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District would then be a triangle roughly bounded by the ocean, with a side from <br /> Honokohau Marina to the intersection of Palani Road and Mamalahoa Highway and the <br /> third side from the Palani and Mamalahoa intersection to Keauhou Bay. In fact this <br /> large area would receive the same intangible benefits that Alii Cove would receive. <br /> Downtown blight is nothing new. It is not limited to Kona, the state of Hawai or even the <br /> mainland. Cities ebb and flow in their attractiveness, desirablilty and prominence. I <br /> question who is responsable and what is the best way to make Kona more desireable <br /> and safe. Some would say the quasi-governmental KVBID should get the job done. I <br /> don't agree. I believe a central issue is the Hawai County government's role in this. It is <br /> my understanding that there are no chartered, incorporated city governments on the Big <br /> Island. This raises the question of parity of services received by Hilo and Kona. It is a <br /> question of fact about the comparative level of services. However, if the situation is as <br /> severe in Hilo as it is in Kona, why isn't it necessary for Hilo to have an improvement <br /> district since it is the largest city on thie island? <br /> <br /> A more responsive County government with increased police patrols and protection, a <br /> clean up and maintenance crew and ordenances can make a significant improvement. <br /> Police protection and law enforcement can only be done by a police department. The <br /> protection described by KVBID is informational patrols with no authority to make arrests <br /> and no permission to be on private property. If the lawlessness is as pervasive as <br /> described, private patrols will be ineffective and sitting ducks for determined lawbreakers. <br /> The DLNR seems to be a culprit too. Complaints about the restrooms, restroom <br /> cleanliness and general pier appearance have been voiced at the informational <br /> meetings. Put pressure on DLNR to make their equitable conribution, especially <br /> considering their collection of docking fees, etc. Items such as lanscaping, lighting, <br /> streetscape furnishings, public signage and marketing sound like items that should be <br /> the responsibility of the concerned local merchants and landlords. The state and county <br /> tourism authorities should put in some money too. My understanding is that the tourism <br /> monies currently just go to promotional advertising. <br /> The KVBID, as presented at the informational meetings, is mainly just another layer of <br /> government. The district will contract out virtually all services. It's contribution is <br /> organization and mainly just getting somebody to do something. As astounding as this <br /> sounds, a major desire is to lobby the county government to get what the KVBID <br /> proponents view as their fair share of services. So now the taxpayers are being asked <br /> to fund a separate group to lobby the county for the services which as taxpayers, it <br /> should already be receiving. Apparently concerned citizens have been trying for over 20 <br /> years to get some action, but the requests have not been turned into actions. The <br /> KVBID promoters view this as a last-ditch effort to get something, anything, done. <br /> In conclusion, what can be done now instead of approving the KVBID as presented: <br /> The County can increase police protection and drug enforcement to a proper level. <br /> Drug enforcement may not be popular over all the Big Island, but it is in Kona. <br /> Make the KVBID smaller so it is just the tourist business district with a budget smaller <br /> than $900,000 per year. <br /> KVBID, Schmitt, page 3 <br /> <br />