Lot's of activity in organizing this Kona,Kona Mauka, Kona Sunrise multiclub Rotary/Interact project to benefit theJapanese with as many Shelter Boxes as we can. Given our strong sisterclub relationships, it is the least that we can achieve.
http://www.westhawaiitoday.com/sections/news/local-news/sending-aloha-japan.html
http://news.nationalpost.com/photo_gallery/photos-of-the-day-march-18-2011/
http://shelterboxusa.org/news.php?id=622
We are up to three so far, and today at Walmart, the project has alreadylaunched out to the Kona public, and they are great. Last October, theysupported 180 Christmas Care boxes to the US Marines.
Ann Goody has been in contact with the recently commenced Aloha for Japan project based on Oahu,and they are very interested in using some of their statewide collected fundsto also support the Shelter Box Program. Please if you would, get thismessage out to your contacts, and WE CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE!
Aloha,
Cliff Kopp
989-7072
Showing posts with label Important Things. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Important Things. Show all posts
Friday, March 18, 2011
Wednesday, February 09, 2011
Remembering back when!
Does anyone remember back when you pulled into a gas station and a cheerful guy in a white uniform with a bow tie; would jog out and filler up, wash the windows and check the oil?
Does anyone remember back when your bank asked if there is anything they can do for you, and not try to cross sell you on opening something new?
Does anyone remember back when people took pride in the homes, and mowed their lawn and kept a nice clean home/driveway?
What happened to those days? Service is no longer in our volcabulary.
Why is that.
I look around and see that people just don't care anymore.
WHY?
Does anyone remember back when your bank asked if there is anything they can do for you, and not try to cross sell you on opening something new?
Does anyone remember back when people took pride in the homes, and mowed their lawn and kept a nice clean home/driveway?
What happened to those days? Service is no longer in our volcabulary.
Why is that.
I look around and see that people just don't care anymore.
WHY?
Wednesday, January 05, 2011
The Changing of the Guards in the House. DANGER!
Tuesday, December 14, 2010
Getting Ready to Organize a Coqui Frog group
Kona Coastview, Kona Wonderview, Kona Palisades, Kona Highlands.....
Do you hear couqi frogs at night?
Ready to join a group of neighbors to get rid of the frogs?
The County is doing NOTHING, the State is doing NOTHING.
Now it is time for action.
Baking soda worked for us. Now lets go to where they are and getem'
Call if you are interested in joining this group. 325-7576
Do you hear couqi frogs at night?
Ready to join a group of neighbors to get rid of the frogs?
The County is doing NOTHING, the State is doing NOTHING.
Now it is time for action.
Baking soda worked for us. Now lets go to where they are and getem'
Call if you are interested in joining this group. 325-7576
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
Comments and responses from you on Floating the Bond -County of Hawaii.
Aloha,
Today, a majority of the council voted to have a public hearing on the Reconsideration of Bill 311 ($56 Million bond). This positive action allows the incoming council to weigh
the public’s comments. The new, incoming chairperson will set the hearing
date.
the public’s comments. The new, incoming chairperson will set the hearing
date.
After the public hearing, Bill 311 will come back to the new council. At that time, the new council may be able to get more information from the administration on the project status to be able
to decide what to do with the potential bond issue – wait until the council
knows what the next budget deficit looks like, pass the bond in part or in
total, or vote down the bond issue in its entirety.
to decide what to do with the potential bond issue – wait until the council
knows what the next budget deficit looks like, pass the bond in part or in
total, or vote down the bond issue in its entirety.
It was very difficult for me to vote against the potential bond issue when two extremely important projects in my district (La’aloa Street Extension to Kuakini and the crosswalk in front of
the Kona Bali Kai) were on the chopping block as well, but the greater public
good was at stake. However, now the council will have the time to analyze
and match all of the projects against the upcoming fiscal budget to
determine which ones, if any, get bonded. I will continue to work for the
La’aloa extension and the crosswalk in front of the Kona Bali Kai.
the Kona Bali Kai) were on the chopping block as well, but the greater public
good was at stake. However, now the council will have the time to analyze
and match all of the projects against the upcoming fiscal budget to
determine which ones, if any, get bonded. I will continue to work for the
La’aloa extension and the crosswalk in front of the Kona Bali Kai.
Mahalo for your understanding.
-------------------
Strong
points.
Josh Greenpoints.
--------------------------
I too wrote to the Council and Mayor.
I want to know "How many jobs and where" will
they be created. There is already $36 million waiting to be spent and the $56 million takes the county to the edge of their good credit rating. Any more and the interest rates would go up
and the Country rating would go down.
they be created. There is already $36 million waiting to be spent and the $56 million takes the county to the edge of their good credit rating. Any more and the interest rates would go up
and the Country rating would go down.
Mike Reimer
----------------------------------------
Susan,
Good letter! I concur completely with your observations
and recommendations. Thanks for taking the time to write and share it with the "Aye" team in Hilo.
and recommendations. Thanks for taking the time to write and share it with the "Aye" team in Hilo.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.
Curtis Tyler
---------------------------
Sunday, November 21, 2010
Iron Man Father and Son team- the Hoyt's Real Human Spirit.
http://www.wimp.com/fatherson/
Dick and Ricky Hoyt: Fatherson and son team - This is the BEST of the BEST. The ture meaning of the Human Spirit.
We were lucky enough to see the Hoyt's back in 1996. This is a very special team.
This video tells the whole story.
Much Aloha's to the Hoyt's
Dick and Ricky Hoyt: Fatherson and son team - This is the BEST of the BEST. The ture meaning of the Human Spirit.
We were lucky enough to see the Hoyt's back in 1996. This is a very special team.
This video tells the whole story.
Much Aloha's to the Hoyt's
Thursday, November 04, 2010
How does Health Care in Hawaii work?
If you are employed for 20 hours a week for 4 weeks in a row; your employer is required to co-pay your health insurance. I know this has helped us over the years to pay for our medical and we have piece of mind knowing we are covered.
Our Country is one of the richest in the world and we have the worst health care. In many states people like Rick Scott came in with their corporations and bought up most of the hospitals and closed all but one or two. This way they can charge anything they want. Supply and demand.
The drug companies advertise on TV all the drugs they think you should be taking. Then there is a long list of side effects; in most cases are worse then the reason you are taking to drug to begin with. It is all about money. The insurance companies don't want Obama's health care because it requires that most of the money (.85 on the dollar) collected actually goes to pay for medical care and not share holders.
Why are we so unhealthy? Obesity is the norm in America. This will be the first generation that is not expected to out live their parents.
Physical exercise in the schools has become an elective and not a requirement. When I was a kid we had the Presidential Physical Fitness program. We were tested every year and PE was a requirement. We also didn't have computers and video games to veg out on. The motivation to be fit is no longer a priority. Children over 200 pounds is not acceptable.
