HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0279.050 2020-2022 From: Surf Lessons Hawaii and HLSI
Sent: Friday, June 18, 2021 10:42 AM
To: Council Testimony
Subject: Written Testimony Submission: Communication 279
Aloha County Council Members,
I'm submitting testimony in opposition to the nomination of Ms. Sham Armbruster to the Leeward Planning
Commission.
The Leeward district representatives oppose Ms. Armbruster's nomination, and that needs to be taken into heavy
consideration as to why.
In the official communication from the Mayors Office, the committee meeting vote was 5-4.
Councilmembers Ashley Kierkiewicz (Puna), Sue Lee Loy (Hilo), Aaron Chung (Hilo), Heather Kimball
(115makua), and Tim Richards (Kohala) voting YES.
* ALL Kona councilmembers: Maile David, Rebecca Villegas, Holeka Inaba plus Matt Kanealii-Kleinfelder
(Puna) voting NO.
Mayor Roth should have nominated a much more qualified candidate: Ku'ulei Keakealani, 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'upiilehu Intepretive
Center at Kalaemano. In addition she has been a community service member with numerous organizations including
the Federal Rivers and Traits Conservation (RICA) Program, Kai Kuleana Network, Hui Loko Network, Hawaii
Association for the Education of Young Children, Ka'iipiilchu Foundation, and Pu'uwa'awa'a Advisory Council to
name a few.
We need a commissioner who understands this 'dina and the needs of its people. Ms. Armbruster's seven years as a
resident and development manager in West Hawaii does not represent this perspective.
While Ms. Armbruster has been kind enough to apply for this position, she has only been a full time Hawaii
island resident for seven years! During these seven years, she has served as a Project Manager for
Tinguley Development, one of West Hawaii's largest real estate development and general contracting
firms. It is also important to note that during this last election season, Mayor Roth's campaign received
$1,500 in donations from Tinguely Development President, Phil Tinguely.
I urge you to vote "NO" on Communication 279.
Mahalo nul.
Tifani Stegehuis
HLSI GM & Operator
HI Lifeguard Surf Instructors
Kailua-Kona -Hawaiian Surf School- Since 1998-
Comm. No.
Ref. To: P MWIN
Ref. Date- JUL - 7 2021