Just came across this article on http://www.honoluluadvertiser.com/. The State must really be desperate for cash. I wonder if the State will allow vacation rentals on these prime ag lands. I'm sure that some of our County Councilmembers would have no problem with that. Fortunately, our State is aware of the State law, and will only be allowing legitimate farming on these lands. Thank goodness for that.
Advertiser Staff
The Hawaii Department of Agriculture is accepting lease negotiation applications for five parcels of state agricultural land on Oahu and on Kauai.
The Oahu lots are in Waimanalo and are 5.1 acres, 3.7 acres and 1.4 acres in size. The Kauai lots are in Hanapepe and are 6.7 acres and 4.2 acres in size.
Applications should be submitted to the Agricultural Resource Management Division. The application deadline is Jan. 14 at 3 p.m.
The 35-year leases are for diversified agriculture only. Each parcel has an upset minimum annual rental and the lease will be issued by a negotiation process. In addition to the annual rental, each parcel has an additional rent of 1.5 percent of gross proceeds from the agricultural operation.
Wednesday, December 30, 2009
Monday, December 28, 2009
STALL TACTICS TO HUSH THE CROWD; CHILDREN LOSE AGAIN
After all, it was just stall tactics to hush the crowd. There was never a sincere desire to get the kids back in school. Between the Governor and the HSTA, the children were never a priority. It was always about taking, not giving. Our poor children have lost again. This is simply disgusting. Shame on all of you that allowed this to happen. God help our children.
Lingle rejects plan to reduce Furlough Fridays
By Star-Bulletin staff and news services
Gov. Linda Lingle has rejected an agreement between the teachers union and education officials to end some furlough days and get students back in the classroom.
Hawaii State Teachers Association President Wil Okabe announced earlier today that the agreement, reached last week, had been approved by the union.
The agreement reduces the remaining 10 furlough days in the current school year to three, all of which would be taken at the end of the school year.
Okabe says $35 million from the state's rainy-day fund will be used to restore five furlough days, and teachers will give up two planning days.
Late today, the governor said the agreement is not a "viable solution" to restore 27 furlough days the rest of this school year and next.
"Today's proposal being floated in the media would use more than two-thirds of the $50 million offered by the governor and would only restore five days of instruction, the governor said in a statement.
"This arrangement is not a credible plan, it is not fiscally responsible and it is not sustainable," Lingle said.
Lingle rejects plan to reduce Furlough Fridays
By Star-Bulletin staff and news services
Gov. Linda Lingle has rejected an agreement between the teachers union and education officials to end some furlough days and get students back in the classroom.
Hawaii State Teachers Association President Wil Okabe announced earlier today that the agreement, reached last week, had been approved by the union.
The agreement reduces the remaining 10 furlough days in the current school year to three, all of which would be taken at the end of the school year.
Okabe says $35 million from the state's rainy-day fund will be used to restore five furlough days, and teachers will give up two planning days.
Late today, the governor said the agreement is not a "viable solution" to restore 27 furlough days the rest of this school year and next.
"Today's proposal being floated in the media would use more than two-thirds of the $50 million offered by the governor and would only restore five days of instruction, the governor said in a statement.
"This arrangement is not a credible plan, it is not fiscally responsible and it is not sustainable," Lingle said.
Saturday, December 26, 2009
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - Mel Rapozo to Run for Kauai County Council in 2010
Lihue, HI, December 26, 2009:
Mel Rapozo will try to return to the Kauai County Council, a seat that he held from 2002 – 2008, in 2010. Rapozo served on various Council committees for three consecutive terms, was the Council Vice-Chair during his last term, and served as the President of the Hawaii State Association of Counties. He is known for his advocacy for the island’s senior citizens, military veterans, natural resources, small business, affordable housing, and most importantly, his demand for accountability of County leaders.
“I am excited to begin the campaign for a return to the Kauai County Council. In the past year, I have had the opportunity to be on the “outside looking in” and it has been very enlightening. I realize that there are many pressing issues that face this County, and the current state of the economy will present many more challenges going forward. I feel that my past experiences as a Councilmember will be a valuable asset to the County. I want to return to serve the people of Kauai once again.”
