passing this on.........
Aloha, Colleen Fitzpatrick is taking a stand for public shoreline access. Will you join her? Stand Up for Public Access Protection
WHAT: PEACEFUL, NON-CONFRONTATIONAL REQUEST THAT NELHA SUPPORT MORE — NOT LESS -- PUBLIC SHORELINE ACCESS WHERE: ENTRANCE GATE TO NELHA AT QUEEN KA`AHUMANU HIGHWAY WHEN: 8:30 AM; SATURDAY, AUGUST 1 BRING: HAT, WATER, SUNSCREEN, SIGNS (“DON’T LOCK US OUT”, “PROTECT PUBLIC ACCESS”, “SUPPORT COMMUNITY”, etc.) ------------------------------ NELHA has agreed to withdraw plans to add extra restrictions over public access via their paved access road. HOWEVER, NELHA management still plans to keep the gate on the lateral jeep access road closed permanently (starting Aug 1). This is unnecessary, unacceptable, and is just another incremental step toward limiting public access to Public shoreline.
Free public movement along the O`oma-Kohanaiki coastline has existed for countless generations (including vehicular access). The “over-secured”, increasingly privatized Kona/Kohala coastline separates residents (and/or makes them feel separate) from their right to fairly access coastal areas and Public Trust resources. NELHA’s plan would further chop the shoreline into gated pieces and limit public access options to Kohanaiki and O`oma II. Stand with other community members to help put pressure on NELHA to honor their obligation to provide continued fair, public shoreline access.
Mahalo.
PS to NELHA: How about getting those public showers going again?
Thursday, July 30, 2009
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
Janice Palma-Glennie responds
NELHA
More access, not less
It’s been at least 20 yearssince NELHA managementeliminated camping on thatstate property “temporarily”(no camping in sight).It’s been at least 10 yearssince NELHA shut off thewater to the public showersdue to a “homeless problem.”(No homeless problem therefor years.)It’s been at least 5 yearssince NELHA tried to stoppublic beach access to thelateral Jeep road (stoppedby public outcry).Now NELHA has agrand plan to severely, andindefinitely, restrict publicshoreline access. StartingAug. 1, the mauka/makaiand lateral access roads willbe completely closed to thepublic on weekends andafter 4:30p.m. weekdays.The “nuclear” Jeep roadgate will remain closed at alltimes, meaning that therewill be no further lateralpublic vehicle access joiningKohanaiki/Ooma and theNELHA property.Public shoreline accessand activity are at thecore of Hawaiian cultureand largely define thequality of life of Hawaii’sresidents. NELHA’s planwould further privatize andexclusify the public trustresources of that area, whileadding huge, unplannedforenvironmental stresson adjacent properties,including conservationprotectedOoma II. Butit’s obvious that NELHAand the governor areincreasingly looking afterthe commercial tenants’desires and goals — notthe public’s needs andrights. The coastal parkat NELHA is in greatdemand for recreationaland subsistence use and isone of only too few publicbeach parks in this region.Meanwhile, claims thatthe new Kohanaiki accessroad will balance the loss atNELHA are poorly thoughtout,dangerous and patentlyuntrue. Kohanaiki andOoma are already heavilyand increasingly used by agrowing population, withhundreds of residences atKohanaiki approved fordevelopment.Though I understandNELHA’s concerns forits tenants’ bottom line,NELHA’s tenants createdtheir business structuresand signed their leasesknowing full well that apublic park was part of thatfacility. And the public waspromised a permanent parkwith meaningful access anduse at this taxpayer-fundedfacility.Fears of vandalism havebeen used by NELHAmanagement for decadesas an excuse for creatinga more private, exclusivebusiness enclave. Butallowing fear of the actionsof a few hypothetical badapples to determine publicuse of public trust resourcesis an overused rationale thatcan be contrived to limitpublic use of any naturalarea where a for-profitfacility exists (i.e., resorts).As far as the valueand potential vandalismof company assets andpipeline ($40 million ofwhich is reportedly taxpayerfunding), is the publicmeant to believe that there’sno insurance if somethinggoes amiss with these multimilliondollar facilities?So, while it’s easy to tossaround a dollar value of apipeline or abalone tanks,it’s much more difficult (ifnot impossible) to pinpointthe greenback value of thebenefits to a communityhaving adequate safe,healthy, noncommercialplaces to recreate andcongregate. Does that makethe value any less? Howthen is the value of passivepublic use of the shorelinehonored when it has asmuch, or even greater, valueto a community than abusiness’ bottom line?NELHA was designedto include a public beachfacility (with camping).NELHA’s mission wasto host individualsand companies withenvironmentally friendly,sustainable ideas that couldlead to positive outcomes forthe world (how NELHA waspromoted to sell its value asa publicly funded facility).The facility was meant tobe futuristic and inclusiveof those who didn’t havetons of money but who hadvaluable, alternative ideas.(Selling bottled water underthe guise of it being morehealthful than other distilledwater wasn’t something thatmight have seemed to fitthis original vision, though,Lord knows, they seem tobe making plenty of moneyfor themselves.) It seemsthen that NELHA has beenallowed to stray too farfrom its original plan, usingthe excuse of “bad times”(not enough funds) and“good times” (no time tomiss those extra dollars) toeliminate “public” from theequation.If road striping, aconnector road to theairport and other costlyprojects are in the worksat NELHA, how muchof a financial dent wouldit actually make to limitsecurity personnel related topublic access (value talliedseparately from protectionof private businesses)?It would probably be apittance compared to, say,what this state gives awayin corporate tax breaks (i.e.,bucks-up film companieswho enjoy the use of publicparks for near nothingor for free). Maybe if thestate left the gates opendue to its lack of funds,then the tenants wouldrally to provide security fortheir multimillion dollarenterprises.If Kona’s youth andfamilies have insufficientno-cost, healthful places tocongregate, then imbalancessuch as increased crime, lossof native culture (includingohana camping, fishing,gathering, etc.) and othersocial maladies are sure tofollow. The dollar costs tocombat those losses? Youthwith time on their hands,families split, shorelinekept “off-limits” for thebenefit of monied interests,subsistence food gatheringdiminished, environmentcompromised. What is itworth in dollars to preventthose problems fromincreasing?For the amount ofjoy and community andfamily bonding that thecoastal park at NELHAprovides, almost no excuseis good enough to decreasepublic access as NELHAproposes. In fact, moreaccess, including promisedcamping, is long overdue.Janice Palma-GlennieKailua-Kona