We don't need free health care but we do need affordable health care.
I am looking forward to see what the Republicans call health care and who pays and who benefits from it?
All I have heard from the Republicans is repeal. What is there idea of coverage and what is it going to cost?
No one is perfect but we do need to learn a new word in Congress and the Senate it is "COMPROMISE"
No is not an answer. We need solution minded Government. The next two years will be a test.
Can the Republicans get along with the Tea Party?
Can the Republicans compromise and work for solutions?
Can the remaining Democrats compromise?
Our Country is one of the richest in the world and we have the worst health care. In many states people like Rick Scott came in with their corporations and bought up most of the hospitals and closed all but one or two. This way they can charge anything they want. Supply and demand.
The drug companies advertise on TV all the drugs they think you should be taking. Then there is a long list of side effects; in most cases are worse then the reason you are taking to drug to begin with. It is all about money. The insurance companies don't want Obama's health care because it requires that most of the money (.85 on the dollar) collected actually goes to pay for medical care and not share holders.
Why are we so unhealthy? Obesity is the norm in America. This will be the first generation that is not expected to out live their parents.
Physical exercise in the schools has become an elective and not a requirement. When I was a kid we had the Presidential Physical Fitness program. We were tested every year and PE was a requirement. We also didn't have computers and video games to veg out on. The motivation to be fit is no longer a priority. Children over 200 pounds is not acceptable.
We don't need free health care but we do need affordable health care.
I am looking forward to see what the Republicans call health care and who pays and who benefits from it?
All I have heard from the Republicans is repeal. What is there idea of coverage and what is it going to cost?
No one is perfect but we do need to learn a new word in Congress and the Senate it is "COMPROMISE"
No is not an answer. We need solution minded Government. The next two years will be a test.
Can the Republicans get along with the Tea Party?
Can the Republicans compromise and work for solutions?
Can the remaining Democrats compromise?
Wednesday, November 03, 2010
The Election is over. We are all winners!
After a nasty mean spirited election we are finally done. I consider alot of great things will come over the next 2 years.
First we are happy to have Neil Abercrombie as our new governor (Dem). Linda Lingle / Iona (Rep) took the State of Hawaii into the ditch. We lost 17 school days, the super ferry, 2 cruise ships, Aloha Airlines and the tax breaks for high tech.
Second we got rid of the idiot County Council members. Emily Nagole and Guy Enriques. Both of which couldn't come up with one idea to cut the Mayor's budget. Welcome aboard Brittany Smart and Fred Blas.
Let's work together as ONE island and get this County turned around.
Third we are very happy all the Republicans have new seats in Congress and the Senate, so now they can say something besides NO, NO, NO, NO and NO. They will be accountable for their decisions. Now maybe just maybe they will try to work together to right our course.
We are looking forward to what President Obama has to say this afternoon. John Bohner will now have to answer for his actions. The next 2 years should be exciting.
and last but not least. How do we change the Supreme Court's decision for disclosure of election contributions? The nasty, hateful election was something most of us DO NOT want to endure prior to every election. Open and Honest disclosure should be required.
Good Luck to all and we are hopeful this Country will be in good hands and solid direction.
ps keep the health care (gee it doesn't even take effect until 2012. So how do they know they don't want it?)
First we are happy to have Neil Abercrombie as our new governor (Dem). Linda Lingle / Iona (Rep) took the State of Hawaii into the ditch. We lost 17 school days, the super ferry, 2 cruise ships, Aloha Airlines and the tax breaks for high tech.
Second we got rid of the idiot County Council members. Emily Nagole and Guy Enriques. Both of which couldn't come up with one idea to cut the Mayor's budget. Welcome aboard Brittany Smart and Fred Blas.
Let's work together as ONE island and get this County turned around.
Third we are very happy all the Republicans have new seats in Congress and the Senate, so now they can say something besides NO, NO, NO, NO and NO. They will be accountable for their decisions. Now maybe just maybe they will try to work together to right our course.
We are looking forward to what President Obama has to say this afternoon. John Bohner will now have to answer for his actions. The next 2 years should be exciting.
and last but not least. How do we change the Supreme Court's decision for disclosure of election contributions? The nasty, hateful election was something most of us DO NOT want to endure prior to every election. Open and Honest disclosure should be required.
Good Luck to all and we are hopeful this Country will be in good hands and solid direction.
ps keep the health care (gee it doesn't even take effect until 2012. So how do they know they don't want it?)
Monday, November 01, 2010
Rally to Restore Peace by Marjorie Cohn
Let’s Rally to Restore Peace
By Marjorie Cohn
Huffington Post
October 31, 2010
----------------------------------
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/marjorie-cohn/lets-rally-to-restore-pea_b_776759.html
In their Rally to Restore Sanity and/or Fear, Jon Stewart and Stephen
Colbert effectively demonstrated how the media hypes fear. They
brought out Kareem Abdul Jabbar to show that not all Muslims are
terrorists. A couple of musical numbers dealt with the wars we are
fighting. But neither Stewart nor Colbert mentioned Iraq or
Afghanistan and how they are allowed to continue by the hyping of
fear.
Like his predecessor, President Obama also hypes fear - by connecting
his war in Afghanistan to keeping us safe, even though CIA director
Leon Panetta recently admitted that only 50 to 100 al Qaeda fighters
are there. Hoping to put the unpopular Iraq war behind him, Obama
declared combat operations over, although 50,000 U.S. troops and some
100,000 mercenaries remain.
Tragically, both wars have largely disappeared from the national
discourse. On October 22, Wikileaks released nearly 400,000
previously classified U.S. military documents about the Iraq war.
They contain startling evidence of more than 1,300 incidents of
torture, rape, abuse and murder by Iraqi security forces while the
U.S. government looked the other way. During this time the Bush
administration issued a “fragmentary order” called “Frago 242” not to
investigate detainee abuse unless coalition troops were directly
involved. U.S. authorities failed to investigate hundreds of reports
of torture, rape, abuse and murder by Iraqi soldiers and police.
Manfred Nowak, the United Nation’s Special Rapporteur on Torture,
called on Obama to order a complete investigation of U.S. forces’
involvement in human rights abuses.
Many reports of abuse are supported by medical evidence. Prisoners
were shackled, blindfolded, and hung by their wrists and ankles. Some
were whipped with cables, chains, wire and pistols. Some were burned
with acid and cigarettes. Electric shocks were applied to genitals,
fingernails were ripped off, and fingers cut off. Some were sodomized
with hoses and bottles. Six died from their torture.
And there are reports of widespread killing of civilians by U.S. and
other coalition forces. But after a couple of days of reporting about
the largest incident of whistle blowing in our history, news of the
Wikileaks revelations has disappeared from the news cycle.