Rapozo has been active in the community during the last year, participating in discussions related to the preservation of agricultural lands, shoreline protection, and the recent landfill site selection process.
Rapozo is currently organizing his campaign committees and will officially file his nomination papers on February 1, 2010.
Mel Rapozo will try to return to the Kauai County Council, a seat that he held from 2002 – 2008, in 2010. Rapozo served on various Council committees for three consecutive terms, was the Council Vice-Chair during his last term, and served as the President of the Hawaii State Association of Counties. He is known for his advocacy for the island’s senior citizens, military veterans, natural resources, small business, affordable housing, and most importantly, his demand for accountability of County leaders.
“I am excited to begin the campaign for a return to the Kauai County Council. In the past year, I have had the opportunity to be on the “outside looking in” and it has been very enlightening. I realize that there are many pressing issues that face this County, and the current state of the economy will present many more challenges going forward. I feel that my past experiences as a Councilmember will be a valuable asset to the County. I want to return to serve the people of Kauai once again.”
Rapozo has been active in the community during the last year, participating in discussions related to the preservation of agricultural lands, shoreline protection, and the recent landfill site selection process.
Rapozo is currently organizing his campaign committees and will officially file his nomination papers on February 1, 2010.
Friday, December 25, 2009
Thursday, December 24, 2009
The Focus Should be on Core Functions, Not Frills
In December 2002, a special commission developed core functions to deliver the three goals outlined in Hawaii’s State Plan. The core functions developed by the commission to achieve the goals are as follows:
– Protect and improve public health and welfare.
– Protect and improve public safety.
– Provide public education.
– Promote a stable and strong economy.
– Protect and conserve Hawaii’s natural and cultural resources.
– Support and perpetuate Hawaiian values, culture, lands and trusts.
– Provide critical administration necessary for the operation of the above government functions.
We must fund the CORE functions of government and reduce our spending on all the non-core aspects of the budget. All the "luxuries" must he halted until we get our core functions, like education and public safety, back in shape. Sister cities trips, festivals, parades, etc. must be scrutinized during the next few years. This is the harsh reality.
The principles of core function analysis are very simple - to be effective and efficient an organization should focus its energy on its most important or core functions.
– Protect and improve public health and welfare.
– Protect and improve public safety.
– Provide public education.
– Promote a stable and strong economy.
– Protect and conserve Hawaii’s natural and cultural resources.
– Support and perpetuate Hawaiian values, culture, lands and trusts.
– Provide critical administration necessary for the operation of the above government functions.
We must fund the CORE functions of government and reduce our spending on all the non-core aspects of the budget. All the "luxuries" must he halted until we get our core functions, like education and public safety, back in shape. Sister cities trips, festivals, parades, etc. must be scrutinized during the next few years. This is the harsh reality.
The principles of core function analysis are very simple - to be effective and efficient an organization should focus its energy on its most important or core functions.
Wednesday, December 23, 2009
Kauai Getting Water Rate Increase on January 1. 2010
And the good news continue. After all the furloughs, rising medical premiums, threats of loss County revenue and delayed tax returns, the County of Kauai will hit us one more time by raising our water rates. They tell us that this increase is based on a 2005 comprehensive study. That was almost 5 years ago, when the economy was in a much better place. Keep in mind that this action is coming from the same Water Department that is asking to be exempt from future furloughs? Come on people, WAKE UP! I thought this was a time for all to come together. I guess that doesn't apply to the Water Department. We wish you a Merry Christmas Department of Water.
Advertiser Staff
A water rate increase for Kauai is scheduled to take effect Jan. 1. The increase is based on a comprehensive study conducted in 2005 on the Kauai Department of Water's projected revenues and expenditures that recommended the implementation of a series of five annual 8.5-percent rate increases beginning in fiscal year 2006.
The water rate will increase from $2.90 to $3.20 per 1,000 gallons for the standard residential 5/8-inch meter within the first block (initial 20,000 gallon).
