06-16-2008, 05:25 AM
Re: Legislative issues vs. candidates, it is disheartening when discussions become like personal vendettas and IMHO, has led to fewer people willing to post on PunaWeb lately. Does the discussion have to be so vitriolic?
Jerry, I appreciate your listing of issues you'd like candidates to respond to.
quote:1. Lack of sanitation and other facilities at popular state-owned ocean front locations in Puna such as Champagne Pond and Kehena Beach. (And the lack of recreational opportunities in general.)
2. State Department of Transportation plans for Highway 130 and meaningful citizen input on those plans.
3. Support for charter schools and necessary reforms to the State Education Department to insure their equitable treatment and funding.
4. Utility regulatory reform to unhook the consumer cost of renewable electrical energy sources from petroleum prices.
However, how many legislative sessions do we have to go through to realize the Legislature is NOT the body to look to for answers to these issues?
In particular, your issues #s 2 and 3 are the very reasons the people of Hawaii should convene a Constitutional Convention! (Issue #4 is a FEDERALLY mandated rule...at least it was when geothermal power was being hooked up in Puna during the CARTER Administration.)
The State Legislators are too consumed with holding on to their own power, public worker union leadership (NOT the rank-and-file union members) are too consumed with protecting state constitutional union mandates, and both are using fear tactics to discourage the citizenry from wanting a ConCon. And both are Honolulu dominated!
Many recognize a Constitutional Convention is the only way rural Hawaii (including rural Oahu) can manifest real change to Hawaii's status quo.
Look at how many non-HNL legislators and volunteer citizens worked on the Sustainable Hawaii 2050 study, only to have it derailed at the last minute by the State House leadership led by Speaker Calvin Say and the HNL financial fatcats!
Those arguing against the ConCon say it's too expensive, special interests will be in charge, our government doesn't need fixing, etc. etc.
Hello...nothing developed in a ConCon gets into the State Constitution without the approval of the state's voters following the close of the ConCon!
And a ConCon gives citizens other than State Legislators a chance to impact our basic governance. Sure, some legislators run for ConCon seats but they are a minority.
I must take this opportunity to express my gratitude to the leadership that included the provision in our State Constitution that if 10 years have passed without the Legislature calling for a ConCon, then the issue MUST be put to the entire population on the next ballot.
That is why Hawaii's voters will all have to opportunity to speak up for a ConCon this election. Don't let the naysayers put you off having a chance to really do something about the many basic issues facing us here in our beautiful island home. []
Aloha and malama pono, Crankie Frankie