HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0279.049 2020-2022 I
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From: Jessica Sobocinski i
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Sent: Thursday, June 17, 2021 9:15 AM j
To: Council Testimony
Subject: Written Testimony: Communication 279
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Aloha Kakou,
My name is Jessica Sobocinski; I am a resident of Hawaii Island and the Associate Director for an `aina-based
education nonprofit. I oppose the confirmation of Ms. Shani Armbruster to the Leeward Planning Commission as
there is at least one other candidate, Ku`ulei Keakealani, who has extensive experience with Hawaii-based land
management organizations. Ms. Armbruster has only lived on Hawa`i Island for seven years and in that time has only
worked with a real estate development and general contracting firm, Tinguely Development. I believe this narrow
scope of experience and time spend on the island limits Ms. Armbruster's ability to prioritize the needs of Hawai`i's
communities, specifically Kanaka Maoli, as it pertains to care and management of`aina.
The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic should have made it clear to all of Hawai`i's residents and institutions that
preparing for the impact the global climate crisis by increasing the island's sustainability should be the top priority.
Leadership at the county and state level need to reflect this priority by selecting and appointing professionals who
hold the experience, knowledge, and the relationships with community and place to create sustainable policies.
Mahalo,
Jess
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