09-24-2007, 07:39 AM
Stacy Higa, the main proponent for the very flawed big box ban, is a Hilo politician generally considered the poster child for the "good old boy network." His notoriety for rude and threatening behavior has even made the local press from time to time, particulary in reference to his intimidation of another council person's staff member and some of his buddies threatening to break someone's camera at a public event in Kona.
Some local wags even say his middle initials should be KTA. Just to mix up the political categories, he will bash WalMart for its treatment of the little guys with one hand and cozy up to the union busting, multi-millionaire new operator of the Naniloa Resort Hotel in Hilo with the other. What a guy!
Higa seems to have somehow convinced a majority of the Council that it is OK to keep out a major opportunity for reducing the cost of living for the vast majority in order to protect the interests of a small minority.
It is amazingly paternalistic for a so-called Populist to refuse to allow the people to choose for themselves.
Edited by - Chunkster on 09/24/2007 11:40:58
Some local wags even say his middle initials should be KTA. Just to mix up the political categories, he will bash WalMart for its treatment of the little guys with one hand and cozy up to the union busting, multi-millionaire new operator of the Naniloa Resort Hotel in Hilo with the other. What a guy!
Higa seems to have somehow convinced a majority of the Council that it is OK to keep out a major opportunity for reducing the cost of living for the vast majority in order to protect the interests of a small minority.
It is amazingly paternalistic for a so-called Populist to refuse to allow the people to choose for themselves.
Edited by - Chunkster on 09/24/2007 11:40:58