The $680, no $800 million dollar plan for Puna

[SBH]

“Just because some punatics are paranoid doesn't mean that They are not out to get them!”

I tried to join Paranoid Anonymous but they wouldn’t tell me where they meet.

[BillyB]

"You may be surprised at how many folks in Leilani do not have a mortgage..."

I was thinking more of Kapho and the fact insurance does not cover land value. How much of that was leveraged investment property ? Swaps for farmers Ok , but bailing out REIT's maybe not.

[kalakoa]

how many folks in Leilani do not have a mortgage...

Mostly irrelevant when the assessed valuation is less than the replacement cost.

I note the recurring "$5M - 50 housing units" -- is that $100K/unit "in addition" to the bailout?

Note also the lack of details on "HPP Town Center" -- where will this go, and how is it not "investing in a substandard private subdivision"?

No doubt they'll spend $10 million a mile on roads and sidewalks for our neighborhoods too if we ask, right?

I would settle for $10M worth of gravel/grading over the entire subdivision...

[Obie]

"I was thinking more of Kapho and the fact insurance does not cover land value. How much of that was leveraged investment property ? Swaps for farmers Ok , but bailing out REIT's maybe not."

I owned 3 consolidated lots in Kapoho that were worth $90,000 each.I had no mortgage and it wasn't an investment.

I don't think it would be fair for the taxpayers to bail me or anyone else out, but if anyone gets compensated for their land then we all should.

[kalakoa]

if anyone gets compensated for their land then we all should

If anyone gets free infrastructure upgrades then we all should.

[loffelkopffl]

bailing out the owners lava covered land with taxpayer money is outrageous

[kalakoa]

No more outrageous than subsidizing an airport. The next airport is far away, people in Waimea shouldn't have to drive there.

http://www.westhawaiitoday.com/2018/08/1...a-airport/

[HiloPuna]

Here's a semi-informed prediction:

It looks to me that the County Christmas List is DOA, and so far the Mayors office has **** the sheets.

If the County (which by this I mean the Mayors office) wakes up to reality they will submit a pared down Emergency Response funding request that will result in a Special Session. They have only a few weeks to pull this off, for timing reasons. If they don't nothing will occur till the 2019 session and the County will be in line with every other legislative interest.

To me a successful Special Session "Ask" will be limited to Road Repairs and a Loan Program for affected parties (residential, commercial, ag) I would guess that the loan program could likely have very liberal terms.

It goes without saying that the County will have to commit to improve process, likely Ohana zoning and expedited permitting, things they should have done years ago.

There will be zero appetite to fund infrastructure outside of affected Puna, and that likely includes existing Keaau area. I see No Hilo money, and no pie from the sky.

I believe the Legislatures perspective is driven by both politics and perception. The County "leaking" the wish list looks to me a major error. The fact that Ruderman has animus towards Sen President Kouchi, which is reciprocated, affects the politics on the Senate side. However based on my impressions Kouchi is not heartless, so Puna won't suffer because of this, but Kai Kahele will have to carry the water for Puna on this one. The House is more sympathetic, but the two have to agree.

I'm sure neither the Senate nor the House is sympathetic to the County's approach so far...but know that Puna and East Hawaii are hurting and to a much greater extent than the Spring floods on Kauai that resulted in $150mm +/- in State support.

This is exactly the reason that autocrats like Harry, especially in their decrepitude, should not be in office. Pray that we have a couple more event less years in D.C.

[Frank]

In agreement hilopuna...but Kai Kahele will have to carry the water for Puna

This man needs to Step UP

[reni]

The sympathy that you speak of must start with our own County Government.


One thing I will agree with you on is my recognition that Harry Kim's time in office should be pau. I will continue to like the man and wish him well personally,
but what I have witnessed with his Parks & Rec. Dept, how his admin. chose to speak with the Kalapana residents prior to the eruption and the way his Admin. has handled the residents of Leilani...well, I can't honestly say that he is for the people like I used to believe...
It will be interesting to watch whether the Mayor has the Governor's support that he is so counting on.....now that the primary is pau.