|
I'll move on to my testimony on the Land Fund amendment, which is CA -15. I was the
<br />campaign coordinator since 2006 for the 2% Land Fund, representing the Save Our Lands
<br />Committee. I never meant for this to be my life's work, but it certainly seems to be
<br />turning into that. And, I thank you, too, for serving on this Commission as representing
<br />the citizens of Hawaii County. The 2% for the land fund is really working; the citizens
<br />of Hawaii and the government have acquired Waipio Lookout, Kawa Bay, Pa'o'o and
<br />other parcels. Recently, 115 acres at Kaiholena have been acquired; I think it was almost
<br />$6 million. Pretty soon, the second half of Kawa Bay in Ka`u will be acquired and that
<br />will completely deplete the $11 million that is in the land fund. We need 2% or $4
<br />million to continue the acquisition of these properties.
<br />When I think about the 2% land fund and the incredible process that we all went through
<br />to collect signatures and to get it on the ballot, and do the campaign to get 63% of the
<br />voters to approve of it; the bigger issue is really a citizens trust in government. I had one
<br />man - -this brings tears to my eyes, honestly, when I tell this story - -a local man who came
<br />up to me and said, "Missy, what is this all about ?" So I talked to him and I said, "This is
<br />about saving the land; Hawaii island's great places for our kids and their kids; so we
<br />don't get paved over like Oahu, we don't end up like Maui. We still have these great
<br />places." He said, "I've never voted, but I will go register to vote and come out to vote for
<br />that." I was so pleased, and I had a registration form and I said, "Here, fill it out and I'll
<br />take it and mail it out for you, or you can mail it." And he looked at me and he looked at
<br />down, and I knew that he couldn't read or write, so I sat there and I filled it all out for
<br />him, and I said, "Sign here, and I'll mail it for you. But, you have to promise you are
<br />going to go vote." And he said yes, he would. That to me is what the 2% did. It
<br />empowered voters, it engaged them, it got them up, and it got them really interested in
<br />the process.
<br />Since the Council suspended the 2% fund, people have said to me, "Why should I vote,
<br />nobody listens." That just hurts my heart, it honestly does. When you think about the
<br />2 %, and what a victory it was to get it passed, after the Council wouldn't for two times.
<br />So, I ask you to put it on at 2 %, respect voter's wishes, give them another chance, and
<br />we'll do that. I'll do the rest when you all talk about it.
<br />CHR. HAITSUKA: Thank you, Ms. Hecht. Let's take a ten minute break.
<br />RECESS: At 3:00 p.m., the Chair called for a 10- minute recess.
<br />RECONVENE
<br />The meeting was reconvened at 3:15 p.m.
<br />APPROVAL OF MINUTES January 21, 2010
<br />CHR. HAITSUKA: Is there a motion to approve the minutes of the January 21, 2010
<br />meeting?
<br />W.,
<br />
|