Coqui FROG Hunt in Kona Coastview HELP US!!!

Dear Friends and Neighbors,

We are very lucky to have Vickie Kebler to head up the Coqui Frog control for Kona Coastview and Wonderview. She has spent countless hours hunting down frogs in our neighborhood.

Please talk to your friends and neighbors around you and lets all get together and help Vickie.

We need your help killing them with a machine that costs approx. $1,4000.00. We are currently borrowing a machine. Cash too will help buying citric acid and baking powder.

Hopefully with your help this will fight them off and retain the value of our homes.

 

Mucho Mahalos,

Susan McGeachy

Social Security NEEDS your HELP!

Subject: Social Security needs help

This affects us personally.  Our beloved president has put Social Security cuts on the table for a debt deal with Republicans, because Republicans refuse to roll back tax breaks for the rich and big corporations.  Obama is desperate to stop the government shutdown that Republicans are threatening if Obama doesn't play ball and make a bunch of painful budget cuts.  Obama doesn't know how to negotiate, so he just gives things away.  Now he is saying he would support changes that would reduce the size of annual cost of living increases to social security. Over a period of about 10 years, this would effectively reduce the amount we would receive by about $500 a month, or possibly more.  Hopefully we will still be here in 10 years, and, if so, we will need that $500 a month.   Since Obama is pretty much a lost cause, we need to put pressure on congressional Democrats to reject this plan.  Obama can't do this without them. 

Here is the link:

http://pol.moveon.org/bad_debt_deal/?r_by=28665-14543293-yXcvq_x&rc=bad_debt_deal_letter.email.g0

The Changing of the Guards in the House. DANGER!

These next 2 years should be very exciting. The last two years the Republicans all together agreed to vote NO on EVERYthing that was put forward. Now John Bohener (the cry baby) will have to come up with solutions and ideas.
The Health Care plan has no chance of repeal. The American people have spoken and they want JOBS< JOBS< AND JOBS>>>>>
Quite wasting the tax payers money and work on JOBS>
Who do you think pays for those that use emergency rooms without insurance. Thats right you and me.
Why is America the richest country but we are dieing everyday from Obesity, diabetes, and illness related to poor diet. Well the new health care plan will require restraunts to post the actual calories. The new health care helps Seniors with expensive drugs, the new health care covers students on Mom and Dad's insurance until they are 27.... on and on.......
If the Republicans are serious about no new TAXs then why did they just fight to give the wealthiest Americans a FREE RIDE? How do they think they are going to bring the deficit down with actions like that?
We shall see.
My vote is still with Obama 2012. Excellent Job with the hand he was delt.

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

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. 

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. 

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.

Mahalo for your understanding.

Brenda Ford

-------------------

Strong
points.

Josh Green

--------------------------

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.

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.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.

Curtis Tyler

---------------------------

 

 

We need you to Testify: Do we need to BORROW NOW? Wake up Hawaii

Dear County Council,
Please accept this letter has request to rethink this bond obligation. The property taxes are way down, the foreclosure rate is still on the rise in Hawaii.
To add this kind of debit during this time is just plane irresponsible. There is no plan on how the County is going to pay the addtional interest or the bond it's self.
We have lost 2 cruise ships, Aloha Air lines, and thousands of jobs. We have hundreds of properties sitting vacant with half the value of what they were purchased at.
How do you plan to pay for this? If you can answer this then it would be feasible other wises it is like robbing a bank and not thinking about the jail time ahead.
Common sence is a must in this changing age we live in. If you have a dollar in your pocket you don't spend ten and then figure it out later. Let the new Council decide. Those voteing for this are on the way out anyway.
Respectfully,
Susan McGeachy
Kailua Kona since 1988
=====================================================================

Public testimony can also be at the Kona and Waimea county council
offices by videoconferencing.

If you have questions, please call the Kona county council office
at 326-5684.

Also, you can read more about the issues involved at http://www.westhawaiitoday.com/articles/2010/11/24/local/local02.txt

A Special Council Meeting will be held on Tuesday November 30^th
at 9AM at the Hilo Council Chambers, Aupuni Street.

