SPP-21-000227 02.16.23 J. & G. CHEN TESTIMONY

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CON PLANNING DEPT FEB 212023 PM2.3l RECD BY HAIL 2/16/23 Dear Mr. Chair Vitousek and Members of the Leeward Planning Commission: I am writing this letter on my own behalf and as a member of the Kailua-Kona community to express my support for Special Permit No. 21-000227, submitted by Kona Aerials Gymnastics, who is requesting to permit the operation of a youth gymnastics and sport fitness facility on Hualalai Rd in Kailua-Kona. Kona Aerials Gymnastics(KAG) is a non-profit organization that has served West Hawaii athletes for decades and is the only gymnastics training facility in Kailua-Kona. The proposed Special Permit will allow KAG to continue to provide a vital space for athletes and youth to train and further develop their skills. One of the main reasons we purchased a house where we did in Kona was specifically to be close to Kona Aerials Gymnastics. My daughter, Cora, is 11 years old and she has been participating in gymnastics since she was 4. During the 1S`year of the Covid pandemic, she made it on to the competitive team,which she was thrilled about. Competing in gymnastics has helped her gain confidence in herself and has taught her courage and discipline. With school being remote for almost 2 years during Covid, her participation in gymnastics kept her physically and emotionally healthy. As you may have heard, the level of depression and anxiety in children rose dramatically over the last 3 years with the lack of in-person school and social activities being a primary culprit. Competitive gymnastics requires a level of dedication and commitment that few other sports demand of its participants. It is a year-round sport in which even taking a week off due to vacation or illness can impact one's ability to perform well. Losing a month or more of gymnastics would be devastating for my daughter and would certainly mean that she would not be able to compete effectively at her level. It is my daughter's dream to be able to reach Level 10 in the developmental gymnastics program. Level 10 gymnasts have the opportunity to be recruited for college gymnastics or get a college scholarship. If she misses a year of gymnastics, it would be impossible for her to reach this level. Many of her teammates also have the same dream and eliminating the ONLY girls'gymnastics program in Kona would destroy their dreams of higher level gymnastics. The Kona community does not have many other options for girls' sports, so wiping out gymnastics would be a huge loss for girls in this area. Both my husband and I are physicians and we know how important sports participation is for children. Without sports, children have a much higher risk of obesity and mental health struggles as well as drug use. Thank you for your time and consideration of this testimony in support of this application. Sincerely, ,) he) Julie and Gil Chen 75-5608 Hienaloli Rd. #59 Kailua-Kona, HI 96740