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hearing, folks wanted to imbed the fine within the bill and we kept recommending that they go
<br />back to Planning Commission, and when we, when the bill is finalized, we understand intent and
<br />then we go back and rules and procedures, and we can change the fine schedule there, create a
<br />new fine schedule if necessary.
<br />So, today, I would generally say I don't think we need to debate how much the fine needs to be.
<br />I think we know it needs to be significantly higher, and that will occur in rules and procedures
<br />down the road. I just wanted to add that.
<br />CLARKSON: Thank you. We'll begin public testimony now. The first testifier will be Mayor
<br />Kim. If you can come forward, please. Do you swear or affirm to tell the truth on this matter
<br />before the Commission today?
<br />KIM: Yes, I do.
<br />CLARKSON: Thank you. Please proceed.
<br />KIM: First of all, thank you for giving me this time. In sitting there, I just recollected, tried to
<br />recollect the background of this and why we are here, and looking at the audience, knowing just
<br />a few of them, very few. When I first got elected Mayor, not first, but when I got elected Mayor
<br />this past December 3rd, even before that, listing priorities of what we're going to try to do, this
<br />was one of the highest priority. When I left the same job the first time in the year 2008, this was
<br />not a problem. I do distinctly remember talking to the Director of the Planning Department at
<br />the time, Chris Yuen, and because you have so many things on the table, you have to prioritize
<br />what you're going to attack, and that was on the table as one of the problem areas, and you can
<br />talk to Mr. Yuen. His exact words were to me that of all the priorities, this is one of the lesser
<br />one is regards to urgency because it was such a small problem and here it is. It comes to this. A
<br />year and a half ago, when I listed the priorities, this was one of the highest priorities. The
<br />priorities established by the population of the Island of Hawaii, their voice of concerns of what
<br />is happening.
<br />And, I'm elaborating this to emphasize the importance of this. Stating this to emphasize to you,
<br />the Commission members, how much work has been done to get to this point. When they were
<br />given this assignment, this assignment was in the year of 2016, 17, and in December when we
<br />first took office. And, I'm so ignorant in regards to how much work and what had to be done to
<br />come to where we are now. I thought they could do it in three or four months at the max. At the
<br />max. And, he must have heard me say a hundred times, where are we now, where are we now,
<br />because of the constant concern of people.
<br />And, speaking a little bit to some of the audience behind me, I really need you to understand, this
<br />isn't for or against anyone. This is for the protection of a lifestyle in Hawaii. This is to learn
<br />from what is happening in Maui, Kauai, and Oahu that we are fortunate enough to be last on the
<br />totem pole that we can learn from them.
<br />The meeting I had before this was what are we going to do about Puna, and I was surprised
<br />learning about the community that was covered by lava some of their concerns of the vacation
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