HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0088.085 1998-2000 April 6, 1999
Bob Jacobson
POB 900 RECEIVED '
Kurtis[own, Hawaii, 96760 11,me.~._
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Honorable Chairman James Arakaki and Members of the Hawaii County Council pa1o------~`1= -2_`1
25 Aupuni Street - County Council
Hilo, Hawaii
Honorable Chairman and Members of the Hawaii County Council,
I have three topics I would like to comment on today. My first statement concerns approval of the proposed Zoning
Code, Bill 250 Draft 9. I feel that your duty is to pass the best quality legislation possible. So please amend Bill
Z50 Draft 9 with the changes called for by current councilmembers and the public now. Then pass a finished quality
document later. Please do not pass this curcent version under the idea that you will amend it later. You still have
plenty of time before court mandates come into effect. I know that amending this bill will require several more
heazings, but it will save time and effort later, if you do a good job now. I have always believed in doing the best
job possible first when acting in my own chosen profession. There are times when lives are directly at stake At
that point one may recognize the need for certain unusual expeditious actions However. no lives will be lost ifyou
amend this now and pass a completed quality bill in a month or so in fact, careless passage of an imperfect bill will
jeopardize the quality of life for future generations and us. In particular Councilwoman Jacobson's amendment to
delete the automatic approvals demonstrates one such improvement to this draft. This amendment and other
amendments brought forward by current councilpersons and those testifying at hearings on this bill should be
included before this bill is passed. Remember that it is the task that is not started that takes the longest to finish,
amend then pass.
My second area of interest is the Kaupulehu rezoning. f would pose several questions to all of you to either answer
or ponder before you vote on this project.
I) Do you believe there is a shortage of available lots and housing in West Hawaii or on the Big Island?
2) Are you at all concerned that this 1,000-unit project will further depress prices of real estate currently held
by residents and owners?
My final wncerns revolve around what I feel is the use of Hawaii County Corporation Counsel's time and
resources by Mayor Yamashiro in a failed attempt to intimidate and punish those citizens who exercise their
constitutional rights. To be very specific, I protest the nuisance suit filed by Hawaii County Corporation Counsel to
recover fees from me and 47 others. These fees were incurred while defending citizen Stephen Yamashiro from
campaign spending and political action improprieties recognized by the Hawaii State Campaign Spending
Commission. In fact, the matter is still under investigation and further charges are expected to be filed against
Steven Yamashiro for his illegal non-authorized activities. The Corporation Counsel is a publicly funded office and
should not be used for personal vendettas by any mayor (Democrat, Green, Independent or Republican). Please
remind Corp Council and the Mayor of this fact and request that citizen Yamashiro to repay the county for time
spent by Corporation Counsel to defend him in his own legal troubles. My motions were filed pro se. I didn't ask
anyone to pay my fees.
Public fees should properly billed to Citizen Yamashiro by the County and State of Hawaii. An estimate of these
fees can be found in fees Steven Christensen outlined in his pleadings for sanctions against the irradiation 4S. State
costs could be estimated using Aaron Schulaner Hawaii Deputy Attorney General pleadings
Please amend then pass Bill 250; think about the [rue cos[ ofthe 1,000 unit Kaupulehu Project, and finally let
Hawaii County Corporation Counsel do o ly County work.
Aloha,
Bob Jacobson
Comm. No. ~ ~ • ~8S
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