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native Hawaiians who have known for centuries the limits of island resources and the <br />need to protect the `aina." General Policy #1 had, "Preserve the culture and sense of <br />place of South Kohala; and preserve cultural and historic sites and structures." In the <br />Kona CDP guiding principles it says, #1, "Protect Kona's natural resources and culture." <br />North Kohala, CDP has, "Key planning implications related to Kohala's natural and <br />cultural resources, include cultural sites and landscapes should be protected; coastal <br />resources should be protected from development and be accessible to residents." The <br />State Constitution, Section XI, subsection (1), includes the words, "For the benefit of <br />present and future generations, the State and its political subdivisions shall conserve and <br />protect Hawaii's natural beauty and all natural resources." Please approve the 2% <br />compromise submitted by the Save Our Lands Citizens Committee. Let the voters decide <br />on the 2% Land Fund. <br />MS. HANANO: The next testifier is Karen Clarkson. She is here speaking on CA -15. <br />KAREN CLARKSON <br />(At this time Karen Clarkson came forward to address members of the Charter Commission.) <br />MS. CLARKSON: As one of the original members of the Save Our Land Citizens <br />Committee, I ask you to please honor the votes of thousands of people who turned out in <br />2006 to make a commitment to our future generations; to set aside 2% of our property <br />taxes for open space and land and natural resources. It is a pledge that we believe we are <br />making to our children, our grandchildren, and our future generations that is based on a <br />survey that was done prior to that by the Trust for Public Lands that I believe cost around <br />$10,000 dollars, that said this is what the people wanted. We ask that you give us another <br />opportunity to show that we are sincere in our commitment to this goal and that anything <br />less than that is just too small of an amount. Remember, it's a percentage; so when <br />revenues go up there is more money, but on the other side that means the economy is up <br />and prices are higher. So it is reflective of property values at the time. It is a percentage; <br />it is not a dollar amount. We ask you to please reinstate the 2% language in the Charter <br />amendment for the Land Fund. Thank you very much. <br />MS. HANANO: This is our last testifier which is Margaret Wille and she has several <br />different items on the agenda to speak on. She will identify each item as she moves from <br />one to the other. <br />MARGARET WILLE <br />(At this time Margaret Wille came forward to address members of the Charter Commission.) <br />MS. WILLE: Good afternoon, I am Margaret Wille from Waimea. I would first like to <br />comment on CA -9, 23, and 30, all of which promote timely and effective notice to the <br />public. The rights that the people have in the division of power are basically to hear and <br />be heard. In order to hear and be heard, and those rights may seem small to some but <br />they at least give voice to what voters and residents have to say, it is critical to have <br />notice and information about government decision making. Therefore, I just ask in the <br />interest of maintaining a well informed and participatory public, to encourage you to <br />