Both torture and the targeting of civilians are war crimes. And, in
spite of the reports of torture, Obama completed the handover of 9,250
detainees to the Iraqi government in July 2010. In so doing, he has
violated the Convention Against Torture, which forbids a party from
expelling, returning or extraditing a person to a country where there
are substantial grounds to believe he will be in danger of being
subjected to torture. This is called non-refoulement. The United
States has ratified the Torture Convention, making it part of U.S. law
under the Supremacy Clause of the Constitution.
The newly released documents show that between 2004 and 2009, at least
109,032 Iraqis died, including 66,081 civilians. More than 80 percent
of those killed in incidents related to convoys or at checkpoints
throughout Iraq were civilians. Pregnant women were shot dead,
priests were kidnapped and murdered, and Iraqi prison guards used
electric drills to get prisoners to confess.
A U.S. helicopter crew was granted approval to attack two Iraqis on
the ground even though the pilots reported that the men were trying to
surrender. Under the 1907 Hague Regulations, it is prohibited “to
kill or wound an enemy who, having laid down his arms, or having no
longer means of defence, has surrendered at discretion.”
Last year, 239 American soldiers took their own lives and 1,713
soldiers survived suicide attempts; 146 soldiers died from high-risk
activities, including 74 drug overdoses. One-third of returning troops
report mental health problems, and 18.5 percent of all returning
service members have Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder or depression,
according to a study by the Rand Corporation.
Jon Stewart spent a whole show last week interviewing Obama about
everything from health care to the economy. But neither man mentioned
the wars, even though the billions spent on them could go a long way
toward fixing the economy and paying for health care.
It is time to put the wars back on the national agenda. Iraq Veterans
Against the War issued a statement saying, “We grieve for the Iraqi
and Afghan lives that were lost and destroyed in these wars. We also
grieve for our brothers and sisters in arms, who have been lost to
battle or suicide . . . We demand a real end to both wars, including
immediate withdrawal of the 50,000 “non-combat” troops who remain in
Iraq. The Iraq War Logs underscore the urgent need for peace,
healing, and reparations for all who have been harmed by these wars.
The first step is to bring our brothers and sisters home.”
We cannot rely on Obama to end the wars. It’s up to us to put
sustained pressure on him to do it.
Marjorie Cohn is a professor at Thomas Jefferson School of Law and
past president of the National Lawyers Guild. Her latest book is
“Rules of Disengagement: The Politics and Honor of Military Dissent”
(with Kathleen Gilberd). Her anthology, “The United States and
Torture: Interrogation, Incarceration, and Abuse,” will be published
in December by NYU Press
By Marjorie Cohn
Huffington Post
October 31, 2010
----------------------------------
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/marjorie-cohn/lets-rally-to-restore-pea_b_776759.html
In their Rally to Restore Sanity and/or Fear, Jon Stewart and Stephen
Colbert effectively demonstrated how the media hypes fear. They
brought out Kareem Abdul Jabbar to show that not all Muslims are
terrorists. A couple of musical numbers dealt with the wars we are
fighting. But neither Stewart nor Colbert mentioned Iraq or
Afghanistan and how they are allowed to continue by the hyping of
fear.
Like his predecessor, President Obama also hypes fear - by connecting
his war in Afghanistan to keeping us safe, even though CIA director
Leon Panetta recently admitted that only 50 to 100 al Qaeda fighters
are there. Hoping to put the unpopular Iraq war behind him, Obama
declared combat operations over, although 50,000 U.S. troops and some
100,000 mercenaries remain.
Tragically, both wars have largely disappeared from the national
discourse. On October 22, Wikileaks released nearly 400,000
previously classified U.S. military documents about the Iraq war.
They contain startling evidence of more than 1,300 incidents of
torture, rape, abuse and murder by Iraqi security forces while the
U.S. government looked the other way. During this time the Bush
administration issued a “fragmentary order” called “Frago 242” not to
investigate detainee abuse unless coalition troops were directly
involved. U.S. authorities failed to investigate hundreds of reports
of torture, rape, abuse and murder by Iraqi soldiers and police.
Manfred Nowak, the United Nation’s Special Rapporteur on Torture,
called on Obama to order a complete investigation of U.S. forces’
involvement in human rights abuses.
Many reports of abuse are supported by medical evidence. Prisoners
were shackled, blindfolded, and hung by their wrists and ankles. Some
were whipped with cables, chains, wire and pistols. Some were burned
with acid and cigarettes. Electric shocks were applied to genitals,
fingernails were ripped off, and fingers cut off. Some were sodomized
with hoses and bottles. Six died from their torture.
And there are reports of widespread killing of civilians by U.S. and
other coalition forces. But after a couple of days of reporting about
the largest incident of whistle blowing in our history, news of the
Wikileaks revelations has disappeared from the news cycle.
Both torture and the targeting of civilians are war crimes. And, in
spite of the reports of torture, Obama completed the handover of 9,250
detainees to the Iraqi government in July 2010. In so doing, he has
violated the Convention Against Torture, which forbids a party from
expelling, returning or extraditing a person to a country where there
are substantial grounds to believe he will be in danger of being
subjected to torture. This is called non-refoulement. The United
States has ratified the Torture Convention, making it part of U.S. law
under the Supremacy Clause of the Constitution.
The newly released documents show that between 2004 and 2009, at least
109,032 Iraqis died, including 66,081 civilians. More than 80 percent
of those killed in incidents related to convoys or at checkpoints
throughout Iraq were civilians. Pregnant women were shot dead,
priests were kidnapped and murdered, and Iraqi prison guards used
electric drills to get prisoners to confess.
A U.S. helicopter crew was granted approval to attack two Iraqis on
the ground even though the pilots reported that the men were trying to
surrender. Under the 1907 Hague Regulations, it is prohibited “to
kill or wound an enemy who, having laid down his arms, or having no
longer means of defence, has surrendered at discretion.”
Last year, 239 American soldiers took their own lives and 1,713
soldiers survived suicide attempts; 146 soldiers died from high-risk
activities, including 74 drug overdoses. One-third of returning troops
report mental health problems, and 18.5 percent of all returning
service members have Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder or depression,
according to a study by the Rand Corporation.
Jon Stewart spent a whole show last week interviewing Obama about
everything from health care to the economy. But neither man mentioned
the wars, even though the billions spent on them could go a long way
toward fixing the economy and paying for health care.
It is time to put the wars back on the national agenda. Iraq Veterans
Against the War issued a statement saying, “We grieve for the Iraqi
and Afghan lives that were lost and destroyed in these wars. We also
grieve for our brothers and sisters in arms, who have been lost to
battle or suicide . . . We demand a real end to both wars, including
immediate withdrawal of the 50,000 “non-combat” troops who remain in
Iraq. The Iraq War Logs underscore the urgent need for peace,
healing, and reparations for all who have been harmed by these wars.
The first step is to bring our brothers and sisters home.”