More access, not less
It’s been at least 20 yearssince NELHA managementeliminated camping on thatstate property “temporarily”(no camping in sight).It’s been at least 10 yearssince NELHA shut off thewater to the public showersdue to a “homeless problem.”(No homeless problem therefor years.)It’s been at least 5 yearssince NELHA tried to stoppublic beach access to thelateral Jeep road (stoppedby public outcry).Now NELHA has agrand plan to severely, andindefinitely, restrict publicshoreline access. StartingAug. 1, the mauka/makaiand lateral access roads willbe completely closed to thepublic on weekends andafter 4:30p.m. weekdays.The “nuclear” Jeep roadgate will remain closed at alltimes, meaning that therewill be no further lateralpublic vehicle access joiningKohanaiki/Ooma and theNELHA property.Public shoreline accessand activity are at thecore of Hawaiian cultureand largely define thequality of life of Hawaii’sresidents. NELHA’s planwould further privatize andexclusify the public trustresources of that area, whileadding huge, unplannedforenvironmental stresson adjacent properties,including conservationprotectedOoma II. Butit’s obvious that NELHAand the governor areincreasingly looking afterthe commercial tenants’desires and goals — notthe public’s needs andrights. The coastal parkat NELHA is in greatdemand for recreationaland subsistence use and isone of only too few publicbeach parks in this region.Meanwhile, claims thatthe new Kohanaiki accessroad will balance the loss atNELHA are poorly thoughtout,dangerous and patentlyuntrue. Kohanaiki andOoma are already heavilyand increasingly used by agrowing population, withhundreds of residences atKohanaiki approved fordevelopment.Though I understandNELHA’s concerns forits tenants’ bottom line,NELHA’s tenants createdtheir business structuresand signed their leasesknowing full well that apublic park was part of thatfacility. And the public waspromised a permanent parkwith meaningful access anduse at this taxpayer-fundedfacility.Fears of vandalism havebeen used by NELHAmanagement for decadesas an excuse for creatinga more private, exclusivebusiness enclave. Butallowing fear of the actionsof a few hypothetical badapples to determine publicuse of public trust resourcesis an overused rationale thatcan be contrived to limitpublic use of any naturalarea where a for-profitfacility exists (i.e., resorts).As far as the valueand potential vandalismof company assets andpipeline ($40 million ofwhich is reportedly taxpayerfunding), is the publicmeant to believe that there’sno insurance if somethinggoes amiss with these multimilliondollar facilities?So, while it’s easy to tossaround a dollar value of apipeline or abalone tanks,it’s much more difficult (ifnot impossible) to pinpointthe greenback value of thebenefits to a communityhaving adequate safe,healthy, noncommercialplaces to recreate andcongregate. Does that makethe value any less? Howthen is the value of passivepublic use of the shorelinehonored when it has asmuch, or even greater, valueto a community than abusiness’ bottom line?NELHA was designedto include a public beachfacility (with camping).NELHA’s mission wasto host individualsand companies withenvironmentally friendly,sustainable ideas that couldlead to positive outcomes forthe world (how NELHA waspromoted to sell its value asa publicly funded facility).The facility was meant tobe futuristic and inclusiveof those who didn’t havetons of money but who hadvaluable, alternative ideas.(Selling bottled water underthe guise of it being morehealthful than other distilledwater wasn’t something thatmight have seemed to fitthis original vision, though,Lord knows, they seem tobe making plenty of moneyfor themselves.) It seemsthen that NELHA has beenallowed to stray too farfrom its original plan, usingthe excuse of “bad times”(not enough funds) and“good times” (no time tomiss those extra dollars) toeliminate “public” from theequation.If road striping, aconnector road to theairport and other costlyprojects are in the worksat NELHA, how muchof a financial dent wouldit actually make to limitsecurity personnel related topublic access (value talliedseparately from protectionof private businesses)?It would probably be apittance compared to, say,what this state gives awayin corporate tax breaks (i.e.,bucks-up film companieswho enjoy the use of publicparks for near nothingor for free). Maybe if thestate left the gates opendue to its lack of funds,then the tenants wouldrally to provide security fortheir multimillion dollarenterprises.If Kona’s youth andfamilies have insufficientno-cost, healthful places tocongregate, then imbalancessuch as increased crime, lossof native culture (includingohana camping, fishing,gathering, etc.) and othersocial maladies are sure tofollow. The dollar costs tocombat those losses? Youthwith time on their hands,families split, shorelinekept “off-limits” for thebenefit of monied interests,subsistence food gatheringdiminished, environmentcompromised. What is itworth in dollars to preventthose problems fromincreasing?For the amount ofjoy and community andfamily bonding that thecoastal park at NELHAprovides, almost no excuseis good enough to decreasepublic access as NELHAproposes. In fact, moreaccess, including promisedcamping, is long overdue.Janice Palma-GlennieKailua-Kona
NELHA bows to 30 year precedent
Main gate toremain open BUT...
