Just another example of sensationalized journalism. If you read the article...that 2 days of paid leave is only for "salaried" employees (Supervisors, professional and technical). 90% of Hawaii's state government employees are "hourly" workers. And they get nothing.
I've always voted at the HPP hui but today-- nothin'. I did get a mail in ballot (or something) months ago but never opened because I was going in person. Despite a county website still having the hui as the location, I'm assuming there's nowhere to vote in person. If true, why does the county (state?) still take a collective holiday today? If I'm wrong, please lmk I have a few hours still.
I just watched the local news which showed video footage of roads and an intersection flooding in Orchidland. This usually happens on 40th, in the vicinity of Pohaku. Can anyone identify if this is where it is happening? The heaviest rain is yet to come according to the weather report, so everyone please be aware and be safe.
The news report also said the County evacuation center in Kea'au has been opened.
It also showed a flooded road in Eden Rock with a vehicle submerged to its roof, but reported that no one was injured.
In a report from the CATO institute ( https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cato_Institute ) our very own beloved Gov Josh has earned the distinction of a "B" grade and 7th place out of all 50 state governors. First (1st) place went to Iowa's Kim Reynolds. Last place (50th) went to Minnesota's Tim Waltz.
"Governors play a key role in state fiscal policy. They propose budgets, recommend tax changes, and sign or veto tax and spending bills. When the economy is growing, governors can use rising revenues to expand programs or they can return extra revenues to the public through tax cuts. When the economy slows and budgets go into deficit, governors can respond by raising taxes or trimming spending. This report grades governors on their fiscal policies from a limited-government perspective. Governors receiving an A are those who have cut taxes and spending the most, whereas governors receiving an F have increased taxes and spending the most. The grading mechanism is based on seven variables: two spending variables, one revenue variable, and four tax-rate variables. Cato’s state fiscal report has used the same methodology since 2008. The results are data driven. They account for tax and spending actions that affect short-term budgets in the states. However, they do not account for longer-term or structural changes that governors may make, such as reforms to state pension plans. Thus, the results provide one measure of how fiscally conservative each governor is, but they do not reflect all the fiscal actions that governors take."
Here’s a few comments from Hawaii Public Radio about the upcoming election:
2. County charter amendments recap Hawaiʻi Island: Three questions related to council member vacancies, department head appointments, and the Cost of Government Commission.
Constitutional: All Hawaiʻi residents will have the chance to weigh in on two constitutional amendment questions related to marriage equality and judicial appointments.
Based on a survey of 5,000 Americans with a driver’s license — 100 respondents in each state — Hawaii ranked first for changing lanes or turning without signaling, going 20 miles per hour or more over the speed limit and running red lights.
Hawaii drivers also ranked high for other bad behavior on the road, such as driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs and texting while driving.
Following behind the Aloha State in the bad-behavior rankings were drivers in Oregon, New Mexico, Wyoming, Alaska, North Dakota, Connecticut, Vermont, Kansas and West Virginia. Motorists in Mississippi were the best behaved, according to the report by Forbes Advisor, which provides consumer advice on insurance, banking and other financial products and services.
Local drivers who spoke to the Honolulu Star-Advertiser indicated that distracted driving and impatient motorists were larger concerns than some of the other traffic-related behaviors cited in the report.
Kakaako resident Lienny Young, 37, said the number of people with poor driving habits in Hawaii is “outrageous.” She said that on a number of occasions she’s observed drivers who seem to “go crazy” due to impatience.
The Oahu native believes part of the problem may be some mainland transplants who might have different driving habits and a disregard for local rules of the road. But driver behavior also may be a result of increased development on the island in recent years and a “hustle and bustle” city environment that puts people in a mindset to rush around and become more selfish in their driving behavior, she said.
The Forbes Advisor report said 20% of Hawaii respondents admitted changing lanes or turning without signaling; 13% said they drove 20 mph or more over the speed limit in the past month; and 8% indicated they had run a red light.
Nearly half — or 47% — of the Hawaii motorists surveyed admitted speeding less than 10 mph over the limit in the past month.
The survey also revealed that Hawaii drivers ranked second for driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs; third for speeding 10 to 19 mph over the limit; and fourth for texting while driving, speeding to get through a yellow light and angrily honking at another driver. Local motorists ranked sixth for refusing to yield to another driver and seventh for cutting off another driver.
[b]Distracted driving[/b]
Young agreed that distracted driving is a major traffic safety issue, especially those who eat while behind the wheel. The Forbes Advisor report noted that eating while driving was the second-worst driving behavior in the nation, with 29% of survey respondents — 32% in Hawaii — admitting to eating while driving in the previous month.
Young recalled a time when she was eating a burger while driving and almost collided with a moped because both hands weren’t on the wheel.
Honolulu Police Department Maj. James Slayter explained there are three types of distractions while driving: manual, visual and cognitive.
