br />today, please let me know and I will ask the testifier to be available. <br />Our first testifier will be from Waimea, and this person will be testifying by telephone <br />due to a technical difficulty. <br />MS. HANANO: Good morning, this is Maim from the Waimea Council Office, and I <br />have one testifier here this morning. My testifier here is Terry Markovich and she is <br />speaking on CA -15, the Land Fund. <br />TERRY MARKOVICH <br />(At this time, Terry Markovich came forward to address members of the Charter Commission.) <br />MS. MARKOVITCH: Aloha Charter Commission members and mahalo nui for all of <br />your effort in working and debating on all of these issues. I too, am a Commissioner. I <br />am with the Open Space and Public Access Commission. This has been my number one <br />issue to address. I feel really honored to review all of the lands that we have coming up <br />for acquisition. Of course, we would like to acquire them all, but it is really a tough <br />decision to pick out the properties for us to even put a number one and number two; to <br />rate them, because all of the Big Island is really special. <br />I just wanted to remind us all of our State motto; "The life of the land is perpetuated in <br />righteousness." It means to me that we need to be vigilant in protecting our `aina, which <br />I believe generously, blesses us with sustenance for our bodies, and invigorates our minds <br />through its natural beauty. I ask your generosity when considering this minimum amount <br />to set aside for our land preservation, and retain the 2% which is what the majority of <br />voters voted for and so many people have worked so hard to maintain and promote. We <br />need this amount, I believe, for our matching funds; which are so important. So, I ask <br />your generous consideration when you vote on this. I believe we are at a turning point, <br />economically, and it gives us the opportunity to plan for the future development of our <br />island and retain one of our greatest assets; open space. Being inundated with our <br />Country's expanded military presence and our isolation; I believe it behooves us to make <br />a stand to retain our Hawaiian agricultural heritage along with our natural beauty. Thank <br />you very much. <br />CHR. HAITSUKA: Thank you very much, Ms. Markovich. Do we have anyone else in <br />Waimea to testify? Alright, we have no one else in Waimea. Is there anyone in Hilo to <br />testify today? <br />2 <br />