For the portion of the bi-monthly consumption that is between 20,000 and 40,000 gallons, the second block rate will be assessed. The increase in this category will be from $3.70 to $4.00 per 1,000 gallons.
The highest volume residential consumers with usage in excess of 40,000 gallons will pay a top rate of $6.00 per 1,000 gallons.
For more information on the water rate schedule, visit www.kauaiwater.org. Click on Water Board, rules & regulations, and then click on Part IV - Fixing Rates for the Furnishing of Water Service.
Advertiser Staff
A water rate increase for Kauai is scheduled to take effect Jan. 1. The increase is based on a comprehensive study conducted in 2005 on the Kauai Department of Water's projected revenues and expenditures that recommended the implementation of a series of five annual 8.5-percent rate increases beginning in fiscal year 2006.
The water rate will increase from $2.90 to $3.20 per 1,000 gallons for the standard residential 5/8-inch meter within the first block (initial 20,000 gallon).
For the portion of the bi-monthly consumption that is between 20,000 and 40,000 gallons, the second block rate will be assessed. The increase in this category will be from $3.70 to $4.00 per 1,000 gallons.
The highest volume residential consumers with usage in excess of 40,000 gallons will pay a top rate of $6.00 per 1,000 gallons.
For more information on the water rate schedule, visit www.kauaiwater.org. Click on Water Board, rules & regulations, and then click on Part IV - Fixing Rates for the Furnishing of Water Service.
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
More budget hits on the way for Hawaii
Honolulu Advertiser, December 22, 2009
Lingle wants to cut state benefits payments, take county hotel-room taxes
By DERRICK DePLEDGE
Advertiser Government Writer
Gov. Linda Lingle, trying to close a $1.2 billion budget deficit through June 2011, said yesterday that she would delay tax refunds from April until July and ask state lawmakers to scoop hotel-room tax revenues that now go to counties.
Lingle would also raise taxes on insurance commissions, stop paying life insurance premiums for state workers and retirees, and end the state's reimbursement of some Medicare costs for the spouses of retired state workers.
The governor preserves the state's rainy day fund and the hurricane relief fund as options in the event the economy does not improve and the deficit grows larger. The governor also did not call for any additional layoffs of state workers.
County mayors were disappointed that Lingle would take the hotel-room tax revenues and suggested that property taxes may have to be increased in response.
Lingle, a former Maui mayor, said mayors should be prepared given that lawmakers almost took the money last session.
"I tried to give them a heads-up about it over the past year, I think legislators have sent the same message, but it shouldn't be a surprise," the governor said at a news conference at the state Capitol.
Taxpayers will have to wait for their refunds. The delay is an accounting maneuver to get a one-time savings this fiscal year by not counting the refunds in the budget until next fiscal year.
"It's sort of everybody sacrificing so we can get through a crisis period," Lingle said.
Lowell Kalapa, president and chief executive officer of the Tax Foundation of Hawai'i, said he doubts the delay will have much of an impact because many people do not know if they are going to get a state refund until they file their taxes.
But Kalapa said it may send a message about the extent of the deficit.
"I think it sends a message to folks out there — taxpayers, consumers — that the state is really hard up," he said. "They cannot pay their bills."
fiscal maneuvering
Lingle would reduce the state budget this fiscal year by $522 million, mostly through labor savings from new contracts with public-sector labor unions, spending restrictions imposed on state departments, and debt restructuring.
The governor would save an additional $296 million through special fund and tax revisions, mostly by delaying the tax refunds for 90 days as allowed by state law.
These steps would enable the state to get through the fiscal year that ends in June.
For the next fiscal year, Lingle would reduce the budget by $378 million, primarily through labor savings and department spending restrictions, and pick up another $181 million by taking the hotel-room tax revenues from counties and other tax adjustments.
In all, Lingle closes a $1.2 billion hole through June 2011 and leaves a carry-over balance.
The total supplemental budget request is $10 billion for fiscal year 2011 — including $5 billion in general-fund spending over which the governor and the state Legislature have the most control.