We cannot rely on Obama to end the wars. It’s up to us to put
sustained pressure on him to do it.
Marjorie Cohn is a professor at Thomas Jefferson School of Law and
past president of the National Lawyers Guild. Her latest book is
“Rules of Disengagement: The Politics and Honor of Military Dissent”
(with Kathleen Gilberd). Her anthology, “The United States and
Torture: Interrogation, Incarceration, and Abuse,” will be published
in December by NYU Press
Sunday, October 31, 2010
Nov. 2nd Tue. VOTE VOTE VOTE
This election is very important. The Big Island of Hawaii needs to come out and VOTE. I am reaching out and asking for your vote for Neil Ambercrombie and Brian Schatz.
Over the past 8 years with Linda and Duke, have lost/ sunk the super ferry, thrown our schools and kids under the bus, lost 2 cruise ships, lost Aloha Airlines.............
Step up to the plate and VOTE. Our keikei are depending on your vote.
Let's do a better job of voting then we have in the past. Reach out to your friends and neighbors. Ask everyone you know to VOTE>>>:]
Thanks Susan
Over the past 8 years with Linda and Duke, have lost/ sunk the super ferry, thrown our schools and kids under the bus, lost 2 cruise ships, lost Aloha Airlines.............
Step up to the plate and VOTE. Our keikei are depending on your vote.
Let's do a better job of voting then we have in the past. Reach out to your friends and neighbors. Ask everyone you know to VOTE>>>:]
Thanks Susan
Thursday, October 28, 2010
Debbie Hecht on Charter Amendments and Open Space- Vote yes on 1
PLEASE FORWARD to Big Island Family and Friends-apologies for duplicates!
For a listing of ALL of the charter amendments: click here: http://www.dhecht.com/
and the League of Women Voters' Pros and Cons listing
On Nov. 2nd-or walk in voting is happening now!
Vote "YES" for proposition 1-
Relating to the Establishment of the Open Space Fund.
Mahalo to Council members Ford, Hoffmann, Yagong for supporting THE PLEDGE. Candidates Smart and Blas have also support THE PLEDGE. Angel Pilago and Emily Naole told me that they did NOT want to sign THE PLEDGE. After two phone calls and two emails, the following council members did not respond: Yoshimoto, Onishi, Enriques and Ikeda. PLEASE vote for Brittany Smart and Fred Blas; they will support resuming deposits to the fund and saving land for future generations.
ASK your council members to save our treasured lands and protect the aina.
The Save Our Lands Citizen's Committee asked all of the elected council members and candidates to sign our pledge to support the Open Space Fund charter amendment and to support resuming the deposits to the Fund in 2011. We felt this was important for three reasons: 1) If we can elect a council which agrees to fund the 2% amount, then we can acquire the lands that are pending; 2) so that the 100 people that showed up to testify during budget hearings won't have to attend the hearings, which will save their time and the council's time and 3) to introduce a degree of accountability in the Open Space Fund process.
The PLEDGE that we asked council members and candidates to sign states:
1. I support the Open Space Fund Charter amendment and will encourage my supporters to vote for Proposal #1 RELATING TO THE ESTABLISHMENT OF AN OPEN SPACE FUND on November 2, 2010.
2. I pledge to honor the voters of Hawaii County who voted for the 2% Land Fund ordinance in 2006 to deposit 2% of our property taxes in an open space fund. I will vote to support resuming the deposits to the 2% OpenSpace Fund in 2011 and I will vote to make sure that deposits are not suspended again.
Please vote for Brittany Smart and Fred Blas who have signed the Pledge and support saving Hawaii's great places.
Here's a SHORT LEGISLATIVE HISTORY of the 2%-1% Open space Fund. In 2006, The Save Our Lands Citizen's Committee collected 10,000 signatures on petitions, of which the County disqualified 6,000 signatures. The council placed the Open Space Fund measure on the ballot. 63% of Hawaii County voters voted to save Hawaii Island's treasured places in 2006.
In 2009, the county council voted to suspend deposits to the 2%Open Space Fund for two years. Mayor Kenoi submitted this measure BEFORE the budget was even printed. Stopping the Fund was his first piece of legislation in office. Only 3 council members voted against the suspending deposits to the fund: Greenwell, Ford and Yagong. The rest of the council: Naole, Enriques, Yoshimoto, Onishi and Hoffmann, voted to ignore the 2006 voter's mandate regarding the Open Space Fund. Deposits will resume as of July 1, 2011, unless the council votes to suspend the deposits to the fund again during budget hearings in the spring of 2011. THAT is why your vote for the council seats in Puna and Ka'u is so important.
The land fund is working! The county has acquired Waipio look out, Kawa Bay (Ka'u) and Kaiholena (N Kohala). Purchases that are pending if deposits resume are Pao'o and Kaiholena in N. Kohala, Kawa Bay in Ka'u and the Kingman Trust Parcels in Kona. To see past and pending purchases with matching funds go to:http://www.dhecht.com/?page_id=196
IN 2010, the Save Our Lands Committee submitted a 2% Open Space Fund charter amendment to the charter commission. This amendment echoed the existing ordinance and was meant to replace the ordinance. We submitted the charter amendment because 1) Charter amendments can only be changed by a vote of the people, NOT by the council or Mayor; 2) and all other counties in Hawaii have an Open Space Fund charter amendment. The charter commission left the ordinance intact in the Code and put the Open Space Fund charter amendment on the Ballot at a minimum of 1% of our property taxes ($2 million per year). The 2% ordinance in the county is still in effect, so the council can still vote to fund the 2% amount or more. With the ordinance still in effect it became evident that we needed to make sure that the council members would fund this amount in 2011, so we could buy the properties approved by the Open Space Commission and the council to protect shoreline access, beaches, surfing and fishing.
For information on all of the charter amendments and to get the link to the League of Women Voters Pros and Cons publication, go to http://www.dhecht.com/.
Debbie Hecht
Campaign Coordinator 2% for the Land Fund
(808) 989-3222
For a listing of ALL of the charter amendments: click here: http://www.dhecht.com/
and the League of Women Voters' Pros and Cons listing
On Nov. 2nd-or walk in voting is happening now!
Vote "YES" for proposition 1-
Relating to the Establishment of the Open Space Fund.
Mahalo to Council members Ford, Hoffmann, Yagong for supporting THE PLEDGE. Candidates Smart and Blas have also support THE PLEDGE. Angel Pilago and Emily Naole told me that they did NOT want to sign THE PLEDGE. After two phone calls and two emails, the following council members did not respond: Yoshimoto, Onishi, Enriques and Ikeda. PLEASE vote for Brittany Smart and Fred Blas; they will support resuming deposits to the fund and saving land for future generations.
ASK your council members to save our treasured lands and protect the aina.
