HomeMy WebLinkAboutREP EDC 011 02/11/1986 1984-1988 • REPORT OF THE 111
COMMITTEE ON ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
DATE: February 11 , 1986
PLACE: Councilroom
TIME: 2:00 p.m .
Chairman and Members
Hawaii County Council
Hilo, Hawaii
Your Committee on Economic Development, to which a discussion was
held on allowing private interests to operate , manage and improve
Honokohau Small Boat Harbor , reports as follows:
The purpose of this report is to reflect the discussion which took
place in Committee regarding private interest operating, managing
and improving Honokohau Small Boat Harbor .
Councilmember Herkes read into the record a proposed resolution
urging the State to consider allowing private interests to operate ,
manage and improve Honokohau Small Boat Harbor . Mr . Herkes
indicated that Jack Hall has shown an interest in taking over the
harbor facility at Honokohau. Mr . Hall proposes to provide
improvements to the present facility which include additional
berths, a security system, and telephone, water and electricity
services .
Ian Birnie, District Manager , Harbors Division, Department of
Transportation shared his concerns regarding the private takeover
proposal , indicating that the State has already spent approximately
$2,000 ,000 of public funds , and that the debt service issue and the
matter of real property taxes have not been addressed. He added
that the State received strong opposition to a recent mooring rate
increase, suggesting that the boating public would not welcome a
higher rate in the event of private takeover . Mr . Birnie is in
favor of the development of private harbors to meet the growing
boating demands , however , he does not feel that taking over a public
facility is in the best interest of the public.
Your Committee heard testimony from Kiko Johnston-Kitazawa opposing
the proposal of private interests improving, managing and operating
Honokohau Harbor after public effort and funds have been expended .
State and Federal funds have been expended on this facility which
has provided economic development for the County. He cautioned
placing the public harbor facility in private hands , as this action
would only benefit proponents of the proposal .
Mr . Johnston-Kitazawa suggested that private interests should pool
their resources and construct private harbor facilities .
EDC REPORT NO , 11
ADOPTED: FEB 1 9 1986
411 S
EDC- 11 -2- February 11 , 1986
Your Committee recognizes that the State is unable to proceed with
improvements to Honokohau Harbor at a pace fast enough to fit the
needs of the community. This discussion was intended to stimulate
ideas and encourage private and public entities to work together to
accelerate the expansion of Honokohau Small Boat Harbor .
Your Committee on Economic Development concurs with
Councilmember Herkes ' proposed resolution and recommends its
adoption .
•
LORRAI R. HAKU, CHAIRWOMAN
616 puot
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RUSSELL S. KOKUBUN, VICE CHAIRMAN JAMES L. K. DAHLBERG, MEMB
FRANK DE LUZ III, MEMBER MERLE K. LAI, MEMBER
LA/CM