REP PC 063 2022/04/19 (2020-2022)

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REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PLANNING DATE: April 19, 2022 Re: Comm. No. 719 PLACE: Council Chambers Kailua-Kona, Hawaii TIME: 1:44 p.m. Council Chair and Members Hawaii County Council Hilo, Hawaii 96720 Your Committee on Planning, to which was referred Communication No. 719, reports as follows: Communication No. 719, transmitted by Mayor Mitchell D. Roth dated March 28, 2022, nominates Jessie Ke to the Ka`u Community Development Plan Action Committee (CDPAC). Ms. Pomaika`i Bartolome, Executive Assistant to Mayor Roth, was present via Zoom to introduce Ms. Ke. She shared that Ms. Ke is a lifelong resident of Hawaii. As a kupuna of five children and 53 grandchildren, she has invested a lifetime of educating and nurturing the children of Ka`u. Ms. Ke has an extensive background in community service and volunteerism. She is the President of Po`o Kupuna, an active board member for Hana Laulima `O Ka`u, and Ka`u Cultural Advisory, to name a few. Ms. Ke brings multicultural expertise in the history and traditional practices and would be a great asset to the CDPAC. If confirmed, she will serve a term ending December 31, 2024. Ms. Ke was present before Your Committee in the Kona Chambers and explained her desire to serve for the betterment of her Ka`u community, and her passion is for the children. She said it is important for the next generation of kids in Ka`u to have the opportunities. She explained that she brings cultural knowledge and will always make time to contribute. She further explained that so much has been given to her in life that she truly believes she must give back. Committee Member Maile David praised the selections of nominees and how beautiful it is for youth and kupuna to be working together and sharing that knowledge and passion for community. She further explained how grateful she is for Ms. Ke's willingness to serve. Committee Members Holeka Inaba and Aaron Chung both voiced their support for Ms. Ke, and concurred with Committee Member David that this is a great selection of nominations. Committee Chair Ashley Kierkiewicz also praised the Administration's diverse selection of CDPAC members and expressed how excited she is to see the intergenerational connection and sharing of`ike. She then thanked Ms. Ke for leveraging her decades of experience and putting it to work for Ka`u in this capacity. PC Report No.: 63