Comm No 0005.01 - GMAC Legislative HIstory - Sept 14 2018

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ballot. So that was the reason for waving. At this time I would like to call on Councilmember Pete Hoffmann to give comment to Bill 260. » Yes, thank you, Mr. Pilago, I appreciate it. First of all I'm certainly in strong support of any type of a game management commission. I go back about 2 years ago when we had very contentious discussions regarding the protection of our near -shore marine resources, particularly on the West side of the island when we were talking about reef fishing, aquatic management, you, many of you may remember that. I'm sorry that the point wasn't made as strong then as it is right now, that says we do have a responsibility as far as I'm concerned as members of this Council, as elected officials, to protect and defend and to guard against the preservation and the use of our own near term or near shore aquatic resources. It's this particular issue, of course is framed more today I heard from hunters. I didn't hear one fisherman come in here. I didn't hear one marine related individual speak about this. But I got to tell you, we're missing the boat folks. Now I'm not going to try to juxtapose the advantages of hunting as compared to fishing. That, that isn't the issue. The issue is both need to be responsibly managed. I am not satisfied that DNLR has done that job adequately for the benefit of this island rather than the State. More importantly, I was a little bit put, put off by comments made by other members of the administration during the course of that long and somewhat heated discussion that we had 2 years when I sponsored the bills, it was a resolution actually, regarding the use of aquarium fisherman, fishing and so forth, in which I was told pointblank this is not the responsibility of this Council, this is a State responsibility. Now I got to tell you I disagree strongly with that type of a, of a statement and stand by any member of the administration or any future administration, enough is enough. I do not believe that the State has managed this in the best interest of the people of the County of Hawaii. And I do feel a responsibility as a member of this Council and I hope that's shared by other members of this, of this particular body, that we do have a responsibility to you, as the residents of this island and to ourselves in trying to make sure we maintain in some way, shape or form responsibility for the use of our own resources. Now, there are a number of different questions that I would have regarding the establishment of the commission. Let's remember though what this is. We're not even debating the efficacy, truly, we shouldn't be, of whether this is a good idea or not. The concept is, is there. The point is is whether we should allow you as the, as the people who are voting on this to determine whether it should happen or not. And I'd like to define or try to constrain a little bit the contentiousness of the issue and try to keep it focused on the idea we're not discussing whether it's the greatest thing in the world and all the details on how the commission should work. It's more important I think to say should you, as people of this island, have a responsibility or the right to determine whether the establishment of this commission should occur or not. I believe it should. And that's where I'd like to leave the discussion at this particular time. Thank you. » Thank you, Councilmember Hoffmann. Comments well taken. » A note... » Mr. Pilago. » Thank you, Councilmember Hoffmann. Of note, this is a first of 3 required readings. This amendment to the Charter amends Article 6, Chapter 9 by creating a new section. Therefore, it requires a two-thirds vote of the entire membership and that's required, a two-thirds vote is required to pass each of 3 required readings. That's pursuant to Section 11