Kona Community Brainstorming Sessions
The Kona Community Development Plan (CDP) is the County of Hawaii?s pilot community development plan. The goal is to make this planning process an inclusive and community-based process.
To encourage community participation, Community Brainstorming Sessions are being held as an opportunity for residents to share their ideas about the future and how they can help to shape the future of Kona. The results of the sessions will be compiled and shared at the first of a series of community workshops to be held in early February 2006.
There will be several opportunities for the public to participate in the small group sessions. The community is encouraged to attend a session in their neighborhood or even host a meeting in their home.
Meetings are conducted by volunteer facilitators following a protocol which requires that no more than 12 people to attend each session. Meetings will be added as needed and anyone can host a meeting of their own. The following sites have offered to host sessions on the following dates:
Wednesday, Nov. 30, 2005 Christ Church Episcopal, Kealakekua
Thursday, Dec. 1, 2005 Mayor?s Conference Room Kailua-Kona
Monday, Dec. 5, 2005 Kona Hospital , Kealakekua
Tuesday, Dec. 6, 2005 Hualalai Academy Kailua-Kona
Wednesday, Dec. 7, 2005 Society for Kona Arts & Education (SKEA) Honaunau
Thursday, Dec. 8, 2005 Palisades Community Association Kailua-Kona
Saturday, Dec. 10, 2005 Neighborhood Place of Kona Kailua-Kona
Monday, Dec. 19, 2005 Palisades Community Association Kailua-Kona
Weekday sessions are from 6 -8 pm, Saturday sessions are from 3-5 pm. The community is encouraged to sign up and use this opportunity to share their thoughts. For further information and to reserve a space, please contact the Hawaii County Resource Center at 324-0400.
Wednesday, November 30, 2005
Rep. Cynthia Evans responds
Susan:
The reason Speaker Say suggested that you get support from the Counties is because it is highly unlikely that the Legislature would agree to pass a law creating a political subdivision for West Hawaii without a grassroots effort that supports this idea. You will have to demonstrate to the entire legislative body and the Governor that the entire Big Island wants it.
I wrote and introduced a bill two years ago to amend the constitution to move the authority of creation of political subdivisions from the state legislature and give it to the counties because I felt that this decision was closer to the people. The community could then get immersed in the details of creating another government and the costs associated with creating the adminstration necessary to deliver government services, such as, police, fire, planning department, public works department, senior programs, parks and recreation, etc., and how taxes would be affected by such a change. There was little support for the idea. I could not get legislators from other counties interested in this issue.
The timing does not seem right yet, but I do believe the time will come when we will create more policital subdivision so local communities can be empowered to create their vision and their future.
I do not want to discourage you. You need to build support for this one person at a time.
Sincerely yours,
Rep. Cindy Evans
The reason Speaker Say suggested that you get support from the Counties is because it is highly unlikely that the Legislature would agree to pass a law creating a political subdivision for West Hawaii without a grassroots effort that supports this idea. You will have to demonstrate to the entire legislative body and the Governor that the entire Big Island wants it.
I wrote and introduced a bill two years ago to amend the constitution to move the authority of creation of political subdivisions from the state legislature and give it to the counties because I felt that this decision was closer to the people. The community could then get immersed in the details of creating another government and the costs associated with creating the adminstration necessary to deliver government services, such as, police, fire, planning department, public works department, senior programs, parks and recreation, etc., and how taxes would be affected by such a change. There was little support for the idea. I could not get legislators from other counties interested in this issue.
The timing does not seem right yet, but I do believe the time will come when we will create more policital subdivision so local communities can be empowered to create their vision and their future.
I do not want to discourage you. You need to build support for this one person at a time.
Sincerely yours,
Rep. Cindy Evans
Response to Senator Daniel Akaka's letter
November 30, 2005
Dear Senator Daniel K. Akaka,
Thank you for responding to my letter. Unfortunetly our County Councilman (K. Angel Pilago) does not want to purse a separate county. He does not want to purse the cry of the public to start the proceedings to create a "West Hawaii County". We have no where else to voice our concerns.
Is there another method to bring this issue the citizens? Can the Island of Hawaii have this issue come to the voters?
