HomeMy WebLinkAboutPL-SPP-2022-000016 D. Ellis Testimony support 01.04.23 From: Dena Smith Ellis
To: WPCtestimony
Cc: iohnCablandolanninahawaii.com;robertisilberCabamail.com
Subject: Special Permit Request PL-SPP-2022-000016
Date: Wednesday,January 4,2023 10:33:57 AM
Dear members of the Windward Planning Commission,
Aloha! My name is Dena Smith Ellis and I am writing to give testimony in favor of Special
Permit Request PL-SPP-2022-000016. I have known Robert for more than 10 years and have
always found him to have a high level of integrity. He is kind, compassionate,patient,
forgiving, considerate, and also very hard-working.
As the former secretary of the Hawaii Sustainable Community Alliance and as a lower Puna
community member since 2010, I have witnessed how hard Robert has worked to create a
sustainable neighborhood that provides a place for people to live safely and peacefully while
growing their own food in harmony with nature. He has invested time and money, as well as
blood, sweat, and tears into developing a wellness center for the last 10 years, which has
employed many people in an area of the island that has very few job opportunities. And rather
than following the Puna norm of cutting corners and disregarding building codes, Robert has
been in integrity by constructing a high quality of infrastructure with permitted buildings.
I have had the pleasure of staying at Lolia several times over the last few years so I've had the
opportunity to spend close time with Robert. I've witnessed his dedication to ensuring
harmony and safety on the land as he quickly and graciously addresses any concerns with
staff, guests, and neighbors. Unfortunately, like many high-profile and successful lower Puna
community leaders, Robert has had his unfair share of occasional unkind words and actions of
malicious, vindictive, and jealous people. This is the unfortunate reality of the underbelly of
Puna. However, rather than retaliate and lower his standards, Robert instead opens his heart
with compassion and responds with love and understanding. I respect and admire his strength
and vulnerability as he gracefully demonstrates how these two qualities can co-exist.
As a mother and a property owner in nearby Seaview Estates, I applaud Robert's efforts and
would like to see more high-quality community-focused developments like the Lolia
neighborhood. We need more places that support people and families with employment and
educational opportunities in the economic desert of lower Puna.
In summary, I would like to reiterate my testimony in favor of granting Robert Silber his
special permit request.
With much aloha,
Dena Smith Ellis
Dena Smith Ellis, INHC, NBC-HWC, CIHC, FRSPH,MBA
denasmithellis@gmail.com