HomeMy WebLinkAboutREP PC 001 01/04/2011 2010-2012REPORT OF THE
COMMITTEE ON PLANNING
DATE: January 4, 2011 Re: Comm. 15
PLACE: Sheraton Keauhou Bay Resort & Spa
78 -128 Ehukai Street
Kailua -Kona, Hawaii
TIME: 1:34 p.m.
Council Chair and Members
Hawaii County Council
Hilo, Hawaii 96720
Your Committee on Planning, to which was referred Communication No. 15 reports as follows:
Communication No. 15, from Mayor Billy Kenoi, dated December 7, 2010, requests
confirmation of the appointment of Mark Travalino of the Council District 8, to the Hawaii
County Leeward planning Commission. Communication No. 15 notes that Mr. Travalino, a
21 -year resident of Hawai'i, is employed at Laborers International Union of North America
Local 368 as a field representative. Mr. Travalino states that he is a Democrat. If confirmed, he
will serve a five year term to end on December 31, 2015. Mr. Travalino was in attendance at the
Keauhou Sheraton Bay Resort & Spa.
Councilmember Smart requested Mr. Travalino address concerns from testifiers regarding his
background. He responded he believes in development done right, that he is not biased, that he
is open, and that he supported O'oma because he believed it was a well designed, sound
development. He feels he makes well informed educated decisions.
Councilmember Pilago stated that Mr. Travalino brings a strong background in union and labor
related areas and asked about his experiences in environmental and community organizations.
He stated that he has been involved in park clean up projects and supports the food basket
program. Councilmember Pilago stated that he was concerned about Mr. Travalino's lack of
community services work
Councilmember Ford asked how he would handle concerns regarding historic sites, Hawaiian
traditions and Hawaiian practices in his decision making. Using `O`oma as an example, she
asked if he would be willing to vote against his own personal opinion in favor of the public's
opinion to help protect cultural resources. He replied that heritage is vital to protect and
confirmed he would be willing to vote based on public opinion. Councilmember Ford stated that
her opinion is that his nomination will create an unbalanced commission
Councilmember Yagong discussed the decision to divide into separate Windward and Leeward
Commissions and the need to keep the Commissions balanced. He stated that developers are
already represented but he would follow the lead of Westside Councilmembers on this
nomination,
PC Report No. 1
PC Report No.
Comm. 15
January 4, 2011
Page 2
Chairman Hoffmann asked if this nomination is time sensitive and Deputy County Clerk Oshiro
responded that the deadline for action is January 22, 2011.
Your Committee on Planning is not in accordance with the purpose and intent of Communication
No. 15 and forwards it to Council with a negative recommendation.
mh
Respectfully submitted,
COMMITTEE ON PLANNING
PETE HOFFMANN,
AYES
NOES
A &E
EX
BLAS
X
FORD
X
HOFFMANN
X
IKEDA
X
ONISHI
X
PILAGO
X
SMART
X
YAGONG
X
1 YOSHIMOTO
X
Respectfully submitted,
COMMITTEE ON PLANNING
PETE HOFFMANN,