HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0178.003 2012-2014 COUN:z CLERK
COUNTY ;)F HAWAII
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Time
Date 87`,03
My name is David Fuertes from North Kohala. I work with our children in a mentoring program
in Kohala, Honokaa, Kona, and Paauilo.
Preparing our youth to become productive citizens in our community and teaching them a skill
set with Hawaiian values is important to me.
This testimony is a representation of myself as an individual.
I oppose your RESO 80-18 supporting Senate bill SB472 because I feel Decriminalization
of Marijuana is detrimental to our youth.As a mentor and teacher I have been in close contact
with our youth and found that those who have experimented with Marijuana use have gone on
to experimentation of hard drugs. They use the excuse that marijuana did not have the same
effects and want more.
The youth are very vulnerable to adult influence and if allowing any"gateway drug"will
send a message that it is acceptable. Prime examples such as tobacco and alcohol has led to
addiction to these products when introduced at a young age. Likewise marijuana not only has
the potential of being addictive but will lead to more serious unlawful drugs.
I ask the Council to vote NO on this bill-for the sake of saving our children and their future.
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Ref. Date MAR 2 S 2013
NEIL ABERCROMBIE tf°F Nq KATHRYN S. MATAYOSHI
GOVERNOR or ,-sa SUPERINTENDENT
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ARTHUR F. SOUZA ..!_ JANETTE SNELLING
COMPLEX AREA rr PRINCIPAL
SUPERINTENDENT Wit'
STATE OF HAWAI'I
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
KOHALA.HIGH SCHOOL
P.O. BOX 279
KAPAAU,HAWAII 96755
March 27,2013
To Whom It May Concern:
Kohala High School's vision is to create a community of college ready, lifelong learners. In preparing our youth to
become productive citizens in adulthood,we believe that certain values should remain sacred in order to convey a
message that clearly sets defining parameters for a healthy and productive lifestyle. As the standing administrator at
Kohala High School, I see the negative impact that marijuana use has on students and the wasted potential that result.
Marijuana is also a gateway drug to more imminently dangerous illicit drug use.
I oppose your Resolution 80-18 supporting Senate bill SB472 because I feel that the decriminalization of marijuana
will send a wrong message to our youth.
The youth are vulnerable to adult influences and decisions. To allow any leniency on the use of an illegal "gateway
drug"will send a message that it is acceptable and as adults we are failing in our responsibilities. As an educator on the
front lines with firsthand experience on the negative impact of marijuana use for my students,my plea to the Council is
to vote NO on this bill. Especially in this circumstance,the interests of our children—our future should be our priority.
Re •..ectful l . •. --d,
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AN AFFIRMATIVE ACTION AND EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
3/28/13
Testimonial of David B. Fuertes in reference to Bill RESO 80-18
Aloha, to the audience of whom may inherit the future of Hawaii's culture and wellbeing. I
apologize I am not present to voice my concerns, yet feel the obligation to share my opposing
opinion to this bill to legalize marijuana.
My name is David B. Fuertes, a 36 year old resident of North Kohala, Hawaii, the son of
David and Carolyn Fuertes, and the proud father of Cole and Shania Fuertes.
I have learned to recognize a movement or concern of our future that may impact our
community adversely. With the permission of the audience I would like to share my thoughts
and concerns.
"Pono" is a Hawaiian word commonly rendered as "Righteousness". It is defined as
goodness, moral qualities, excellence, proper order, wellbeing and purpose. The word is sacred.
Elementary schools such as Kohala have adopted means to award recognition to positive
students that show case valuable efforts of achievements, the "Pono Award". These students
have been taught at a young age to instill values of righteousness, and positive reinforcement is
incentivized.
Ua Mau ke Ea o ka Aina I Ka Pono, "The life of the land is perpetuated in righteousness"
Is marijuana "Pono"? Does the word marijuana reside anywhere in our state motto?
We need to create positive vision of Ohana for those who will inhabit our state.
As a Mentor of Ka liana No'eau , I have the privilege of mentoring young students of Kohala
and Honoka'a communities in an Animal Husbandry setting. We deter and do not tolerate any
substance abuse such as marijuana, we encourage our young people of the future to uphold
the definition of"Pono".
In the last year, student Kynan Kawai and myself have acquired the opportunity to attend a
National Anti-Drug Coalition convention, CADCA. This was made a reality by Five Mountains
Hawaii, North Hawaii Drug-Free Coalition. We came to realize a real epidemic situation of our
United States and the inhabitance of substance abuse. Hawaii is no exception.
Are we enabling our state to be a statistic of National numbers?
As we have learned through examples of other states, Marijuana has a detrimental effect on
economy. With the presence of legalization we will find our communities lost and searching for
"Pono". Marijuana is a choice of drug which will act as a conduit to severe addictions to hard
core drug abuse such as meth and prescriptions. In the wrong hands of legalization will our
future leaders be affected?
Our decisive action will impact our community and those who choose to live in our state. With
the environment of legalization chances are slim to keep marijuana out of the wrong hands.
The effects will be irreversible so let us decide wisely.
Ua Mau ke Ea o ka Aina I Ka Pono, `The life of the land is perpetuated in righteousness"
It is my belief that the land will continue to support life.
Stewards of the land who control destiny have the decisive power to live on this land
collectively.
It is my hope that the voices of concern may touch the hearts of our future."
Thank you for your support and willingness to provide a "Pono" community. Please vote NO on
this resolution.
Mahalo and Aloha,
„Li A-e
David B. Fue es
Cole Fuertes'Age 12
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Shania Fuertes, Age 10