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+--- Thread: Activating Revitalization (/showthread.php?tid=22850)
Activating Revitalization - Sam Son - 10-14-2022
. The sixth Revitalize Puna Community Activation Meeting held on Tuesday certainly filled up the Pahoa gym. The crowd included greeters, presenters, half the County Building employees, child-care providers, specialists, consultants, an entire Civil Defense team, politicians, FEMA representatives, enough co-chairs to swamp a racing canoe, and the cutest costumed little red fire ant imaginable. Unfortunately, audience attendance declines with every event, and for the first time ever there were more salaried officials than interested Puna residents. At the current rate, if they have a couple more meetings the only members of the community showing up will be me and three screwy old ladies.
Not surprisingly, the introductions took up a huge chunk of the allotted time. The congratulations, praise, and applause went on and on. But eventually a few speakers did fill us in on what's currently being accomplished.
The Pohoiki boat ramp consultant explained that all the options presented at the August community meeting have been scrapped, and now the new plan is to convince next year's State legislature to spend a gazillion dollars removing all the sand from the only accessible beach in Puna. It's called the "Air Quotes, Dredge Everything Alternative" and could be a biddable project by July 2023. Or it could be a huge waste of time and money that goes absolutely nowhere.
Mayor Mitch made a short speech. If he didn't look and act so darn much like Dopey in the original, animated Snow White movie, I might be able to take him a little more seriously. But personally, I've never seen a former County prosecutor with less cojones. He didn't have a clue what to do with the Mauna Kea blockaders, he's floundering in the shorebreak at Waipio Valley, and he still won't let anybody look at the spectacular, four-year-old beaches at Kapoho. My theory is that the humongous red cinder balls blocking the road down to the Kumukahi lighthouse are Freudian.
The Hawaii Tourism Association guy gave us some encouraging statistics and explained that managing tourism includes such things as urging visitors to shop local, not hassle the turtles, obey No Trespassing signs, and avoid dining anywhere that lists roasted nene and creme of honu soup on the menu.
Finally, with a few minutes left to go, we got to the question-and-answer part. Boy, was I every excited when my submission was one on the only ones selected to be read out loud: "Why has public access to the southern half of the beach at Isaac Hale Park been shut off?" Unfortunately, nobody knew.
I might not get very revitalized at these meetings, but I sure do find them entertaining.
Cowabunga, Dudes!
RE: Activating Revitalization - kalianna - 10-14-2022
Thanks for your take on this. I had read about it in the paper, but good to hear from someone who actually went. I am allergic to meetings, which usually results in mounting frustration and drastic increase in blood pressure, followed by a rude outburst on my part, and culminating in yet another vow to never go to another meeting. Good for you for your fortitude.
RE: Activating Revitalization - kalakoa - 10-14-2022
could be a biddable project by July 2023.
Bid cycle to be followed by loser(s) filing a grievance, funding authorization expires while project is re-bid, appeal to Legislature for new funding (skipping election-year sessions), contested case hearing against DLNR, three other lawsuits from "concerned residents", appeal to State Supreme Court followed by different lawsuit in US District court and begging for intervention from the US Supreme Court. By this time combustion engines are illegal, so groundbreaking will be on hold pending the availability of electric D9s and the infrastructure to charge them.
Beach will officially be closed to the public "for your safety and security" but locals will cut down the fencing until County stops bothering to enforce.
Enjoy it while you can.
RE: Activating Revitalization - AaronM - 10-14-2022
"enjoy" YMMV
RE: Activating Revitalization - Obie - 10-14-2022
A little truth might help here.
"he still won't let anybody look at the spectacular, four-year-old beaches at Kapoho. My theory is that the humongous red cinder balls blocking the road down to the Kumukahi lighthouse are Freudian."
Mitch Roth and the County are not holding this up. The road to the lighthouse was built across private property after the 1960 eruption. The property owner now will not allow the road to be built across private property. The property owner originally blocked off that access to protect the ancient Heaau and the burials out there. The county is going to have to protect the Heaau and any other Hawaiian sites.
Highway 137 to KBC Road and the Lighthouse Road are next to be rebuilt.
"Why has public access to the southern half of the beach at Isaac Hale Park been shut off?"
It can't be accessed without crossing private property. Ask the property owner.
"He didn't have a clue what to do with the Mauna Kea blockaders"
I think you are talking about Harry Kim. It happened when he was Mayor.
"The Pohoiki boat ramp consultant explained that all the options presented at the August community meeting have been scrapped, and now the new plan is to convince next year's State legislature to spend a gazillion dollars removing all the sand from the only accessible beach in Puna."
They are restoring a boat ramp for the local fishermen. Swimming should have never been allowed to begin with. They are also going to fill in the small hot ponds because they are little cesspools filled with disease carrying pathogens. The state has the money to give everyone a tax rebate that so far has cost $160,000,000. They should have enough to build a boat ramp.
RE: Activating Revitalization - ChunksterK - 10-14-2022
(10-14-2022, 07:18 PM)Obie Wrote: "He didn't have a clue what to do with the Mauna Kea blockaders"Harry Kim was indeed the mayor during the Mauna Kea debacle, but Mitch Roth as Prosecuting Attorney at the time could have shown some backbone and actively prosecuted those arrested. Instead, he dropped and/or reduced a lot of the charges and never seriously sought to follow the law. If you add his recent effort to restrict access to Waipio Valley based on a totally laughable engineering "study," Sam Son's Dopey the Dwarf moniker fits.
I think you are talking about Harry Kim. It happened when he was Mayor.
RE: Activating Revitalization - HereOnThePrimalEdge - 10-14-2022
A little truth might
Obie, if you attend the next meeting I will too, as the person who introduces you:
“Without further adieu may I present Obie, a regular citizen, who is here tonight to answer questions which your Hawaii County officials are unable to.”
RE: Activating Revitalization - Obie - 10-14-2022
I didn't go because I would have been arrested. I assume you are making fun of me or something.
Our HOA of VHCA and our water association KKWA has been working behind the scenes and is my source of information.
Our HOA President was there representing us. We don't all need to go.
The County runs this dog and pony show for the public.
DPW was not going to restore the water lines to that area until we reminded them that we had deeded a water line, fire hydrants and numerous water meters that we paid for back to the County with the understanding that they be maintained by the County and we would be provided with water in perpetuity. They were going to use the Federal funds they got to build a well and waterlines for Shipman's new subdivision along with improvements in Kona.
A short talk with our lawyer caused them to reverse that decision.
The county also bought grounds maintenance equipment for the Hilo muni golf course.
Do you realize that the delays in rebuilding was brought on by Harry? He, On his own, declared that the entire area was to be abandoned and had his office file all of the proper forms with the Federal Government. It has taken 4 years to straighten all of that out to restart the process.
We have loans and grants lined up to start rebuilding our subdivision as soon as we have access.
RE: Activating Revitalization - MyManao - 10-14-2022
(10-14-2022, 08:29 PM)HereOnThePrimalEdge Wrote: Obie, if you attend..
I imagine the real task will be keeping him sober.. after all those meeting are after noon.
RE: Activating Revitalization - Obie - 10-14-2022
Bite my ass you low life piece of shit.