HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0153.001 1996-1998 Testimony to the Hawaii County Committee on Planning
Presented by Robert Ritter, March 6,1997 RECEIVED '1~ .
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Aloha, _ County~Coundlf._'
Robert Gottlieb wrote in his book, A Life of Its Own, The Politics and Power of
Water, "Water policy touches our lives in an enormous number of ways. It affects
the water we drink and the food we eat. It is central to irrigation and urban
growth. It addresses water quality and toxicity associated with increasing kinds of
industrial hazards. It is linked to our mighty river systems, deep-water lakes, and
shallow streams. It establishes in legal, political, and economic terms what to
some is sacred but to others is nothing more than a commodity to buy or sell,
transfer or lease. Control over water has ultimately become tantamount to
controlling the destiny of the land and the people who settle on the land."
Because water is so important, I believe the committee should, with all due
respect to Mr.Takeya, be faithful to ArticleXlll, Sectionl3-3 of the Hawaii County
Charter which states, "No appointing authority shall appoint any person to any
office or position which is exempt from the civil service laws until satisfied by
proper investigation that the person to be appointed is fully qualified by
experience and abilities to pertorm the duties of that office."
Is Mr. Takeya experienced or educated in the history, management and politics
of water? Does he have any experience dealing with water issues? Does he
have a working understanding of hydrology, the properties and chemistry of
water, the complexity of aquifers and the disaster potential inherent in abusing
them? Would he recognize and does he realize the consequences of poor water
policies?
The brief statement in the agenda for today states that Mr. Takeya has been a
land broker for the past 25 years. In that time has he had, or does he currently
have relationships with developers or others that might present a conflict of
interest when the time comes to make decisions for the good of the public and/or
for the good of the environment? Will anyone unfairly profit from his appointment
or his voting? Is he willing to excuse himself from voting if and when any such
conflict of interest arises?
The answers to these questions that go to Mr. Takeya's experience and ability
should be the deciding factors in his appointment, not partisan politics. Our
county, our citizens, our land, and our environment cannot afford mistakes that
wind up costing us dearly in the long run. Our county government cannot afford
the perception, real or imagined, that it is not adhering strictly to the County
Charter.
Mahalo ,r.y ^1
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Ref. To: Presented pV _
~r MAR 0 6 1997