The Save Our Lands Citizen's Committee asked all of the elected council members and candidates to sign our pledge to support the Open Space Fund charter amendment and to support resuming the deposits to the Fund in 2011. We felt this was important for three reasons: 1) If we can elect a council which agrees to fund the 2% amount, then we can acquire the lands that are pending; 2) so that the 100 people that showed up to testify during budget hearings won't have to attend the hearings, which will save their time and the council's time and 3) to introduce a degree of accountability in the Open Space Fund process.
The PLEDGE that we asked council members and candidates to sign states:
1. I support the Open Space Fund Charter amendment and will encourage my supporters to vote for Proposal #1 RELATING TO THE ESTABLISHMENT OF AN OPEN SPACE FUND on November 2, 2010.
2. I pledge to honor the voters of Hawaii County who voted for the 2% Land Fund ordinance in 2006 to deposit 2% of our property taxes in an open space fund. I will vote to support resuming the deposits to the 2% OpenSpace Fund in 2011 and I will vote to make sure that deposits are not suspended again.
Please vote for Brittany Smart and Fred Blas who have signed the Pledge and support saving Hawaii's great places.
Here's a SHORT LEGISLATIVE HISTORY of the 2%-1% Open space Fund. In 2006, The Save Our Lands Citizen's Committee collected 10,000 signatures on petitions, of which the County disqualified 6,000 signatures. The council placed the Open Space Fund measure on the ballot. 63% of Hawaii County voters voted to save Hawaii Island's treasured places in 2006.
In 2009, the county council voted to suspend deposits to the 2%Open Space Fund for two years. Mayor Kenoi submitted this measure BEFORE the budget was even printed. Stopping the Fund was his first piece of legislation in office. Only 3 council members voted against the suspending deposits to the fund: Greenwell, Ford and Yagong. The rest of the council: Naole, Enriques, Yoshimoto, Onishi and Hoffmann, voted to ignore the 2006 voter's mandate regarding the Open Space Fund. Deposits will resume as of July 1, 2011, unless the council votes to suspend the deposits to the fund again during budget hearings in the spring of 2011. THAT is why your vote for the council seats in Puna and Ka'u is so important.
The land fund is working! The county has acquired Waipio look out, Kawa Bay (Ka'u) and Kaiholena (N Kohala). Purchases that are pending if deposits resume are Pao'o and Kaiholena in N. Kohala, Kawa Bay in Ka'u and the Kingman Trust Parcels in Kona. To see past and pending purchases with matching funds go to:http://www.dhecht.com/?page_id=196
IN 2010, the Save Our Lands Committee submitted a 2% Open Space Fund charter amendment to the charter commission. This amendment echoed the existing ordinance and was meant to replace the ordinance. We submitted the charter amendment because 1) Charter amendments can only be changed by a vote of the people, NOT by the council or Mayor; 2) and all other counties in Hawaii have an Open Space Fund charter amendment. The charter commission left the ordinance intact in the Code and put the Open Space Fund charter amendment on the Ballot at a minimum of 1% of our property taxes ($2 million per year). The 2% ordinance in the county is still in effect, so the council can still vote to fund the 2% amount or more. With the ordinance still in effect it became evident that we needed to make sure that the council members would fund this amount in 2011, so we could buy the properties approved by the Open Space Commission and the council to protect shoreline access, beaches, surfing and fishing.
For information on all of the charter amendments and to get the link to the League of Women Voters Pros and Cons publication, go to http://www.dhecht.com/.
Debbie Hecht
Campaign Coordinator 2% for the Land Fund
(808) 989-3222
Friday, October 22, 2010
What was the Supreme Court Thinking?? Or were they?
The overwhelming horrible TV commercials attacking each other over this election has become unbearable.
The really bad part is that we don't have a clear cut view of who is creating and paying for these commercials. The Supreme Court ruled that NO ONE has to disclose who, what, where and when and why is supporting each canidate. Or how much they are spending?What can we do? Who do we write to?
Since when is America known for this kind of closed / unnamed / under the table kind of campaigning?
Just like the Health Care fight: with Rick Scott of Florida. He bought up all the hospitals in an area (3 States to be exact) and closed all but one. That way he could charge what he wants and the public has no other choices. He is now buying his way into the Senate. America has gone to the dogs.
What happened to our great Nation. We have turned to the dark side, I guess!
The really bad part is that we don't have a clear cut view of who is creating and paying for these commercials. The Supreme Court ruled that NO ONE has to disclose who, what, where and when and why is supporting each canidate. Or how much they are spending?What can we do? Who do we write to?
Since when is America known for this kind of closed / unnamed / under the table kind of campaigning?
Just like the Health Care fight: with Rick Scott of Florida. He bought up all the hospitals in an area (3 States to be exact) and closed all but one. That way he could charge what he wants and the public has no other choices. He is now buying his way into the Senate. America has gone to the dogs.
What happened to our great Nation. We have turned to the dark side, I guess!
Wednesday, October 20, 2010
Buy AMERICAN MADE. Look specifically for MADE in AMERICA!
One Light Bulb at a Time
A physics teacher in high school once told the students that while one grasshopper on the railroad tracks wouldn't slow a train very much, a billion of them would. With that thought in mind, read the following, obviously written by a good American.
Good idea ... one light bulb at a time.
Check this out. I can verify this because I was in Lowe's the other day for some reason and just for the heck of it, I was looking at the hose attachments. They were all made in China. The next day I was in Ace Hardware and just for the heck of it I checked the hose attachments there. They were made in USA. Start looking.
In our current economic situation, every little thing we buy or do affects someone else - even their job. So, after reading this email, I think this lady is on the right track. Let's get behind her!
My grandson likes Hershey's candy. I noticed, though, that it is marked made in Mexico now. I do not buy it any more.
My favorite toothpaste Colgate is made in Mexico. Now I have switched to Crest. You have to read the labels on everything.
This past weekend I was at Kroger. I needed 60W light bulbs and Bounce dryer sheets. I was in the light bulb aisle, and right next to the GE brand I normally buy was an off-brand labeled, "Everyday Value. " I picked up both types of bulbs and compared the stats; they were the same except for the price. The GE bulbs were more money than the Everyday Value brand but the thing that surprised me the most was the fact that GE was made in MEXICO and the Everyday Value brand was made in - get ready for this - the USA in a company in Cleveland, Ohio.
So throw out the myth that you cannot find products you use every day that are made right here.
So on to another aisle - Bounce Dryer Sheets. Yep, you guessed it, Bounce cost more money and is made in Canada. The Everyday Value brand was less money and MADE IN THE USA! I did laundry yesterday and the dryer sheets performed just like the Bounce Free I have been using for years and at almost half the price!
My challenge to you is to start reading the labels when you shop for everyday things and see what you can find that is made in the USA - the job you save may be your own or your neighbors!
If you accept the challenge, pass this on to others in your address book so we can all start buying American, one light bulb at a time! Stop buying from overseas companies!
