HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0497.009 2022-2024 P (CaoEAG
!Res.287-25
COW.ti47
Testimony for RES 287 23 -Require all B&C meetings provide virtual Access for public participation, live
viewing and post meeting viewing._Antu Harvey
My name is Antu Harvey. I live in the district of North Kona.
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I strongly SUPPORT this resolution. CD
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Thank you for taking up this Resolution and this opportunity for me to testify. —+
I try to stay civically engaged and participate in the processes by which our lives and futures in the co
County of Hawaii are determined and in an effort to share my mana'o and influence the decisions
guide us toward a better future for the'aina,which includes inseparably our ohana.
Civic engagement and public participation is a cornerstone of democracy. United Nations: democracy
"provides an environment that respects human rights and fundamental freedoms, and in which the
freely expressed will of people is exercised."
Accessiblity to meetings in Hawai'i is vital to this system functioning, but has many challenges:
• Long distances- for much of the population to travel to where County meetings are held
• Travel times and meeting durations—are difficult,costly, if not impossible for many people with
jobs,other commitments, health conditions,or transporation availability issues.
This results in barriers to accommodating and encouraging participation from across our diverse
communities.
Unintended consequences include:
• People interested in observing meetings to learn more about how our government works(or a
particular issue or item) are challenged to figure out how to do this,or they give up.
• People interested in testifying(live) but can't attend the meeting in person are challenged—
especially if they want to observe other testimony and not repeat what has already been said
• People interested in watching the proceedings after the fact if they couldn't attend the meeting
or didn't realize until afterwards that it would have been a priority.
• People not engaging or disengaging because they do not understand,or don't trust how the
government works.
• People not voting because they do not understand,or don't trust how their elected officials
work.
• People calendaring and taking time and expese of attending a meeting only to learn it has been
cancelled,or the item(s)they are interested in have been postponed.
• People interested in a range of topics that cross multiple Boards and Commissions are not able
to take the time(and expense)to attend ALL those meetings.
Ensuring ALL Board &Commission meetings provide the transparency and participation opportunities
•that an inclusive platform provides-offering live observation, live testimony,and later access to an
entire video archive -embraces OPEN optimized accessiblity.This is like it is a 'curb cut 2.0'for the
modern day and age and represents the latest win-win in 'universal design'. This is a critical civic tool.
Mahalo for your service dedication and providing this opportunity to testify.
Comm. o. .
Ref. To:
Ref. Date NOV 1 4 2023