Public Comments:

Honorable Council Members,
I hope that you will give serious consideration to bill 268 and will vote yes on it.
That doesn't mean that meetings actually start to happen on both sides of this
enormous island -- it just means people get to vote on the possibility. It is only
fair that people have the opportunity to vote on this issue.
I wish I could attend your meeting this week, but, alas, I have commitments I
cannot change or miss. Perhaps if the meeting were in, say, Kailua, things
might be different.
No doubt you have heard there is a large outcry from the west side of the island.
There is a feeling of neglect and indifference from those in charge (Hilo and its
county government) about the west side of the island.
Yes, there are thoughts that there is taxation without adequate representation,
which should sound familiar from your civics classes of old; a feeling of East
getting the tax dollars -- with wide streets and, sometimes, actual shoulders
and sidewalks, occasionally even guardrails -- versus West, where the infrastructure
is crumbling and inadequate to begin with. Major roads in population centers in
West Hawaii can be narrow two-lane-no-shoulder and on-a-cliff-without-guardrails
affairs, whereas major roads in Hilo are boulevards with sidewalks. If you ever
drive Palani just down from the Mamalahoa junction, please take a look off the
side of the road to see where cars have careened off the narrow but major artery
into the air, falling into a coffee field below.
Promises are made and road improvements are projected -- ask anyone from
the Kona districts and they will rattle off at least three projects that were supposed
to have been completed by now and are not -- ask three people, and and it's likely
they will each name three different ones, most likely. Here's one that could be
considered a broken promise in the making -- Kuakini Highway from Palani Road
to Hualalai Road. The County said, in essence, "Give us 18 months of traffic pain,
and we'll make Kuakini Highway into a splendid 4-lane road." GREAT! Of course,
traffic at both ends will still be stodgy, but it's a start. Have you seen this road lately?
It's as though the County is saying to Kailua: "Oh, you thought we meant two lanes
in EACH direction? We meant a two-lane road with turning lanes."
The roads are just a part of it, though. Parks, police and other emergency services,
as well as other necessary safety and recreation facilities are also neglected,
underfunded, and, as a result, struggling. We are even surprised to find a managing
police officer who actually lives in Kona.
Could it be that anything from Hilo is -- automatically -- the preferred child in the
eyes of our parental County government? Or is that just a perception?
I know the County does not have unlimited funds. I know there are people
within the County government trying to make the dispersal of funds in West
Hawaii more fair. But to understand the disparity, it is important to visit West
Hawaii frequently and to know both the situation and the daily aches and pains
of the people of West Hawaii first hand. We are a patient people, but our
patience is being strongly tested.
Politicians are servants of the people. Let the people decide.
Aloha,
Sarah Crawford

To Whom It May Concern:
I am in support of having an equal number of city council meetings on the west side as the east side of the island. Kona deserves the opportunity to have equity within the county. What if Kona taxpayers decided to no longer pay taxes that continue to pay for Hilo repairs? What if everything that occurs on the island were the exact opposite? Kona gets all the support and Hilo gets very little.
How about some balance within the county? What have the people of Kona done to deserve this type of treatment? Why should anyone be treated in this fashion? I'm sure their is something in the oath of council members as they take office to serve the people of the county and Hawaii to the best of their ability, not in the best interest of their side of the island.
Feel free to contact me with any questions you may have regarding this e-mail.
Sincerely,
Kapoula Thompson

These are all of the pros and cons:

Many thanks for your untiring efforts, your focus, your leadership!
Do you find it ironic that a hearing about whether hearings should be held in Kona is being held in Hilo?
The relatively low turn-out re the bus may not be apathy but illustrate PRECISELY the point! For many of us, not having hearings in Kona disenfranchises us. Hold the same hearings on the same bill in KONA, and it might be standing room only.
In lieu of going to Hilo, I am of course, sending in my testimony before the May 17th hearings.
I hope many other Kona folks do too. Having the address where I can send the testimony is always helpful. Thanks for including it.
Lois-ellin (Datta)


Perhaps we can get a smaller group to carpool over there. My friend Barbara and I are planning on going if we find one more person to split the cost of a tank of gas. I do believe that we can make a difference and can affect a change in the voting results of the upcoming elections. While this is an important battle, this is not the only battle we will have to win in order to make changes. Let's conserve our resources and plan on where we can make the greatest changes to local govt.
Sincerely yours,
Peter Wu

Wow Susan- you sound really mad, and i don't blame you. I should be in Hilo- where and when should i show up? Can you put an ad in the paper? debbie

Aloha Susan,
I have about 80 animals to feed so I can not leave until after feeding rounds are done at 9 am. I can go to the office in Kona or write letters in advance of the meeting. Which ever you think is better or both if you think effective.
Regards, Three Ring Ranch Exotic Animal Sanctuary
Kona, Hawaii Ann Goody, Curator


We are very active in the Democratic Party and Community Enterprises (Kailua Kona Town Meetings). We have several retirement supporting real estate projects that keep us young. However, we are always very surprised at the low turn out at meetings and related events. We understand your frustrations in trying to get people involved.
Community Enterprises is a recognized (state and federal) non-profit corporation. I am the technical support behind Carol Christianson in the organization. There are many elements of what your monthly group is attempting to accomplish that appeals to my ideas of a Town Meeting organization. I talked with Carol about your group and she was somewhat turned off by the political activism. However, I think that at sometime this month or next that you and I should meet and talk over our objectives.
It might be of a benefit for your group to merge into Community Enterprises.
If you would like I could email you copies of the Corporate Charter and Bylaws.
Mahalo for the good work,
Denny & Bonnie Coffman

Thanks for what you do. I cannot go to the meeting, but wish others with less responsibilities, and more time would. Don't give up!! Mary Beth Hilburn


I’ve only been here in Puna about 6 months. I own property here that I purchased 30 years ago. In the short time I have been here, I have been very interested in what makes Hawaii different from the rest of the 49 states. I frequently hear, “it’s just how things are in Hawaii”. Well, I wanted to learn a more about this “Hawaii thing”. The major eye opener for me was reading “The Price of Paradise” Volumes I and II. As I see it, you efforts are admirable, but I think you might want to look in a different direction to “fix it”.
Here’s how I see the situation:
Most of the funding comes from the state. Counties have comparatively little funding.
The state procurement system is flawed, which leads to corruption and all the things that go with corruption.
The civil service system is based on largesse, not competency.
The state budgeting system allows funds to be “hidden” from the public.
Elected officials are hardly ever voted out of office. We essentially have a one party system.
We have a second rate public educational system which does not make for good citizenship or a trained labor force.
The Bishop Foundation (one of the wealthiest in the US and certainly in Hawaii) is a payoff (through the appointment process) to politicians. Example, the governor appoints people to the State Supreme Court. The State Supreme Court appointment Bishop Foundation trustees, many of whom are former supreme courts justices.
The “Big Five”, Hawaiian airlines, Hawaiian Tel, both state banks have successfully lobbied to keep out competition.
I don’t know what the census data might show, but I am guessing the east side has proportionately more registered voters than the west side. This is due to the fact that many homeowners on the west side do not live here full-time.
For what it is worth.
Richard Bidleman
Pahoa

We our in favor of having an EQUAL amount of voice and representation from the District of Hawaii County member meetings, per year, for the {70 - 30% Tax Base} West Hawaii Residents. Aloha to Mayor Harry, Chris Yuen, Andy Iwashita, Lincoln Ashida, and Gary Safarik, at the private, secluded, Hilo Yacht Club meeting discussing "transparent" Public and very private funding agendas, from da catbirds in West Hawaii.
Mahalo, J.C. and Ann Shannon