HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0044.101 2020-2022 1
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January 11, 2021
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Hon. Maile David
Chairperson
Hawaii County Council
25 Aupuni Street
Hilo, Hawaii 96720
TED H.S.HONG RE: Written Testimony in Support of Nomination of Zendo Kern,
ATTORNEY AT I.AW,LLS.0
Planning Director,County of Hawaii(Unsolicited).
Emnoymea, Hearing: January 19, 2021
WORKPLACE LAW&LITIGATION
Dear Chairperson David and Council Members:
P.O.Box 4217,H[Lo,H196720
TELEPHONE: (808)933-1919 The purpose of this letter is to submit written testimony, unsolicited, on
FAx:(808)935-8281 behalf of Mr. Kern's nomination to the position of Planning Director,
County of Hawaii. I would like to give the Council two (2)examples of
Mr. Kern's interaction with different clients, which I believe speaks to his
integrity and character.
The first interaction involves my client, Connections Public Charter
School. It is applying for a Special Permit to build their modest, scaled
down, campus in Kaumana. It was highly contested and after our
successful appeal, it will still be highly contested. Mr. Kern was the
Chairperson of the Windward Planning Commission for part of the time
the application was before the Planning Commission. He voted against
my client's application.
Throughout the highly contested and often heated proceedings,Mr. Kern,
as Chairperson,treated my client, its parents and students respectfully,
courteously and accommodated their needs so they could provide
testimony and input throughout the proceedings. It was a welcome respite
from the poor treatment my clients had received by other County agencies
and personnel. Despite the humble and modest backgrounds of my
client's parents and students, Mr. Kern made sure they were treated with
equal respect as those, well connected and wealthier people opposed to the
permit application.
The second interaction involves another client, the Paauhau Village
Community Association. Mr. Kern was hired by a property owner who
wanted to resolve a long standing boundary issue with the Association. He
met with my clients at an Association meeting, listened to the Directors'
concerns,walked with them to look at the problem and pledged to work
with them to resolve it.
P.O.Box 4217,HILo,HI 96720
TELuHoNE: (808)933-1919
FAx: (808)9358281 L4,
WEB:TEDHoNGLAW.coM Comm.
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Over the next few weeks,he and his firm voluntarily took on drafting and
editing all legal documents and transactional work which saved my client
over a thousand dollars in attorney's fees. He and his firm were very easy
to work with. This was not a big project or involve a well to do client.
Given the amount of work his firm did,I am sure that he lost money on
that job. He did not complain or express any concern about having to do
the extra work for this minor project. His professionalism and Aloha
shone through and my client and I were fortunate to work with him.
My impression of Mr. Kern is that he is a man of integrity, professionalism
and Aloha. He treats people fairly,regardless of circumstance or
prominence in the Community. He understands the need of looking at a
particular situation and gaining an understanding of the concerns of
different parties. In short, I believe he is a fair individual.
In government,the people put in control of the various bureaucracies need
to be able to understand and appreciate the needs and concerns of different
parties,and balance that with statutory and regulatory requirements. The
County is best served by individuals, like Mr. Kern,who can be fair and
impartial,treat people respectfully, who listen, learn and understand before
taking a position.
Whether in his public service as Windward Planning Commission
chairperson or in his private sector work, Mr. Kern has been professional
and open minded. I encourage the members of the Hawaii County Council
to vote in favor of the Mr. Kern's nomination.
Please feel free to contact me if you have any further questions or concerns
about this more than qualified nominee.
Respectfully,
ed Hong
Attorney at Law
cc: Mr. Kern