HomeMy WebLinkAboutCommunication No. 2018-06- Christina Kemmer TestimonyDate: February 21, 2018
To: Kona Community Development Plan Action Committee
Re: Community engagement and participation related to Item #6 under Business
From: Christina Kemmer, Kona resident
Aloha, my name is Christina Kemmer. I am a full time resident of Kona, and live in Keauhou.
I thank you for the opportunity to submit written testimony for the committee’s review and
consideration.
It is my understanding the Kona Community Development Plan (CDP) will undergo a revision
process in one year. I am encouraged that there is time to update our community map and
plan to integrate the new challenges we face, as the CDP is now 10 years old.
New challenges have appeared on our recent horizon which require our communities in Kona
to address the impacts of climate change, the required needs for improved infrastructure,
revised access to services for health care, education, housing, business, recreation, emergency
services and transportation, including a better process for integrating host cultural and Kupuna
participation and in-put.
Guided by the principals of community building, I am advocating for maximum community
outreach, for maximum community in-put where Kona communities live, work, learn and play.
Going to community, meeting in facilities convenient for the participants, during meeting times
(evenings and weekends) that work for the communities we are trying to reach, hear and ask
for recommendations and support.
I hope the planned strategies and technologies being used to reach our diverse Kona
communities are more inclusive, intergenerational, and multi-cultural, - including those who
farm, work full time, are raising families, in school during the day, and especially our next
generation of leaders - millennials and generation z.
Thank your reading this testimony, and thank you for your service to community.
Christina Kemmer
Communication No. 2018-06