03-06-2017, 03:46 PM
quote:Aloha, Sir. I trust all is well with you, and your ohana. Mahalo for this venue for good discussion. You are also a long standing ohana here in Puna, and I hold you in the highest regard.
Originally posted by Rob Tucker
I always listen to what you say opihikao... and do not want to casually cast the Shipman name as ill-intended. But before we idolize the family let me ask you this...
Are not the Shipmans a measurable part of the plantation mentality and greed that gave Puna 80,000+ lots with no roads, no services and no respect? All by bending the then Board of Supervisors to their will and ignoring the laws regarding sub division here? Problems that seem to be intractable?
When hundreds of Puna residents put forth their collective energy to write the Puna Community Development Plan over the course of two years - and got it passed at council - was it not Bill Walter of Shipman, in collusion with J Yoshimoto, who got the privilege of personally editing the community plan so it met his personal approval? Was that not a living extension of The Plantation?
If I am wrong, please let me know.
In response to your questions and comments, which have valid points and concerns, I will respond as follows:
First, if my respect of the Shipman ohana warrants the word "idolize", my apologies for not stating my position more clearly. I added the "disclaimer" due to the long standing relationship between the Shipman ohana and my Kupuna... who I do revere and perhaps "idolize" (after Akua, and Aumakua). I prefer to use the term (not so loosely) "fond aloha" and great respect for the Shipmans, given our ohana history.
All of what you stated is of grave concern today; wasn't so much back then, perhaps. If we look at the big picture, could any of the elected officials at the time predict what Puna is today? That would be a tall order. Not many had the foresight ('ike), nor the fortitude to deal with the "political" aspect of Puna's growth. "Statesmen" are of the past, unfortunately.
Nevertheless, in my opinion, the "blame" lies within the laws that dictate what can, and cannot be done with land. The elected officials today (the past 30 years, especially) continue to approve all permits, from the County, to the State, up to the Federal level (funding).
Shipman is one of many, who must work with the government to achieve their goals as a landowner. The government, via "elected officials", has the final decision. I will reiterate that the Shipman ohana is from here, keiki o ka 'aina, and will have the community from which they hail, given due consideration in their planning. A foreigner, not so much, in my opinion.
The entire General Plan for this County (Moku o Keawe) needs revisiting, Sir. It is time for Puna to reap the benefits of ALL the taxes, land sales, leases, rentals, etc., that the government continues to collect from all of us. Our infrastructure is an abomination. Our public services are miniscule given our growth.
Our recent (over 20 years) elected officials for Puna have very little standing/influence in Oahu, never mind Washington, D.C. At least not enough to be effective. Piecemeal doesn't work anymore; not for Puna.
I look forward to better days ahead, Sir, because we're not going anywhere. What we can contribute to Puna for the greater good, we will. Our ohana has our "marching orders" from Kupuna, as I believe the Shipman ohana has from their Kupuna. We all have our charge, and I am proud to be part of this community, as my ohana has for over 8 generations.
I thank you for the opportunity to express my mana'o, with due respect. Be well, Sir. Mahalo nui.
Mahalo ke Akua, e na Aumakua, e na Kupuna.
JMO.