2019-03-21 Leeward Exh A - Public Statements (AMEND SMA 07-000020)

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UNGER: Thank you. I have two more names on the list: Cindy, and Adriane Skinner. And if there is anybody else who would like to testify also at this time on this agenda item— FROM THE AUDIENCE: Who was that you called? UNGER: Cindy – no last name. Please raise your right hand. Do you swear or affirm to tell the truth before the Planning Commission? TESTIFIERS: I do. UNGER: Thank you. Please state your name and area of residence. SKINNER: My name is Adriane Skinner. I live in Ali‘i Banyan’s across the street behind Banyan Mart, in a property that was built I think eleven years ago. It was very conservative development with dedicated parking. I purchased in fall of 2017 in large part because of Banyan’s and because of the aesthetic of the neighborhood. I’ve seen a lot of coastal properties in Southern California, and I moved here from Maui because of density and development there, and I’ve never seen a public space so loved and cared for; watch these guys clean it up, they recycle, they rake the leaves, they take care of anything that would hurt that keiki that run around in bare foot. And I know that it’s private property and buying property around it is a risk, but I’m concerned about population density, property values in the area, especially parking, the area is dangerous already. I’m mostly concerned about just another property that might turn into vacation rentals at some point. So, personal interest but also public interest. Thank you. FREITAS: Aloha kākou pano. E mele komo ā he mele aloha. Na kupuna i ke au i hala. Aloha mai kākou. I am a descendant, prior to 1778. My ‘ohana is Kamaka‘īmoku. We as a descendant are here to protect what our kūpuna told us. I’m a culture practitioner. There is many historical properties here on the Big Island and many other islands. As far as this developer, I think he was, this, the applicant, actually was, wasn’t forthcoming in public hearings or meetings because according to the HRS 91 and 92 you have to put out a hearing. He failed. I can imagine many more failures, which happen, from what I’m hearing from the applicant. So I don’t think they are forthcoming here. Two, because we are cultural practitioners, as many things that happens in that area, significant findings, inadvertent findings of burial grounds, kū‘ula stones, things like that, we practice, and we continue to practice our culture, fishing, brothers fishing, brothers pule from mauka to makai. And then there is the aquifer underneath that runs through Mauna Kea come down to that area, which is not explored. And that would be damaging for our culture, especially for our fishes; all this water that comes from mauka to makai, that feeds our coral, our fishes so we can maintain the growth of the fish so we can still practice our culture. Now, the developers that we see today that build things, they had damage our resources, they had damage a lot of our stuffs. It’s time for this foreign investors to go back, because they are not, they are not helping the people who live here; they are helping their pockets. And I’m sorry you guys are put in this predicament as middleman, but you need to use the best to be akamai in deciding that this is not forthcoming. They failed many times from what I’m hearing on the table, and I don’t think this should be extended, the Special Management Permit \[sic\] shouldn’t be extended. Mahalo. 9 EXHIBIT A