HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOMM. 052 Hill, H - TestimonyOctober 5, 2009
ALOHA COMMISSION CHAIRMAN Edmund Haitsuka and COMMISSION MEMBERS David Fuertes, Daphne
Honma, Casey Jarman, Guy Kaulukukui, Jamae Kawauchi, Joseph Kealoha, Alapaki Nahale, Susie Osborne, Todd
Shumway and Scott Unger
Thank you for serving on this very important commission to update our Hawaii County Charter. Please consider the
following amendments when making your decisions on how to update our county charter:
I SUPPORT THE FOLLOWING CHECKED AMENDMENTS:
X 4-Year COUNCIL TERMS- I DO support
X 2% FOR THE LAND FUND- other counties have this funding set aside as part of their charter so
citizens can count on funds being available to acquire access to beaches and mountains, preserve
culturally important land areas and sites, beaches, coastal area, agricultural lands, protect natural
resources, significant habitat or eco-systems, water quality and water systems, including buffer
zones. This would remove this funding from yearly budget wrangling and have the funds available to
attract matching funds.
X VACANCIES- I support this amendment, because voters should have some say in this process. if an elected
official dies, resigns, is recalled or impeached, the 2nd highest vote getter in the last election could serve OR the
public should be able to have a "say " who shall serve for the rest of the term by a special election by mail.
X APPOINTMENTS TO BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS- I support this amendment because it gives the
council members the right to nominate people for boards and commissions, the Mayor can give comments and
the public has a time to weigh in. Council members know who is qualified and involved in their districts better
than the Mayor.
X AMENDING THE CHARTER- I support using the same process and procedure as Initiative and Referendum
to amend the charter as was written by the League of Women Voters and approved by voters in 2008.
X FUNDING FOR THE LEGISLATIVE AUDITOR'S OFFICE- I support providing the legislative auditor's
office with funding that is independent of the budget process, so they are not beholden to the council and they
can do their work independently.
X COUNCIL COMMITTEES- I support having set standing committees for the County council. I support that
notices should be sent 6 calendar days before committee and council meetings and that council matters can only
be delayed by one meeting and that each council member shall have one vote on each committee.
X REDISTRICTING- it is important to have each council district to have approximately the same amount of
people and the island to be divided into 9 equal districts. Federal guidelines should be followed, the process
clearly defined and a report made to the people in an open and transparent manner.
OUR CHARTER IS THE HIGHEST LAW OF HAWAII COUNTY.
I support open and transparent government.
Mahalo!
Hana Hill
PO Box 3559
Kailua Kona, HI 96745
hanahill@gmail.com