HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0824.013 2022-2024P G06Ac
COMM
From: KohalaCHAG COUMCLERK
Sent: Sunday, April 28, 2024 10:14 PM COUNTY OF HAWAI'I
To: Council Testimony RECEIVED
Subject: Testimony in support of Kinuko Noborikawa f `Q ot. ' ssion
ate
Dear Chair Evans and Members of the Government Operations and External Affairs Committee:
I am writing today to testify IN SUPPORT of Kinuko Noborikawa for the North Kohala seat on the Leeward
Planning Commission.
Noborikawa has over a decade of vast experience in permitting, land use, planning and code development,
while working with local government. She has worked as a senior planner for nearly a decade on various
projects in Washington, as well as extensive advisory and strategic planning experience within local community
organizations. She has leadership experience with several community organizations, now including many of
those in Kohala.
Noborikawa's family lineage in Kohala dates back to 1901, where they lived in Halawa Camp. Her Great
Grandfather and Grandfather worked for Kohala Sugar. Although born and raised in Honolulu, she often spent
time in Kohala as a youth. In 1976, she obtained her undergraduate degree in Zoology from the University of
Hawai'i at Manoa, and continued as an MS candidate in Fisheries Science at the University of Washington,
Seattle. Since then she had been employed in multiple roles before returning to Hawaii in 2016 to care for her
aging parents.
Kinuko is honest, thorough, caring, and has a deep reverence for the'aina, community, and culture of
Kohala. She is committed to finding solutions for social justice, and smart growth that puts aloha 'aina at the
forefront of the Leeward communities of Hawaii Island.
In sum, her experience, deep roots, and involvement and commitment to the North Kohala community makes
her a valuable candidate and we strongly recommend her for the North Kohala seat on the Leeward Planning
Commission.
Mahalo,
The North Kohala Culture and History Advisory Group
Comir�. N L
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