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HomeMy WebLinkAboutSPP-21-000227 05.03.23 BARKER TESTIMONY May 3, 2023 Dear Members of the Council, As a public school teacher and school counselor in Kona, I have seen firsthand the negative impact that vaping, drugs, and alcohol have on our community's youth. We are lacking in resources and programs that can provide our young people with safe and healthy activities that promote physical fitness, mental wellness, and social connection. That is why I am writing in support of the Kona Aerials Gymnastics Club and their application for a Special Use Permit#21-0002277. For over 30 years, Kona Aerials has been a vital resource for our community, serving thousands of young people each year. Their commitment to providing a safe and positive environment for our youth is commendable. Kona Aerials Gymnastics Club offers an exceptional program that teaches discipline, teamwork, and perseverance, while building confidence and a sense of accomplishment in young athletes. Many of their athletes have gone on to receive college scholarships, demonstrating the value and importance of this program to our community. I strongly believe that Kona Aerials Gymnastics Club is an important part of our community and should be supported in their efforts to continue serving our youth. By providing a safe and healthy outlet for our young people, they are helping to combat the negative effects of vaping, drugs, and alcohol in our community. I urge you to approve the special use permit for Kona Aerials Gymnastics Club. Let us work together to create a brighter future for our youthand our community. Thank you for your consideration. Sincerely, Ronda Barker Kealakehe Intermediate School Dear Members of the Council, I am writing today to share my support for the Kona Aerials Gymnastics Club and their special use permit#21-000227. As a local pastor in the Kona community, I have seen firsthand the positive impact that Kona Aerials has on our youth. My daughters were both competitive gymnasts at Kona Aerials for 5 and 7 years, and during that time, Kona Aerials became our second family. My wife, a public school teacher, also coached at Kona Aerials for 7 years. Through their experiences, my daughters learned more than just amazing gymnastics. They learned how to work as a team, support one another and their peers, and develop strong discipline. As a coach, my wife learned how to better support multiple ages of children all at once, finding balance between being assertive while also showing love, support and connection. Without Kona Aerials, my daughters would not be who they are today. Our oldest daughter is graduating from high school and has received a generous college scholarship to a large university, in part thanks to the skills and discipline she learned through gymnastics. Our younger daughter is a thriving high school athlete due to the discipline she learned in gymnastics. In addition to the benefits for individual youth, Kiona Aerials has served the Kona community since 1989, serving thousands of youth each year. Our community needs more programs for youth. Vaping, drugs and alcohol are destroying our young people and our community is facing a crisis because of this. We need programs like Kona Aerials to help support them and keep them on the right path towards a bright future. Please, on behalf of the faith community in Kona, please grant Kona Aerials the special use permit they are requesting. Thank you for your time and consideration. Mahalo, Aaron Barker Mokuaikaua Church COH PLANNING DEPT_ MAY 2023 M?. 3 Dear Council Members, As a graduating senior from West Hawaii Explorations Academy, I am writing to express my support for the Kona Aerials Gymnastics Club's Special Use Permit#21-000227. I was a competitive athlete with Kona Aerials for five years and had the privilege of being one of the team captains. My experience with Kona Aerials has been an important part of my life and has prepared me for my future. Growing up on an island can be isolating and limiting, but my experience with Kona Aerials provided me with opportunities to travel to other islands and states for competitions. I learned much more than gymnastics during my time with Kona Aerials. I learned the value of hard work, work ethic, integrity, and leadership. These skills have been instrumental in preparing me for college and beyond. Being a part of the Kona Aerials community has also allowed me to make lifelong friends and memories. The camaraderie and support that I experienced with my teammates and coaches have been invaluable and have provided me with a sense of belonging that is hard to find elsewhere. I strongly believe that Kona Aerials Gymnastics Club should be granted the Special Use Permit they are asking for. This program has been an essential part of the Kona community for over 30 years and has positively impacted the lives of countless young people like myself. The opportunity to learn gymnastics, build important life skills, and make lifelong connections is something that all young people in our community should have access to. Thank you for considering my testimony in support of Kona Aerials Gymnastics Club. I urge you to approve the Special Use Permit so that they may continue to serve our community for years to come. Thank you, Ariel Barker wi11 Dear Council Members, I am writing to share my support for the Kona Aerials Gymnastics Club special use permit #21-000227. As a sophomore in high school, I was a competitive gymnast for Kona Aerials for seven years, and it was the highlight of my childhood. During my time at Kona Aerials, I made some of my best friends and had the opportunity to travel to many fun and educational places such as California, Utat, Denver, and Las Vegas for competitions. These experiences taught me many things, such as how to be confident and brave and compete in front of large crowds. Before joining Kona Aerials, I used to be very shy and timid, but my time as a gymnast helped me to become more confident and outgoing. In addition to gaining confidence, I also learned discipline, commitment, and the value of hard work. Gymnastics is a sport that requires a great deal of dedication and practice, and these skills have translated into other areas of my life, including my academic studies. I have also learned how to work with different types of people and ages, and how to take correction from adults, which has helped me to be a better student in school. I believe that Kona Aerials Gymnastics Club should be granted the Special Use Permit. This program has been an important part of my life, and I know it has positively impacted the lives of many other people in our community too. The opportunity to learn gymnastics, build important life skills and make lifelong connections is something that every child and teenager in Kona should have. Thank you for your time. Sincerely, Hailey Barker )tj �, ;� CI-LCy k .,,' : , ' Lei -_ L £1.0••£'• m �/: > X41.1 jlic. ti J - tD 01 - H I Cl. - m O _ LE Av.) = m O yq. 4.,.. E. ...t) Z"-• was 1 O O "ISN/ I ..r.1 a.'. . , O m •a T V . ! P .