quote:
Originally posted by Rob Tucker
As tempting as it may be to lay this issue at the feet of our freshman senator I would like to ask.... what has Gil Kahele been doing to earn his paycheck?
Looked on both Ruderman's and Kahele's websites. Ruderman has Issues, no goals. Kahele has goals, short term and long term. Green, Solomon, Ruderman and Kahele are state senators for Hawaii island, meaning they represent the whole county, but they tend to represent for their districts. In that case, Kahele has done a lot for Hilo and the surrounding area. Many of his goals are in progress.
Kahele's goals from his website:
Short Term Goals
(* denotes high priorities)
Hilo Cargo Facility*: Work out the details of the project between the Contractor, Department of Transportation and the Department of Accounting and General Services. I want to secure the funding so that construction on the building can begin.
Hilo High School Gym*: Continue to work with State and County government to have this project “shovel ready” and construction can begin.
Lanakila Homes: Work with the Hawai#699;i Public Housing Authority and Department of Accounting and General Services to secure a contractor for the repair and remodel of the remaining units that have been in disrepair for years. Once remodeled, there will be 62 more units available for public housing families who desperately need a place to live.
University of Hawai’i Hilo: Facilitate the process between the Administration, Legislature and the University of Hawai#699;i Hilo to ensure progress on two critical projects:
School of Pharmacy Building
Student Housing
Capital improvement projects: Follow up on previously approved projects which have been “on the books” for East Hawai’i but for which monies have not been released. The vast majority of these projects are for maintenance and repair and could create immediate jobs for Hilo contractors and businesses. There are also several new projects that can be expedited, including:
A new Waiakea High School Track
New Waiakeawaena School parking lot on Kino’ole Street
Geothermal power expansion in Puna, Volcano and Ka’u, which will reduce high energy costs for Hawai’i Island residents.
Bakers Beach to Reeds Bay walkway: A walkway (similar to the Coconut Island bridge) from the new Hilo Harbor expansion to the newly opened Reeds Bay beach park. Part of our long term goal of modernizing Banyan Drive.
State Highway 130 improvements: Work with the Department of Transportation to improve the highway between Hilo and Puna by expanding it to four lanes and building the planned roundabout at Kahakai. Install new traffic lights and signals.
Long Term Goals
Invasive species: Continue identifying and eradicating plants and animals that have the potential to decimate our critical agricultural industry and precious native species. Top priority: immediate 100% removal of the Axis Deer population.
Banyan Drive modernization and rejuvenation.
East Hawaii’s public schools: New infrastructure, new classrooms, temperature controlled environments, and technology.
Kulani Prison: Bring our local prisoners back from the mainland, allow local families to be closer to their loved ones and relatives, and save the State millions of dollars that can be re-invested in East Hawaii’s economy.
Papaya export: Increase export to Japan and Asia.
Lunar Aerospace Facility infrastructure at Shipman Industrial Park.
Aviation program at the University of Hawai’i Hilo in conjunction with the Hilo International Airport, encouraging education and economic development.
East Hawai#699;i Charter schools: Expansion, continued funding and additional resources.
University of Hawai’i at Hilo: Support new fields of study at the University to attract more students for research and technology, particularly in Agriculture, Astronomy, Pharmacy and Entomology.
University of Hawai’i at Hilo sports programs: Start new programs such as Men’s Volleyball, bringing more student-athletes to Hilo, more families visiting their children, more schools to compete against. This will help support our small businesses and increase tourism.
Tourism: Continue to work with the Director of the Hawai’i Tourism Authority to expand tourism to East Hawai’i by increasing our air and cruise ship traffic.
“Sister Cities” relationships: Create a long-term partnership with India, the State of Hawai’i and Hilo to create “sister cities” and share knowledge and business opportunities for the future. India is expanding rapidly as a global power in the areas of business and technology. Let’s partner with them to expand East Hawaii in the areas of robotics, sustainable energy and new construction technologies.
"This island Hawaii on this island Earth"
