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REPORT OF THE <br /> COMMITTEE ON PLANNING <br /> DATE: June 15, 2021 Re: Comm. No. 279 <br /> PLACE: Council Chambers <br /> Kona, Hawai i <br /> TIME: 9:00 a.m. <br /> Council Chair and Members <br /> Hawaii County Council <br /> Hilo, Hawaii 96720 <br /> Your Committee on Planning, to which was referred Communication No. 279, reports as <br /> follows: <br /> Communication No. 279, transmitted by Mayor Mitchell D. Roth, dated May 26, 2021, <br /> nominates Shani Armbruster to the Leeward Planning Commission. Pomaika`i Bartolome, <br /> Executive Assistant to the Mayor was present in the Hilo Chambers to introduce <br /> Ms. Armbruster. Ms. Armbruster has been a full-time Hawaii County resident since 2014, <br /> is an active member of the American Planning Association; has a master's degree in Urban <br /> and Regional Planning, and has graduate level research and planning experience for community <br /> resiliency, participatory democracy, land restoration, and transportation improvement projects. <br /> Ms. Bartolome was joined by Planning Director Zendo Kern in the Hilo Council Chambers. <br /> Ms. Armbruster was present in the Kona Chambers before Your Committee to answer any <br /> questions or concerns. <br /> Committee Member Holeka Inaba commended Ms. Armbruster for her educational background, <br /> and asked her about her vision for Kona and the greater West Hawaii, to which she described <br /> the importance of responsible planning to alleviate issues such as sea level rise and climate <br /> change impacts, affordable housing, and transportation. <br /> Committee Member Maile David noted that West Hawaii has been impacted by Supreme Court <br /> decisions surrounding development, which sets precedent for what is allowed, and that has had <br /> an explicit effect on West Hawai`i's cultural identity. Ms. Armbruster responded that her <br /> experience in participatory democracy would guide her decisions and she believes in getting as <br /> many community members involved as necessary to the stakeholder engagement process. <br /> Committee Member Rebecca Villegas, noting the cultural history and identity of West Hawaii, <br /> asked how Ms. Armbruster would balance her responsibilities working for Tinguely <br /> Development, a large developer, while having influence over public planning decisions. <br /> Ms. Armbruster noted that she is well aware of how her appointment may look but knows her <br /> values and will maintain community identity. <br /> PC Report No.:20 <br />