Manual distractions occur when a driver doesn’t have both hands on the steering wheel, such as while eating or texting. Visual distractions happen when a driver takes their eyes off the road, for instance while watching a video or making eye contact while conversing with someone else in the car.
Cognitive distractions involve daydreaming or thinking too deeply about something, preventing the driver from focusing on the journey.
“Those are all habits that could lead to a crash,” Slayter said. “We want people to focus on the road, avoid distractions and remember that taking your eyes off the road for even a fraction of a second can mean the difference between life and death.”
Ryan Birkett, a 43-year-old Kailua resident, admitted that he often eats while driving. “I think that just reflects our society nowadays,” he said. “Everyone’s on the run. There’s not a lot of time to take a break and eat, but it definitely takes the focus off the road.” Birkett drives a Jeep with manual transmission that requires him to keep one hand on the steering wheel and the other on the gear stick at all times. He noted that as much as he tries to avoid distracted driving, his busy schedule often dictates his behavior on the road. Birkett generally views himself as a “safe” and “good” driver, despite admitting to occasionally speeding.
[b]Speeding along[/b]
HPD reported issuing 21,172 speeding tickets last year, and this year, as of Oct. 14, 18,716 speeding tickets had been issued.
Birkett, who moved to Hawaii from Los Angeles 17 years ago, recalled receiving a speeding ticket about 11 p.m. one night while driving on the Pali Highway, where the speed limit is 30 mph.
“On the mainland, more people speed and it’s actually dangerous,” he said. Eriya Morimoto, a 26-year-old Hawaii Kai resident, agreed with Birkett that some of the speed limits in Hawaii are unreasonably low.
“I’ve gotten a ticket for speeding, but I’d argue that the speed limit here is too low in some areas,” Morimoto said.
According to the Federal Highway Administration, Hawaii has the nation’s lowest maximum posted speed limit of 55 mph.
“Speed limits are typically set based on the design of the roadway, considering factors like visibility, grade, surface and expected congestion or density,” Slayter said. “Engineers put a lot of thought into the safety of our roadways; it’s not just an arbitrary number. There’s actually a lot of study, thought and science that goes into the speed limits they post.” Slayter emphasized that speeding is a significant factor in fatal or critical collisions in Hawaii. In 2017, Oahu averaged 90 motor vehicle collisions per day. During the COVID-19 pandemic, that number dropped to about 56 a day, but now, according to Slater, the figures are rising again, with Oahu averaging in the low 70s for motor vehicle collisions each day. HPD also reported that more than 3,500 drivers were cited for excessive speeding last year. As of Oct. 14, more than 4,300 drivers had already been cited for the same offense this year. Additionally, HPD cited 341 drivers for racing on public roads last year, while as of Oct. 14, the number was 204.
“While you may think you’re a good driver and that you can handle Indy 500- or NASCAR-style driving, you need to consider that you could be pushing beyond your abilities,” Slayter said. “If you’re driving faster than your ability to control the vehicle, when an unexpected hazard arises, you may not be able to avoid it.”
Morimoto, who drives an Infiniti G37 Coupe sports car, shared that he occasionally attends car meets where drivers gather to cruise around together and sometimes engage in racing. “The racing culture is amazing. It’s very social and generally safe, but accidents do happen,” he said. “We actually had a friend on a motorcycle pass away during one of these occasions, but it was due to another driver on the road who was allegedly not part of our group.”
[b]Push for safety[/b]
HPD reported that as of early October, Oahu had recorded 36 fatalities related to motor vehicle collisions this year, 13 of which involved speeding and 16 linked to driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Additionally, there have been 39 critical collisions, with 10 associated with speeding and two involving alcohol intoxication.
As of Oct. 14, HPD reported 1,220 arrests for operating a vehicle under the influence of an intoxicant.
Slayter emphasized that education is crucial for improving traffic safety. He noted that HPD partners with schools and community stakeholders, such as Mothers Against Drunk Driving and Walk Wise Hawaii, to spread awareness and educate the public about the importance of safety on the road.
“Granted, we do a lot of enforcement, but that’s only a fraction of the encounters we have on a daily basis,” he said. “Every chance we get, we’re trying to educate drivers on the need to wear their seat belts, the importance of safety equipment and the reasons behind age restrictions on e-bikes.”
Slayter urged drivers to slow down, obey posted speed limits and follow traffic laws, including stopping at red lights and stop signs. He also highlighted the importance of avoiding manual, visual and cognitive distractions that can divert attention from the road. Slayter also stressed the importance of not driving impaired, especially with rideshare options such as Uber and Lyft available, and urged drivers never to get behind the wheel if they’ve taken any substance that could impair their ability to operate a vehicle safely, whether it’s alcohol, recreational drugs or medication.
Aloha all, This post is about the dysfunction that is the HPPOA board. If you are not interested in HPPOA politics (some of which are similar to problems that some other "substandard subdivisions" face) then please feel free to skip.