NELHA: Officials plan to closea four-wheel drive trail to Pine Trees beach
By ERIN MILLERWest Hawaii Todayemiller@westhawaiitoday.com
The Natural EnergyLaboratory of HawaiiAuthority board of directorsdecided Tuesday against earlyweekday and full weekendclosures of the public accessgate to the property.Instead, NELHAOperations Manager JanWar said volunteers from theKeahole Tenant Associationwill open and close the gateuntil a new security contractis in place.“We had a long discussionat the board meeting,” Warsaid. “With a 30-year historyof providing public access,we realized there is no waywe can attempt to close itearlier.”NELHA officialsannounced earlier this monththat, because the securitycontract expired July 31and a new one had yet tobe approved by the stateDepartment of Business,Economic Development andTourism, they would beginclosing the gate at QueenKaahumanu Highway thatallows public access to thebeach. The decision causedquite a bit of public outcry,War said.Ted Liu, director of thestate department that overseesthe energy lab area, toldSen. Josh Green recently thathe did not think NELHA officialshad the authority to closethe gate. On Tuesday, Liu saidGov. Linda Lingle had vetoeda Legislative vote to transferthe NELHA budget from hisdepartment to another statedepartment.“We have restored the budgetand any confusion causedby this needless transfer hassince been settled,” Liu said ina letter sent to West HawaiiToday that was written prior tothe NELHA board’s decisionto use volunteers to keep thegate open evenings and weekends.“I commend NELHA for(its) creative solutions to sharethe impact of a reduced budget.I trust that, as is also truewith the economic situationwe currently find ourselves in,this move will be temporary.”NELHA officials are goingahead with plans to close thefour-wheel drive trail at thesouthern end of the NELHAproperty that leads to thebeach often referred to asPine Trees. War said representativesof Kohanaiki, aneighboring developmentthat is providing a pavedroad to Pine Trees, said theywould have that road openFriday morning. The fourwheeldrive road will remainopen until Kohanaiki roadis open.
NELHA: Officials plan to closea four-wheel drive trail to Pine Trees beach
By ERIN MILLERWest Hawaii Todayemiller@westhawaiitoday.com
The Natural EnergyLaboratory of HawaiiAuthority board of directorsdecided Tuesday against earlyweekday and full weekendclosures of the public accessgate to the property.Instead, NELHAOperations Manager JanWar said volunteers from theKeahole Tenant Associationwill open and close the gateuntil a new security contractis in place.“We had a long discussionat the board meeting,” Warsaid. “With a 30-year historyof providing public access,we realized there is no waywe can attempt to close itearlier.”NELHA officialsannounced earlier this monththat, because the securitycontract expired July 31and a new one had yet tobe approved by the stateDepartment of Business,Economic Development andTourism, they would beginclosing the gate at QueenKaahumanu Highway thatallows public access to thebeach. The decision causedquite a bit of public outcry,War said.Ted Liu, director of thestate department that overseesthe energy lab area, toldSen. Josh Green recently thathe did not think NELHA officialshad the authority to closethe gate. On Tuesday, Liu saidGov. Linda Lingle had vetoeda Legislative vote to transferthe NELHA budget from hisdepartment to another statedepartment.“We have restored the budgetand any confusion causedby this needless transfer hassince been settled,” Liu said ina letter sent to West HawaiiToday that was written prior tothe NELHA board’s decisionto use volunteers to keep thegate open evenings and weekends.“I commend NELHA for(its) creative solutions to sharethe impact of a reduced budget.I trust that, as is also truewith the economic situationwe currently find ourselves in,this move will be temporary.”NELHA officials are goingahead with plans to close thefour-wheel drive trail at thesouthern end of the NELHAproperty that leads to thebeach often referred to asPine Trees. War said representativesof Kohanaiki, aneighboring developmentthat is providing a pavedroad to Pine Trees, said theywould have that road openFriday morning. The fourwheeldrive road will remainopen until Kohanaiki roadis open.
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
Limiting/Closing NELHA to the public? What!
BY ERIN MILLERWEST HAWAII TODAYemiller@westhawaiitoday.com
West Hawaii’s state senatorsays state officials don’t thinkthe Natural Energy Labratoryof Hawaii Authority has thepower or right to limit beachaccess.Sen. Josh Green said hecontacted Departmentof Business, EconomicDevelopment and TourismDirector Ted Liu after hearingfrom county residentsworried about the potentialgate closure after 4:30 p.m.on weekdays and all weekendlong.“Ted Liu told me that theywill not allow decreasedaccess,” Green said.Further, Liu told Greenthat NELHA ExecutiveDirector Ron Baird did nothave the authority to limitaccess to business hours andthat the Department of Landand Natural Resources wouldlikely intervene if NELHAclosed the gates at 4:30 p.m.Baird said earlier this monththat the failure of the stateto approve and execute anew security contract meansthat NELHA won’t havesecurity guards to monitorthe entrance gate on QueenKaahumanu Highway afterbusiness hours. The areaneeds guards to protect theroughly $150 million worthof investments tenants of theenergy lab area have made.NELHA is the landlordto 45 tenants who use thefacility for commercial andresearch purposes.Liu and DLNR DirectorLaura Thielen did notrespond to requests for commentMonday.Baird said nothing hadchanged since he announcedthe potential closure a fewweeks ago. He said he doesnot know if he has the authorityto close the gate.“The attorney generalhasn’t told me yes or no,” hesaid, adding that he has notasked that office if he canclose the gate. “They’re awareof what we plan.”Baird told West HawaiiToday previously that thelack of a new security guardcontract was one of severalissues that arose afterthe Legislature moved theauthority’s funding to the stateDepartment of Accountingand General Services, butleft the personnel attached tothe Department of Business,Economic Development andTourism. Green said Liuassured him that his departmentwould do its best toexpedite a new security contractto help prevent the gateclosure.“They can’t just lock itdown just because he no longerhas this contract,” Greenadded.
