HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0020.031 2000-2002 MICHAEL,.j.~ M,4T$U,i~AWA
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December 14, 2000
Mr James Arakaki
Hawan County Council
County of Hawan
20 Aupum Street
Hilo, Hawau 96720
Re Confinnahon of Chris Yuen
Planning Director, County of Hawau
Chairman Aiakaki and Members
of the Couniv Counal
I support ivlr Yuen's nomination as Planning Director His expenence
m both the private sector and public sector gives him a sound balance and the
nght perspective to address planning laws and tssttes, a subJect where pnvate
and public interests often confltot
In addition, Mr Yuen will be able to bang his experience and expertise
to assist the County Council on planning issues
Finally, Mr Yuen was a member of the Board of Laud a,id Natural
Resources for eight years The Board is very different from other agencies
like the county planning commission
The Board by statute is the executive head of the Department of Land
and Natual Resources and is charged with supervising the ceded land and
public n•usts- disposition of such lands, regulation of public lands and waters
and the adnumstiation tit .i multitude of legislative piogiain~ As the
executive head, the Board and all of its members, discharge the State's duties
over many subJects as well
Comm. No,
Ftile No.
~ nf~of
Ref. To: -
Ref. Date ~ 1 9 2000
In the recent Waihole Ditch case, the Hawau Supreme Court noted that
the Board's function and role is a substantial one that is slimed b_v all of its
members, not dust the chairman
In contrast, a person who may sit on a county planning commission
does not administer the planning deparnnent and is confined to giving advice
on certain planning issues or to ad~udicahng specific pennrt applications
In closing, 1 ask that the County Counal confirm Mr Yuen's
nomination as Plaiuiuig Du-ectoi Thank you very much
Very truly yours,
Michael J Matsukawa
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