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From: Crystal Londres <br /> To: LPCtestimony <br /> Subject: Hosting in Pahoa <br /> Date: Sunday,March 31,2024 9:55:43 AM <br /> To the County of Hawaii <br /> Dear County representatives, <br /> Our family owns a fruit farm which was established in the 1970's as a project created by the University of Hawaii. <br /> My mother,raised in the Philippines,immediately fell in love with this farm and we decided to buy it. It was in dire <br /> shape.This was in the early nineties. It was a struggle to maintain,move fruit and keep buyers who were interested <br /> in picking and moving the fruit. <br /> After the lava event four years ago,we lost all interested parties to harvest.Fortunately however,the farm remained <br /> untouched by Pele. We built a structure that evolved into a beautiful place where we could stay and oversee the <br /> farm comfortably. It is a simple yet elegant structure inspired by our stays in Thailand. <br /> We have huge success and interest listing on Airbnb which has given us resources to care for and improve the farm, <br /> which without this income,the farm would have deteriorated. <br /> It is solely become an eco project.Our goal is to care for the anina;the trees,birds and wild boar. It is a home for <br /> the trees and nothing more. The fields are maintained,the trees are fertilized,and we have given fruit freely to <br /> those that are in need,mostly neighbor and friends. <br /> With the ongoing regulations in place,we do not know how to approach this demand put upon us.We are willing to <br /> contribute to fees but do not know where to begin. <br /> My mother is 98 years old(retired kindergarten teacher),I am 71 (retired high school teacher)both of us are on a <br /> retirement pension.My daughter 38(currently a high school teacher in Los Angeles). <br /> We ask the County of Hawaii to create a special requirement for those of us who have farms that are struggling to <br /> survive and allow permits for guests to stay and appreciate the natural beauty of our island and its life. <br /> We beg you to consider,for the aina. <br /> Faithfully Yours, <br /> Crystal LONDRES <br /> Mary LONDRES <br /> Coral Taylor <br /> Pahoa,Hawaii <br /> We have listed the"house" <br />