Please see below for details on how to submit testimony.

Click here to go to
the County of Hawaii’s on-line library for the full
agenda (Council Records -> Agendas).

THE RECONSIDERATION OF BILL 311 RELATING TO THE ISSUANCE OF GENERAL OBLIGATION BONDS      

Comm. 972.5: REQUESTS THE RECONSIDERATION OF BILL 311 RELATING TO THE
ISSUANCE OF GENERAL OBLIGATION BONDS:  

From Council Member Donald Ikeda, dated November 17, 2010, requesting the

reconsideration of Bill 311.  Bill 311 was approved by the Council at its meeting of

November 17, 2010, which passed second and final reading by the following vote:

7-ayes and 1-no (1-absent)

Comm. 972.9: From Council Member Donald Ikeda, dated November 18, 2010, requesting that a

Special Meeting by the Council be held before the end of this Council term

Comm. 972.10: From Council Member Dominic Yagong, dated November 18, 2010, requesting the

reconsideration of the vote on Bill 311.  Requests that this measure be placed on the

December 15, 2010 Council agenda

Bill 311:  Authorizes the Issuance of General Obligation Bonds of the County of Hawai‘i for

the Purpose of Funding All or a Portion of the Costs of Various Public Improvement

Projects; Fixing the Form, Denominations, and Certain Other Details of Such Bonds

and Providing for Their Sale to the Public; and Authorizing the Taking of Other

Actions Relating to the Issuance and Sale of the Bonds.  {Principal amount not to

exceed $56,000,000.  The projects include:  Kawaihae Housing Closure

($1,000,000), Kaloko Housing Project ($4,000,000), Pool Drainage Covers

($500,000), Hawai‘i Paradise Park-New Park Development ($5,500,000),

Kikala-Keokea New Park Development ($100,000), North Kohala Recreational

Facilities Repair and Upgrade ($2,000,000), Banyan Beach Parking Lot ($300,000),

Kapiolani Street Extension ($8,700,000), Puna Makai Alternate Roadway

($500,000), La‘aloa Extension ($20,000,000), Energy Efficiency and Related

Maintenance Upgrades ($4,000,000), Wai‘ōhinu Transfer Station ($8,800,000), and

Waimea Recycle and Transfer Station Garage ($100,000), for a total of

$55,000,000.  (The correct total amount should be “$55,500,000”.  An additional

$500,000 is included for bond issuance costs.)}

   Re:  Comm. 972

   Intr. by:  Mr. Onishi

   1st Reading: November 4, 2010

   2nd Reading: November 17, 2010



(Note:  Pursuant to Hawai‘i Revised Statutes, Section 92, notice is hereby given that

if the motion to reconsider Bill 311 is approved, a re-vote will be taken on Bill 311 at

this meeting.  If reconsideration of Bill 311 is approved, there will be a pending

motion on the floor by Mr. Onishi and duly seconded by Ms. Naeole to approve

Bill 311.) 

SUBMITTING
TESTIMONY:

• In person: You may testify in person at the Hilo
       Council Chambers, or by videoconference from the Waimea or Kona Council
       offices.
• Written testimony: Testimony may be submitted before
       noon on the business day prior to the meeting: 
•  
• (1) by mail to the County
        Clerk’s Office in Hilo at 25 Aupuni Street, Hilo, Hawai‘i, 96720
 
• (2) by fax to (808) 961-8912
 
• By email to counciltestimony@co.hawaii.hi.us.
       

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?

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?)

Charles Flaherty - Affordable Housing hearing

Aloha e,
There will be a public hearing tomorrow, Thursday, October 28th at 3PM at the Keauhou Sheraton Resort regarding Forest City’s proposed Kamakana Villages at Keahuolu.

