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DeVera, Ashley <br />From: Lahi Verschuur <lahi.verschuur@gmail.com> <br />Sent: Monday, January 30, 2023 7:22 PM <br />To: WPCtestimony <br />Cc: john@landplanninghawaii.com; hawaiiecoretreat@gmail.com; robertsilber@gmail.com <br />Subject: Support for special use permit PL -SPP -2022-000016 <br />To the Windward Planning Commission: <br />I am in full support of the special use permit being sought for Hawaii Eco Retreat (HER) at Lolia Place. <br />I have been a Puna resident (in Kalapana Seaview Estates) for the last 16 years and had the pleasure of <br />living at HER recently for about 10 days. I used all of the facilities, attended classes, community meetings, <br />enjoyed group meals, etc. <br />Living and participating fully in that community was one of the best experiences of my life. I felt more <br />freedom, happiness, sensuality, heart opening surrender, joyful playfulness, and connection with self, <br />others and spirit than I've felt in any workshop, camp, or any other container. The personal development <br />and educational opportunities there are profound and healing, not to mention environmental sustainability <br />in the way food is grown, off -grid solar and water catchment. HER is such a great place for eco -tourism, <br />as well as longer-term work trade experiences for young people. I am also a huge fan of the pickleball <br />court they have opened up to the community, which I use frequently. <br />Robert Silber and Ali Williams offer caring leadership and friendship to those in the community and <br />anyone who comes through for any length of stay. I have a lot of respect for Robert for offering a place that <br />is alcohol and drug free, as well as desiring to build and permit legally, as compared to so many other pseudo - <br />retreat centers in Puna that try go about their business without following county procedures that are in place. <br />I hope that anyone who is leery of HER will go visit, observe, and talk to the people who live and work there. <br />HER is truly a gift and it would be wonderful if they could put on events and advertise workshops for the greater <br />community. <br />Mahalo, <br />Cynthia Lahi Verschuur <br />12-7002 Kaiheenalu St <br />Pahoa HI 96778 <br />808-965-7679 <br />1 <br />