MEDIA RELEASE

Meet the newly sworn in South Kohala Community Development Plan (CDP) Action Committee at March 4 Waimea Community Association Town Meeting

Citizens who have accepted responsibility to serve on the South Kohala Community Development Plan (SKCDP) Action Committee to help both the community and County planners give greater definition to the shared long-term vision and guidelines defined over a nearly five-year grassroots planning process will be introduced during the 5:15 p.m., Thurs., March 4, 2010 Waimea Community Association Town Meeting in the Waimea School Cafeteria.

Seven of the eight members that have been confirmed for the SKCDP Action Committee will attend Thursday’s meeting to be introduced, including Michael Fischer, Margaret Horwatt, Robin Inaba, Achahn Schulze, Fran Tabor, Leonard Labrizzi and Jeannie Palermo. Action Committee member Nancy Alvord will be off island so unable to attend. The ninth member of the committee appointed by the Mayor withdrew due to personal matters, and self-nominations for the position are still being accepted by the County Planning Department.

Introducing the new SKCDP Action Committee will be Hawai’i County Planning Director Bobby Jean Leithead-Todd, who will also explain the role of the Action Committee and answer community questions.

Also on the WCA Town Meeting Agenda will be a brief presentation by Doug Sensenig with the Hawai’i Island Land Trust including discussion of possible acquisition of approx 660 acres at the end of Mudd Lane.

The entire community is invited to WCA Town Meetings which are usually held on the first Thursday of the month in the school cafeteria. There is no charge to participate though $12 membership is suggested to support association activities including what will be the 50th Annual Waimea Christmas Twilight Parade and all day Lohaki Giving Celebration on Dec. 4, 2010.

For information, call WCA President Sherman Warner (885-1725) or go to www.waimeacommunityassociation.org.

Personal Information about Members of the SKCDP Action Committee from the Hawai’i County CDP Website:

Michael Fischer (4-year term) was a former administrator with Parker School in Waimea and is retired from the legal profession. Michael has lived in South Kohala for 7 years and his family has been working in health care services in the district for approximately 40 years. He has served on the Board of Directors for the Kohala Ranch Community Association and Fairways at Mauna Lani Homeowners Association and served on the Focus Group that produced the Waikoloa Portion of the SKCDP. Michael is a strong believer in community partnering with government and feels that the Action Committee (AC) should work to ensure that the values and desires expressed in the SKCDP are respected and fostered.

Margaret Horwatt (4-year term) is a 20-year resident of South Kohala and an active member of her community. She graduated from the American/Asian Institute of Chinese Medicine and has practiced acupuncture and massage therapy in Waimea for over 20 years. Margaret is an advocate for youth issues and the environment. She is President of the Youth Horizons Hawaii Non-Profit, which is focused on providing mentoring opportunities and support activities to young people. Currently, Margaret is developing a youth program that offers hands on experiences in alternative energy.

Robin K. Inaba (3-year term) is a 17 year resident of South Kohala and as a self employed architect has worked with organizations such as Tutu’s House, North Hawaii Community Hospital, HPA, Waimea Middle School, Parker Ranch and other groups in North Hawaii. She served on the Parker School Board of Directors and is a member of the American Institute of Architects. Robin supports agriculture in the community through land use planning and would like to encourage sustainable approaches through the built environment. Robin believes that this can be accomplished through the South Kohala CDP AC and will help to improve the quality of life for our children.

Achahn Schulze (3-year term) was Born and raised in South Kohala and after receiving a law degree from the University of Hawaii in 2007, went into private practice. As a lifelong resident, Achahn is passionate about the land and the community of South Kohala. As a result, he has a personal sense of duty and obligation to give back in to his community and feels volunteering for the CDP Action committee is the perfect opportunity. Achahn sees the role of the AC member as being a steward for the implementation of the South Kohala CDP. He would like to see the goals interpreted properly and a system or structure formed by which those goals are implemented.

Fran Tabor (3-year term) has lived in the South Kohala community for over 12 years and was employed as an optometrist with Kaiser Permanente. Fran is a current member of the Waimea Community Association and Waimea Traffic Safety Committee. She is concerned with issues regarding agriculture and urban development and is keenly aware of matters that impact the environment and resource preservation. Fran was an active participant in the development of the South Kohala CDP and contributed her perspective to the process as well as listening to what other people thought in an effort to build consensus. She believes that the role of the CDP Action Committee is to keep the community up to date as to the implementation of the CDP and ask for support and input on that progress.

Leonard Labrizzi (2-year term) is a three-year resident of South Kohala and the Kona Branch Manager for Hawaii Modular Space. Leonard is a member of the Kona-Kohala Chamber of Commerce and participated extensively in the development of the Honolulu Metropolitan Traffic Plan. Through his participation in the Honolulu Metropolitan Traffic Plan, Leonard was able to share his experiences as a commercial tractor-trailer driver and an avid bicyclist providing first hand, his unique perspective from two extremes of the transportation spectrum. Leonard feels strongly about being an active participant in community affairs and believes if you have an issue with something, you should make your voice heard.

Jeannie Palermo (2 year term) recently moved to South Kohala and previously worked with the City of Carson as a Economic Development Specialist working with community and business organizations gathering input on various city-led projects. Jeannie is an active volunteer with the North Hawaii Hospice and the Waimea Relay for Life. Her interests include economic development and historic and cultural preservation. Her perspective is that the role of the Action Committee is serve as a liaison between the community and the Planning Department.

Nancy Alvord (2-year term) has lived in South Kohala for five years and is a Real Estate Broker with Mauna Kea Realty. Nancy is Vice President with the HPA Ohana Association, member of the Kawaihae Canoe Club, and has been weaving lauhala with the Lauhala Weavers of Kona for the past six years. She believes that cultural and historic preservation is a high priority and that culture is the backbone of the community. Nancy sees the implementation of the South Kohala CDP will require time and patience and believes it as a worthwhile endeavor.