HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0044.044 2020-2022 AGER V. MEEKER, ATTORNEY AT LAW
P.O. Box 57
HAWAII NATIONAL PARK
HAWAI 13671 8
EMAIL: RVM,T1KIG a'MAIL.00M
PI-40NE: (808) 557-2223
4 January 2021
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Ashley L.Kierkiewicz,Chair w
Susan"Sue"Keohokapu-Lee Loy,bice Chair w
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Planning Committee
Hawaii County Council
Re: Confirmation of appointment of Zendo Kern as Planning Director
Committee on Plan!]ing_ hearing lanua[y S.2021, 10:30 a.m.
Dear Chair Keirkeiwiez,Vice Chair Keohokapu-Lee Loy,and Committee Members:
I strongly support the appointment of Zendo Kern as Planning Director.
i
Mr. Kern's background and experience will serve him and Hawaii island superbly well. His interpersonal skills
are excellent. He's intelligent, he communicates extremely well, he's objective,and has a deep understanding of
the myriad aspects of land use and planning issues from multiple perspectives—exactly what the department
position requires.
Everyone is keenly aware of the systemic issues that over time have increasingly affected the planning and
permitting processes on Hawaii Island---a state of dysfunction that directly impacts all our residents. Zendo
Kern understands those issues,and fully intends to explore methods and policies to address these matters—
including working closely with other departments to bring about substantive improvement. For that he should
be applauded.
Mr, Kern has been criticized in print for representing developments that some parties perceive as inappropriate.
That criticism is entirely misplaced. Proposed developments should be judged—and approved or disapproved
—based on the project's merits; not on who was the planning consultant retained by the owners to represent
the project. A planning consultant who represents an unpopular client should no more be condemned than
should an attorney who represents an unpopular client.
Mr. Kern's impressive background makes him eminently qualified for the Planning Director position. Aside from
an impressive self-made and diverse private sector background, he has served on and chaired the Windward
Planning Commission,served on the Hawaii County Council and chaired the EM and Planning Committees,and
established his own planning consulting business—all at an impressively young age. l have seen no criticism or
evidence of unfair bias on the part of Mr. Kern in any of these roles,
1 respectfully ask that you confirm Zendo Kern as Hawaii County Planning Director.
�,—)Oncerely,
Roger V. Meeker
Ref. To: *v
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