The developer applied to be a housing project under Hawaii Revised Statutes Chapter 201H which authorizes the Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation to develop or assist in the development of housing projects which are exempt from certain statutes, ordinances, charter provisions, and rules of any governmental agency relating to planning, zoning, construction standards for subdivisions, development and improvement of land, and the construction of units thereon provided that:

• The project primarily or exclusively includes affordable housing units (Forest City is proposing less than 60% at 140% of median income);

• The Corporation finds that the project meets minimum requirements of health and safety (Forest City does not); and

• The development of the project does not contravene any safety standards, tariffs, or rates and fees approved by the public utilities commission for public utilities or various Boards of Water Supply (Forest City’s development would).

The state agency, Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation entered into a development agreement with Forest City Kamakana LLC which allows the developer to simply walk away from the development or any aspect of the development which may be deemed “financial unfeasible” with only 30 days notice.

HHFDC entered into development agreement without any regard to or consultation with the County of Hawai’i administration or its elected council representatives even though this development will have a great impact on the Kona community.

For instance, the county has reserved 431,360 gallons per day (“GPD”) capacity at the Kealakeke Sewage Treatment Plant, but Forest City’s documents state that the development will generate an average flow of 673,778 GPD with a peak flow of 2,555,477 GPD.

Further, as the Queen Liliuokalani Trust’s attorney’s have pointed out Forest City’s traffic studies are inadequate and incorrect.

But the biggest problem is that Forest City refuses to commitment to building any affordable housing units below 140% of median income. So how much money does your family have to make to buy a house in Forest City’s affordable housing project?

Household size = 1 person, $63,800; 2 people, $72,910; 3 people, $82,030; 4 people, $91,140; 5 people, $98,430; 6 people, $105,720; 7 people, $113,010; 8 people, $120,300.
From County of Hawaii website (2009 income schedule by family size)

The average household size in Hawai’i County is about 4.5, so the average family must make about $95,000/year to buy a Forest City “affordable” ($400,000+) home.

HRS Chapter 201H only gives the county council 45 days to make a decision or the project is automatically approved. At the last hearing, none of the county department heads had had time to read the latest revision to the exemptions being requested. It is clear that not all county departments, including police and fire have had time to evaluate what Forest City is proposing.

Forest City has purposefully ambushed the Kona council representatives and Forest City’s attorney has made substantial financial contributions to the political campaigns of council chair, Jay Yoshimoto, and council member Donald Ikeda. So please come speak out against this project as it is being currently proposed and designed. Tell them to go back to the drawing boards and to include our community, not special interests, in the process the next time instead of dictating demands.

Mahalo!
Charles Flaherty

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

Debbie Hecht Loses District 8

Aloha Kona friends,
These last two days have been confusing as to the election results because of conflicting reports. I recently got this information from Ken Goodenow, County Clerk as to how the results are figured. Since blank ballots are not included in the final tally, Angel Pilago won the primary with 51.1% of the vote (see the actual part of the charter that addresses this below).

A heartfelt mahalo for everyone who worked on my campaign and took time to tell me their concerns about our quality of life in West Hawaii. Mahalo for considering me to represent you as your council member.

THREE THINGS TO THINK ABOUT:

THE 2012-2013 BUDGET: I hope Mr. Pilago will consider requesting the following budget items BEFORE the Mayor designs the budget so that they can be included in the 2011-2012 budget for District 8-North Kona. These were projects that you told me were important to you.

1.Open existing bathrooms or build new bathrooms near the police station at Hale Halewai

2. Open the parking lot at Hale Halewai for use by residents and tourists

3. Look into using portions of the parking lots at Lowe's and/or K-Mart for park and ride stops for the island wide bus system AND

4. Obtain two small buses circulating from the park and ride stops along Ali'i from the King Kamehameha Hotel to Huggo's, with a stop at the Regency to ease parking and congestion on Ali'i Drive

5. Pave Kaiminani

SHORELINE PARK: Would you be interesting in working to obtain a 2,000 foot setback on state lands from Kailua to Kawaihae to create a shoreline park? We can protect the Ala Kalakai Trail (The King's Trail) and possibly build a parallel trail for recreation and exercise. This supports the Kona Community Development Plan. We may be circulating a petition to lobby the state.