The government on the Big Island of Hawaii is out of control. They are wasting the tax payer's money. Last month four East Hawaii Councilmen felt they needed a vacation to China; that was fully paid for by the tax payers. Everyday there are issues with this council. The mayor has failed to step in and stop the fighting and get down to the business at hand.
Our roads are falling apart and our population is growing by the day. Our tax revenues (property and TAT...taxes are sent to Hilo and we don't see an equitable return).
This is a call to the Government to step in and help the tax payers. Taxation without representation is wrong.
What can we do? http://hawaiicountyissues.blogspot.com/
Thank you for taking the time to respond.
Mrs. Susan McGeachy
mcgeachy@hawaii.rr.com
Dear Senator Daniel K. Akaka,
Thank you for responding to my letter. Unfortunetly our County Councilman (K. Angel Pilago) does not want to purse a separate county. He does not want to purse the cry of the public to start the proceedings to create a "West Hawaii County". We have no where else to voice our concerns.
Is there another method to bring this issue the citizens? Can the Island of Hawaii have this issue come to the voters?
The government on the Big Island of Hawaii is out of control. They are wasting the tax payer's money. Last month four East Hawaii Councilmen felt they needed a vacation to China; that was fully paid for by the tax payers. Everyday there are issues with this council. The mayor has failed to step in and stop the fighting and get down to the business at hand.
Our roads are falling apart and our population is growing by the day. Our tax revenues (property and TAT...taxes are sent to Hilo and we don't see an equitable return).
This is a call to the Government to step in and help the tax payers. Taxation without representation is wrong.
What can we do? http://hawaiicountyissues.blogspot.com/
Thank you for taking the time to respond.
Mrs. Susan McGeachy
mcgeachy@hawaii.rr.com
Senator Daniel K. Akaka's Letter
November 18, 2005
Dear Ms. McGeachy:
Thank you for contacting me regarding your support for creating "West Hawaii County." I noted your letter to Hawaii State Representative Calvin Say on this topic.
As you know, the Hawaii Constitution allows the Hawaii State Legislature to establish counties and political subdivision within Hawaii. As such, this matter falls within the purview of the State of Hawaii, and it has been my general practice not to intervene in matters within the sole jurisdiction of the State of Hawaii and the counties. I am pleased to see that you have contacted your Hawaii State Representatives regarding your support for establishing "West Hawaii County," and I hope you will continue to be active in the political causes that are important to you.
Once again, mahalo for contacting me.
Aloha pumehana,
DANIEL K. AKAKA
U. S. Senator
Dear Ms. McGeachy:
Thank you for contacting me regarding your support for creating "West Hawaii County." I noted your letter to Hawaii State Representative Calvin Say on this topic.
As you know, the Hawaii Constitution allows the Hawaii State Legislature to establish counties and political subdivision within Hawaii. As such, this matter falls within the purview of the State of Hawaii, and it has been my general practice not to intervene in matters within the sole jurisdiction of the State of Hawaii and the counties. I am pleased to see that you have contacted your Hawaii State Representatives regarding your support for establishing "West Hawaii County," and I hope you will continue to be active in the political causes that are important to you.
Once again, mahalo for contacting me.
Aloha pumehana,
DANIEL K. AKAKA
U. S. Senator
Sunday, November 27, 2005
Susan McGeachy [mcgeachy@hawaii.rr.com]
Aloha Ladies and Gentlemen,
I am sorry we can not go any further with two counties for the Island of Hawaii.
Rep. Calvin Say (Speaker of the House) stated in his letter to contact our county council representative and “ask the council representative of your area to begin the process of review and public discussion.”
As you will see in our county councilmen’s letter (Angel Pilago “At this time I am not in favor of splitting the County. Demographics do not support it, our population density does not warrant it and we cannot afford it. I do not believe this is the right time to do it.”)
http://hawaiicountyissues.blogspot.com/
Maybe we need to look real hard at the next election and pick the candidates that are concerned about our county and not about fighting and taking trips to China on the people’s tax dollars.
Kona is in a sad state of affairs and has NO HOPE without candidates that are willing to stand up for the people.
