HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0279.055 2020-2022 1
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From: Mathieu Williams
Sent: Monday, July 05, 2021 3:00 PM
To: Council Testimony
Subject: Testimony for Communication 279
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 Hawai'i Island resident, she has served as project
manager for Tinguley Development, one of West Hawaii's largest real estate development and general contracting a
firms (whose firm has provided donations to Mayor Roth's campaign).
I urge you to instead consider Ku'ulei Keakealani, who is a Native Hawaiian female applicant with generations
of connection to the people and stories of this land. Back in the summer of 2019, my students and I were
blessed to engage in a place based project with Aunty Ku'ulei that forever grounded and changed the
trajectory of my teaching. Her wisdom and intentional stewardship of the land and resources in places like
Makalawena left an imprint in our hearts and minds of how sacred and valuable land is to connect our cultural
stories and sense of responsibility when contributing to a thriving Hawaii.
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 a 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,
Mathieu Williams
Digital Media 12019 Hawai'i State Teacher of the Year
Kealakehe Intermediate I Twitter
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