For more information go to: http://www.dhecht.com/?page_id=14


CHARTER AMENDMENTS: We will be starting a big push to pass the following new or amended charter amendments: The League of Women Voters has done a terrific job on writing the educational piece with the Charter Commission. We need to raise money to buy signs for the 1% Land Fund and educate the public.

1. 1% land fund

2. Recall

3. Revising the charter

4. Reapportionment

5. Preservation of Natural and Cultural Resources

6. WATCH FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION IN THE COMING WEEKS



A hui hou!
Debbie
989-3222
http://www.dhecht.com/

Hawaii County Charter- Section 13-27. County Election.

(a) No person shall be a candidate for more than one elective office in the same election. If no person is elected to a county office, the county council shall appoint a person to fill such office. County elections shall be conducted in accordance with the election laws of the state insofar as applicable.

(b) All county elective officers--mayor, council members and prosecuting attorney-- shall be elected in nonpartisan special elections. Such special elections shall be held with the primary and general elections of the applicable year.

(c) First special election. The first special election shall be held with the regularly scheduled primary election. Any candidate for mayor, prosecuting attorney or council receiving a majority of all votes validly cast for candidates for that office, excluding blank and spoiled ballots, shall be deemed elected. If there is only one candidate for the office, that candidate shall be deemed elected regardless of the number of votes received.

(d) Second special election. The second special election shall be held with the regularly scheduled general election. Unless a candidate has been elected in the first special election, the two candidates receiving the highest number of votes for the office in question in the first special election shall be placed on the ballot for the second special election. At the second special election the candidate receiving the highest number of votes for each respective office shall be deemed elected.

Brittany Smart district 6 Let's go!

Aloha e,


Please check out this excellent Youtube interview with Brittany Smart…she REALLY IS akamai. What a great young lady for the county council!

1 of 3 videos: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4_IENp7Qj0w&feature=related

2 of 3 videos: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HBQOTKVNsA8&feature=related

3 of 3 videos: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GYaKNLxdbgg

FROM BRITTANY SMART…

Aloha Friends, Supporters, and District 6 Residents:
Thank you for your generous support of my campaign. Please help spread the word that I came in first for Hawaii County Council’s District 6 seat in the Primary Election on September 18!

This is a very exciting time for the campaign and we feel that the momentum is on our side, but the race won’t be won until the General Election on Tuesday, November 2. I am humbly asking each and everyone of you for your continued support of my campaign. If you would like yard signs, respond to smartforcouncil@gmail.com  with your physical address and the number of signs you want and we will have volunteers drop them off. Please remind your friends and family to vote as well.

If everyone would encourage two or more of your friends, family or neighbors to vote, we can win this. The last day to register to vote in the General Elections is OCTOBER 4, 2010. Click on the link below to download the information and application from the State of Hawaii’s Office of Elections.

http://hawaii.gov/elections/voters/registration.htm

And please check out my website to view more about me and the campaign at SmartForCouncil.org.

Mahalo nui loa for all your support,

Brittany Smart
Candidate for County Council, District 6

Paid for by the Friends of Brittany Smart, Brittany Smart Treasurer, PO Box 7151, Hilo, HI 96720
smartforcouncil.org    • 989-6110

My Personal Choices:

My choices are based on Education, Experience, and actual past Accomplishments.

These are the Best Choices for Hawaii and Hawaii County. We are looking for People to represent all of us as ONE ISLAND, weather it is Honolulu including Kona or Hilo including Kona. We need people with enough (college) Education to now how to problem solve and write and vote on solutions. No more Ol'e boys lined up in Hilo voting against Kona (the cash cow). We need solution minded people.

