Citizens write letters to politicians members all the time. It’s not every day that the politician writes back.

Two angry Waianae residents who took issue with the inclusion of the purple spot of light industrial zoning in Lualualei Valley and sent a note to Chair Ernie Martin.

I’m outraged at your blatant disregard for the public’s voice regarding the Purple Spot. You’ve sent a clear message that you have more loyalty to your big campaign donors than to the constituents you’re supposed to represent. Shame on you. It’s decisions like these that make people cynical, jaded and disengaged from this political system. What do you have to say to people whose voices you’ve ignored? We will not forget this.

It was signed by Angela Hoppe-Cruz and Jessica Baang and sent at 6:16 a.m. Tuesday. Martin’s response came three and a half hours later, at 9:46 a.m.

I am also disappointed that you feel that there is some level of preferential treatment afforded to this issue given that our office met with all parties who had requested a meeting on this matter and made a purposeful effort to convene 3 meetings on the Leeward Coast to specifically hear further testimony on this issue.

Read the full exchange here.