We should have awakened a decade ago.
Let's get with the program. Help our fellow Americans keep their jobs and create more jobs here in the U.S.A.
I Passed this on ......... will you ???????
by: Leslie Lichtenstein
A physics teacher in high school once told the students that while one grasshopper on the railroad tracks wouldn't slow a train very much, a billion of them would. With that thought in mind, read the following, obviously written by a good American.
Good idea ... one light bulb at a time.
Check this out. I can verify this because I was in Lowe's the other day for some reason and just for the heck of it, I was looking at the hose attachments. They were all made in China. The next day I was in Ace Hardware and just for the heck of it I checked the hose attachments there. They were made in USA. Start looking.
In our current economic situation, every little thing we buy or do affects someone else - even their job. So, after reading this email, I think this lady is on the right track. Let's get behind her!
My grandson likes Hershey's candy. I noticed, though, that it is marked made in Mexico now. I do not buy it any more.
My favorite toothpaste Colgate is made in Mexico. Now I have switched to Crest. You have to read the labels on everything.
This past weekend I was at Kroger. I needed 60W light bulbs and Bounce dryer sheets. I was in the light bulb aisle, and right next to the GE brand I normally buy was an off-brand labeled, "Everyday Value. " I picked up both types of bulbs and compared the stats; they were the same except for the price. The GE bulbs were more money than the Everyday Value brand but the thing that surprised me the most was the fact that GE was made in MEXICO and the Everyday Value brand was made in - get ready for this - the USA in a company in Cleveland, Ohio.
So throw out the myth that you cannot find products you use every day that are made right here.
So on to another aisle - Bounce Dryer Sheets. Yep, you guessed it, Bounce cost more money and is made in Canada. The Everyday Value brand was less money and MADE IN THE USA! I did laundry yesterday and the dryer sheets performed just like the Bounce Free I have been using for years and at almost half the price!
My challenge to you is to start reading the labels when you shop for everyday things and see what you can find that is made in the USA - the job you save may be your own or your neighbors!
If you accept the challenge, pass this on to others in your address book so we can all start buying American, one light bulb at a time! Stop buying from overseas companies!
We should have awakened a decade ago.
Let's get with the program. Help our fellow Americans keep their jobs and create more jobs here in the U.S.A.
I Passed this on ......... will you ???????
by: Leslie Lichtenstein
Saturday, September 18, 2010
A straight talking polition. How Refreshing!
I hope this guy runs for president!!!!
I love this guy. He tells it like it is and does not pander to any group or individual. He is the kind of guy we need in the White House. This video is a classic and worth watching. It’s little long but this guy is unbelievable.
http://www.breitbart.tv/nj-gov-christie-delivers-brilliant-laceration-of-teachers-union/
sumbitted by Tom Pyne.
I love this guy. He tells it like it is and does not pander to any group or individual. He is the kind of guy we need in the White House. This video is a classic and worth watching. It’s little long but this guy is unbelievable.
http://www.breitbart.tv/nj-gov-christie-delivers-brilliant-laceration-of-teachers-union/
sumbitted by Tom Pyne.
Sunday, August 29, 2010
Politics of Lieing - District #8 K. Angel Pilago
Politicians LIE
First Harry Kim claims he built the Kona Coastview/ Wonderview water improvement district. Now K. Angel Pilago in his run for District #8 claims he was responsible for building Kona Coastview/ Wonderview water improvement district. Even Cindy Evans claimed credit for the project too.
The truth is NONE of these people have showed up at a single meeting, fund raiser, planning or execution of the contract.
Jim Rath lives in the neighborhood and he never showed up to a single meeting either.
The process was one of 3 tries over 30 years. We finally got it with the help of NO ELECTED OFFICIALS. We spent 7 ½ years working, planning, researching and holding meetings to get this project complete. The project credit should go to the Homeowners who persevered over the many years and meetings. It was the homeowners that found the funding from the USDA. It was the homeowners that did the entire project and donated it to the Semi-automous Water Department. We are still paying for the project (30 year loans). It was the homeowners that organized and helped those that couldn’t hook up in the end. Meeting with plumbers, back hoe operators, etc…
So the next time a Politian claims they did the Kona Coastview / Kona Wonderview water improvement project. KNOW for a FACT they are lieing.
Susan McGeachy
Kona Coastview since 1988
First Harry Kim claims he built the Kona Coastview/ Wonderview water improvement district. Now K. Angel Pilago in his run for District #8 claims he was responsible for building Kona Coastview/ Wonderview water improvement district. Even Cindy Evans claimed credit for the project too.
The truth is NONE of these people have showed up at a single meeting, fund raiser, planning or execution of the contract.
Jim Rath lives in the neighborhood and he never showed up to a single meeting either.
The process was one of 3 tries over 30 years. We finally got it with the help of NO ELECTED OFFICIALS. We spent 7 ½ years working, planning, researching and holding meetings to get this project complete. The project credit should go to the Homeowners who persevered over the many years and meetings. It was the homeowners that found the funding from the USDA. It was the homeowners that did the entire project and donated it to the Semi-automous Water Department. We are still paying for the project (30 year loans). It was the homeowners that organized and helped those that couldn’t hook up in the end. Meeting with plumbers, back hoe operators, etc…
So the next time a Politian claims they did the Kona Coastview / Kona Wonderview water improvement project. KNOW for a FACT they are lieing.
Susan McGeachy
Kona Coastview since 1988
Nonpartisam moderated Candidate Forum 8/31 from 6-9pm
The public is invited to a nonpartisan, moderated candidate forum.
Thursday, August 31, County Council Candidate Forum, 6 p.m. til 8 p.m.
Come early, food sales benefit Kealakehe High Culinary Program and Rotary Sunrise by Tante's Restaurant at 5 p.m.
County Council District 7, South Kona: Incumbent Brenda Ford, Enoch Friere
County Council District 8, North Kona: Incumbent Kelly Greenwell, Debbie Hecht, Angel Pilago, Jim Rath
Forum moderator is Sherry Bracken, news reporter for Hawaii Public Radio and host of the LAVA 105.3 fm and KKOA 107.7 fm weekly broadcast, Island Issues.
Please submit questions in advance to sherryb@lava105.com or at the forum. Questions call Kona-Kohala Chamber of Commerce, 329-1758.
Sponsors:
West Hawaii Today
Kona-Kohala Chamber of Commerce
Kohala Coast Resort Association
Kona Outdoor Circle
Community Enterprises - Kona Town Meetings
Rotary Sunrise and Tante's Restaurant
LAVA 105.3 FM/Mahalo Broadcasting
Kealakehe High School
Thursday, August 31, County Council Candidate Forum, 6 p.m. til 8 p.m.
Come early, food sales benefit Kealakehe High Culinary Program and Rotary Sunrise by Tante's Restaurant at 5 p.m.