The governor also wants to reduce the capital improvement budget this fiscal year by $30.4 million in general obligation bond funds. But she would increase CIP spending by $164.9 million next fiscal year, to $1.1 billion. The new construction spending would include $50.9 million for improvements at Honolulu International Airport, $31 million for a new facility at the University of Hawai'i-Hilo College of Hawaiian Language, and $10 million for repair and maintenance and construction at charter schools.
delayed impact
Scooping the hotel-room tax revenues from counties will likely spark a fight with mayors, who are facing their own budget deficits.
Last session, state lawmakers considered taking the hotel-room tax money from counties to help balance the budget but backed off after protests from mayors.
Lingle and state House and Senate leaders have made it clear for months, however, that the money would likely get diverted.
Unlike the state, counties avoided furloughs this fiscal year and have not made significant spending cuts because the impact of the recession on property taxes — the counties' main source of revenue — has yet to fully play out.
Lingle would divert hotel-room tax revenues from the counties for three fiscal years. Counties would lose an estimated $99 million next fiscal year: $44.5 million in Honolulu; $22.7 million on Maui; $18.5 million on the Big Island; and $14.4 million on Kaua'i.
Despite the warnings, the mayors were unhappy yesterday.
Big Island Mayor Billy Kenoi said he thought Lingle, as a former mayor, would understand how difficult losing the hotel-room tax money will be on counties. "The counties rely on the transient accommodations tax to balance their budgets, and for the state to take away that source of funding puts pressure on the counties to raise taxes at the county level," he said in a statement.
Honolulu Mayor Mufi Hannemann said he was disappointed. "I am disappointed that the governor would reverse from last session her position on taking the counties' share of the hotel room tax," he said in a statement. "In so doing, she is opening the door to the possibility that local residents will have to pay more in property taxes so that the counties can continue to provide essential services such as police, fire, paramedics and lifeguards for the state's No. 1 industry."
Kaua'i Mayor Bernard Carvalho Jr. said he was surprised. "We incur significant costs related to tourism including: parks maintenance, lifeguards; police and fire services, road maintenance, and the list goes on and on," he said in a statement. "Losing all of the TAT would be devastating to our budget and we are hopeful that there will be continued dialogue with the state on this matter before any decisions are made."
options offered
Lawmakers, over Lingle's veto, raised the transient accommodations tax last session to help with the deficit. The tax, popularly known as the hotel-room tax, is applied to operators of hotel rooms, apartments, condominiums, beach houses and other places rented to visitors.
Lawmakers offered to give counties the option of adding a local surcharge to the tax, but the mayors were not interested.
State House Speaker Calvin Say, D-20th (St. Louis Heights, Pälolo Valley, Wilhelmina Rise), said counties not only avoided furloughs but kept covering the 60 percent to 40 percent split in health care costs for workers while the state could not because of rising costs.
"They must have had a lot of money this fiscal year that the state of Hawai'i did not have," he said.
State Sen. Donna Mercado Kim, D-14th (Hälawa, Moanalua, Kamehameha Heights), chairwoman of the Senate Ways and Means Committee, said lawmakers will look at the long-term financial health of the state when considering Lingle's budget request.
"To me, the strategy on how we're attacking this is very important, because, to just find little pots of money, I mean, it's one thing. But then what do we do after those pots of money go?" Kim said.
Say and Kim, like Lingle, said they would try to avoid a broad-based tax increase to balance the budget, such as raising the state's general-excise tax.
'where does it end?'
Advocates for the poor and many parents and teachers will likely ask lawmakers to use the rainy day fund and the hurricane relief fund to restore some social-service spending and end teacher furloughs.
Say said there are other public demands to save state programs — such as school bus routes and vector control for rats. "Where does it end for the general public to understand?" Say said. "I thought they wanted us to downsize and rightsize state government?"
Lingle, a Republican who generally opposes tax increases, does have a tax hike in her budget request. The governor would raise the tax on insurance commissions from 0.15 percent to 4 percent, generating $20 million for the state.