West Hawaii’s state senatorsays state officials don’t thinkthe Natural Energy Labratoryof Hawaii Authority has thepower or right to limit beachaccess.Sen. Josh Green said hecontacted Departmentof Business, EconomicDevelopment and TourismDirector Ted Liu after hearingfrom county residentsworried about the potentialgate closure after 4:30 p.m.on weekdays and all weekendlong.“Ted Liu told me that theywill not allow decreasedaccess,” Green said.Further, Liu told Greenthat NELHA ExecutiveDirector Ron Baird did nothave the authority to limitaccess to business hours andthat the Department of Landand Natural Resources wouldlikely intervene if NELHAclosed the gates at 4:30 p.m.Baird said earlier this monththat the failure of the stateto approve and execute anew security contract meansthat NELHA won’t havesecurity guards to monitorthe entrance gate on QueenKaahumanu Highway afterbusiness hours. The areaneeds guards to protect theroughly $150 million worthof investments tenants of theenergy lab area have made.NELHA is the landlordto 45 tenants who use thefacility for commercial andresearch purposes.Liu and DLNR DirectorLaura Thielen did notrespond to requests for commentMonday.Baird said nothing hadchanged since he announcedthe potential closure a fewweeks ago. He said he doesnot know if he has the authorityto close the gate.“The attorney generalhasn’t told me yes or no,” hesaid, adding that he has notasked that office if he canclose the gate. “They’re awareof what we plan.”Baird told West HawaiiToday previously that thelack of a new security guardcontract was one of severalissues that arose afterthe Legislature moved theauthority’s funding to the stateDepartment of Accountingand General Services, butleft the personnel attached tothe Department of Business,Economic Development andTourism. Green said Liuassured him that his departmentwould do its best toexpedite a new security contractto help prevent the gateclosure.“They can’t just lock itdown just because he no longerhas this contract,” Greenadded.
You Can give Testimony: thanks Brenda and Rick
Subject: RE: Testimony against Palamanui request for development commitment changes
Aloha, Thank you for your support for developers providing complete infrastructure or not getting their rezoning. When this issue comes to the council committee on Planning, please bring your supporters to testify for full infrastructure and not allowing rezoning conditions being removed. Brenda Ford
Teriffic Emails to keep and send your Testimony to: counciltestimony@co.hawaii.hi.usCc: dyagong@co.hawaii.hi.us; dikeda@co.hawaii.hi.us; jyoshimoto@co.hawaii.hi.us; donishi@co.hawaii.hi.us; enaeole@co.hawaii.hi.us; genriques@co.hawaii.hi.us; genriques@co.hawaii.hi.us; kgreenwell@co.hawaii.hi.us; phoffmann@co.hawaii.hi.us; cohmayor@co.hawaii.hi.us; bford@co.hawaii.hi.us; phoffmann@co.hawaii.hi.us; Westhawaiicounty@gmail.com; rflickinger@westhawaiitoday.com; 'Josh Green'Subject: Testimony against Palamanui request for development commitment changes
Aloha, Thank you for your support for developers providing complete infrastructure or not getting their rezoning. When this issue comes to the council committee on Planning, please bring your supporters to testify for full infrastructure and not allowing rezoning conditions being removed. Brenda Ford
Teriffic Emails to keep and send your Testimony to: counciltestimony@co.hawaii.hi.usCc: dyagong@co.hawaii.hi.us; dikeda@co.hawaii.hi.us; jyoshimoto@co.hawaii.hi.us; donishi@co.hawaii.hi.us; enaeole@co.hawaii.hi.us; genriques@co.hawaii.hi.us; genriques@co.hawaii.hi.us; kgreenwell@co.hawaii.hi.us; phoffmann@co.hawaii.hi.us; cohmayor@co.hawaii.hi.us; bford@co.hawaii.hi.us; phoffmann@co.hawaii.hi.us; Westhawaiicounty@gmail.com; rflickinger@westhawaiitoday.com; 'Josh Green'Subject: Testimony against Palamanui request for development commitment changes
Monday, July 27, 2009
Stimulus List from County of Hawaii
Aloha,
I believe I heard during a couple of the meetings on how to proceed a statement that West Hawaii was receiving no Federal stimulus funding. The entire island will benefit from Federal stimulus funding. Perhaps I mis-heard, but if I heard what was said correctly, I'd hate for such a statement to be repeated. We need to ensure that facts are being stated. Otherwise, credibility suffers.
Here is a list of what's currently on the list, and I understand it's due to be updated soon with status.
I previously mentioned to Susan that Mayor Kenoi has been very clear that Bobby Command has one job, and that is to focus on getting things ready so we can get funding for the Ane Keohokolole Highway. From this list, it looks like we're getting closer.
aloha, Sherry
http://www.hawconews.com/stimulus-list/
I believe I heard during a couple of the meetings on how to proceed a statement that West Hawaii was receiving no Federal stimulus funding. The entire island will benefit from Federal stimulus funding. Perhaps I mis-heard, but if I heard what was said correctly, I'd hate for such a statement to be repeated. We need to ensure that facts are being stated. Otherwise, credibility suffers.
Here is a list of what's currently on the list, and I understand it's due to be updated soon with status.
I previously mentioned to Susan that Mayor Kenoi has been very clear that Bobby Command has one job, and that is to focus on getting things ready so we can get funding for the Ane Keohokolole Highway. From this list, it looks like we're getting closer.
