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V17' U .1 <br /> COH PLANNING DEPT <br /> Leah Herbert SEP 8 2021 AH8:02 <br /> 77-6470 Ono Rd. <br /> Kailua Kona, HI 96740 PE8'D BY MAIL <br /> September 3, 2021 <br /> County of Hawaii <br /> Leeward Planning Commission <br /> 101 Pauahi Street <br /> Hilo, HI 96720 <br /> Dear Mr. Chair Vitousek and Members of the Leeward Planning Commission: <br /> I'm writing to you on my own behalf and as a member of the Kailua-Kona community to express my <br /> support for Special Permit No. 21-000227, submitted by Kona Aerials Gymnastic Team Inc. <br /> requesting to permit the operation of a youth gymnastic and sport fitness facility on Hualalai Road in <br /> Kailua-Kona. <br /> Kona Aerials Gymnastics Inc. (KAG) is a non-profit organization that has served West Hawaii <br /> athletes for decades and is the only gymnastics training facility in Kailua-Kona. Their programs offer <br /> Big Island youth the opportunity to participate in an array of activities designed to advance physical <br /> and emotional skills as well as promote leadership skills, self-confidence, teamwork, and physical <br /> coordination. The proposed Special Permit will allow KAG to continue to provide a vital space for <br /> athletes and youth to train and further develop their skills, potentially enabling some participants to <br /> compete nationally and seek college scholarship opportunities. <br /> In addition to providing a healthy, fun and enriching environment for our keiki, KAG, through their <br /> partnership with Nakuwana Foundation, another Hawaii Nonprofit Corporation, the facility also <br /> provides adult fitness, strength and conditioning facilities to the community. The combined services <br /> offered by these two nonprofits promote a consistent, healthy and active lifestyle for community <br /> members of all ages while providing a positive source of much needed recreational activity to West <br /> Hawaii. <br /> I would also like to add that Kona Aerials does a fantastic job of implementing and enforcing COVID <br /> safety precautions in their open-air facility. It would be quite a shame if this safe, healthy activity <br /> were to shut down due to a permit issue in such a difficult time. <br /> I ask that you please vote to approve Special Permit No. 21-000227 so that our community can <br /> continue to enjoy the many benefits that Kona Aerials Gymnastics and the Nakuwana Foundation <br /> provide. <br /> Thank you for your time and consideration of this testimony in support of this application. <br /> Sincerely, <br /> I � <br /> Leah Herbert <br />