Thank you for your input and I look forward to some day having a council that is ALL ON THE SAME PAGE when it comes to growth and fairness.
Sadly,
Mrs. Susan McGeachy
mcgeachy@hawaii.rr.com
I am sorry we can not go any further with two counties for the Island of Hawaii.
Rep. Calvin Say (Speaker of the House) stated in his letter to contact our county council representative and “ask the council representative of your area to begin the process of review and public discussion.”
As you will see in our county councilmen’s letter (Angel Pilago “At this time I am not in favor of splitting the County. Demographics do not support it, our population density does not warrant it and we cannot afford it. I do not believe this is the right time to do it.”)
http://hawaiicountyissues.blogspot.com/
Maybe we need to look real hard at the next election and pick the candidates that are concerned about our county and not about fighting and taking trips to China on the people’s tax dollars.
Kona is in a sad state of affairs and has NO HOPE without candidates that are willing to stand up for the people.
Thank you for your input and I look forward to some day having a council that is ALL ON THE SAME PAGE when it comes to growth and fairness.
Sadly,
Mrs. Susan McGeachy
mcgeachy@hawaii.rr.com
KAPILAGO@co.hawaii.hi.us
Aloha Susan,
Thank you for the opportunity to respond to your query regarding dividing the County of Hawaii into two Counties. At this time I am not in favor of splitting the County. Demographics do not support it, our population density does not warrant it and we cannot afford it. I do not believe this is the right time to do it.
I would prefer to work to create one strong and healthy county; bridge our communities, and heal the rift between East and West Hawaii.
In the next 5 years we will see a shift in demographics, Kona will have a Civic Center and improved infrastructure. We will become a stronger voice in government. We can and should work to elect a Mayor from the West Side and require that certain planning issues be decided regionally.
I admire your enthusiasm and concern for improving services and attention to Kona and the west side of our island. I strongly urge you get involved in the Community Development Plan process currently underway for North and South Kona. The CDP will be adopted by ordinance and reflect the vision of those that contribute and participate. It carries the force of law and will be implemented as Kona grows. You can contact the Hawaii County Resource Center at 324-0400 for more information.
I am always open to ideas for improving our island community and I am watching and listening keenly to comments you have received regarding splitting the county. The discussions are enlightening and the information shared by our representatives as well as the general public are important.
Mahalo a nui loa,
Councilman K. Angel Pilago
District 8, North Kona
808-327-3642
www.angelcouncil.org
Thank you for the opportunity to respond to your query regarding dividing the County of Hawaii into two Counties. At this time I am not in favor of splitting the County. Demographics do not support it, our population density does not warrant it and we cannot afford it. I do not believe this is the right time to do it.
I would prefer to work to create one strong and healthy county; bridge our communities, and heal the rift between East and West Hawaii.
In the next 5 years we will see a shift in demographics, Kona will have a Civic Center and improved infrastructure. We will become a stronger voice in government. We can and should work to elect a Mayor from the West Side and require that certain planning issues be decided regionally.
I admire your enthusiasm and concern for improving services and attention to Kona and the west side of our island. I strongly urge you get involved in the Community Development Plan process currently underway for North and South Kona. The CDP will be adopted by ordinance and reflect the vision of those that contribute and participate. It carries the force of law and will be implemented as Kona grows. You can contact the Hawaii County Resource Center at 324-0400 for more information.
I am always open to ideas for improving our island community and I am watching and listening keenly to comments you have received regarding splitting the county. The discussions are enlightening and the information shared by our representatives as well as the general public are important.
Mahalo a nui loa,
Councilman K. Angel Pilago
District 8, North Kona
808-327-3642
www.angelcouncil.org
Monday, November 14, 2005
Helene Hale [helenehale@mac.com]
Dear Ms. McGeachy,
You seem to be disillusioned about out government, which is too bad. As a Representative from District 4 I still have faith in it , although at times it does fail. Because our state developed from a monarchy, democracy has been slow to come. All other states developed from local government first then they became a state.
Because we are still a small state, there has been reluctance to move power from our centralized system to the local level. In 1978 the constitutional Convention did recognize that eventually, as we grew, we would have to give more power to local communities. I believe that we should, but first the state haas to adopt rules to make this happen, and therefore my bill did not pass.
