HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0279.013 2020-2022 PYCOUflol
COUNTY CLERK omm. 21
COUNTY OF HAWAIII
RECEIVED
Aloha County Council Members, Timex'22
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Date JUL 0 1 2021
I'm submitting testimony in opposition to the nomination of Ms.Armbruster to the
Leeward Planning Commission. During the 7 years that Ms.Armbruster has been a
Hawaii Island resident, she has served as project manager for Tinguley Development,
one of West Hawaii's largest real estate development and general contracting firms
(whose firm has provided donations to Mayor Roth's campaign).
While I have been a resident of Hawaii Island for io years, I was born and raised in
South Florida and have spent extensive time working with progressive urban planners. I
have seen first hand what happens to communities and natural environments when
commissioners who have ties to developers are in positions of power. Every single time,
the needs of developers and their opportunities for profit will be given at the immense
and irreversible cost of cultural and environmental resources. Learn from the mistakes
of Florida which sold beautiful and ecologically critical land for suburban development
and new plazas. It has become a wasteland. Hawaii is special because of its history of
protection of land and cultural resources. I urge you to uphold these values and instead
consider Ku'ulei Keakealani.
Ku'ulei Keakealani is a Native Hawaiian female applicant with generations of connection
to the people and stories of this land. Ms. Keakealani has professional experience as the
cultural director for hui aloha Kiholo and Ka'upulehu Interpretive Center at Kalaemano.
In addition, she has been a community member with numerous organizations including
the federal rivers and trails conservation program, Kai Kuleana Network, Hui Loko
Network, Hawaii Association for the Education of Young Children, Kaupulehu
Foundation, and Pu'uwa'wa'a Advisory Council to name a few.
Our island is at a crossroads in history. We have the opportunity to put land and cultural
resources before profits for business. We have the opportunity to value the people of the
land first. This is a moment to consider future generations and the sustainability of the
economy, environment, and culture.We need commissioner who understands this aina
and the needs of its people. Ms Armbruster's 7 years as a resident and development
manager in West Hawai'i does not represent this perspective. I urge you to vote NO on
communication 279.
Mahalo nui,
Lia Cary
Coat NoUL.
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