HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOMM. 48.63 from D. Chang re Against Plan A HamakuaPage 1 of 1
Eoff, Karen
From: Deborah Chang [hkulaiwi @yahoo.com]
Sent: Wednesday, November 02, 2011 11:42 AM
To: keoff@co.hawaii.hi.us
Subject: Testimony for the Redistricting Commission
Aloha Hawai' i County Redistricting Commissioners:
I don't envy your task. It must be difficult to weigh the population numbers against the splitting of
communities. In my view, community identity and similarities are more important to protect in the
redistricting process than lumping geographic areas together because the population numbers compute.
As a resident of Pohakea mauka in Hamakua District, I am against the "Plan A" proposal to separate the
current Council District 1. Lumping rural and agricultural communities like Honoka' a, Kukuihaele and
Waipi' o with Puako and Kawaihae will likely be detrimental to council representation of the more rural
residents. There are stark differences between the social, economic and environmental concerns and
interests of former sugar plantation communities and those who have chosen to live in arid, more tourist
and ocean - oriented areas. In that combination whose interests do you think will most likely get the
attention? Will rural communities be heard or will they be overshadowed by more urban and visible
voices? Is there enough common ground between comparatively wealthy, oceanfront dwellers who are
often relative newcomers, and those who have generational roots in sugar plantation communities?
Similar concerns can be raised with combining urban South Hilo communities with those of Hamakua
and North Hilo where the population is more spread out and extra effort is required to connect with
constituents.
Your task of drawing up Council District boundaries is key to our representation on the County Council
for years to come. Please do not politically bind us to communities that are not likely to share our rural
interests and concerns.
Thank you for your service and time on the Commission.
Sincerely,
Deborah Chang
COMM. 48.63
11/2/2011