COMM. 42.22 from J. Weatherford re HPP

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RE: Hawaiian Paradise Park Aloha 2011 Redistricting Commissioners, The entirety of Hawaiian Paradise Park must be kept together in a single Council District. It is well known that the population of Puna has grown. According the 2010 Census, Hawaiian Paradise Park has led that growth. With approximately two - thirds of 8,800 lots not yet built on, this subdivision, already 25% of the Puna population, is poised to continue to grow more rapidly than the rest of Puna. As the population of Hawaiian Paradise Park is growing, inevitably, so must a working relationship between Hawaiian Paradise Park Owners Association and the County government. A unified representation on the County Council will facilitate more effective delivery of services and development of infrastructure in this large and rapidly growing community. Two smaller parts of Hawaiian Paradise Park that have been left off several maps are on the Hilo side of Shower Drive and on the Mauka side of Highway 130. At least one map cut the community in half. Census blocks are configured such that the entirety of Hawaiian Paradise Park can be kept together in a single Council District. Dividing any parts of Hawaiian Paradise Park into separate Council Districts is a violation of Chapter 36 of the Hawaii County Code, which requires keeping together a community of common interest. Hawaii County Code 36 -3(8), regarding criteria: "Community of interest or community of common interest shall be respected and be kept together in the plan if practicable." Hawaii County Code Chapter 36 -1, definitions: "Community of interest or community of common interest means a group defined by actual shared interests." Hawaiian Paradise Park is an incorporated community with exact boundaries. Hawaiian Paradise Park Owners Association members share legally- binding common interests including common ownership of real property and bond indebtedness. The fringes of communities with less exact boundaries allow flexibility to modify Council District boundaries in a manner that cannot be done in Hawaiian Paradise Park. The creation of Hawaiian Paradise Park decades ago, like other so- called `private' subdivisions, was done with the approval of the Hawaii County government. They — the subdivisions — were created, and we came, and continue to come. With `build out' proceeding comes the reality of development of our island through subdivision creation. Rather than ignore reality, the 2011 Redistricting Commission must get on with what is required to ensure that representational equity is part of that reality. The entirety of Hawaiian Paradise Park must be kept together in a single Council District. Thank you for your service to our island community. James Weatherford, PhD PO Box 2017 Keaau, Hawaii 96749 808 -982 -5549 COMM. 42.22