HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0452.011 2008-2010
Hawai'i County Council Finance Committee
9:30 AM Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Comments in support of Communication 452.1 amending Resolution 216-09
Cory (Martha) Harden, PO Box 10265, Hilo, Occupied Hawaii 96721
808-968-8965 mhOinterpac.net
Who should have the final say when the people's land is sold? One finance director, or nine
Council members who answer directly to the people? I'd say the Council.
As others have said, normally real estate terms of sale are disclosed before the sale--not after.
I commend Mr. Yagong for Communication 452.1, and once again standing up for openness
about selling prices and intended uses of the Hamakua lands. I also commend the organizers,
and hundred or so attendees, of Saturday's rally in Honoka'a for openness.
Please consider adding conditions and deed restrictions to Resolution 216-09, and to information
given to prospective buyers, as suggested by Finance Director Nancy Crawford for Bill 132. I"d
add that these restrictions should run with the land, and apply to all future owners. This may
address concerns about discrimination.
We're told these Hamakua lands must be sold to make up budget shortfalls. If it's that bad, I urge
certain Council members to pay back the County for $23,000 in legal fees, plus whatever it cost
to re-do numerous Council actions, all due to the Sunshine Law lawsuit.
We're told the extra two to six weeks needed to give the people the final say is too long. But this
would be "the largest disposal of assets in Hawai'i County history." Many people are opposed
to the sales. And the Office of Information Practices is still investigating alleged Sunshine Law
violations. So I think the Council should err on the side of more openness and citizen
involvement.
Councilmember Guy Enriques said, "Give us a chance to make errors before you start
legislating." But errors have already been made. After the County sold 660 acres of Hamakua
land in 2005, the selling price then multiplied three-fold that year, and almost eight-fold in two
years. The County increased the value of its Mud Lane land by paving the road--but only after it
was sold. The County is also planning a Public Works baseyard on road frontage on about 1000
acres of prime land.--which will probably lower the land value.
Ms. Crawford says "Zoning and land use should be adequate to dictate the use of real property."
But looking at all our agriculture land with no agriculture, and our Mauna Kea conservation
district with industrial structures--telescopes--1 can't agree.
It's disturbing that selling plans for the Hamakua lands would preclude input from the Hamakua
Community Development Plan. It's also disturbing that the County chose not to hold
Environmental Assessment hearings on Hamakua parcels in 2005 and also this year.
Mr. Enriques says "Transparency has got to end someplace..." I'd say, not before the people
know who's buying, for how much, and why.
**["Sell, sell, sell, " West Hawaii Today, 8-30-09] S t I
Comm. No.
Ref. To: P7~ rz:
Ref. Dote OCT 2 0. 70019