County Council District 7, South Kona: Incumbent Brenda Ford, Enoch Friere
County Council District 8, North Kona: Incumbent Kelly Greenwell, Debbie Hecht, Angel Pilago, Jim Rath
Forum moderator is Sherry Bracken, news reporter for Hawaii Public Radio and host of the LAVA 105.3 fm and KKOA 107.7 fm weekly broadcast, Island Issues.
Please submit questions in advance to sherryb@lava105.com or at the forum. Questions call Kona-Kohala Chamber of Commerce, 329-1758.
Sponsors:
West Hawaii Today
Kona-Kohala Chamber of Commerce
Kohala Coast Resort Association
Kona Outdoor Circle
Community Enterprises - Kona Town Meetings
Rotary Sunrise and Tante's Restaurant
LAVA 105.3 FM/Mahalo Broadcasting
Kealakehe High School
Thursday, August 12, 2010
A Fishy SECRET in Hawai'i
Heads up!
Do you care?
I added that meetings should be held in Hilo and Kona as I believe that this is an island wide concern.
Thanks for taking time to consider how you feel.
Mahalo, Merry Anne
---------------------------------------------------------------
From: Christina Lizzi, Food & Water Watch [mailto:fwwatch@mail.democracyinaction.org]
Sent: Thursday, August 12, 2010 8:31 AM
Subject: A fishy secret in Hawai`i
Shhh - don't tell anyone about the tuna!
Ask the Army Corps of Engineers To Go Public With a Hearing
Aloha e Merry Anne,
Give Kawaihae the chance to protect these waters.
Ask the Army Corps of Engineers to hold a public hearing.
Want to know a secret? About three miles off of Kawaihae, on the Big Island, a company wants 247 acres of your ocean to put 12 huge untethered cages to grow 6,000 tons of tuna -- mostly for export to the Mainland and Japan. It isn't actually a secret, but with the lack of public hearings held so far, you'd think it was. Before the Army Corps of Engineers gives the green light for a corporation to pollute Hawaiian waters, tell them to hold a public hearing.
Industrial fish farming poses threats to communities like Kawaihae, including disrupting and interfering with the natural ecosystem, fishing grounds, and way of life. Unfortunately, Hawaii Oceanic Technology has almost all its ducks in a row to put its floating "oceanspheres" in the water. Did I mention that each cage is the width of a football field and could hold 30 Olympic swimming pools worth of water?
Even on the Big Island, very few people know that this is happening. Only one public hearing has been held on the Island during the permitting process, and even then the notice for it included incorrect information. A decision like this could greatly impact not only Kawaihae, but all of Hawai'i. Tell the Army Corps of Engineers to hold a hearing near Kawaihae and give people a chance to particpate in this decision.
Contact the Army Corps of Engineers now:
http://action.foodandwaterwatch.org/p/dia/action/public/?action_KEY=4132
Malama ke kai,
Christina Lizzi
Food & Water Watch
fish@fwwatch.org
Food & Water Watch is a nonprofit consumer organization that works to ensure clean water and safe food. We challenge the corporate control and abuse of our food and water resources by empowering people to take action and by transforming the public consciousness about what we eat and drink.
Talk to Us
Support Us
Subscribe
Do you care?
I added that meetings should be held in Hilo and Kona as I believe that this is an island wide concern.
Thanks for taking time to consider how you feel.
Mahalo, Merry Anne
---------------------------------------------------------------
From: Christina Lizzi, Food & Water Watch [mailto:fwwatch@mail.democracyinaction.org]
Sent: Thursday, August 12, 2010 8:31 AM
Subject: A fishy secret in Hawai`i
Shhh - don't tell anyone about the tuna!
Ask the Army Corps of Engineers To Go Public With a Hearing
Aloha e Merry Anne,
Give Kawaihae the chance to protect these waters.
Ask the Army Corps of Engineers to hold a public hearing.
Want to know a secret? About three miles off of Kawaihae, on the Big Island, a company wants 247 acres of your ocean to put 12 huge untethered cages to grow 6,000 tons of tuna -- mostly for export to the Mainland and Japan. It isn't actually a secret, but with the lack of public hearings held so far, you'd think it was. Before the Army Corps of Engineers gives the green light for a corporation to pollute Hawaiian waters, tell them to hold a public hearing.
Industrial fish farming poses threats to communities like Kawaihae, including disrupting and interfering with the natural ecosystem, fishing grounds, and way of life. Unfortunately, Hawaii Oceanic Technology has almost all its ducks in a row to put its floating "oceanspheres" in the water. Did I mention that each cage is the width of a football field and could hold 30 Olympic swimming pools worth of water?
Even on the Big Island, very few people know that this is happening. Only one public hearing has been held on the Island during the permitting process, and even then the notice for it included incorrect information. A decision like this could greatly impact not only Kawaihae, but all of Hawai'i. Tell the Army Corps of Engineers to hold a hearing near Kawaihae and give people a chance to particpate in this decision.
Contact the Army Corps of Engineers now:
http://action.foodandwaterwatch.org/p/dia/action/public/?action_KEY=4132
Malama ke kai,
Christina Lizzi
Food & Water Watch
fish@fwwatch.org
Food & Water Watch is a nonprofit consumer organization that works to ensure clean water and safe food. We challenge the corporate control and abuse of our food and water resources by empowering people to take action and by transforming the public consciousness about what we eat and drink.
Talk to Us
Support Us
Subscribe
Friday, June 18, 2010
Do you have a Home Owners Exemption? Better check your TAXES may be going UP!
Today I was reviewing the multiple listings for North Kona and I noticed something.
Billy Kenoi and our County Council just voted to increase property taxes on agricultural land.
When we bought our home in 1988 our home was zoned unplanned. A few years ago the County decided to change a lot of property designations to AGI (Agricultural).
Here are a few subdivisions that are zoned A5/A. Does that mean all of the Agi zonings will be subject to Billy’s Tax Increase?
Kona Coastview, Kaloko, Wonderview (7,500 sq. ft lots), Palisades (10,000 sq ft lots), Kona Highlands (8,000 to 10,00 sq ft lots), Kona Acres, Kona Hills Estates…
Kona Heavens, Keopu Heights……………..
=====================================================================
I just got off the phone with Hawaii Property Tax Department and here are a few good things to know.
1. If your property is assessed at any of these rates, then here are your taxes.
$0 to $25,000 $25.00 a year
$25,001-$50,000 $50.00 a year
$50,001-$75,000 $75.00 a year
Above $75,000 is at the assessed rate.
2. If your property has a homeowners exemption
of owner occupied plus 20% of assessed value plus $40,000
For Disabled Vets $100.00
Culilani land descendent Hawaiians only $100.00
Additional exemption for 60 years up $40,000
*****NOTE*****
To get a homeowners exemption you have until June 30th
for the next payment or December 30th for 2011 Property Tax Bill.
http://www.hawaiipropertytax.com/ for more information.
