07-16-2010, 05:12 AM
Jeffrey, please let me know when you have made a connection with the HPP Parks Committee. I closely follow HPP affairs and would hope that the office quickly gets you in touch.
As for the park itself, the Mayor promised "not a Mercedes park, but a Honda park." I suppose that means "good quality, but not fancy." Whether that includes all the amenities in the CDP would seem doubtful in the current County financial climate. When I pressed him on how it would be paid for, he said it would be in the Capital Improvements Budget. Of course, he didn't mention that the Council would have to approve that, and his cousin Emily has a poor record of getting Puna items included.
The ultimate bugaboo in this picture may well be the road from Highway 130 to the park. IMHO, the County should upgrade and take over the stretch of Makuu Drive leading to the proposed park. This would seem fair since an attractive park with even a few of the CDP listed amenities would generate a lot of outside traffic on the currently "private" Makuu. Accepting any responsibility for private subdivision roads, however, has perennially been a toxic subject for the County. I'm not saying that it has never happened or will never happen, but it's not something that they would lightly take on.
My summary comment on the Mayor's promise is, "We'll see."
As for the park itself, the Mayor promised "not a Mercedes park, but a Honda park." I suppose that means "good quality, but not fancy." Whether that includes all the amenities in the CDP would seem doubtful in the current County financial climate. When I pressed him on how it would be paid for, he said it would be in the Capital Improvements Budget. Of course, he didn't mention that the Council would have to approve that, and his cousin Emily has a poor record of getting Puna items included.
The ultimate bugaboo in this picture may well be the road from Highway 130 to the park. IMHO, the County should upgrade and take over the stretch of Makuu Drive leading to the proposed park. This would seem fair since an attractive park with even a few of the CDP listed amenities would generate a lot of outside traffic on the currently "private" Makuu. Accepting any responsibility for private subdivision roads, however, has perennially been a toxic subject for the County. I'm not saying that it has never happened or will never happen, but it's not something that they would lightly take on.
My summary comment on the Mayor's promise is, "We'll see."