The governor would save $12.5 million by not paying life insurance premiums for state workers and retirees and ending reimbursements for some Medicare costs for the spouses of retired state workers. The reimbursement reductions are in Medicare Part B, which covers a range of health-care items, including physician services, home health care and diagnostic tests.
The budget request also reflects the governor's layoffs earlier this year and zeroes out many vacant positions, eliminating 1,990 positions in all.
Additional Facts
STATE BUDGET
Gov. Linda Lingle has proposed cutting $522 million from the state budget to get through the fiscal year that ends in June. The governor has also proposed a $10 billion supplemental budget for fiscal year 2011 — including $5 billion in general-fund spending — a $378 million decrease from what was approved by lawmakers and signed by the governor after last session.
Here are some highlights:
• Save $275 million by delaying tax refunds from April to July.
• Scoop $99 million by taking hotel-room tax revenues that now go to counties.
• Raise $20.6 million by increasing taxes on insurance commissions.
• Save $12.5 million by not paying life insurance premiums for state workers and ending reimbursements for some Medicare costs for the spouses of retired state workers.
COUNTY CRUNCH
Gov. Linda Lingle wants lawmakers to scoop about $99 million in hotel-room tax revenues now given to counties to help close the state's budget deficit. Here is the breakdown of the county share and how much counties may lose:
Honolulu — 44.8 percent ($44.5 million)
Maui — 22.8 percent ($22.7 million)
Big Island — 18.6 percent ($18.5 million)
Kaua'i — 14.5 percent ($14.4 million)
Source: Lingle administration
Lingle wants to cut state benefits payments, take county hotel-room taxes
By DERRICK DePLEDGE
Advertiser Government Writer
Gov. Linda Lingle, trying to close a $1.2 billion budget deficit through June 2011, said yesterday that she would delay tax refunds from April until July and ask state lawmakers to scoop hotel-room tax revenues that now go to counties.
Lingle would also raise taxes on insurance commissions, stop paying life insurance premiums for state workers and retirees, and end the state's reimbursement of some Medicare costs for the spouses of retired state workers.
The governor preserves the state's rainy day fund and the hurricane relief fund as options in the event the economy does not improve and the deficit grows larger. The governor also did not call for any additional layoffs of state workers.
County mayors were disappointed that Lingle would take the hotel-room tax revenues and suggested that property taxes may have to be increased in response.
Lingle, a former Maui mayor, said mayors should be prepared given that lawmakers almost took the money last session.
"I tried to give them a heads-up about it over the past year, I think legislators have sent the same message, but it shouldn't be a surprise," the governor said at a news conference at the state Capitol.
Taxpayers will have to wait for their refunds. The delay is an accounting maneuver to get a one-time savings this fiscal year by not counting the refunds in the budget until next fiscal year.
"It's sort of everybody sacrificing so we can get through a crisis period," Lingle said.
Lowell Kalapa, president and chief executive officer of the Tax Foundation of Hawai'i, said he doubts the delay will have much of an impact because many people do not know if they are going to get a state refund until they file their taxes.
But Kalapa said it may send a message about the extent of the deficit.
"I think it sends a message to folks out there — taxpayers, consumers — that the state is really hard up," he said. "They cannot pay their bills."
fiscal maneuvering
Lingle would reduce the state budget this fiscal year by $522 million, mostly through labor savings from new contracts with public-sector labor unions, spending restrictions imposed on state departments, and debt restructuring.
The governor would save an additional $296 million through special fund and tax revisions, mostly by delaying the tax refunds for 90 days as allowed by state law.
These steps would enable the state to get through the fiscal year that ends in June.
For the next fiscal year, Lingle would reduce the budget by $378 million, primarily through labor savings and department spending restrictions, and pick up another $181 million by taking the hotel-room tax revenues from counties and other tax adjustments.
In all, Lingle closes a $1.2 billion hole through June 2011 and leaves a carry-over balance.
The total supplemental budget request is $10 billion for fiscal year 2011 — including $5 billion in general-fund spending over which the governor and the state Legislature have the most control.