aloha, Sherry
http://www.hawconews.com/stimulus-list/
Palamanui's request for deferral of infrastructure
Richard Fucik's letter- Kailua Kona HI
This is testimony for denial of Palamanui’s request for deferral of infrastructure commitments: Here we go again! Yet another developer has fallen on hard times and wants the county to relieve them from their infrastructure commitments so that they can make their numbers work. It is not the responsibility of the county, nor its taxpayers, to make good poor investment decisions on the part of developers. Roger Harris has requested that Palamanui Global Holdings postpone or modify several of the provisions of the project’s zoning, including an indefinite deferral of the mauka-makai connector road and park: Absolutely no!!! This is just another case of developers receiving permits with promises to put in adequate infrastructure and then backing out when it comes time to do the work. If economic conditions have changed such that Palamanui can not meet its infrastructure commitments then they should cancel or postpone their project. If they cannot secure funding for their project, including infrastructure improvements, that means they want to unload the improvements in order to provide a profit to Charles Schwab. If lenders will not finance their whole package then it isn’t a viable project at this time. Don’t let them go for the money making portion of their project and leave the infrastructure portion to our risk. It is not necessary for the county to negotiate away infrastructure commitments to gain an increase in valuation for the development. County assessors have the duty and authority to apply full assessments and do not have to bargain for that right. Please don’t leave us taxpayers having to pay for promised infrastructure after Palamanui has left the scene pockets full of money, bankrupt, or whatever scheme they opt for to get out if putting in the promised infrastructure. Insist that Mr. Harris and Palamanui and all other developers live up to their infrastructure agreements. We’re sick and tired of the county whining about no funds to improve the inadequate West Hawaii infrastructure only to find out that some developer was supposed to put something in that never happened. The county continually seems to let developers off the hook or lets their commitment slide until the county had no leverage to enforce them. I have to wonder about why the Leeward planning commission would vote unanimously in favor of the developer at the expense of the county and its taxpayers. Either they are extremely gullible and naive or they are the developer’s servants. Certainly they do not represent the best interest of the taxpayers. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Attached is my unheeded appeal to the Leeward planning commission on this subject dated 21 June 200973-4205 Eluna St
Kailua Kona, HI 96740 21 June 2009Hawaii Count Planning Commission75-5706 Kuakini Su 109Kailua-Kona HI 96740
This is testimony for denial of Palamanui’s request for deferral of infrastructure commitments: Here we go again! Yet another developer has fallen on hard times and wants the county to relieve them from their infrastructure commitments so that they can make their numbers work. It is not the responsibility of the county, nor its taxpayers, to make good poor investment decisions on the part of developers. Roger Harris has requested that Palamanui Global Holdings postpone or modify several of the provisions of the project’s zoning, including an indefinite deferral of the mauka-makai connector road and park: Absolutely no!!! This is just another case of developers receiving permits with promises to put in adequate infrastructure and then backing out when it comes time to do the work. If economic conditions have changed such that Palamanui can not meet its infrastructure commitments then they should cancel or postpone their project. If they cannot secure funding for their project, including infrastructure improvements, that means they want to unload the improvements in order to provide a profit to Charles Schwab. If lenders will not finance their whole package then it isn’t a viable project at this time. Don’t let them go for the money making portion of their project and leave the infrastructure portion to our risk. It is not necessary for the county to negotiate away infrastructure commitments to gain an increase in valuation for the development. County assessors have the duty and authority to apply full assessments and do not have to bargain for that right. Please don’t leave us taxpayers having to pay for promised infrastructure after Palamanui has left the scene pockets full of money, bankrupt, or whatever scheme they opt for to get out if putting in the promised infrastructure. Insist that Mr. Harris and Palamanui and all other developers live up to their infrastructure agreements. We’re sick and tired of the county whining about no funds to improve the inadequate West Hawaii infrastructure only to find out that some developer was supposed to put something in that never happened. The county continually seems to let developers off the hook or lets their commitment slide until the county had no leverage to enforce them. I have to wonder about why the Leeward planning commission would vote unanimously in favor of the developer at the expense of the county and its taxpayers. Either they are extremely gullible and naive or they are the developer’s servants. Certainly they do not represent the best interest of the taxpayers. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Attached is my unheeded appeal to the Leeward planning commission on this subject dated 21 June 200973-4205 Eluna St
Kailua Kona, HI 96740 21 June 2009Hawaii Count Planning Commission75-5706 Kuakini Su 109Kailua-Kona HI 96740
Saturday, July 25, 2009
Councilmen that actually PRODUCE SOMETHING?
Aloha Janice,Perhaps you can fill me in on all of the wonderful accomplishments that Curtis and Angel achieved?My view is from my direct experience trying to get a fire department and open roads. Neither would have my vote again. As a Councilman that signs an agreement it is his responsibilty to read and follow through with the commitment. This was not open to the public. We elected our councilman to do the job. Why should the public have to look for dotted i's and crossed t's. To make sure they don't goof up??? Either you do the job or NEXT. We need doers that are willing to step forward and take action. NONE of them helped the 410 property owners of Kona Coastview/ Kona Wonderview. None of them came to any meetings, or fund raisers. None helped dig people's trenchs when they were to old or couldn't afford to pay for a contractor to dig the water line on their property. Yes we do need a Concil person that CARES and TAKES ACTION in their own community.Susan
Friday, July 24, 2009
Janice Palma-Glennie's letter/ Susan Replys
aloha susan,
Though I understand the frustration which led to calls for creating two separate Hawai`I Island counties, my contention has remained that the idea lacks a sense of place/heritage and any potential for becoming reality (a “taking your eye off the ball” mission).
Making meaningful changes to the political system is the only way to change county politics. Campaign finance reform is the most logical, attainable, systemic way for citizens to achieve control over their government. As the situation now exists, the candidate with the most money usually wins. A separate west hawaii county? Different faces, same problems*.
not only do corporate-backed candidates win elections, but non-corporate/special interest candidates are loathe to get involved in a system in which they have to beg and plead for money in order to have a glimmer of a chance to win an election. What are we left with? Corporate cronies, rich retirees, and/or millionaires making the decisions that affect the other 99.9% of us.
I hope that your group will shift its focus to helping get viable, grassroots candidates elected, especially to east side county council posts. With support of campaign finance reform and concentrated backing of reform candidates like angel pilago, brenda ford, bob jacobson, and pete hoffmann, the residents of this island will be able to see a tectonic shift in politics as usual — a shift which was well under way before 2008’s disastrous election.
