06-12-2008, 12:36 AM
On May 20, 2008, the County Council met to vote on Bill 276 which would have placed on the General Election Ballot a proposed County Charter Amendment that would have the Redistricting Commission revise the Council Districts with new population data that is available. The population growth of Puna would certainly mean that Puna would have two council seats on the County Council and a stronger voice.
This bill would have given the voters a chance to either accept of reject the proposed amendment to the County Charter. Unfortunately, Bill 276 could not get the necessary votes to pass it on to the voters in November. A 2/3 vote of the County Council was necessary. It missed by one vote.
Bill 276: Initiates a Charter Amendment to Article III, Legislative Branch, County Council, Section 3-17, of the Hawai‘i County Charter 2000 (2006 Edition), Relating to the County Reapportionment Commission, Amending Section 3-17 in its Entirety, Renaming it the Redistricting Commission, and Establishing Appropriate
Redistricting Criteria. {The proposed amendment replaces the language of the present Section 3-17 in its entirety and renames the section, “County Redistricting and the Redistricting Commission”.}; PWIRC-67.
FAILED DUE TO THE FOLLOWING VOTE (2/3 VOTE REQUIRED):
AYES: Council Members Ford, Jacobson, Pilago, Yagong, and
Chair Hoffmann – 5. [
]
NOES: Council Members Higa, Ikeda, Naeole, and Yoshimoto – 4.
[V]
ABSENT: None.
EXCUSED: None.
I can understand the Hilo Councilmen voting against Bill 276 because it would mean that one of their districts would be reconfigured along with Ka'u. Our Ka'u Councilman voted in favor of the measure but our Puna Councilwoman voted against Bill 276 that would have given the voters an opportunity to decide.
I am starting a petition so we can get enough signatures to place the Redistricting issue on the ballot so voters can decide. I need your "kokua" to make this happen....We have a big mountain to climb and I believe in Puna and "Keeping Puna Pono". If you would like to kokua in gathering signatures, please contact me at: kale4puna@gmail.com.
Malama Aina,
Kale Gumapac
This bill would have given the voters a chance to either accept of reject the proposed amendment to the County Charter. Unfortunately, Bill 276 could not get the necessary votes to pass it on to the voters in November. A 2/3 vote of the County Council was necessary. It missed by one vote.
Bill 276: Initiates a Charter Amendment to Article III, Legislative Branch, County Council, Section 3-17, of the Hawai‘i County Charter 2000 (2006 Edition), Relating to the County Reapportionment Commission, Amending Section 3-17 in its Entirety, Renaming it the Redistricting Commission, and Establishing Appropriate
Redistricting Criteria. {The proposed amendment replaces the language of the present Section 3-17 in its entirety and renames the section, “County Redistricting and the Redistricting Commission”.}; PWIRC-67.
FAILED DUE TO THE FOLLOWING VOTE (2/3 VOTE REQUIRED):
AYES: Council Members Ford, Jacobson, Pilago, Yagong, and
Chair Hoffmann – 5. [
] NOES: Council Members Higa, Ikeda, Naeole, and Yoshimoto – 4.
[V]
ABSENT: None.
EXCUSED: None.
I can understand the Hilo Councilmen voting against Bill 276 because it would mean that one of their districts would be reconfigured along with Ka'u. Our Ka'u Councilman voted in favor of the measure but our Puna Councilwoman voted against Bill 276 that would have given the voters an opportunity to decide.
I am starting a petition so we can get enough signatures to place the Redistricting issue on the ballot so voters can decide. I need your "kokua" to make this happen....We have a big mountain to climb and I believe in Puna and "Keeping Puna Pono". If you would like to kokua in gathering signatures, please contact me at: kale4puna@gmail.com.
Malama Aina,
Kale Gumapac
]