The governor also wants to reduce the capital improvement budget this fiscal year by $30.4 million in general obligation bond funds. But she would increase CIP spending by $164.9 million next fiscal year, to $1.1 billion. The new construction spending would include $50.9 million for improvements at Honolulu International Airport, $31 million for a new facility at the University of Hawai'i-Hilo College of Hawaiian Language, and $10 million for repair and maintenance and construction at charter schools.
delayed impact
Scooping the hotel-room tax revenues from counties will likely spark a fight with mayors, who are facing their own budget deficits.
Last session, state lawmakers considered taking the hotel-room tax money from counties to help balance the budget but backed off after protests from mayors.
Lingle and state House and Senate leaders have made it clear for months, however, that the money would likely get diverted.
Unlike the state, counties avoided furloughs this fiscal year and have not made significant spending cuts because the impact of the recession on property taxes — the counties' main source of revenue — has yet to fully play out.
Lingle would divert hotel-room tax revenues from the counties for three fiscal years. Counties would lose an estimated $99 million next fiscal year: $44.5 million in Honolulu; $22.7 million on Maui; $18.5 million on the Big Island; and $14.4 million on Kaua'i.
Despite the warnings, the mayors were unhappy yesterday.
Big Island Mayor Billy Kenoi said he thought Lingle, as a former mayor, would understand how difficult losing the hotel-room tax money will be on counties. "The counties rely on the transient accommodations tax to balance their budgets, and for the state to take away that source of funding puts pressure on the counties to raise taxes at the county level," he said in a statement.
Honolulu Mayor Mufi Hannemann said he was disappointed. "I am disappointed that the governor would reverse from last session her position on taking the counties' share of the hotel room tax," he said in a statement. "In so doing, she is opening the door to the possibility that local residents will have to pay more in property taxes so that the counties can continue to provide essential services such as police, fire, paramedics and lifeguards for the state's No. 1 industry."
Kaua'i Mayor Bernard Carvalho Jr. said he was surprised. "We incur significant costs related to tourism including: parks maintenance, lifeguards; police and fire services, road maintenance, and the list goes on and on," he said in a statement. "Losing all of the TAT would be devastating to our budget and we are hopeful that there will be continued dialogue with the state on this matter before any decisions are made."
options offered
Lawmakers, over Lingle's veto, raised the transient accommodations tax last session to help with the deficit. The tax, popularly known as the hotel-room tax, is applied to operators of hotel rooms, apartments, condominiums, beach houses and other places rented to visitors.
Lawmakers offered to give counties the option of adding a local surcharge to the tax, but the mayors were not interested.
State House Speaker Calvin Say, D-20th (St. Louis Heights, Pälolo Valley, Wilhelmina Rise), said counties not only avoided furloughs but kept covering the 60 percent to 40 percent split in health care costs for workers while the state could not because of rising costs.
"They must have had a lot of money this fiscal year that the state of Hawai'i did not have," he said.
State Sen. Donna Mercado Kim, D-14th (Hälawa, Moanalua, Kamehameha Heights), chairwoman of the Senate Ways and Means Committee, said lawmakers will look at the long-term financial health of the state when considering Lingle's budget request.
"To me, the strategy on how we're attacking this is very important, because, to just find little pots of money, I mean, it's one thing. But then what do we do after those pots of money go?" Kim said.
Say and Kim, like Lingle, said they would try to avoid a broad-based tax increase to balance the budget, such as raising the state's general-excise tax.
'where does it end?'
Advocates for the poor and many parents and teachers will likely ask lawmakers to use the rainy day fund and the hurricane relief fund to restore some social-service spending and end teacher furloughs.
Say said there are other public demands to save state programs — such as school bus routes and vector control for rats. "Where does it end for the general public to understand?" Say said. "I thought they wanted us to downsize and rightsize state government?"
Lingle, a Republican who generally opposes tax increases, does have a tax hike in her budget request. The governor would raise the tax on insurance commissions from 0.15 percent to 4 percent, generating $20 million for the state.
