Tough Decisions in 2010

Well, the new year is here. 2009 is history and many of us are looking forward to a better year in 2010. I wanted to share some of the issues that will have to be dealt with in the upcoming year. Whether State or County, these issues are critical and need to be resolved. Although in no particular order, these issues are the ones that I believe will have the greatest impact on the people of Kauai. Here they are:

• Education - last year was an embarrassing year for education in Hawaii. To furlough the teachers and take away instructional days from our children is simply unacceptable. As recent as today, the CNN website talked about the shortened school year for Hawaii. We have become the talk of the country, and clearly proved to the world that education is NOT a priority in the Aloha State. In Hawaii, every child was left behind. In 2010, the legislature must mandate minimum instructional days for our kids. I really don't care what the HSTA says! The children of Hawaii MUST be the priority. Politics must not interfere with the education of our children.
• Economy - the State is headed for very tough times. The effects will trickle down to all counties. Money will be tight. The transient accommodation tax will be held by the State. Income tax returns will be delayed. Services will be cut. What will the County do? They only have two options. Cut spending or increase revenue. Revenue can only be increased by raising property tax rates. We cannot kid ourselves. Unless we drastically cut spending, starting with the Mayor's office and down to all departments, property taxes will rise. Also, user fees will have to be explored. We have to start by eliminating all expenditures for non-essential services. We have to get back to basics and fund only the core functions of government. We have to realize that we cannot have our cake and eat it too.
• Solid Waste - according to County officials, Kekaha Landfill will be at capacity in 2014. I believe that it will be sooner. It takes approximately 7 years to construct a new landfill. This is if all goes well with the EIS process. This does not take into account land acquisition. It will take about 5 years to construct a waste to energy facility. Again, this is if all goes well with the EIS process. Add on land acquisition, planning and design, we really don't have time to waste. If condemnation is involved, the time period can be extended by 10 years. In other words, we are heading for a MAJOR public health issue in just a few years. The decision to place a landfill in the middle of the Kauai Coffee Plantation, the largest coffee plantation in the country, is a terrible mistake. The landowner, A&B Properties, have already stated their opposition to the plan. These lands that the County is planning to condemn has already been designated important ag lands by the State of Hawaii. This is a lose-lose situation and the Mayor and County Council should stop the process now before more time is wasted. Furthermore, we should also accelerate the transition to waste to energy. The studies have been concluded and it was clearly shown that Kauai can benefit from waste to energy technology without compromising an aggressive recycling program. As Nike said, JUST DO IT!
• Vacation Rentals on Ag Land - although illegal under State law, the Council is considering passing a County law that would allow vacation rentals on lands zoned ag. This is a bad precedent to set, as the County should never attempt to circumvent State law. I'm not sure what the motivation is, but the word is that this law is close to being passed.
• Environmental Protection - aggressive efforts must be taken to save our beaches and coastlines. Private landowners have made a mockery of our Planning Department. Illegal structures, manipulated shorelines, unpermitted uses, falsified permit applications, and the lack of enforcement have turned the north shore into a resort area. Enforcement is vital to ensure the protection of our resources. We are witnessing the destruction of our beaches and coastlines, and in some cases, even facilitating the damage.

As you can see, 2010 will be no walk in the park. We all have to make adjustments to survive. We must hold our leaders accountable. We have to let them know how we feel. Tough decisions will have to be made. Only time will tell.