mahalo for your time, janice
*not sure if you were here back then, but before west hawai`I got some good council representation (angel pilago, curtis tyler, brenda ford, nancy pisicchio, pete hoffman), west hawaii was “represented” by the likes of john santangelo, keola childs, joe reynolds and leningrad elarinoff. Did they represent west hawaii` or the needs/interests of local residents? Au contraire: they voted in good old boy lock-step.------------------
Aloha Janice,I don't know if you were at the meeting. But the focus ended up with creating an umbrella group to help all districts come out of the dark ages when it comes to equality for their tax dollars.I have been here since 1988, my inlaws came in 1969. So Yes I have been through alot of Councils. 1.Back when Curtis Tyler was our council man I had $900,000 for the design of our new North Kona fire station. We had agreed that Matsumoto owed over $175,000.00 for our water that was never paid to the Water Department. Their house on the Mamalahoa was torn down and we were to get 1/2 acre for our fire station. Curtis Tyler signed the agreement. Only he NEVER READ the AGGREEMENT and it clearly stated that the land must be surveyed within one year and Dan Bolton would buy the remained from the County. The land was never survey and Bolton reszoned it from 5 acre parcels to 1/2 acre parcels and sold it to Phil Tingley. The county had no leg to stand on because they never followed through with the contract.2. Angel Pilago was our council man and never did anything to help connenct our roads. We have a road Holu Holu between Palisades and Kona Coastview that is FINISHED and ready to open but we are still waiting for our council man to take action. Angel claimed credit for the water system in Kona Coastview and he NEVER attended one meeting, fund raiser or anything else that facilitated the completion of the system. NO and I repeat NO Council men or Mayor did any kind of leg work, correspondance or help with the Kona Coastview water. It was 100% Homeowners in Kona Coastview.3. Kelly Greenwell brought us the singing frogs at the Holualoa Junction at his nursery. We begged and pleaded to spray and he never did. Now the frogs are on Alii Dr. His idea of bringing the GITMO prisioners sounds like something that will surely DRIVE AWAY our biggest business (TOURISM). Our group is not to split the island but to unit the island to defend and support all districts that are plighted with unfair government practices.I am still looking for a good Council person for our district to support. I haven't found one yet.We need someone that respects the Aina and wants to grow the island responsibly. We need someone with a track record of doing things for our community.This is volunteer work for me and I take a beating like no other job I have ever had. I sometimes doubt is it worth the constant kicks in the teeth. I have been hammer with calls and emails beyond belief. Cries for HELP. What can I do?Thanks, Susan
Though I understand the frustration which led to calls for creating two separate Hawai`I Island counties, my contention has remained that the idea lacks a sense of place/heritage and any potential for becoming reality (a “taking your eye off the ball” mission).
Making meaningful changes to the political system is the only way to change county politics. Campaign finance reform is the most logical, attainable, systemic way for citizens to achieve control over their government. As the situation now exists, the candidate with the most money usually wins. A separate west hawaii county? Different faces, same problems*.
not only do corporate-backed candidates win elections, but non-corporate/special interest candidates are loathe to get involved in a system in which they have to beg and plead for money in order to have a glimmer of a chance to win an election. What are we left with? Corporate cronies, rich retirees, and/or millionaires making the decisions that affect the other 99.9% of us.
I hope that your group will shift its focus to helping get viable, grassroots candidates elected, especially to east side county council posts. With support of campaign finance reform and concentrated backing of reform candidates like angel pilago, brenda ford, bob jacobson, and pete hoffmann, the residents of this island will be able to see a tectonic shift in politics as usual — a shift which was well under way before 2008’s disastrous election.
mahalo for your time, janice
*not sure if you were here back then, but before west hawai`I got some good council representation (angel pilago, curtis tyler, brenda ford, nancy pisicchio, pete hoffman), west hawaii was “represented” by the likes of john santangelo, keola childs, joe reynolds and leningrad elarinoff. Did they represent west hawaii` or the needs/interests of local residents? Au contraire: they voted in good old boy lock-step.------------------
Aloha Janice,I don't know if you were at the meeting. But the focus ended up with creating an umbrella group to help all districts come out of the dark ages when it comes to equality for their tax dollars.I have been here since 1988, my inlaws came in 1969. So Yes I have been through alot of Councils. 1.Back when Curtis Tyler was our council man I had $900,000 for the design of our new North Kona fire station. We had agreed that Matsumoto owed over $175,000.00 for our water that was never paid to the Water Department. Their house on the Mamalahoa was torn down and we were to get 1/2 acre for our fire station. Curtis Tyler signed the agreement. Only he NEVER READ the AGGREEMENT and it clearly stated that the land must be surveyed within one year and Dan Bolton would buy the remained from the County. The land was never survey and Bolton reszoned it from 5 acre parcels to 1/2 acre parcels and sold it to Phil Tingley. The county had no leg to stand on because they never followed through with the contract.2. Angel Pilago was our council man and never did anything to help connenct our roads. We have a road Holu Holu between Palisades and Kona Coastview that is FINISHED and ready to open but we are still waiting for our council man to take action. Angel claimed credit for the water system in Kona Coastview and he NEVER attended one meeting, fund raiser or anything else that facilitated the completion of the system. NO and I repeat NO Council men or Mayor did any kind of leg work, correspondance or help with the Kona Coastview water. It was 100% Homeowners in Kona Coastview.3. Kelly Greenwell brought us the singing frogs at the Holualoa Junction at his nursery. We begged and pleaded to spray and he never did. Now the frogs are on Alii Dr. His idea of bringing the GITMO prisioners sounds like something that will surely DRIVE AWAY our biggest business (TOURISM). Our group is not to split the island but to unit the island to defend and support all districts that are plighted with unfair government practices.I am still looking for a good Council person for our district to support. I haven't found one yet.We need someone that respects the Aina and wants to grow the island responsibly. We need someone with a track record of doing things for our community.This is volunteer work for me and I take a beating like no other job I have ever had. I sometimes doubt is it worth the constant kicks in the teeth. I have been hammer with calls and emails beyond belief. Cries for HELP. What can I do?Thanks, Susan
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
Meeting at Hualalai Academy July 21, 2009
West Hawaii County Meeting 072109
AGENDA:
The Goal: Countywide Fairness and Transparency
Addressing your greatest concerns. This list is the most commented items submitted for discussion.
Intro: Susan McGeachy and her history.
WHY ARE WE HERE? ARE YOU MAD AS HELL AND CAN’T TAKE IT ANYMORE?
WHY DO WE NEED TO SPLIT THE COUNTY? WHAT IS THE PROCESS?
WHAT ARE OUR OPTIONS? ADVANTAGES? OR DISADVANTAGES?
