Point taken, Delta, and thanks for the disclosure. [
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By the same token, the community has the right to call public agencies, make their concerns known, gather evidence on violations, and put pressure on the system to enforce its penalties to the max they can, no? [
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kalakoa, I couldnÔt and didnÔt try to answer your broad questions on GMO and how government decisions get made.
I had the opportunity to sit down with a group of Planners in a room for an hour or two with some community leaders, and to listen to their thinking and their constraints, which was a new and educational experience for me, and this related to WatsonÔs other project, so thatÔs why IÔm commenting.
I also participated in the community effort that blocked the rezoning and subdivision of ag land into urban zoning of PapaÔikou Point (tabled for now).
My only point here is that there are tools for combatting unwanted development, which may or may not work. As the people of the community manage to present a united front, that does concern our representatives. These are the people who vote them into office, and I think itÔs becoming more of a priority to please them. Plus the people are making better choices in some cases on who they vote in.
ItÔs helpful that some people who are very able to understand the tangled rules have moved here now. I was wowed by some of the write-ups I saw on how to fight PapaÔikou Point at each level of approval, for example.
IÔm wowed by the abilities of people who grew up here, their smarts, their ability to negotiate, their comfort level with the process here, and most of all their extremely good intentions.
Another thing I learned is that certain leaders of the community can call up public agencies and get a meeting at short notice. I could never do that. My friends could. These people donÔt have any money to speak of, but they have earned respect, and they are not ignored.
My opinion, if you want changes, go ally yourselves with respected community leaders and put your shoulder to the wheel. DonÔt say it canÔt be done or it is no use trying.