Dan InouyeSenator
Neil Ambercrombie Governor
Brian Schatz- Lt. Govenor

Pete Hoffman- District 9

Debbie Hecht- District 8

Brenda Ford- District 7
Maegan MacGregor District 7 State House 

Brittany Smart- District 6
Denny Coffman- District 6 State House

James Weatherford-District 5
Fred Fogel- District 5 State House

Anthony Marzi-District 4 State House

Cliff Tsuji-District 3

Sammye-Ann Young-District 2
Mazie Hirono- District 2 State House

Mark Nakashima-District 1

September 11th Changed the World forever! We will never forget.

We will never forget.

Our lives have been changed forever.

Travel internationally will never be the same.

Our trust in all men has been shaken.

We are a resilant people and will work through it but we will never be the same.

God Bless America!

Who did the Kona Coastview Water system???

Let’s get the story straight.


After Joe Fagundas’sattempted to do the water without success, I stepped in and organized the neighborhood. No we don’t have a homeowners association so It was by mailing, calling and setting up email correspondence so we can work together. My help researching and putting this project together came from Bonnie Goodell of Volcano. She was my first point of guidance. She came out and walked the subdivision and worked on solutions. I could talk to her and trouble shoot.

My core group was Contractor David Livingston, Jim Williams, Margaret Marceron, Julian and Karen Silva, Jake Jacobs. David wanted a private system but we needed the Federal funding in order to do it and the County fought for a deductible system and it had to be their design. We had an engineer do his Masters degree on our system for ¼ the cost of the county system. The water from the Mamalahoa crashing down the hill ran the entire system without any power (OIL), It had metal tanks and heavy duty PVC type of pipe (they have been using over the past 2 decades, due to iron pipes breaking down and leaching shards of iron into the water system. The research showed Concrete tanks were NEVER used in a seismic area due to cracking and huge maintenance and repairs). The County wanted the concrete tanks and iron pipes, and the county was the only one that could sign for the USDA Federal Funding (Clinton Water 2000), (I found calling Washington D.C.).

The original thought was to complete a fire station at the same time as the water system so our homeowners insurance would go down (within 5 miles of a fire station) and cover the $65.00 cost of the new system. The Matsumoto water company was in the rears for our water for more than a decade. Harry Kim and Curtis Tyler signed a contract to get 1 acre of Matsumoto’s land (between Palisades and Coastview) for the fire station. Due to the lack of follow up from both Harry and Curtis we lost the land because the contract they signed stated the County had one year to survey the land. They failed to do it and it was sold to Bolton.

Then comes time for the County to offer their design and it comes in at over $16,000.00 a lot. We knew people couldn’t afford it if it was over $10,000.00. So we found Attorney Alan Tuhy to work pro bono. He told me to order the Kona Coastview subdivision file from Hilo through the County building department. 2 weeks later it comes in and the file is almost 4 inches thick. I was told it is .10 per copy, so I had a $20.00 in my purse and just starting copying away. I took all my copies to Alan and he began looking through it and asked if I could order the whole file again so he could come down and review it. The file comes back form Hilo and now it is less than ½ inch. It lost weight between Hilo and Kona??? Go figure. By the grace of God I had copied the County dedication of the roads dated 1963. But when the file came back that was gone! So the water department had to redo the figures and take out the $860,000.00 they were charging for the cost of our roads. Then the figures came back under $10,000.00 per lot.

Harry and the water department failed to add all the of costs in the Water Improvement (add in meters and hook up into the USDA funding) so when it came time to hook up we had up charges ( in the thousands) of a new meter, water pipes (and standards to hook up? None provided and what about those that couldn’t afford it?.) We had a meeting with at my house with plumbers, back hoe operators, and George Wilkins (water board volunteer), no I didn’t see Harry, or Angel there. I fielded call after call asking what are the standards to hook up? What if I can’t afford it??????? I helped dig holes and find pipes to give those that couldn’t afford it. No Angel wasn’t there.

After all that work do you think the County (Angel at the time) would step in and help those in need. NO he was not there. Finally I had it. I was exhausted, not being paid for hours and hours of work and I told people to call your county council man (Angel) and let him do the job he is being paid to do. Then and Only then did Angel’s office field the calls (Karen Eoff). As I said before Angel was not there in the time of need for his constituents. For him to claim he did the water system in Kona Coastview is laughable.

