HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0044.027 2020-2022 Frons: Joel Gimpel
Sent: Friday, January 01, 2021 9:23 AM
To: Council Testimony
Subject: Nomination of Zendo Kern
Dear Council Members:
I was extremely disturbed with Mayor Roth's decision to nominate Zendo Kern to serve as Planning
Director for the County of Hawaii. Accordingly, I researched the Hawaii County Charter and found the
following requirements for the position in Section 6-7,2(a)-
"The planning director shall have had a minimum of five years of training and experience in a responsible
planning position,or a degree in planning, engineering architecture, geography, or another planning-related
field and three years of experience in a responsible planning position. No less than three years of
experience shall have been in an administrative capacity."
Information available on the internet indicates that Mr. Kern lacks both the requisite "five years of training
and experience in a responsible planning position," as well as "a degree in planning...or another planning-
related field and three years of experience in a responsible planning position. His years as a "planning
consultant" don't equate to training and experience in an administrative capacity or responsible planning
position, and his education went no further than the 1.0th grade.
Most seriously, as Planning Director he would certainly be faced with numerous conflicts of interest arising
from applications for Planning Department approvals from former competitors and clients that would
require his recusal. Those former clients include the developers of the proposed Royal Vistas housing
project now being considered in the Planning Department. Former Planning Director Yee found that the
application and Draft Environmental Assessment (DEA) for that 450 residential unit project raised
significant concerns for traffic on the already unacceptable traffic delays on Highway 11 between Henry
Street and Kamehameha III Rd., failed to deal adequately with the existing problem of overcrowded public
schools serving the area, and ignored the need for many infrastructure improvements.
I firmly believe that engaging a Planning Director who would be required to recuse himself from
participating in and deciding on many applications for Planning Department approval would be unwise and
counter-productive.
As a long-time resident of Pualani Estates in Kona, I urge that his nomination be denied.
Aloha, and mahalo for your consideration.
Joel Gimpel
Kailua-Kona, HI 96740 �..h
Comm. No. u�4•�1
Ref. To: WO
1 Ref. Date J - 5 2021