HomeMy WebLinkAboutSPP-21-000227 9.8.2021 R. BARKER TESTIMONY
Mori, Ashley
From:Tsuneda, Kaci
Sent:Wednesday, September 8, 2021 1:38 PM
To:LPCtestimony
Cc:Ronda Barker
Subject:Ronda Barker FW: Permit No. 21-000227
Importance:High
Aloha!
I am forwarding Leeward Planning Commission testimony for its September 16, 2021 meeting.
This was inadvertently sent to the Council Testimony email address.
Warmest mahalo,
From: Ronda Barker \[mailto:rondabarker@icloud.com\]
Sent: Wednesday, September 08, 2021 1:21 PM
To: Council Testimony <counciltestimony@hawaiicounty.gov>
Subject: Permit No. 21-000227
Pp
Ronda Barker
73-4360 Waipahe Street
Kailua Kona, Hi 96740
September 8, 2021
County of Hawaii
Leeward Planning Commission
101 Pauahi Street
Hilo, HI 96720
Dear Mr. Chair Vitousek and Members of the Leeward Planning Commission:
I’m writing to you on my own behalf and as a member of the Kailua-Kona community to express
my support for Special Permit No. 21-000227, submitted by Kona Aerials Gymnastic Team Inc.
requesting to permit the operation of a youth gymnastic and sport fitness facility on Hualalai Road
in Kailua-Kona.
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Kona Aerials Gymnastics Inc. (KAG) is a non-profit organization that has served West Hawaii
athletes for decades and is the only gymnastics training facility in Kailua-Kona. Their programs
offer Big Island youth the opportunity to participate in an array of activities designed to advance
physical and emotional skills as well as promote leadership skills, self-confidence, teamwork, and
physical coordination. The proposed Special Permit will allow KAG to continue to provide a vital
space for athletes and youth to train and further develop their skills, potentially enabling some
participants to compete nationally and seek college scholarship opportunities.
In addition to providing a healthy, fun and enriching environment for our keiki, KAG, through their
partnership with Nakuwana Foundation, another Hawaii Nonprofit Corporation, the facility also
provides adult fitness, strength and conditioning facilities to the community. The combined services
offered by these two nonprofits promote a consistent, healthy and active lifestyle for community
members of all ages while providing a positive source of much needed recreational activity to West
Hawaii.
As a school counselor at Kealakehe Elementary School I am seeing firsthand the importance of
having programs for our youth especially after over a year of schools being shut down. Exercise is
proven to be a positive, effective outlet for stress and a coping skill for people of all ages. Our
Keiki desperately need opportunities for extracurricular activities and sports and Kona Aerials is
the only gymnastics facility on the Kona side of the island..
I ask that you please vote to approve Special Permit No. 21-000227 so that our community can
continue to enjoy the many benefits that Kona Aerials Gymnastics and the Nakuwana Foundation
provide.
Thank you for your time and consideration of this testimony in support of this application.
Sincerely,
Ronda M. Barker
Sent from my iPhone
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