August 20, 2010 – Kona, Hawaii
Video by David Corrigan
A resolution to abandon the western end of Kamaoa Road in Ka’u so it can become the dominion of ranchers who use it to access their property was postponed Tuesday. Instead, the Hawaii County Council’s Finance Committee decided to arrange for a public hearing and site visit to the location.
5 of the 6 landowners are in favor of claiming the road, and it will likely be gated if the transaction is approved. However, some other residents in the area were crying foul over the proposal.
The site visit and public meeting will be held sometime after the Sept. 18 primary election.
Extended video Aug. 17 Finance Comittee regarding RES. 377-10
| KAMAOA ROAD MAP STUDY
Get
the Flash Player to see this player. Ka’u Councilman Guy Enriques explains the situation along Kamaoa Road using a projected map during the Finance Committee meeting. Enriques also explains why he introduced resolution 377-10, authorizing the abandonment of the Old Homestead Road near South Point, so that adjoining ranchowners can purchase and gate the road. The resolution generated controversy during the committee meeting on Tuesday. |
| ABEL OBJECTS
Get
the Flash Player to see this player. Abel Simeona Lui, konohiki and controversial resident of Kawaa in Ka’u, “objects” to the discussion of the Kamaoa road privatization… and he does so in the middle of councilman Guy Enriques presentation. Abel, who is not directly impacted by the Kamaoa Road situation, is nonetheless known for interrupting meetings on behalf of Hawaiian Sovereignty. |
| YAGONG WIEGHS-IN
Get
the Flash Player to see this player. Dominic Yagong, the councilman representing the Hamakua district, warns the committee that the move to sell Kamaoa Road to the ranchers may limit access, and sets a precedent for the so-called Roads in Limbo that he says could result in a massive sell-off of public roads. |
| HOFFMANN RAISES ETHICS QUESTION
Get
the Flash Player to see this player. Kohala Councilman Pete Hoffmann asks Guy Enriques to consider recusing himself from a vote on the Kamaoa Road issue in light of allegations that the resolution introduced by the Ka’u representative is a political payback for campaign boosters. Enriques responds, blaming the rumor on the media for what he says is divisive coverage. |
| BRENDA FORD EXAMINES MAP
Get
the Flash Player to see this player. Brenda Ford takes a second look at the map, and questions a resident who is displeased with the resolution to sell Kamaoa Road. During the South Kona councilwoman’s questioning, Puna councilwoman Emily Naeole-Beason loses her patience with the delay, exclaiming “Get a life!” |
| EMILY SHARES HER MANA’O
Get
the Flash Player to see this player. Puna councilwoman Emily Naeole-Beason defends Guy Enriques, saying she knows what its like to feel attacked in the press and expressing her disdain for other councilmembers who come to her district and “stir the pot”, a referance to a recent political meeting held by Ford and Yagong in Puna. |
| VOTE FOR HEARING, SITE VISIT
Get
the Flash Player to see this player. After lengthy debate, Yagong makes a motion to hold a public hearing in Ka’u and conduct a site visit to Kamaoa Road. 6th district councilman Guy Enriques objects to the idea, saying that the hearing will not be well attended by folks from the affected area and will only further divide the residents. After massive procedural confusion, the council decided to hold the public hearing and site visit sometime after the primary election. |
by Big Island Video News
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STORY SUMMARY
August 20, 2010 – Kona, Hawaii Video by David Corrigan A resolution to abandon the western end of Kamaoa Road in Ka’u so it can become the dominion of ranchers who use it to access their property was postponed Tuesday. Instead, the Hawaii County Council’s Finance Committee decided to arrange for a public hearing and […]