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Hawai`i County Council - 2 December 18. 2002 <br /> I wanted to ask you—when you had the public meetings, which I was not an <br /> attendee, did the beneficiaries generally feel positively about this—the direction <br /> of which it was going? I realize there's some unresolved issues, but— <br /> MR. SOON: Honestly. I would say it's, probably, split. The Kona <br /> meeting was not nearly as well attended as the other two—and it was, <br /> primarily, positive. The Waimea meeting—I would say, on balance, it <br /> was positive. The Hilo meeting, on balance, was negative. There were <br /> many more people opposed to some of the provisions. <br /> Some of it centered around not wanting to yield any authority to the <br /> County. Some of it centered around believing that we weren't just <br /> clarifying but, rather, giving up some rights. And some of it <br /> centered around wanting to have an agreement that was statewide as <br /> opposed to—centered on just one county. <br /> So, yes, there were more "negative" at the Hilo meeting. But, I <br /> would say, on balance.overall—it was split. <br /> I also would say, as you all know being public figures—typically, in <br /> a meeting like this, you're going to get people who are more <br /> "opposed"than in "favor". We did hear from many, many people <br /> in favor—especially, people who have had difficulty getting service <br /> or had difficulty getting a building permit—and who are paying <br /> taxes and doing everything else as a citizen—both at the State and <br /> the County. We've heard from them saying, "Right on. That's <br /> what we want—is we want to be treated like any other citizen of <br /> Hawai`i County-. <br /> MR. TYLER: Okay. Thank you. I appreciate that. And will you <br /> be having an opportunity to brief your successor, Mr. (inaudible) <br /> and his staff, to bring him up to speed so they can continue on the <br /> good work, here? <br /> MR. SOON: We already have—Mica is going to be terrific. He <br /> has spent a great deal of time in the Department already. And <br /> more—I will serve to the end of the month and we expect to <br /> transfer as much of what I know on to him, as quickly as possible. <br /> MR. TYLER: Okay. Well, "mahalo nui". I really appreciate that. <br /> Thank you very much, Mr. Chairman. <br /> MR. SOON: Thank you. <br /> Page 47 <br />