I do not believe that we should have two counties on the Big Island.
It will be tremendously expensive and our geography dictates to us that we are one unit. Now that West Hawaii has more representation, it should help. If you don't like your district representative, there is always the next election.
Aloha,
Helene Hale
You seem to be disillusioned about out government, which is too bad. As a Representative from District 4 I still have faith in it , although at times it does fail. Because our state developed from a monarchy, democracy has been slow to come. All other states developed from local government first then they became a state.
Because we are still a small state, there has been reluctance to move power from our centralized system to the local level. In 1978 the constitutional Convention did recognize that eventually, as we grew, we would have to give more power to local communities. I believe that we should, but first the state haas to adopt rules to make this happen, and therefore my bill did not pass.
I do not believe that we should have two counties on the Big Island.
It will be tremendously expensive and our geography dictates to us that we are one unit. Now that West Hawaii has more representation, it should help. If you don't like your district representative, there is always the next election.
Aloha,
Helene Hale
Thursday, November 10, 2005
Response to:Rep. Helene Hale [rephale@capitol.hawaii.gov]
Aloha Rep. Helene Hale,
Thank you very much for your response. The bills you introduced for Home rule/ local how does it work?
Please read our plight in the http://westhawaiitoday.com today.
Years ago I got involved in the tot park at the old airport. We needed $70,000.00 for the completion of the park. I went to Hilo to see how do the parks work and is there any money for a tot park in Kona? I was told Kona already has parks and there is no money. I asked what parks does Kona have? He looked down and said here is one right here on Palani Road. I have lived here a long time and have no memory of a park on Palani Road. Come to find out it was the medium strip down the middle of Palani Road that was being considered a park. Right there I know I was dealing with someone so far removed from my area that he didn’t have a clue about my community.
Again I got involved in the Kona Coastview/ Wonderview water improvement district. I was told NO WAY. They tried it three times before over the past 30 years and it won’t go. The Government or homeowners won’t agree and do it. Today we have a 6 million dollar water system under construction. 2.5 million Was from Federal Grants that I found on line and by called Washington DC.
Progress can happen. It does take time. You are correct when you say Hawaii’s government history is different from the mainland. I believe the government is different every where you go. Montana (wild west) is totally different then New York. You can never compare apples and oranges. You can however take the best of every thing and incorporate it into a working system for the tax payers.
Are you aware of the taxes we pay?
The taxes for each county are as follows:
Per $1,000.00
Oahu: 3.75
Kauai: 4.30
Maui: 5.86
Hawaii: 9.10
What is wrong with this picture? We pay the highest taxes in the State and have nothing to show for it. Any government would be better then what we have now. Taxation without proper representation is happening and we have no say. If you are willing for drive 200 miles to a county council meeting and if they defer and defer a decision, then you just keep driving and showing up. It’s like living in Los Angeles and driving to San Diego for a town meeting.
Help us move forward for the future of West Hawaii.
Thank you again for your follow up.
Aloha,
Mrs. Susan McGeachy
mcgeachy@hawaii.rr.com
http://hawaiicountyissues.blogspot.com/
Thank you very much for your response. The bills you introduced for Home rule/ local how does it work?
Please read our plight in the http://westhawaiitoday.com today.
Years ago I got involved in the tot park at the old airport. We needed $70,000.00 for the completion of the park. I went to Hilo to see how do the parks work and is there any money for a tot park in Kona? I was told Kona already has parks and there is no money. I asked what parks does Kona have? He looked down and said here is one right here on Palani Road. I have lived here a long time and have no memory of a park on Palani Road. Come to find out it was the medium strip down the middle of Palani Road that was being considered a park. Right there I know I was dealing with someone so far removed from my area that he didn’t have a clue about my community.
Again I got involved in the Kona Coastview/ Wonderview water improvement district. I was told NO WAY. They tried it three times before over the past 30 years and it won’t go. The Government or homeowners won’t agree and do it. Today we have a 6 million dollar water system under construction. 2.5 million Was from Federal Grants that I found on line and by called Washington DC.