The governor would save $12.5 million by not paying life insurance premiums for state workers and retirees and ending reimbursements for some Medicare costs for the spouses of retired state workers. The reimbursement reductions are in Medicare Part B, which covers a range of health-care items, including physician services, home health care and diagnostic tests.
The budget request also reflects the governor's layoffs earlier this year and zeroes out many vacant positions, eliminating 1,990 positions in all.
Additional Facts
STATE BUDGET
Gov. Linda Lingle has proposed cutting $522 million from the state budget to get through the fiscal year that ends in June. The governor has also proposed a $10 billion supplemental budget for fiscal year 2011 — including $5 billion in general-fund spending — a $378 million decrease from what was approved by lawmakers and signed by the governor after last session.
Here are some highlights:
• Save $275 million by delaying tax refunds from April to July.
• Scoop $99 million by taking hotel-room tax revenues that now go to counties.
• Raise $20.6 million by increasing taxes on insurance commissions.
• Save $12.5 million by not paying life insurance premiums for state workers and ending reimbursements for some Medicare costs for the spouses of retired state workers.
COUNTY CRUNCH
Gov. Linda Lingle wants lawmakers to scoop about $99 million in hotel-room tax revenues now given to counties to help close the state's budget deficit. Here is the breakdown of the county share and how much counties may lose:
Honolulu — 44.8 percent ($44.5 million)
Maui — 22.8 percent ($22.7 million)
Big Island — 18.6 percent ($18.5 million)
Kaua'i — 14.5 percent ($14.4 million)
Source: Lingle administration
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
The People Have Spoken
I don't know how many people showed up last night, but my guess is that there were well over 200 people at the Convention Hall for the bike path meeting. Although I didn't speak to everyone personally, it was clear to me that the majority of people were not supportive of the Wailua Beach route. If not for the County officials and the hired consultants, I would say that the vast majority of attendees were in opposition of the bike path being constructed on Wailua Beach.
I did not go to speak, as I am quite sure that the decision to place the path over the burial grounds of Wailua Beach has already been made. I have made my feelings known and didn't think that I could change the minds of the decision makers that were present. I went to the meeting to learn. And learn I did. What I heard last night moved me. It moved me in a way that I never experienced before. I could not sleep when I got home. In fact, I was wide awake until well after 2am. I woke up this morning with a feeling that we need to continue this fight. No matter what, we cannot let this recreational path destroy the alive sands of Wailua Beach, or Mahunapu`uone, the sand dunes that conceal the bones.
Kehaulani Kekua, Ikane Alapai and Val Ako all confirmed the cultural significance of Wailua. After their testimonies, I had expected at least some of the proponents to change their minds. That didn't happen. I couldn't believe that anyone would publicly support the Wailua Beach route after these experts shared their knowledge. But still, some did.
For those that are culturally insensitive, and can only relate to money and prestige, Alan Murakami of the Native Hawaiian Legal Corporation shared the legal ramifications of proceeding, including violations of law. Quite an eye-opening session.
Going forward, I can only hope that our decision makers will do what is right. Of course, we all have different perceptions of what is right. After last night, it is very clear. We must leave Wailua alone. We must allow those that are buried there to rest in peace. We must show our appreciation by respecting them. Not with monuments, but by allowing them to rest, undisturbed.
I did not go to speak, as I am quite sure that the decision to place the path over the burial grounds of Wailua Beach has already been made. I have made my feelings known and didn't think that I could change the minds of the decision makers that were present. I went to the meeting to learn. And learn I did. What I heard last night moved me. It moved me in a way that I never experienced before. I could not sleep when I got home. In fact, I was wide awake until well after 2am. I woke up this morning with a feeling that we need to continue this fight. No matter what, we cannot let this recreational path destroy the alive sands of Wailua Beach, or Mahunapu`uone, the sand dunes that conceal the bones.
Kehaulani Kekua, Ikane Alapai and Val Ako all confirmed the cultural significance of Wailua. After their testimonies, I had expected at least some of the proponents to change their minds. That didn't happen. I couldn't believe that anyone would publicly support the Wailua Beach route after these experts shared their knowledge. But still, some did.