Susan McGeachy

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

> Council Woman Naeole Beats her new husband?

Emily Naeole has proven time and time again she can not separate Church from State at the County Council meetings. Now the truth comes out. She held him hostage, took his money and beat him.
If God is in your heart you don't need to advertise you are religious.
What goes around comes around. She is receiving from the seeds she has sewn.
In Hawaiian: poor ting.

West Hawaii Today - Local > Naeole Beats Him?#blogcomments

This Nation is like driving a Car. Now lets put it in gear!

If you want this Country to move forward. It is like a car.

Put it in "D" for drive (democrates) or
"R" reverse (republicans).

Lets start working together for the good of the Nation
and cut the politics of NO NO NO NO....

Vote for Democrates (only) that can make a Difference in Congress!

Anyone in Congress that is a republican should be kicked out. They blocked every attempt to right our Nation. We don’t need to be reminded that the Republicans came into office with a HUGE surplus, and when they left we were on the brink of disaster. 2 wars, deregulating of the financial institutions, Bush taxs cuts for the Super rich…. And more.

Let's think back some 60 years ago.. It was the democrats that fought for Social Security. The Republicans cried socialism. Re-think your history and see where we are going. It is the future of our children that is at risk.
My hat is off to Obama for taking on such a huge challenge.
He has passed health care, women’s equal pay, and on and on….
With NO help from the Republican's.
It is congress (republicans specifically) that have voted against all bills put forward. The republicans were pro imigration legislation until Obama got in office and now there is no support.

So think twice, and look to the (d) democrat when you vote next election.
Time to clean house and get the do nothings out.

New Solar Energy fees by Director of business, economic development, tourism?

Yesterday I went to my Real Estate continuing education class to learn about the new changes to Hawaii laws that just passed July 1st. There was one that was quite shocking and disturbing. Read and see if you agree.


SOLAR ENERGY: ENERGY EFFICIENCY- SB 2563 SD 1 HD 2 CD 1

HCEI; Solar Water Heater Systems; Alternate Fuels Standards

Description:
Authorizes the director of business, economic development, and tourism to impose and collect fees for the administration of the solar water heater system variances. Sets the goal of using alternative fuels to meet 30 per cent of highway fuel demand by2030. (CD1)

http://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session2010/lists/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=SB&billnumber=2563

Requires the Director of Business, Economic Development and Tourism (DBEDT) to IMPOSE and COLLECT FEES for ADMINISTRATION OF THE SOLAR WATER HEATER SYSTEM FOR NEW RESIDENCES PROGRAM, deposit those fees into an energy security special fund and set goals for using alternative fuels to meet 30% of highway fuel demand by 2030. The proposed effective date is July 1, 2010.

This measure will assist DBEDT with administering the program requiring solar water heater systems for new single-family residences. Permitting the department to impose and collect fees to cover the cost of the variance application process will support the program and significantly enhance the effectiveness of the statewide strategy to promote renewable energy, particularly with respect to residential solar water heater systems, which are a major component I the strategy.

Also, the legislature found that to achieve the 2030 goal of 30% alternate fuel standards requires the State to facilitate the development and support attainment of a statewide alternate fuel standard of 10% of highway fuel by 2010, 15% by 2015, and 20% by 2020.

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Am I missing something here or are we trying to discourage people from building solar??? The DBEDT is going to build MONEY for alternative fuel demand on the backs of the new home owners? I thought we wanted to encourage ALL to get solar and use less fuel. But apparently not if they are going to charge fees for building solar!

Currently Hawaii Island have 65% oil and the rest in alternative energies, wind, solar, etc… but the residents of the Big Island are not receiving any break regardless of where or how the energy is produced. We are paying as though we are importing every dime from the middle east. Hawaii is now encouraging people to go and build somewhere else that wants your business. Because our law makers are only about saddeling the public with new fees rather than looking for ways to increase our alternative fuel usage. God Help us.