HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0279.039 2020-2022 i
From: Shields Norvell
Sent: Tuesday, June 22, 2021 9:58 PM
To: Council Testimony
Subject: Council Testimony
Aloha County Council Members,
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
I have only been living on the island for 6 months, however through the family and children I live with I
have been blessed enough to have the opportunity to gain an authentic perspective of the values of the island.
From just my short time here I have connected to the land deeply and understand that the native people here
connect with the land on a much deeper and meaningful level. With that being said, the protection of the land
is not something that should be second thought. It should be necessity for the island to protect the values of
the native people and preserve cultural importance they place behind it. I am from South Carolina, a place
where unfortunately the truth of historical reality of the state has been overshadowed by a white voice. The
majority of the state of South Carolina is now gentrified and lacks nearly any historically accurate
representation. This narrative has been told far to many times in many geographic areas. At what point will
the lesson be learned? With that being said, I truly believe that it is only right for a native Hawaiian to
represent the voice of the native people.
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, Hawai'i 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 Hawaii does not represent this perspective. I urge you to vote NO on
communication 279.
Mahalo,
Clara Page Norvell
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