HomeMy WebLinkAboutPL-SMA-2022-000025 C. Whidden Testimony 04.05.23 DISTRIBUTED AT 4-6-23
WPC HEARING ITEM#2
HAWAIIAN OLA BREWING
From: Chris Whidden TESTIMONY - C. WHIDDEN
To: Plannina Internet Mail
Subject: PL-SMA-2022-000025 Ola Brew at Wainaku
Date: Wednesday,April 5,2023 10:21:50 PM
Attachments: Written Testimony for Ola Brew PL-SMA-2022-000025 CTW OPT.odf
Please find the attached PDF with my FULL SUPPORT of PL-SMA-2022-000025 Ola
Brew at Wainaku.
Thank you for your consideration.
Very best regards,
Chris Whidden
ctwhidden&email.com
808-640-1119
Chris Whidden
ctwhidden@gmail.com
808-640-1119
Written Testimony on item #2 PL-SMA-2022-000025
Hawaiian Ola Brewing Corporation
for Windward Planning Commission, 9 AM Thursday, April 6, 2023,
Hilo County Council Chambers
Aloha,
Thank you for considering my testimony today. My name is Chris Whidden, and I am submitting
written testimony today in support of item #2, PL-SMA-2022-000025. The prospect of having a
distillery here in Hilo that will bring over 200 new jobs and career opportunities to our la hui
and simultaneously support the growth of our agricultural industry is incredibly important.
It is clear that Ola Brew is pursuing this project to celebrate a culturally significant plant and
highlighting 'Okolehao - a spirit unique to Hawai'i, of which they have already won international
gold medals. As a community and employee-owned business, they care about the potential
environmental impacts and are therefore working with engineers, architects, and cultural
practitioners to ensure that this project has the best outcome for not only their community of
shareholders, but for our'aina and la hui as well.
Given their dedication to our community over their last five and a half years of business, I trust
Ola Brew Co. will continue to pursue this project with integrity—keeping the community, and
their impacts on our 'aina at the forefront of everything they do.
Mahalo for your time and consideration and I am happy to answer any questions you may have
regarding the above information.
Mahalo,
A - e