HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0044.065 2020-2022 i
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by Mondaylan 3,sign up to testify with Jean.Muramoto(7hhawaiicountY gov
e-mail to
aaron.chung@hawaiicounty.gov
maile.david@hawaiicounty.gov
matt.kanealii-kleinfelder@hawaiicounty.gov
ashley.kierkiewicz@hawaiicounty.gov
heather.kimball@hawaiicounty.gov
sue.leeloy@hawaiicounty.gov
holeka.inaba@hawaiicounty.gov
tim.richards@hawaiicounty.gov
rebecca.villegas@hawaiicounty.gov75
counciltestimony@hawaiicounty.gov
testimony opposing Comm 44, appointment of Zendo Kern to Planning Director
for Hawai'i County Council Planning Committee µ -
10:30 AM Tuesday, January 5, 2020
from Sierra Club, Hawai'i Island Group k
Although Zendo Kern deserves credit for his successful business and his contributions to the community
as a volunteer, he does not appear to be the right choice for Planning Director.
1 - He does not have the qualifications required by the County Charter, section 6-7.2, quoted below:
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.
He appears to have no training or experience in planning as defined by Oxford Language:
"Planning" is defined as "the control of urban development by a local government authority, from
which a license must be obtained to build a new property or change an existing one."
Googlel Oxford Languagesl law definition
https.11www.google.comisearch?q=planning+definition&riz=1C1SQJL enUS882US882&oq=plann
ing+definition&aqs=chrome..69i57j017.3793jl j95&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8
He does not appear to have any college degree.
He also appears to have no administrative experience in a government position—only in a business.
Minutes of Charter Commission meetings that developed wording for 6-7.2 show concerns about
administrative experience and a degree:
"HERKES...that's consistent with all our Department Heads, that we put more of an
administrative slant on it."
i
February 9, 2000 minutes
"TYLER...with respect to a Planning Director, I think it should be a minimum of a Masters degree
in Planning. Many County Planning Directors...have, at a minimum, a Masters. Many of them
have PhD's."
!
May 31, 2000 minutes
Comm N �`1•�1
Ref. TO: {1
Ref. tete JAN 5 2021
2 - k8c Kern would be hampered in fulfilling the duties of Planning Director, since he would need to recuse
himself from enumber Vfprojects that heworked Vnthrough his business.
3 Mr. Kern donated $2,700 to Mitch Roth's campaign. This may pass muster with the Ethics Board, but
casts ecloud over his appointment.
4— Mr. Korn has done consultation for projects that raised serious concerns. For example:
° Royal Kona Village, which has recently sparked community concerns about traffic, school
capacity, water needs, and archaeological sites.
• The Hickey request for an after-the-fact permit to host weddings on agricultural land, in
September 2020. The Planning Department did not support the proposal because of concerns
about noise and light pollution; safety with visitor, ntoff, and truck traffic; inappropriate use of
agricultural land,- and nonconformance with the General Plan and Kona Community Development
Plan.
• Fairview in Kona, which proposed a 40-room lodge on agricultural land in August 2020. A dozen
testifiers opposed the project, The Planning Department did not support the proposal because of
concerns about noise; safety with visitor, staff, and truck traffic; invasive species; lack ofwater
`
and wastewater infrastructure; and inappropriate use of agricultural land.
5—Questions have been raised about Mr. Kern's resume.
The resume says
"Licensed in the State nfHawaii as a8enena| Contractor 2004^
and "Licensed general contractor...8/20O3-7/2O1O" under"Superior Development Group"
but the Hevvei'iDepartment ofCommerce and Consumer Affairs (DCCA) website shows
hereceived license CT'26O35onJune 18. 2OOS�
httpa,*11pu1.ehewaii.govlpWsearrh/in/h/CT-28035-0
The resume says "Kern &Associates (Zendo Kern Planning Consultant) Consultant
12/2O14- 12/2020^
But the DCCA website shows the registration date for"Zendo Kern Planning Consultant" as:
Sep 26. 2O18,
httpu.-Ilhba.ehamuaii.Amwdo*u/nenbslbuminexuhbn/?filaNun7ber=20Y42YC£
Please donot support Mr. Kern's nomination.
Sinoere|y, Deborah J VVard, Choir. Howai'i Island Group. Sierra Club