HomeMy WebLinkAboutREP PC 032 2021/09/21 (2020-2022) REPORT OF THE
COMMITTEE ON PLANNING
DATE: September 21, 2021 Re: Comm. No. 385
PLACE: Council Chambers
Kailua-Kona, Hawaii
TIME: 9:33 a.m.
Council Chair and Members
Hawaii County Council
Hilo, Hawaii 96720
Your Committee on Planning, to which was referred Communication No. 385, reports as
follows:
Communication No. 385, submitted by Mayor Mitchell D. Roth, dated August 31, 2021,
nominates Faylene Mahina Paishon-Duarte to the Leeward Planning Commission (LPC).
Ms. Paishon-Duarte is a life-long Hawaii resident and is the CEO and Co-Founder of the
Waiwai Collective and Waiwai Consulting. She earned her bachelor's degree in Hawaiian
Studies at the University of Hawaii at Manoa, a graduate certificate in Kahuawaiola Indigenous
Teacher Education from the University of Hawaii at Hilo, and her Master's degree in Business
Administration from Hawaii Pacific Academy. Ms. Paishon-Duarte actively serves her
community as a co-founder of the `Rina Aloha Economic Futures, Vice-Chair of Vibrant
Hawaii, and as a member of Hui `Oihana. If confirmed, Ms. Paishon-Duarte will fill the
At-Large North Kona vacancy and serve a term ending on December 31, 2024.
Executive Assistant to the Mayor Pomaika`i Bartolome was present via Zoom to introduce
Ms. Paishon-Duarte. Ms. Paishon-Duarte appeared before Your Committee via Zoom and spoke
of her roots and love for the `aina. Ms. Paishon-Duarte outlined four principles that will guide
her in this role: `Rina Aloha, we are of and from this `aina that ultimately sustains us; `Opu Alii,
the privilege to lead is directly dependent on those they serve; `Imi `Oi Kelakela, we are driven
by creativity and innovation and constantly challenging the status quo; and Ho`okipa, we are
inclusive and embrace the collective that will call Hawaii home.
Committee Chair Ashley Kierkiewicz disclosed that she serves on the Vibrant Hawaii board
with Ms. Paishon-Duarte, and Committee Member Sue Lee Loy disclosed that she has
previously worked with Ms. Paishon-Duarte. Both Chair Kierkiewicz and Ms. Lee Loy stated
they felt capable of making an objective decision; no objections to their participation in the
discussion or vote were voiced.
PC Report No.: 32
PC-32 Page 2 September 21,2021
Committee Members Rebecca Villegas, Holeka Inaba, Maile David, and Matt Kaneali`i-
Kleinfelder expressed their gratitude that the Administration selected a nominee with such
cultural sensitivity and noted that her nomination to the LPC will benefit Kanaka Hawaii and
the County as a whole. They hoped that this nomination was a turning point for the commission
after months of challenges.
Ms. Lee Loy thanked Ms. Paishon-Duarte for her time and her efforts working for what's best
for the `aina and communities. She believes that Ms. Paishon-Duarte will bring good change to
the LPC and that the Administration nominated the perfect choice.
Chair Kierkiewicz expressed her joy that Ms. Paishon-Duarte was nominated for this role. She
noted that her work was inspirational, and that her service on the commission represented the
start of making incremental shifts in community and the County.
The vote was then taken on the motion to move this measure to Council with a favorable
recommendation and passed with 9 "ayes."
Your Committee on Planning is in accord with the purpose and intent of Communication No. 385,
and recommends confirmation of the appointment of Ms. Faylene Mahina Paishon-Duarte to the
Leeward Planning Commission.
is
AYES NOES ABS EX Respectfully submitted,
CHUNG X
DAVID x COMMITTEE ON PLANNING
INABA X
KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER X
KIERKIEWICZ X
KIMBALL X
LEE LOY x ASHLEY L. KIERKIEWICZ, CHAIR
RICHARDS X PC REPORT NO.: 32
VILLEGAS X ADOPTED: OCT 0 6 2021