Important questions about the PCDP

[Rob Tucker]

One of our FoPF members of long experience in Hawaii reminds me that some history of the PCDP might be of interest to some of you. I will let her jump in and identify herself and correct me if I misquote some facts....

This PCDP is the result of lawsuits filed in years past which threatened the release of Federal Highway Funds in Hawaii. On a State and County level it was determined that the General Plans in use at that time were basically produced with input from large landowners with minimal public participation.

The Federal Government required, in settlement, that community members be consulted on development plans. Hence, things like the Puna, Kona, Kohala Community Development Plans.

It may be that once the "input" is taken it doesn't actually matter if the community planning is actually implemented. The input was gathered, records of meeting attendance documented, and with the failure of the "community plan" the original General Plan survives intact.

I am not the one to know in full truth what is taking place in Hilo tomorrow..... but I do intend to be there to watch.

Make of this what you will.

I will say that if the above reflects the situation then FoPF is proving to be a real pain in the okole to someone. You may take that as an invite to join us if you are like minded.