Posts: 8,481
Threads: 1,033
Joined: May 2003
The fastest growing district in the state is left completely out of the CIP budget from the Department of Water Supply. Where are our council representatives?
Capital improvement projects
(2010-11 Budget)
South Hilo
Kulaimano production well $3 million
Hamakua
Ahualoa power line $500,000
Kukuihaele well improvement $2 million
Ahualoa-Honokaa water line $5 million
North Kohala
Puakea (Kokoiki) reservoir $1.5 million
Kynnersley reservoir $1.5 million
Halaula well phase 2 $3 million
South Kohala
Waimea water treatment plant $500,000
Puako water line replacement $1.4 million
North Kona
Kona baseyard building $700,000
Kahaluu shaft projects $600,000
TOTAL $19.7 million
Source: Department of Water Supply 2010-11 budget
Assume the best and ask questions.
Punaweb moderator
Posts: 57
Threads: 2
Joined: Nov 2009
Rob, why are you surprised by this? Our current local representatives are generally AWOL, physically or mentally, and these types of items seem to slip past them. And no council member from another district is about to step up and say, "What about Puna?"
They take what they can get, and run. We all know the answer to all of these problems: clean house, and install all new representatives for the Puna district, who are willing to step up and be counted at EVERY project that comes along, both County and State levels.
Puna needs to be accounted for, and there are people running who seem to be better quyalified than what we have now.
Loren Baker
baker4puna.com
Loren Baker
baker4puna.com
Posts: 1,062
Threads: 43
Joined: Apr 2009
"Where are our council representatives?"
They are hiding in their offices, in the dark, claiming that they do so to "be green", or they are on yet another trip claiming to have our best interests at heart.
Posts: 246
Threads: 11
Joined: Apr 2008
The budget of the Department of Water Supply is not a County Council matter, actually. DWS is a semi-autonomous agency which receives all of its revenues from fees charged. Its budget and water rates are approved by the Water Board, which is made up of nine citizen volunteers appointed by the mayor.
Posts: 8,481
Threads: 1,033
Joined: May 2003
Well Dave, Vaccinations aren't a county issue but the council seemed compelled to spend time on the topic. I see nothing to prevent our council members for lobbying for our districts water needs except their own inept selves.
Assume the best and ask questions.
Punaweb moderator
Posts: 1,581
Threads: 26
Joined: Jun 2007
But Rob, the Councilmember IS doing something! Isn't warmer water at the pool a high priority? [:o)]
Posts: 28
Threads: 0
Joined: Jan 2009
Hate to break it to you guys......but.....
the majority of Puna has the council member they want. You are clearly not in the majority.
Besides, if you want low density development, AND you want infrastructure to go with it, then you should have chosen Hokulia or Kukio. Infrastructure has a cost associated with it that is indirectly linked to densities. Higher densities = Lower infrastructure costs.
Liberalism thrives on the double standard.
Liberalism thrives on the double standard.
Posts: 210
Threads: 10
Joined: Jun 2008
Looks like Mauka Puna and Ka'u is also missing from the list. I am glad for the information Dave wrote as it confirmed my understanding of the DWS here. Are the 9 reps supposed to be district representatives? If so, does anyone know the one for Puna? Perhaps that is the person to lobby.
It is a costly thing to have a well put in and a system organized. Lord! Is it a cost. We are currently looking over bids right now for our own upgrade to our system and it is a hugely comprehensive process, with associated costs. And we are only upgrading, not adding a whole new system. To Timkona's point, the cost to person ratio can be daunting as infrastructures go.
“A penny saved is a government oversight.”
"Q might have done the right thing for the wrong reason, perhaps we need a good kick in our complacency to get us ready for what's ahead" -- Captain Picard, to Guinan (Q Who?)