Splitting the County:
The Legislature is empowered with determining county boundaries by the State Constitution, including the formation of new counties. It would take a standard bill, passed by the State House and State Senate, then signed by the Governor, to create a new West Hawaii County. Any chairperson of a committee that the bill is referred to is capable of KILLING it. It would be a GREAT challenge to pass a bill BUT not necessarily impossible, depending on our community’s involvement in the process.
We need people to write letters to ALL of our elected Officials asking the State Planning Commission (via resolution, letter or law at the State Level) to immediately convene a work group to provide a countywide poll on the formation of a West Hawaii county and advise us on the potential costs, benefits and feasibility of creating a new county.
Through a Constitutional Convention (which come about only once a decade), and is still subject to the State House and State Senate. It has been 30 years since our last Constitutional Convention.
Charter Amendment to give limited local government to Municipalities such as “Kona Town”? More than likely East Hawaii dominated council would block such an effort. Can we put it on the Ballot? Would require 20% of register voters countywide and a majority vote on Election Day.
What about a County Manager for the east side and a County Manager for the west side. They would be given a budget based on their population and taxes collected. These positions would be hired based on qualifications with an annual review process. NOT appointed by any political process. These Managers would be required to track federal and state and county projects in their areas. The County Manager should review each department monthly to ensure our tax dollars are going where they are supposed be me going.
Can West Hawaii put their taxes into an escrow account or quit paying taxes until we receive fair and equitable treatment? Not really. No one wants to risk their credit or property.
Contractors bidding for County or State projects must have a performance/ completion clause or steep financial penalties should occur. Contractors that are over budget and over time frame should NOT be allowed to continue to bid for job with the tax payer’s money. Roads and infrastructure MUST be completed FIRST. No finals should be given without all obligations being met first.
Can we form a Political Action Group: Yes, We can combine our efforts with groups around the island that are suffering from the same poor Management and unfair treatment? 6.5 districts are all suffering from, and complaining of the same short end of the stick. We must join forces and become the majority, not let the 2.5 minority of districts in Hilo call all the shots.
Getting Basic Services: Fire, Police, health centers: Working together under an island wide group we can work together to address issues as they come up. We could create a group with a mission statement of Island wide citizens group to empower communities to fight for fair treatment, accountability, and transparency and to support those candidates for office who will work to achieve those goals. Power in numbers!
Please sign up on our mailing/ emailing list. westhawaiicounty@gmail.com
Q & A as time allows.
AGENDA:
The Goal: Countywide Fairness and Transparency
Addressing your greatest concerns. This list is the most commented items submitted for discussion.
Intro: Susan McGeachy and her history.
WHY ARE WE HERE? ARE YOU MAD AS HELL AND CAN’T TAKE IT ANYMORE?
WHY DO WE NEED TO SPLIT THE COUNTY? WHAT IS THE PROCESS?
WHAT ARE OUR OPTIONS? ADVANTAGES? OR DISADVANTAGES?
Splitting the County:
The Legislature is empowered with determining county boundaries by the State Constitution, including the formation of new counties. It would take a standard bill, passed by the State House and State Senate, then signed by the Governor, to create a new West Hawaii County. Any chairperson of a committee that the bill is referred to is capable of KILLING it. It would be a GREAT challenge to pass a bill BUT not necessarily impossible, depending on our community’s involvement in the process.
We need people to write letters to ALL of our elected Officials asking the State Planning Commission (via resolution, letter or law at the State Level) to immediately convene a work group to provide a countywide poll on the formation of a West Hawaii county and advise us on the potential costs, benefits and feasibility of creating a new county.
Through a Constitutional Convention (which come about only once a decade), and is still subject to the State House and State Senate. It has been 30 years since our last Constitutional Convention.
Charter Amendment to give limited local government to Municipalities such as “Kona Town”? More than likely East Hawaii dominated council would block such an effort. Can we put it on the Ballot? Would require 20% of register voters countywide and a majority vote on Election Day.
What about a County Manager for the east side and a County Manager for the west side. They would be given a budget based on their population and taxes collected. These positions would be hired based on qualifications with an annual review process. NOT appointed by any political process. These Managers would be required to track federal and state and county projects in their areas. The County Manager should review each department monthly to ensure our tax dollars are going where they are supposed be me going.
Can West Hawaii put their taxes into an escrow account or quit paying taxes until we receive fair and equitable treatment? Not really. No one wants to risk their credit or property.
Contractors bidding for County or State projects must have a performance/ completion clause or steep financial penalties should occur. Contractors that are over budget and over time frame should NOT be allowed to continue to bid for job with the tax payer’s money. Roads and infrastructure MUST be completed FIRST. No finals should be given without all obligations being met first.
Can we form a Political Action Group: Yes, We can combine our efforts with groups around the island that are suffering from the same poor Management and unfair treatment? 6.5 districts are all suffering from, and complaining of the same short end of the stick. We must join forces and become the majority, not let the 2.5 minority of districts in Hilo call all the shots.
Getting Basic Services: Fire, Police, health centers: Working together under an island wide group we can work together to address issues as they come up. We could create a group with a mission statement of Island wide citizens group to empower communities to fight for fair treatment, accountability, and transparency and to support those candidates for office who will work to achieve those goals. Power in numbers!
Please sign up on our mailing/ emailing list. westhawaiicounty@gmail.com
Q & A as time allows.