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Attached you will find the agenda, for the Owners/Members Meeting to be held this Sunday, October 27, 2024, in the HPPOA clubhouse ("activity center") at 3:00 PM This agenda was put together by the board (president?).
Listed, you will find "Special Business," regarding the "burial site." And aside from committee reports, the bulk of the meeting is taken up with bylaw amendments. Currently, there are 11 pages of bylaw amendments. However, when the board run Bylaws Committee finally gets the amendments in correct order for presentation, there will be, roughly, 50 pages for Owners/Members to review, discuss, and vote upon. (No joke)
50 pages seems like a lot- doesnt it? Still, when HPPOA wants to get something done, bygolly, they dig their heels in, get out their bulldozers, and shove it through.
BUT
How many Owners/Members know about the archaeological study that was performed on the Cultural Preservation Site? The report was published in September of 2024 (did you know?). It is 308 pages long, and contains chapters addressing the following:
1. INTRODUCTION
-Study Area Description-
2. BACKGROUND
-A Cultural-Historical Context for the Current Study Area-
*The landscape of Waikahekahe Nui and Iki
*The mythic period: Kane, Pele, 'Ai La au, Hu iaka, and other deities
*Other traditional legendary accounts of Puna
*Settlement of the Puna District an archaeological and cultural perspective
*Chiefly rule in Puna
*The celebrated agricultural landscape of Puna
*Early 19th century descriptions of Puna and the Waikahekahe vicinity
*The Mahele Aina of 1848
*Settling the boundaries of Waikahekahe Nui and Iki Ahupua'a
*Shipman Ranch and the changing landscape of Puna during the late 19th and early 20th century
*W.H. Shipman Ltd. Land Court Application N. 1053
*Sugar Plantation and the Puna District during thr mid-20th century
*Waikahekahe Nui and Iki Ahupua'a during the late-20th century- Hawaiian Paradise Park
-Previous Archaeological Studies-
*Summary of archaeological settlement patterns in the vicinity of the study
(Note: no 3 is listed)
4. RECONNAISSANCE SURVEY FIELDWORK AND FINDING
-Field Methods-
-Results of the Fieldwork-
*Discussion of features by type, distribution, and possible function
*Discussion of feature age and duration of use
5. HISTORIC PRESERVATION AND STEWARDSHIP
-Historic preservation considerations for the future study area-
*Potential site boundaries
*Initial assessment of significance
*Development considerations
*Preliminary consultation
-Stewardship Recommendations For The Study Area
*Recommendation for immediate actions
*Recommendation for additional study
*Recommendation for the creation of long-term stewardship plans
*Conclusion
This long-awaited archaeological study (think decades) is sitting, again waiting. Waiting behind "progress." Waiting behind the "restructure" of what is most important to HPPOA, which is HPPOA (not to be confused with HPP).
So, I ask you Owners/Members, Which is more important?
Rushing through bylaw amendments, because of an impending lawsuit that the board may lose?
Or forgetting about HPPOA's "problems" for a while and focusing on OUR COMMUNITY'S Unfinished Business? A community which has been "divided and ignored" for decades.
This is my idea for an agenda, starting with 12, which I have changed to Community Resource Report
12) Community Resource Report (Judi Houle)
13) Special Order of Business
a) Keoni Alvarez will present information regarding the Burial sites near 16th and Makuu
b)Take Owner/Member questions and engage in discussion, regarding Keoni's information and the Burial Sites
14) Unfinished Business
A) Waikahekahe Nui and Iki Aupua'a
1) Present a timeline of the history, regarding archaeological studies (or lack of) conducted on the Cultural Preservation Site (Rosendahl)
2)Present outlined information taken from the September 2024 Archaeological Report, regarding the Cultural Preservation Site (ASM)
3) Take Owner/Member questions and engage in Discussion, regarding the timeline history (Rosendahl) and currently published archaeological report (ASM)
B) Present some of the efforts (HPPOA, the County, State) that are currently being utilized to proactively protect Hawaiian Historical and Cultural sites and educate residents (not just in HPP) regarding the importance of preserving these sites.
1) Take Owner/Member questions and engage in discussion regarding proactive protection and the need for education, regarding Hawaiian Historical/Cultural sites
C) Introduce the Cultural Preservation Committee
1) Discussion their purpose, work so far, and what their goals are for the future
2) Take Owner/Member questions and engage in discussion, regarding the CPC effort
3) Invite interested persons to attend CPC meetings as a guest, or sign-up to be a member of the Committee.
**(I have always found the CPC chair to be gracious and welcoming of either)
Thoughts?
I am suggesting this, because there has been so much misinformation and fighting about these topics. An owner/member meeting, where people can actually see one another, face to face, share accurate info, discuss, and work on possible solutions, could prove beneficial.
Please pass this on and try (if can) to be at the meeting. Words are one thing, but action says a a lot more.
