HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0044.100 2020-2022 3
Sent: Tuesday, January 19, 2021 9:35 AM
To: Council Testimony
Subject: FW: Late testimony regarding the nomination of Zendo Kern
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COUNIT . CLERK 3
COUNTY OF HAWAI'I
RECEIVED
Time .
From: Nelson Ho
Sent:Tuesday,January 19, 20219:32 AM Date JAN 1 9 2021
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Subject: Late testimony regarding the nomination of Zendo Kern
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Aloha Council Members, my name is Nelson Ho. I was a Deputy Director for the Environmental Management
department under Harry Kim for 4.5 years. I know how important it is for political appointees to be fair and
visionary.
I wish to add my name to those who are concerned about the nomination of Mr. Zendo Kern as planning director. I
have worked with him in his capacity as a planning consultant. He was a good advocate for his clients and land
owners.
I ask that this Committee take a close look at whether he has the qualifications for being a planning director. I do not
think he has the managerial experience, nor the temperament for creating and enforcing county policies that regulate
development for the long term.
Mr. Kern is a business consultant who, in the past, has chosen to promote development proposals that have ignited
serious community concerns about environmental, traffic and archeological problems. His choices do suggest his
inclinations and philosophy with regard to development over long term community health. Much energy was
expended by the community to make their concerns be heard and addressed.
Mayor Roth said to the Council that even if Mr. Kern ever did make controversial and partisan decisions,there are
often layers of review, and the community has ability to challenge those decisions. That scenario creates stress, huge
expenditures of people's energy, and an erosion in belief that government works to protect the community.
It is like saying to a person wanting the county to correct a dangerous traffic intersection- "We know government
created the dangerous intersection but here are the numbers for the police, the ambulance, and your council person."
It is unfortunate that Mayor Roth has put the public in the position of having to raise these concerns, and many others.
Mahalo for your attention to my late testimony.
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Nelson Ho
Hilo, HI 96720
Comm. No.
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