Friday, July 17, 2009
Kerrill Kephart comments
Aloha,Like many other residents here in West Hawaii, my husband and I are shocked at the recent, self-serving actions of the County Council. Arbitrarily removing West Hawaii council members from key positions and voting to maintain a 22% raise in salary for themselves made it clear that Mayor Kenoi and his minions are cavalier in their scorn for island-wide representation. If a split into two counties would result in a more responsive government, then we are all in favor of it. We would like to see some of our own tax monies going to improve the infrastructure on the West side. Our highways are clogged in Kona and Waimea. We desperately need completion of Saddle Road as well as some forward motion on the Waimea and Kawaihae Road bypasses. We also need county water in subdivisions north of the homelands in Kawaihae. We are forced to buy private water, and it is exorbitantly if not prohibitively expensive. We need more services in Kawaihae in order to reduce traffic on the Kawaihae Road. A post office branch and a bank branch, for example, would reduce the number of trips people have to make to Waimea. We would like to see our parks maintained (How long has part of Hapuna State Park been cordoned off due to flooding several years ago?) and some campgrounds opened to accommodate locals and middle-income tourists. I won't even go into the superferry fiasco. We must be the only archipelago of any size that does not have inter-island ferry service. Government here is so wasteful because it takes years, if not decades, for anyone to act on anything important. The amount of time spent on discussion and study is excessive and expensive. I believe that the Waimea Bypass was first proposed, for example, in 1963. We need leaders who are willing to make decisions and then act upon them. Our current government is paralyzed by inertia and fear of offending vocal minority groups. Finally, we need to overhaul the state school system. What I see is a culture of failure. The state could start by allowing a few areas to exercise local control and see what happens. It couldn't be worse than the status quo, which is essentially a two-tier system. Those who can afford to do so are sending their children to private schools because their perception is that the public schools are ineffective. Those children whose parents cannot afford private-school tuition make up the majority of the population in the public schools. Public education should level the playing field and not opt out from the mandate to provide a quality education for all kids no matter the income level of their parents. Thanks for "listening." Kerrill Kephart
Curtis Narimatsu gives the History.
Dispatches From Curt — The Island’s East-West Turf Control, A RetrospectiveBy Curtis NarimatsuIn 1903 our territorial legislature authorized East Hawai’i County and West Hawai’i County, each to be governed by a board of supervisors elected by our citizens, along with our elected auditor, clerk, treasurer, and county attorney (both civil/criminal roles).The chief executive would be the Chair of the Board of Supervisors, chosen by the Supervisors at their initial meeting. Our East Hawai’i Board of Supervisors first met on January 4, 1904, in our Hilo circuit courthouse (where today’s Kalakaua Park reflecting pond is).Eugene H.K. Lyman was chosen as Chair of the Board. But because our territorial legislature inarticulately worded the genesis of our two Hawai’i Island counties, our Hawai’i Supreme Court invalidated such statute creating our two cross-island counties, inasmuch no provision was made for their funding and maintenance.To address such oversight, House Bill No. 1, later called Act 39, Session Laws of 1905, created our various County governments as we know them today — with Hawai’i Island having just one County government.Kailua-Kona a century ago was a lost horizon long forgotten/removed from its epicenter as our Power Capital/seat of government in the Hawaiian Islands via King Kamehameha the Great’s royal residence Kanuiakea at Kamakahonu cove and the associated heiau of Ahu’ena. The lost capital of Kailua-Kona by 1905 was a kiawe tree inhabited barren landscape, w/occasional cattle stops via its little shipping port. Our territorial solons finally realized amid their hectic flurry of lawmaking that there was no money to fund two separate identical Hawai’i Island governments.Their initial creation of two Hawai’i Island governments in 1903 was flooded by sentimentality via the vast/untrekkable distance between Kailua-Kona and Hilo. Of course, former Gov. Sanford B. Dole, who lived in Kailua-Kona, resented the new law, but nonetheless our Supreme Court upheld the new 1905 law.Pursuant to Act 39 of 1905, elections were held and our one-County victors were East Hawai’i Supervisors Rev. Stephen L. Desha Sr., Antone Fernandez, D.K. Makuakane, John T. Moir, and our West Hawai’i supervisors were O.T. Shipman, M.K. Kalaiwaa, and James F. Woods.Others elected were Treasurer T.K. Lalakea, County Attorney Charles Williams, Auditor C.K. McGuire, Clerk Samuel K. Pua, and 1905 newly-created Sheriff William M. Keolanui. Deputy sheriffs elected were East Hawai’i lawmen S.H. Kaaheo, W.J. Rickard, James Mattoon, and William A. Fetter, and West Hawai’i lawmen C.H. Pulaa, W.M.S. Lindsay, J.W. Kaliikoa, J.K. Kakaula, and David Baker.Our one-County Board of Supervisors held its first meeting in our old Fireman’s Hall where today’s old Mutual Tel. Co. historic bldg. is on Kalakaua St. mauka of Keawe St., and plantation mgr. John T. Moir unanimously was selected as Chair/chief executive for the new Hawai’i County.Of course, eventually our Chief Executive/Chair was elected by popular vote of all of Hawai’i County adult citizens, which is how Hawaiian populists Samuel Kauhane and Sam Mahuka Spencer of Waimea enjoyed the longest reigns of power, spanning three decades. David Ewaliko preceded Kauhane’s/Spencer’s dynasties.West Hawai’i solons Shipman/Kalaiwaa/Woods were our first elected Democrats, following along the trail set by former Royalists/Genesis monarchy Democrats Prince David Kawananakoa and Kanaka Johnny Wilson.Immediately after our new one-County government convened, our East Hawai’i Supervisors refused to have our elected sheriff Keolanui pick his police force. Our East Hawai’i supervisors wanted to pick our patronage jobber police force. Contrarily, our West Hawai’i supervisors supported sheriff Keolanui to pick his own police officers. Our outnumbered West Hawai’i supervisors wanted some semblance of popular will/home rule instead of East Hawai’i autocratic control via plum picking patronage police officer jobs. Alas, our Supreme Court ruled for Sheriff Keolanui’s right to pick his own police officers, who had not been paid since the separation of powers feud began!! How the World turns, from century to century, yet still the same internecine squabbles over East-West turf control, such as East Hawai’i solons’ chokehold over the sheriff a century ago.P.S. I dedicate this topic to Ivantatum, who elucidates that corruption/graft take hold no matter where, what the circumstances are, if lack of accountability is there, whether you have one County or 10 thousand townships!! (I spoke of townships on topic of John Ushijima, following up on Hugh Clark’s comment about Ushijima’s promotion of a Waikoloa township, clearly to enrich Ushijima/Boise Cascade honchos).
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)