Progress can happen. It does take time. You are correct when you say Hawaii’s government history is different from the mainland. I believe the government is different every where you go. Montana (wild west) is totally different then New York. You can never compare apples and oranges. You can however take the best of every thing and incorporate it into a working system for the tax payers.
Are you aware of the taxes we pay?
The taxes for each county are as follows:
Per $1,000.00
Oahu: 3.75
Kauai: 4.30
Maui: 5.86
Hawaii: 9.10
What is wrong with this picture? We pay the highest taxes in the State and have nothing to show for it. Any government would be better then what we have now. Taxation without proper representation is happening and we have no say. If you are willing for drive 200 miles to a county council meeting and if they defer and defer a decision, then you just keep driving and showing up. It’s like living in Los Angeles and driving to San Diego for a town meeting.
Help us move forward for the future of West Hawaii.
Thank you again for your follow up.
Aloha,
Mrs. Susan McGeachy
mcgeachy@hawaii.rr.com
http://hawaiicountyissues.blogspot.com/
Wednesday, November 09, 2005
Rep. Helene Hale [rephale@capitol.hawaii.gov]
Dear Ms. McGeachy, This is in response to a debate or forum on a West Hawaii County. I represented West Hawaii ( Kau, N & S. Kohala and N. & S. Kona) on the Board of Supervisors from 1954 to 1962.I lived then in South Kona. In 1962 I was elected Chairman and Executive Officer of the County of Hawaii by the whole county, even though I had previously only been elected by 1/3 of the population or West Hawaii. Because the county seat was Hilo, I had to move to Hilo to do this job. This was the forerunner of Mayor because it was a full time job running the County Administration. At that time Hilo had 2/3 of the population and West Hawaii 1/3, but we had three Supervisors from West Hawaii and three from East Hawaii.The Chairman was elected at large. We were governed by the State Legislature and when I first got elected as a Supervisor, we could not even set our real property tax assessments. I have seen real progress over the years to give the counties more home rule, but when we finally got permission from the legislature to establish Couny Charters and changed to the present Mayor-Council system, the representation was based on population. After a couple of changes we finally went to Districts to be sure that people had a chance to be represented by people who live in and understand the needs of their district. I was for that system. With West Hawaii's growth, particularly in the Konas and Kohalas, you now have more representation on the County Council.
I have always been a proponent of home rule and local control and one of my first bills since being elected to the State Legislature in 2000 was to force the legislature to come up with a plan and rules for other local governments, such a villages, townships or municipalities. Our 1978 Constitutional Convention wrote this into our Constitution but up to today the legislature has not established a process by which it could be done. I think you would find more state wide support of a some form of municipal government because Kailua, Hawaii on Oahu has the same concerns as you.
I would be happy to discuss other reasons, but I suggest that you study more of Hawaii's history to understand the difficulties of changing our top down form of government, which has its roots in Hawaii's transformation from a Monarchy to a Republic. Our history is different from other places on the mainland.
_______________ Representative Helene H. Hale State Capitol, Room 331 Honolulu, HI 96813 tel (808) 586-6530 fax (808) 586-6531 from Hilo toll-free 974-4000 ext. 6-6530
I have always been a proponent of home rule and local control and one of my first bills since being elected to the State Legislature in 2000 was to force the legislature to come up with a plan and rules for other local governments, such a villages, townships or municipalities. Our 1978 Constitutional Convention wrote this into our Constitution but up to today the legislature has not established a process by which it could be done. I think you would find more state wide support of a some form of municipal government because Kailua, Hawaii on Oahu has the same concerns as you.
I would be happy to discuss other reasons, but I suggest that you study more of Hawaii's history to understand the difficulties of changing our top down form of government, which has its roots in Hawaii's transformation from a Monarchy to a Republic. Our history is different from other places on the mainland.
_______________ Representative Helene H. Hale State Capitol, Room 331 Honolulu, HI 96813 tel (808) 586-6530 fax (808) 586-6531 from Hilo toll-free 974-4000 ext. 6-6530
Response to Sen. Lorraine R. Inouye [seninouye@Capitol.hawaii.gov]
Aloha Sen. Lorraine R. Inouye,
I would like to address some of your comments.
