HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0189.042 2020-2022 oma,
From: Matthew Rossman
Sent: Sunday, April 18, 2021 12:49 PM
To: Council Testimony -W`
Subject: Testimony...Purchase Holualoa's Keala Ka Kou Lot as a PONC lot
Aloha distinguished councilmembers,
i am writing to urge you to purchase the Holualoa Keala Ka Kou lot to a PONC lot. Here is my story.
It's a little after seven a.m. in Holualoa Village. The sun is just peeking up over Hualalai. The Holualoa roosters
are crowing, more incessantly now. The morning light spills upon the only street that winds through the small
Ilolualoa village. The name of this street is Mamalahoa Highway, and the village is the Holualoa Village.
Here is the old Holualoa School, perched precariously on the old lava rocks. Here is a tiny post office, a brightly
colored structure they call the pink hotel, the quaint art galleries, some small eateries, and an old Mom and Pop
store. The morning breezes melt the dew and bring the smell of the opening coffee blossoms.
It should be a dreamy Monday morning. But it's not.
The cars and trucks are driving too fast through this village. They swerve to avoid pedestrians and
strollers; Moms struggling to manage the heavy tangle of backpacks and diaper bags. An older sibling, pleading and
tugging,her little brothers hand. A little boy, maybe 4 or 5, with an overloaded backpack that has broken free of his
father's hand, chasing after his shiny water bottle that has bounced, spilled, and rolled onto the busy Mamalahoa
I-Iighway.
A large landscaping truck with children spilling out of the cab. The children call out directions to the father who
struggles to maneuver his vehicle in the blinding morning sun. The father finally gives up his six point turn, yields to
the impatient motorists he has blocked, and squeezes what he can of his vehicle halfway off the road next to the
hydrant, because he promised he would try to have his kids there on time. Discussing the pile of tardy notices can't be
worse than the risk of a ticket.
What is the day I am describing? What is the scene? Is it the Holualoa Light Festival? The monthly Ilolualoa
First Friday Celebration? Spring Festival at Holualoa? Holualoa Winter Festival? The first day of school? Or is this
scene just par for the course of a normal school day? The answer is all of the above.
Ilolualoa is in desperate need for the county to purchase the Ke Ala Kakou Lot as a PONC lot. If the county
purchases this lot, this lot would help us to create a safe walkway for the children and families through the village.
My name is Matthew Rossman. When I was little, I attended Holualoa School. I was a kid who ducked under the
caution tape and hopped over the fences to get to my learning and play spots at Holualoa School and at the I-Iolualoa
Imin Center.
Now, I am a teacher, a parent, and the Holualoa School Community Council Chairperson. Our school has grown.
Each year, around six hundred students attend our school. The populations will continue to grow, as our feeder
neighborhoods continue putting up new houses.
At our School Community Council meetings each month, parents and community members share the scenes I have
shared with you above. How can we make our community safer? Is it only a matter of time before tragedy
strilces? Can we get help before a tragedy strikes?
We need the County's help. Please purchase the Ke Ala Ka Kou lot as a PONC lot. The purchase and protection
of this lot will help open a pathway for children to walk safely to the school away from the Mamalahoa Highway.
Additionally, the 2.5 acre parcel will open up outdoor learning space that is essential and necessary for our children
at this time. Students are craving fresh air, outdoor learning experiences, and creative and experiential activities. All
these things are possible with the purchase and transfer of this 2.5 acre Keala Ka Kou lot to a PONC lot.
Distinguished County members, thank you for your commitment to our community and our keiki, and for this
opportunity to share our story. Please support our community. Support our keiki. Support our future. Purchase the
1-Iolualoa Keala Ka Kou lot for a publicly accessible PONC lot. Thank you!
Sincerely, n. `Sq•42
Matthew Rossman Ref. f m. No
Ic
To: RI •
1 Ref. Date APR 2 0 2021
English Language Coordinator
School Community Council Chairperson
Holualoa Elementary School
2