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Members of the Council. Thank you for once again coming to Ka'u. My name is <br /> Sterling Robbins and I live in Ka'u. I support resolution 169-07 because I believe it is a <br /> step towards ensuring that for generations to come the Ka'u heritage will be agricultural, <br /> <br /> with affordable housing and preservation of the unreplaceable and spectacular Ka'u <br /> coastline. <br /> There are jobs in agriculture in Ka'u but in order to fill them labor is being <br /> brought in from poorer countries, countries as far away as Thailand. The problem is not <br /> lack of jobs, the problem is the race to the bottom for workers. Let us work to reverse <br /> this trend and support efforts to improve the wages and working conditions of jobs <br /> available in Ka'u right now. <br /> If 169-07 is passed, Ka'u Preservation's plan for a living classroom will create <br /> more jobs for those in Ka'u. And not just jobs but also training in skills and professional <br /> careers. Such training is badly needed and sorely lacking in Ka'u. Waiakea and <br /> Honoka'a High Schools receive money for botrobotics, Ka'u receives none. This needs <br /> to change. <br /> Ka'u Preservation has shown they have the organization and commitment to <br /> make the living classroom a reality. They have a core of dedicated members who have <br /> put in countless hours for years to make Keola Hanoa's dream a reality. They have an <br /> active volunteer base as demonstrated by the month long study of the uses of Punalu'u <br /> and the recent mailing of over 6,700 stamped brochures. And they have the experience <br /> of Ka' Ohana O Honu'apo to draw on. . <br /> 1 also want Ka'u to remain an area where working people can afford to <br /> live. The gentrification of Kona has resulted in people from Ka'u commuting to jobs in <br /> Conan. ?~,~~R.~~S <br /> Ref. To, <br /> Ref. Date .1UN^ 2pp~ <br /> <br />