Infrastructure: Kona’s International Airport daily handles far more international travelers then Hilo does. There are air freights with large amount of cargo daily into Kona International Airport. Kawaihae has a deep water port due to be completed in 2009. This is being paid for privately; it is for the infrastructure for the Super Ferry. Ship to shore fuel will be possible. Kona has the tourist base and the tax base.
Federal and State Grants: A majority of the TAT tax on the Big Island comes from the Kona side. The government can separate by tax payers. If you own property in Hawaii you are a tax payer. West Hawaii has no Administration! and that is exactly what we are fighting for. We are taxation without representation.
I would hope Fire and CivilDefence are present in West Hawaii now! We don’t need to buy a fancy building to have a government. We can use the old airport pavilion if we had to. We should be able to get past that.
Population division: North Kahala including Kau could make up the West Hawaii County. The equation should include the part time residents and the thousands of tourists that fill our roads every day. The population is now driving or moving from Hilo to Kona for the work. The people of Kona used to drive to Hilo to shop, but now the people are driving from Hilo to come to Costco. The island is changing.
The people of West Hawaii are tired of paying the highest taxes in the state and have the least amount of services. Times are changing and more of those part time residents are staying here more permanently.
Please help us to overcome the numbers game and split the County so ALL that pay taxes have any opportunity to have a say. 200 miles to a Council meeting is unacceptable. If you have read our Newspaper daily you will read about people in Hilo making decisions for people in Kona and how it is not working.
Thank you for time and response.
I look forward to a long haul and a new County.
Aloha,
Mrs. Susan McGeachy
mcgeachy@hawaii.rr.com
http://hawaiicountyissues.blogspot.com/
I would like to address some of your comments.
Infrastructure: Kona’s International Airport daily handles far more international travelers then Hilo does. There are air freights with large amount of cargo daily into Kona International Airport. Kawaihae has a deep water port due to be completed in 2009. This is being paid for privately; it is for the infrastructure for the Super Ferry. Ship to shore fuel will be possible. Kona has the tourist base and the tax base.
Federal and State Grants: A majority of the TAT tax on the Big Island comes from the Kona side. The government can separate by tax payers. If you own property in Hawaii you are a tax payer. West Hawaii has no Administration! and that is exactly what we are fighting for. We are taxation without representation.
I would hope Fire and CivilDefence are present in West Hawaii now! We don’t need to buy a fancy building to have a government. We can use the old airport pavilion if we had to. We should be able to get past that.
Population division: North Kahala including Kau could make up the West Hawaii County. The equation should include the part time residents and the thousands of tourists that fill our roads every day. The population is now driving or moving from Hilo to Kona for the work. The people of Kona used to drive to Hilo to shop, but now the people are driving from Hilo to come to Costco. The island is changing.
The people of West Hawaii are tired of paying the highest taxes in the state and have the least amount of services. Times are changing and more of those part time residents are staying here more permanently.
Please help us to overcome the numbers game and split the County so ALL that pay taxes have any opportunity to have a say. 200 miles to a Council meeting is unacceptable. If you have read our Newspaper daily you will read about people in Hilo making decisions for people in Kona and how it is not working.
Thank you for time and response.
I look forward to a long haul and a new County.
