Cousin Billy votes against Cousin Emily's Tent Bill

Kenoi vetoes Puna tent bill
by Nancy Cook LauerWest Hawaii Todayncook-lauer@westhawaiitoday.com
Tuesday, September 29, 2009 8:20 AM HSTHILO --

Saying a bill allowing people to live in tents while their homes are under construction stigmatizes Puna, Mayor Billy Kenoi on Monday wielded his veto pen for the first time.In a veto message to the Hawaii County Council, Kenoi said he objected to the bill because it does not apply equal protection of the law to all county residents, it fails to state why it applies to only one district, it unfairly stigmatizes the District of Puna, it could have adverse effects on neighboring properties and it sets precedent for more laws written only for certain districts of the county."Over the years I have been to Puna many times to speak at schools. In those visits I try to instill in our young people a sense of pride in their community," Kenoi said in a statement. "This bill would counter that positive message by suggesting that a lower standard is OK for Puna."

The bill, sponsored by Puna Councilwoman Emily Naeole, was applied only to her district in a three-year pilot project that was a compromise after other County Council members opposed tents in their districts. The compromise version passed 8-0 on Sept. 2."From the very beginning, I wanted (the tent ordinance) to be islandwide. In the spirit of compromise with fellow council members, (South Kona Councilwoman) Brenda Ford and (Hamakua Councilman) Dominic Yagong, who had objections about this ordinance being in their district and for fear of, according to Yagong, 'tent cities springing up in my district' I agreed to make (it) district specific," Naeole said in a statement."It is this very compromise that our mayor takes issue with," she added, "and I respect the mayor for that thought because my intention from the very beginning was to write an amendment to the building code not just for Puna but for everyone on the island who is serious about building their dwelling."The stated aim of the bill was to reduce theft of building supplies and help people transition to permanent housing while building a home of their own.Naeole also addressed health and safety concerns in her compromise bill.The changes from the proposal Naeole introduced last year and a follow-up version in April include requiring the landowner to maintain an access route for emergency vehicles, have a buffer zone between the tent and building site, and indemnify the county against injury claims and other liabilities.Naeole said it's too soon to tell if she'll try again.The council has 30 days to vote on a veto override. Because of public notice laws, that means the veto could come up at the Oct. 21 council meeting.To override the veto, there must be six votes -- two-thirds of the membership -- in favor. Council Chairman J Yoshimoto said any council member can bring up the veto override. He hadn't seen the mayor's veto message but he said he also is concerned about equal protection issues.

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Thank goodness Billy voted it down. We are NOT a third world country.
I guess blood isn't thicker then water.