People may not know their property is Agi and if they don’t have any exemptions then their taxes will be going UP UP and Away!!!!
You can call me and I can check your property's exemptions on MLS. Be happy to!
Aloha, Susan 325-7576
Billy Kenoi and our County Council just voted to increase property taxes on agricultural land.
When we bought our home in 1988 our home was zoned unplanned. A few years ago the County decided to change a lot of property designations to AGI (Agricultural).
Here are a few subdivisions that are zoned A5/A. Does that mean all of the Agi zonings will be subject to Billy’s Tax Increase?
Kona Coastview, Kaloko, Wonderview (7,500 sq. ft lots), Palisades (10,000 sq ft lots), Kona Highlands (8,000 to 10,00 sq ft lots), Kona Acres, Kona Hills Estates…
Kona Heavens, Keopu Heights……………..
=====================================================================
I just got off the phone with Hawaii Property Tax Department and here are a few good things to know.
1. If your property is assessed at any of these rates, then here are your taxes.
$0 to $25,000 $25.00 a year
$25,001-$50,000 $50.00 a year
$50,001-$75,000 $75.00 a year
Above $75,000 is at the assessed rate.
2. If your property has a homeowners exemption
of owner occupied plus 20% of assessed value plus $40,000
For Disabled Vets $100.00
Culilani land descendent Hawaiians only $100.00
Additional exemption for 60 years up $40,000
*****NOTE*****
To get a homeowners exemption you have until June 30th
for the next payment or December 30th for 2011 Property Tax Bill.
http://www.hawaiipropertytax.com/ for more information.
People may not know their property is Agi and if they don’t have any exemptions then their taxes will be going UP UP and Away!!!!
You can call me and I can check your property's exemptions on MLS. Be happy to!
Aloha, Susan 325-7576
Monday, June 14, 2010
Next O'oma Land Use Commission hearing
Aloha e,
The next date for public testimony on O’oma Beachside Villages (OBV) request to reclassify 181 acres of coastal Conservation land into Urban is this Thursday at 1:30PM at the King Kamehameha Hotel.
Talking points against this application include:
1) The Land Use Commission has already twice denied upzoning of this land.
2) Reasons to keep this land in Conservation have become much greater over the past two decades.
3) The infrastructure deficit in Kona, such as traffic and sewage treatment, has dramatically increased.
4) The National Park Service has found that the State Historic Preservation Division has not adequately protected cultural sites over the past ten years and is threatening to yank SHPD’s funding. As such, no Archaeological Inventory Survey or Cultural Impact Statement for any property can be relied upon.
5) The University of Hawai’i-Hilo Marine Sciences Department conducted a study of our nearshore marine water quality which found that “conditions may be developing for extreme environmental degradation”.
6) If all existing approvals for subdivisions and other development already approved in Kona were in place, Kona would look like Honolulu.
7) Numerous studies and polls of the Kona community conducted over the years have proven beyond doubt that Kona residents want “Kona to stay Kona”.
8) Given that one of OBV has hired as a consultant former Hawai’i County Deputy Managing Director and former state Dept. of Land and Natural Resources Director, Peter Young (Ho’okuleana), it is clear that the developer has inside political influence that the community does not enjoy (see NOTE below).
Regardless, there is no economic or legal basis for approval of the OBV application on this land.
If you cannot attend the LUC meeting, please send your testimony to luc@dbedt.hawaii.gov .
Mahalo ia oe!
NOTE: At the March 3rd LUC meeting in Waikoloa, OBV’s consultants and other financially-conflicted supporters arrived early, forcing those opposed to the project to wait for many hours to testify. In addition, many people, including Kona representative Brenda Ford, attended the LUC meeting the next day under the traditional assumption that public testimony would be taken at the beginning of that meeting. However, they were not allowed to do so, despite having driven to Waikoloa from Kona.
Using experience as a guide, those opposing the project arrived early to the May 5th meeting so they could testify first. However, without prior notice, the LUC changed its traditional protocol of first-to-sign-up/first-to-testify. The reason given was to allow those who had not previously testified to testify first. As a result, everyone who had previously testified at the March 3rd meeting were forced to wait for as long as seven hours to testify.
After this, I received e-mails from numerous people, who had taken time from their jobs and businesses, saying that they would never again attend an LUC meeting. So much for encouraging public participation…
Chuck Flaherty
The next date for public testimony on O’oma Beachside Villages (OBV) request to reclassify 181 acres of coastal Conservation land into Urban is this Thursday at 1:30PM at the King Kamehameha Hotel.
Talking points against this application include:
1) The Land Use Commission has already twice denied upzoning of this land.
2) Reasons to keep this land in Conservation have become much greater over the past two decades.
3) The infrastructure deficit in Kona, such as traffic and sewage treatment, has dramatically increased.
4) The National Park Service has found that the State Historic Preservation Division has not adequately protected cultural sites over the past ten years and is threatening to yank SHPD’s funding. As such, no Archaeological Inventory Survey or Cultural Impact Statement for any property can be relied upon.
5) The University of Hawai’i-Hilo Marine Sciences Department conducted a study of our nearshore marine water quality which found that “conditions may be developing for extreme environmental degradation”.
6) If all existing approvals for subdivisions and other development already approved in Kona were in place, Kona would look like Honolulu.
7) Numerous studies and polls of the Kona community conducted over the years have proven beyond doubt that Kona residents want “Kona to stay Kona”.
8) Given that one of OBV has hired as a consultant former Hawai’i County Deputy Managing Director and former state Dept. of Land and Natural Resources Director, Peter Young (Ho’okuleana), it is clear that the developer has inside political influence that the community does not enjoy (see NOTE below).
Regardless, there is no economic or legal basis for approval of the OBV application on this land.
If you cannot attend the LUC meeting, please send your testimony to luc@dbedt.hawaii.gov .
Mahalo ia oe!
NOTE: At the March 3rd LUC meeting in Waikoloa, OBV’s consultants and other financially-conflicted supporters arrived early, forcing those opposed to the project to wait for many hours to testify. In addition, many people, including Kona representative Brenda Ford, attended the LUC meeting the next day under the traditional assumption that public testimony would be taken at the beginning of that meeting. However, they were not allowed to do so, despite having driven to Waikoloa from Kona.
Using experience as a guide, those opposing the project arrived early to the May 5th meeting so they could testify first. However, without prior notice, the LUC changed its traditional protocol of first-to-sign-up/first-to-testify. The reason given was to allow those who had not previously testified to testify first. As a result, everyone who had previously testified at the March 3rd meeting were forced to wait for as long as seven hours to testify.
After this, I received e-mails from numerous people, who had taken time from their jobs and businesses, saying that they would never again attend an LUC meeting. So much for encouraging public participation…
Chuck Flaherty
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