Aloha,
Mrs. Susan McGeachy
mcgeachy@hawaii.rr.com
http://hawaiicountyissues.blogspot.com/
Sen. Lorraine R. Inouye [seninouye@Capitol.hawaii.gov]
Aloha Susan,Thanks for your persistance and asking for input on a proposal to have separate counties on Hawaii Island.Here's my input: I do not support the separation of dividing our county into two parts because of the following reasons: Infrastructure: As you know the biggest port for Cargo is in East Hawaii. Kawaihae is not fully developed as yet to handle similarImports. Most or all the fuel arrives in Hilo and trucks to West side, I.e. to airport,etc. As well as other cargoes. Federal and State Grants: County of Hawaii receives funding some direct, such as the TAT tax to Hawaii County, as well as federal highway, federal grants for other programs such as Health, Hawaiian Programs, University Research, Schools, Agriculture, Astronomy, and the list goes on and on. How is the government going to separate these fundings? West Hawaii has no AdministrationBuildings such as a County building with all of the services as yet. To includeother agencies as Fire and Civil Defence, etc. and other divisions. How is the population or district to be divided: If the line, as an example, to be split to include North Kohala, all of Hamakua,to Kau, It will outway the population from the West side. And Kona's residential population has the highest part-time residents, how will that be considered into the equation. Personally, I believe this measure will not have the votes from the legislature. However, I presently chair the Government Relations committee and Transportation and will consider hearing such proposal if it can get approval from the county level, which I believe will not be successful, I predict. I could be wrong. Until such time as West Hawaii has all the infrastructure in place and the population reaches close to or over a million residences it could perhaps have to municipalities. A forum of such debate could be of interest and please call me if I can be of assistance. Aloha, State Senator Lorraine R. Inouye, Ist district- former Mayor and former county council member-at-large.--------------------------
Rep. Cindy Evans Responds
Aloha Ms. McGeachy,
I have been in contact with Representative Evans and she informs me she has read your email and has some thoughts she'd like to share with you. Who is the lead person you are hoping will organize the public forums? And, with regards to Speaker Say's response to you, perhaps you should consider approaching the west side council members and ask if they would sponsor a resolution.
Thank you for your time and your efforts to see this through. If I can be of any further assistance, please feel free in contacting my office.
Sincerely,
Cindy Evans
State Representative District 7/N. Kona.S. Kohala State Capitol, Room 311 974-4000 ext. 68510 (808) 586-8510 (808) 586-8514 (f) www.repcindyevans.com
I have been in contact with Representative Evans and she informs me she has read your email and has some thoughts she'd like to share with you. Who is the lead person you are hoping will organize the public forums? And, with regards to Speaker Say's response to you, perhaps you should consider approaching the west side council members and ask if they would sponsor a resolution.
Thank you for your time and your efforts to see this through. If I can be of any further assistance, please feel free in contacting my office.
Sincerely,
Cindy Evans
State Representative District 7/N. Kona.S. Kohala State Capitol, Room 311 974-4000 ext. 68510 (808) 586-8510 (808) 586-8514 (f) www.repcindyevans.com
Rep. Ed. Case Responds
November 8, 2005
Dear Ms. McGeachy:
Thanks for the copy of your email suggesting public debate on the possibility of splitting the County of Hawaii into two counties. I will certainly follow the continued discussion of this proposal closely.
With aloha,
ED CASE
United States
Congressman
Hawaii,
Second District
Dear Ms. McGeachy:
Thanks for the copy of your email suggesting public debate on the possibility of splitting the County of Hawaii into two counties. I will certainly follow the continued discussion of this proposal closely.
With aloha,
ED CASE
United States
Congressman
Hawaii,
Second District
Friday, November 04, 2005
Replys for West Hawaii- Bob Herkes
Mrs. McGeachy. I have received your e-mail concerning a "West Hawaii"
county. I lived and worked in Kona for a number of years and represented the district on the Hawaii County Council when we had single member districts. In single member districts you had to reside in the district but ran island-wide. I opposed changing that system to the system that we have today where you vote only for your district candidate. This sounds good in theory but it has drawbacks for West Hawaii. In the old method every County Council candidate had to campaign in West Hawaii even if they were running from Hilo. As West Hawaii has increased its voter base, under the old system, every candidate would have to listen to West Hawaii's concerns. Now if you are from East Hawaii you do not need to listen to West Hawaii. The change was pushed by the West Hawaii republicans who wanted "their own candidate". I was a republican then and argued against the change because I felt it would hurt West Hawaii in the long run, and I was right. As for a West Hawaii County. I need to caution you because you need to consider the downside. You do not get to draw the line, the legislature draws the line.
I fear that we could end up with a North Hawaii County and a South Hawaii County. The North Hawaii County would be from Hilo to South Kohala and the rich tax base. The South Hawaii county would run from Puna to Kona and have the larger land area with all of those problems and a smaller tax base.
