HomeMy WebLinkAboutComm. 035 - 2021-12-09 (testimony) Common Cause Hawaii: Testimony for the December 9, 2021 meeting
COMMUNICATION 035
December 9, 2021
(Via Email Only)
25 Aupuni Street
RE:Testimony for the
Public Hearing
Dear HawaiiCounty 2021Redistricting Commission:
Common Cause Hawaii is a nonpartisan, nonprofit, grassroots organization dedicated to
upholding the core values of our representative democracy and ensuring a fair and transparent
reapportionment and redistricting process.
First, Common Cause Hawaiony on theDecember9, 2021agenda,
New Business Item 3Review and discussion of County Charter and Code sections that
irecommends that the County Charter be
amended to include an additional section that mandates the commission to count incarcerated
people at their home addresses as of the Census Date. Including incarcerated persons in the
population count for the district in which their facility is located alters representational
s incarcerated
population according to their home addresses will eliminate this issue and ensure an accurate
and true reapportionment of icouncil districts.
Common Cause Hawai-17(e) be amended to
the Cmandate tohold at least one public hearing in each of the nine council districts
prior to completing adraftoftheredistrictingplan, we believe that these hearings should be
conducted once a draft plan has been created and approved by the commission; not prior to
completing a draft of the redistricting plan. By structuring the public hearing process in this
manner, we believe that it will improve public participation and increase attendance at these
meetings. More public hearings across County may be had in lieu of the limited one
publichearingin eastoneinwest. It would make sense for the
County Charter to be amended to provide that atleastonepublichearingineachofthenine
councildistricts be had upon completing a draft of the redistricting plan.
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Commission and staff for providing meeting
materials in a timely fashion in advance of the December 9, 2021 Commission meeting date
and time. It allowed the public the opportunity to provide more meaningful testimony to the
Commmission. Common Cause Hawalso thanks the Commissionfor allowing the public to
provide testimony after each agenda itemduring the Commission meetingsand did not limit
the public to testifying at the beginning ofeachAgenda. This ensures the public may
meaningfully participate and engage in the process.
If you have any questions or concerns, I am available to discuss further at
Very respectfully yours,
Jacob Aki
Jacob Aki
Common Cause Hawaii
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