HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0200.023 2024-2026 P/&oEAG
EAMM. 200
From: Maki Morinoue
Sent: Thursday, March 27, 2025 11:38 PM
To: Council Testimony
Cc Inaba, Holeka; Onishi, Dennis; Kimball, Heather; Kagiwada,Jennifer; Kierk ewiczq
Ashley; Galimba, Michelle M.;Villegas, Rebecca; Kanealii-Kleinfelder, MatITHustate':_,
James
Subject: Comm. 200: Nomination of Rebecca Kawehi Inaba to the Leeward Plannrri
Commission
Aloha County Council Members,
Thank you for this opportunity. My name is Maki Morinoue, and I am a fourth generation
from HOlualoa ahupua'a with a deep commitment to the proper stewardship of our land
and natural resources. I am writing in strong support of Mayor Kimo Alameda's
nomination of Kawehi Inaba to serve on the County of Hawai'i's Leeward Planning
Commission.
Some County Council members might want to utilize the term conflict of interest, as she
is the mother of Dr. Holeka Inaba. Yet, as an amazing woman, she built her reputation
long before Dr. Holeka took office. If you review Mrs. Inaba's track record, nothing
conflicts; her background only gives us hope for the ingredients and experience she
brings to this position. Unlike our previous Planning Director, Zendo Kern, and his
extreme conflict of interest, allowing the land to be scraped, dug up, developed, allowing
destruction to iwi kupuna, development without archaeological surveys and
environmental impact statements, and ignoring previous contested hearings cases in
which then 2017, Police Chief stated Kona as a NO BUILD ZONE unless we have proper
evacuation routes. It's 2025; we do not have appropriate evacuation routes. Zendo
rubber-stamped massive developments along Ali'i Drive, even when our people couldn't
evacuate during the three tsunami evacuations we had within the last 10 years. He
advocated for statewide bills to change Kona and all outer islands forever. Allowing
over-densification to occur without due process. That is a conflict of interest when his
long. list of clients benefited from his day job.
Kawehi Inaba's background should interest all Hawai'i Island residents because she is an
entrepreneur, a pilot, a community leader, a cultural practitioner, and a mediator who
has positively impacted our community. I have seen what she brings to the community
when sitting on boards like the West Hawai'i Mediation Center, La'i`opua 2020, The
Donkey Mill Art Center, and more, servicing the community in need and making our
community more substantial and meaningful. I don't see this as a conflict, I see this as
an essential voice and vote with a perspective forithe 'aina, our culture, its residents,
and businesses in the districts of North Kohala, South Kohala, North Kona, and South
Kona and their people.
As someone who cares deeply about the future of our island—its `aina, its people, and its
cultural integrity—I have long admired Kawehi's leadership and unwavering dedication to
our community. Her ability to hold space for diverse perspectives, while always
remaining grounded in values of aloha, kuleana, and balance, is precisely what West
Hawaii needs in our planning process.
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Ref. Daitie 1 2025
Kawehi's work across the nonprofit, for-profit, business, and civic sectors reflects her
unique capacity to lead with empathy and strength. She approaches complex issues with
care, listens to and hears the community's voice, and consistently seeks solutions that
honor both people and place. Her leadership is inclusive, thoughtful, and driven by a
sincere commitment to the well-being of our island and future generations.
I wholeheartedly support her nomination and strongly encourage her confirmation.
Kawehi Inaba would be a tremendous asset to the Leeward Planning Commission and to
the continued stewardship of our Hawaii Island home.
Mahalo for your time.
With aloha,
Maki Morinoue •
Holualoa, Hawaii
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