Under this scenario the district that I now represent in the State House would have all of the problems with no tax base. Bob Herkes
county. I lived and worked in Kona for a number of years and represented the district on the Hawaii County Council when we had single member districts. In single member districts you had to reside in the district but ran island-wide. I opposed changing that system to the system that we have today where you vote only for your district candidate. This sounds good in theory but it has drawbacks for West Hawaii. In the old method every County Council candidate had to campaign in West Hawaii even if they were running from Hilo. As West Hawaii has increased its voter base, under the old system, every candidate would have to listen to West Hawaii's concerns. Now if you are from East Hawaii you do not need to listen to West Hawaii. The change was pushed by the West Hawaii republicans who wanted "their own candidate". I was a republican then and argued against the change because I felt it would hurt West Hawaii in the long run, and I was right. As for a West Hawaii County. I need to caution you because you need to consider the downside. You do not get to draw the line, the legislature draws the line.
I fear that we could end up with a North Hawaii County and a South Hawaii County. The North Hawaii County would be from Hilo to South Kohala and the rich tax base. The South Hawaii county would run from Puna to Kona and have the larger land area with all of those problems and a smaller tax base.
Under this scenario the district that I now represent in the State House would have all of the problems with no tax base. Bob Herkes
West Hawaii County Request of Rep. Say
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Please consider this a formal request for a debate through open and public forums within West Hawaii for the purpose of creating “West Hawaii County”.
Please follow up with dates, times and location for this forum.
Thank you for follow up and consideration. The future of West Hawaii needs to be addressed and this is the first step.
Respectfully,
Mrs. Susan McGeachy
mcgeachy@hawaii.rr.com
From: Rep. Calvin Say [mailto:repsay@Capitol.hawaii.gov] Sent: Wednesday, November 02, 2005 2:15 PMTo: mcgeachy@hawaii.rr.comSubject: Re: West Hawaii County
Dear Susan,
Thank you for your recent letter asking to divide the County of Hawaii into two counties, West Hawaii and East Hawaii. The Hawaii Constitution provides that the Legislature may establish counties and political subdivisions within the state. The four county structure has been in place since statehood. The last county to be named with limited powers was Kalawao on Molokai. This type of change must be thoroughly reviewed, its fiscal impact analyzed, and its effect on the residents of the county must be debated through open public forums within the county.
Therefore, I encourage you to voice your concerns to the county officials and ask the council representative of your area to begin the process of review and public discussion. While the Legislature has the authority to enact laws relating to county organizations, it would be premature to proceed on this issue without a request from the county to consider this matter.
Thank you again for opening public debate on this serious and complex matter. I commend you and others who are willing to advocate for what you believe in.
Sincerely,
Calvin K.Y. Say Speaker of the House State of Hawaii
Please consider this a formal request for a debate through open and public forums within West Hawaii for the purpose of creating “West Hawaii County”.
Please follow up with dates, times and location for this forum.
Thank you for follow up and consideration. The future of West Hawaii needs to be addressed and this is the first step.
Respectfully,
Mrs. Susan McGeachy
mcgeachy@hawaii.rr.com
From: Rep. Calvin Say [mailto:repsay@Capitol.hawaii.gov] Sent: Wednesday, November 02, 2005 2:15 PMTo: mcgeachy@hawaii.rr.comSubject: Re: West Hawaii County
Dear Susan,
Thank you for your recent letter asking to divide the County of Hawaii into two counties, West Hawaii and East Hawaii. The Hawaii Constitution provides that the Legislature may establish counties and political subdivisions within the state. The four county structure has been in place since statehood. The last county to be named with limited powers was Kalawao on Molokai. This type of change must be thoroughly reviewed, its fiscal impact analyzed, and its effect on the residents of the county must be debated through open public forums within the county.
Therefore, I encourage you to voice your concerns to the county officials and ask the council representative of your area to begin the process of review and public discussion. While the Legislature has the authority to enact laws relating to county organizations, it would be premature to proceed on this issue without a request from the county to consider this matter.
Thank you again for opening public debate on this serious and complex matter. I commend you and others who are willing to advocate for what you believe in.
Sincerely,
Calvin K.Y. Say Speaker of the House State of Hawaii
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