Nancy Pisicchio

Hi Marshall,

In my opinion, increased regional planning is critical. How we can go about it is the issue. In order to create an incorporated borough, city, towship, ect, I believe a constitutional amendment would be required. To form another county, the state legislature would have to approve it. Quite honestly, after years of soul searching about each of these outcomes, I don't think either are going to occurr. I don't think there is any motivation for the state legislature to approve a split in this county. For one thing, they will be facing huge opposition for such a legislative proposal. Maybe they would consider such an idea if the Island of Hawaii was strongly united on the idea and it was being presented to them as a practical administrative decision. But we know that there would be passionate opposition to the idea. And that doesn't even begin to addess how the final deliniation would be determined. Do you think they would all decide to support the Kona District's proposal for a north-south split? We would have some people in both Kau and Kohala opposing it.
So, with that said, I believe the people of Kona should be putting a huge effort behind developing the Kona regional plan.
A regional plan can serve as the foundation for increased local decision making through the development of a Kona District Board, and other Kona boards and commissions. (Maui has three Planning Commissions). A regional Plan also has the potential to serve as the means to keep a portion of locally generated revenue within the District. Yes, many of these opportunities would require amendments to the County Charter, but I think that is much more attainable than amending the state constitution or getting the state legislature to create a West Hawaii County. A regional plan has the potentional to evolve into something very close to an seperate political subdivision. Or it could also turn into a superficial planning ordinance. That will depend on how much informed involvement and support the people in Kona provide to the development of Kona regional plan.
Yes, we need political support. The people who are asking to serve as our elected representatives should run for office on a platform based on strong regional planning and increased regional decision making authority for North and South Kona. And the people of Kona should accept nothing less.
Aloha, Nancy