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Tent Bill (103) vetoed by Mayor Kenoi
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10-01-2009, 06:04 AM
quote: Are you talking about the Sam living next door to Roberta Banks with Aloha Gutters?
10-01-2009, 07:39 AM
No, not familiar with that Sam. I was referring to the tents on the makai side of Hwy. 130 in the HHL lots, where they often have a shaveice stand at the corner, lately offering a BBQ plate for passersby. I don't have any problem with that community there because I know they give shelter sometimes to otherwise homeless Hawaiians but DHHL DOES have rules against certain temporary shelters on DHHL lands for long periods of time. That was what I was referring to...the conflict between some (not all) in the Hawaiian community and Dept. of Hawaiian Home Lands rules.[
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10-01-2009, 08:37 AM
Cat, yes Kevin worked at the Trib back in the mid- to late-1990s, I believe it was, in between stints at the Honolulu Advertiser. He was the Advertiser's Big Island bureau chief (he replaced the retiring Hugh Clark) before being hired by the mayor. The 'Tiser has since closed that and other neighbor isle bureaus.
While we're talking identities, did you previously work at Argus? If so, I think you may have helped us with our building plans.
10-01-2009, 02:26 PM
quote:If the Bill was introduced to benefit her family personally, it's a violation of the Hawaii County Code of Ethics and possible a criminal violation of Hawaii Revised Statutes. But, all she can be held accountable for was not abstaining from the vote due to a conflict of interest. The Bill was not her Bill. It was Council member Ford's Bill. Talk about orchestration!
10-02-2009, 03:18 AM
Hi Bob...
I may be mistaken but I thought Emily originally introduced the bill when it was immediately found faulty. Then Brenda Ford took it, tweaked it and made it exclusive to Puna. A full orchestration??? Could be but it felt really retaliatory when Ms. Ford pushed it and even found it necessary to restore the bill to a full 3 years rather than the 2 years it got tweaked to in the back-n-forthing. Please correct me if I'm wrong. [:I] fs
10-02-2009, 07:00 AM
Lets say that you are at the lower end of the income spectrum. Somehow you have gathered the money to buy a lot. You need every nickle you can find to build your house - however humble. Further you know that building materials are frequently stolen (this is a real problem everywhere in the US - I had this problem in Maryland). So you put this together and decide that you will get a port-potti and camp on your lot while you build your house. We want to call that a crime? I mean really, this is a crime? Or are we so selfish that we do not care about the person trying to achieve their version of the American dream - we care about our land values. In other words our wealth is more important than the dreams of our neighbors looking basically for simple shelter. Sorry I think that is what this is all about. As to the supposed orchestration - really unlikely. Aunty Em has a heart and we may not all agree with where it takes her - but she is true to her roots and instincts. She sees this as a way to help others get a home - and tht is of primary importance to her. Shouldn't that be important to us?
10-02-2009, 08:55 AM
I don't think it is a crime myself. People do it here regularly. The CoH has no history of preventing people from doing this and rarely, and I mean rarely, enforces camping codes or building codes as it is.
The Tent Bill was passed and vetoed by the Mayor. There was no large outcry at it's passage. There is no general outcry with people legitimately building a home and occupying their property in the process. The only time the CoH might address a complaint is if there is a complaint filed by a neighbor and then it is doubtful anything would be done. More appropriate then a Tent Bill would be an actual effort to address homelessness. It is a real issue and concern and opportunities for housing need to be made more accessible.
Assume the best and ask questions.
Punaweb moderator
10-02-2009, 09:44 AM
We agree on all that. Taking shots at the only Council person trying to solve at least a part of the problem is curious - as you can imagine. Actually Emily has also tried through use of traditional building practices to work other parts of the problem. I may not agree with everything she does - but her thread here is to help this district get homeless off the beaches and into homes - even if through tents for a specified time and under specific guidelines. So, lets work with that. If the other districts are "horrified" with the idea - I really think that is a problem of their compassion for those less fortunate. I have a hard time endorsing that view point. (I now have run out of my daily posts). Bye
10-02-2009, 10:46 AM
Well then we basically agree. To what extent might the Tent Bill be perceived as entitling every bongo boy from the mainland to move here, throw up a tarp and apply for an EBT card?
I can think of very proactive ways to address the needs of housing for people. I worked deeply with Habitat for Humanity for twelve years. I can think of simple things that the CoH might consider to make affordable housing more available - especially in Puna. One might be to allow Ohana Dwelling Units in AG1 lots. Ohanas are permitted in Residential zoning, not Ag. We have a stupid surplus of 3+2 homes all over. More, smaller, affordable homes would accomplish a number of things. Income to help people pay their motgage in tight times and suitable housing for singles, couples and elders. Emily seems to spend a great deal of time accomplishing very little to be frank. Lots of Aloha Talk but she avoids speaking with people she doesn't view as supporters. Her Tent Bill does nothing to solve housing... it simply enables homelessness. Puna continues to be strangled by thoughtless zoning. Another point: If you were by chance a developer of multi family housing (apartments) there is no zoning in Puna to attract you. You would have to face a rezoning battle to consider building apartments. Not everyone needs, can afford or even handle home ownership of a 3+2 on an acre or more.
Assume the best and ask questions.
Punaweb moderator
10-03-2009, 08:19 AM
quote: Okay - I was curious because the other Sam's projects are all permitted and finaled so I was curious! |
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