For those that are culturally insensitive, and can only relate to money and prestige, Alan Murakami of the Native Hawaiian Legal Corporation shared the legal ramifications of proceeding, including violations of law. Quite an eye-opening session.
Going forward, I can only hope that our decision makers will do what is right. Of course, we all have different perceptions of what is right. After last night, it is very clear. We must leave Wailua alone. We must allow those that are buried there to rest in peace. We must show our appreciation by respecting them. Not with monuments, but by allowing them to rest, undisturbed.
Monday, December 7, 2009
SAVE WAILUA BEACH!
Wailuanuiaho`ano has always held the distinction as one of the most sacred places in all of Hawai`i. It was the birthplace of royal ali`i, as well as the political and spiritual center for Kaua`i Island. From the ahupua`a’s pinnacle at the summit of Wai`ale`ale moving ma kai toward the shore, a series of major heiau are integrated into the landscape of the "Great Sacred Wailua". Oral histories and traditions detailed in our chants, ceremonies, religious and burial practices further confirm and maintain that the entire coastal ecosystem of sand dunes and beaches of the Wailua ahupua`a are known and documented burial grounds. Iwi kupuna, the bones of our ancestors were interned in these sands many, many generations before us. Known as, Mahunapu`uone, this place name clearly indicates its role in the life and death cycle of our küpuna as, "the sand dunes that conceal the bones".
The Mayor has decided to forge ahead to construct the pedestrian/bike path on the sands of Mahunapu`uone at Wailua Beach – a decision that we strongly feel was uninformed and misguided. We need your support in establishing an ALTERNATE ROUTE by steering the pathway OFF OF THE BEACH and toward the ma uka alignment BEHIND of Coco Palms.
Contrary to Path advocates’ claims that potential environmental, cultural and spiritual impacts have been addressed, THEY HAVE NOT. The path is only one of several development projects that are simultaneously occurring in Wailua. County, State and Federal authorities HAVE NOT COMPLIED with required laws and regulations, including Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act. The Environmental Assessment is flawed and inadequate for a region as culturally and historically significant as Wailuanuiaho`ano. Please join us in a unified appeal asking for an EIS (Environmental Impact Study). It is our shared duty to protect and care for our environment, culture and the sanctity of the iwi küpuna. We humbly ask for your presence and participation at this very important Public Information Meeting this coming Monday. Your support is needed!
The Mayor has decided to forge ahead to construct the pedestrian/bike path on the sands of Mahunapu`uone at Wailua Beach – a decision that we strongly feel was uninformed and misguided. We need your support in establishing an ALTERNATE ROUTE by steering the pathway OFF OF THE BEACH and toward the ma uka alignment BEHIND of Coco Palms.
Contrary to Path advocates’ claims that potential environmental, cultural and spiritual impacts have been addressed, THEY HAVE NOT. The path is only one of several development projects that are simultaneously occurring in Wailua. County, State and Federal authorities HAVE NOT COMPLIED with required laws and regulations, including Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act. The Environmental Assessment is flawed and inadequate for a region as culturally and historically significant as Wailuanuiaho`ano. Please join us in a unified appeal asking for an EIS (Environmental Impact Study). It is our shared duty to protect and care for our environment, culture and the sanctity of the iwi küpuna. We humbly ask for your presence and participation at this very important Public Information Meeting this coming Monday. Your support is needed!
Public Information Meeting
Wailua – Kapa`a Bike/Pedestrian Path
Kaua`i Convention Hall in Lïhu`e
Monday, December 7 – 6:30p to 8:30p
Wailua – Kapa`a Bike/Pedestrian Path
Kaua`i Convention Hall in Lïhu`e
Monday, December 7 – 6:30p to 8:30p
Sunday, December 6, 2009
I'm Back
Sorry for the week long absence. I was occupied for the entire week and had to take care of some medical issues on Oahu with my daughter. All is good and I will be posting regularly. Thank you for your patience.
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