HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0183.013 2020-2022 pf PC
CAMM.185
From: Renee Inaba
Sent: Sunday, April 04, 2021 5:24 PM
To: Council Testimony
Subject: Planning Committee/Communication #183 Written Testimony
RE: Retain Mr. Mark Van Pernis in his current role, seat, term on Leeward Planning Commission. (Testimony for
4/6/2021)
Aloha Council Members and Planning Committee Members,
We are writing to share our concerns related to the Mayor's recent request to remove Mark Van Pernis from his seat
on the Leeward Planning Commission. We strongly believe that Mr. Van Pernis should remain in his seat and fulfill
his full term as appointed. This is the ONLY pono choice for openness, transparency, a stand against "group think",
diversity in every respect, inclusiveness, and for the benefit of West Hawaii issues to be fully addressed and vetted
for the people, key constituency of these lands and communities.
In West Hawai'i, the Community writ-large is familiar with Mr. Van Pernis, his advocacy for the community, for
candor, for both posing and probing difficult questions and salient concerns. These issues and concerns must be at
least asked in order to arrive at a correct, considered answer or solution to often complex issues. Whether one agrees
with his position or concerns or not, is not in the end relevant. The essential issue is that his logic, mind, and
articulation are almost always relevant to avoiding near and long term issues and problems.
We have attended meetings with Mr. Van Pernis sharing his mana'o to benefit the Community and key decisions. I-Ie
seems to be fully driven by a sense of his kuleana to and for the key actual stakeholders in the community and not
political status, self gain or promotion, or appeasement. This is important, relevant, and necessary to and for the
people of West Hawaii. Certainly it seems since his recent physical issues, his speech may be slower but his wisdom
is no less necessary, relevant, and important. In other meetings we've attended he was given the floor to finish his
thoughts sans harassment related to time or prodding. He was never excessive in this completion of thought and once
heard, nearly all would agree to the merit of at least hearing the totality of his logic and concerns, i.e., as these would
address issues that would be critical in the near to long term and might adverse haunt or hinder success concerning the
issue or decisions being addressed.
Please retain Mr. Mark Van Pernis in his seat in the Leeward Planning Commission. •
Most Respectfully Submitted,
Derek and Renee Inaba u o
8 1n n
Kailua-Kona Hawai'i F 0
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Sent from Yahoo Mail on Android Comm. NR. 13b•(3
Ref. To: Ce/
Ref. D �PR ' 6
1 ate 2021