By David Corrigan and Stephanie Salazar

[Video by David Corrigan]

WAIMEA, Hawaii: The Waimea Community Association held its January Town Meeting on Thursday evening. The gathering is becoming a pre-legislative session tradition, allowing the community a chance to interface with elected officials right before another period of crafting state laws.

First district State Senator Malama Solomon was front and center, detailing her priorities for 2012.

Also at the meeting: State Representative Cindy Evans, who explained her goals for the upcoming session.

Also on hand, councilmember Pete Hoffmann, giving an update on Hawaii County issues…

But the night wasn’t just about what the elected officials want… For the third year, attendees let it be known what their “hot button” issues are in Waimea.

Of course, taxes and job creation are always high on the list…

But so were energy and electric bills…

Of course, being held at the Waimea Middle School cafeteria – it stands to reason that plenty of folks in attendance are concerned with the health of state charter schools.

The Kawaihae Harbor always gets attention…

As well as concerns of coqui frogs – slowly making their way into the area surrounding Waimea – and other invasive species.

And in Hawaii, preservation of the island’s precious resources is always a priority…

Also during the meeting, the election of Sherman Warner as the WCA President for a second two-year term, and Patti Cook for Vice President.

And speaking of Patti Cook, its just a short time removed from the Hawaii Supreme Court’s decision to invalidate the 2011 Final Reapportionment Plan, which would have redrawn the political boundaries for elected office across the state.

Patti joined Malama Solomon, Louis Hao, and Steven Pavao in a lawsuit against the plans, because the commission did not exclude all non-permanent residents. The commission voted to include many military members that in the past have been excluded, thus skewing the expected numbers. The court agreed that the commission’s plan was unconstitutional and ordered a new plan to be drawn up. The result will likely be a forth senate seat for the Big Island, and possibly another statehouse seat.