HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOMM. 072 Williams, ROctober 8, 2009
Dear 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:
1. 4-Year COUNCIL TERMS- I do SUPPORT this Amendment. With 2 year terms, the Council members are
always running for office. By changing to 4 year terms, the Council members would have more time to work on the
many problems facing the County rather than constantly being concerned with being re-elected.
2. 2% FOR THE LAND FUND- I OPPOSE this Amendment. The County of Hawaii already has more parks and
land than they have the resources for maintaining it. Additionally, after excluding Federal, State, County, DOHH,
and the large trusts (Kamehameha Schools, Parker Ranch, etc.), there is a shortage of privately owned, fee simple
land on the Island of Hawaii. Taking more private lands from private ownership is not in the best interest of the
public.
3. VACANCIES: I OPPOSE this amendment. Vacancies of active elected officials rarely occur and the current
system provides for elected officials to determine the replacements without the cost of special elections.
4. APPOINTMENTS TO BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS: I am OPPOSED to changing the present procedure.
This Amendment is intended to weaken the Office of Mayor and would harm our checks and balances form of
government.
5. AMENDING THE CHARTER: Amending the Charter is a serious change that should not be completed upon the
changing political winds of initiative and referendum. The procedure for changing the Charter should be rigorous as
evidenced by the work taken on by this Commission.
Thank you for your effort!
Sincerely,
Robert G. Williams
101 Hualalai Street
Hilo, Hawaii 96720
robert@realestatehawaii.com