Ka`u News Briefs Aug. 10, 2012

Dominic Yagong, Harry Kim and Billy Kenoi vie for Hawai`i County mayor in tomorrow's primary election.

TOMORROW IS PRIMARY ELECTION DAY, with polls open from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Polling places in Ka`u are at Pahala School Cafeteria, Na`alehu Elementary School and Ocean View Community Center. Closer to Kona, polling places are at Miloli`i Halau, Ho`okena Elementary School and St. Benedict Catholic Church. In Volcano, votes are cast at Cooper Center. Another polling place is at Mt. View Elementary School.
      See yesterday’s news briefs for state House and Senate candidates. Here are candidates for Hawai`i County mayor and County Council District 6 on the ballot tomorrow:

HAWAI`I COUNTY MAYOR:

INCUMBENT BILLY KENOI lists his priorities and accomplishments on his website. These include continuing “to provide core county government services to the people of Hawai`i Island while shrinking the size and cost of government,” “improving the efficiency of government and sound fiscal management,” securing more than $115 million in federal American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funds for projects like the Ane Keohokalole Highway in Kona, expanding the Hele-On Bus system, opening and improving parks and playgrounds, taking care of vulnerable neighbors, friends, and family by preserving social safeguards under Social Services and continuing to invest in public safety infrastructure and equipment. See billykenoi.com.

HARRY KIM, former two-time Hawai`i mayor and former county Civil Defense director, bases his campaign on refraining from taking any more than $10 a person for campaign donations. During his term as mayor he also refused the typical freebies, even lunch at such nonpolitical events as credit union meetings where he was giving public speeches. Kim recently re-entered public debate over the state’s proposal to exempt geothermal drilling from environmental reviews. He flew to Honolulu and gave an impassioned speech objecting to such exemptions, leading to the state Department of Health’s Environmental Council rejecting the exemptions. Kim said he is not against geothermal and other alternative energies for the Big Island but wants to make sure they are done safely for people and the environment. He is also campaigning against continued use of landfills, saying he would like to see a garbage-to-energy plant on the island, according to a report at bigislandnow.com. 

COUNTY COUNCIL MEMBER DOMINIC YAGONG’S website outlines his plans. He wants to develop a public/private partnership for government services “that produces jobs in the private sector.” Regarding the county budget, Yagong wants to reduce government perks and entitlements, redirect money to core county services and reduce the number of high-salaried positions. He supports sustainable agriculture and wants to make public lands available at affordable terms for farmers. Yagong promotes renewable energy development including solar, hydro, wind, ocean biofuels and geothermal. He also wants to create a public/private partnership to achieve maximum recycling and diversion from landfills. See dominicyagong.com.

COUNTY COUNCIL DISTRICT 6:

Maile David, who works for the County Council's legislative office, seeks
a first term as County Council member.  Photo by Charles Tobias

MAILE DAVID said she advocates and supports: cultural sustainability and economic self sufficiency; sustainable, diversified agriculture; programs that utilize natural and cultural resources as learning classrooms; energy sustainability programs; product branding and truth in labeling; aggressive federal, state and county collaboration to address and minimize the impact of invasive species; watershed protection; preservation of natural and cultural resources; safe routes to school programs; and planned growth consistent with Community Development Plans. David stresses her heritage and connection with Hawai`i. She said she supports an Environmental Impact Statement for the proposed refinery along Wood Valley Road above Pahala. See mailedavid.com.

Three-time County Council member Brenda Ford seeks office in the new
District 6. Photo by David Howard Donald

BRENDA FORD lists her top priorities as: construct Ocean View Transfer Station; create a teleconferencing site in Ka`u so residents can conveniently testify before governmental agencies; complete construction of Pahala Emergency Shelter and Gym; complete Mamalahoa bypass road to Napo`opo`o junction; pass Volcano Village Community Plan; support truth in labeling and country of origin labeling for any agricultural products with a Hawaiian regional name; start partnership with county, state, UH, and private enterprise to build West Hawai`i University campus. She said she supports an Environmental Impact Statement for the proposed refinery along Wood Valley Road in Pahala. See brendaford.org.

Lee McIntosh, a landscaper, cartoonist and volunteer, seeks a first term as
County Council member. Photo by Charles Tobias

LEE MCINTOSH says his priority issues are: “Life - government derives its power from you, the people; liberty - the purpose of government is to protect your God-given rights; limited but effective government - big government continually encroaches upon your liberty; individual responsibility - I trust you more than the government to make better decisions about your life; fiscal accountability - government should be held responsible for how your tax dollars are spent; and equality of opportunity - you should be allowed the chance to succeed in life.” See leemcintosh.org

Bradley Westervelt, former County Council legislative assistant and
former owner of PT Cafe, seeks a first term.
Photo by David Howard Donald

 BRADLEY WESTERVELT says his key platform topic is sustainability for the economy, environment and people, which he proposes to achieve by: reducing inefficiency and waste in government; streamlining processes; reducing homeownership costs; balancing the budget; investing in infrastructure; better branding county and exploring tourism opportunities; building incentives to buy local; re-establishing role of government to one that serves its people; balancing conservation and opportunities for the people; and focusing Council on problems that help the economy and community. He said there probably should be an Environmental Impact Statement for the proposed refinery along Wood Valley Road above Pahala. See bradwestervelt.com.

Kawa Flats Final EA is available online.

KAWA FLATS FINAL ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT is available for review by the public at oeqc.doh.hawaii.gov. The state Department of Transportation plans to raise Hwy 11 above the low-lying lands where flooding cuts off transportation around the island and cuts off communities from emergency services. The EA includes a summary of the early history of Ka`u.

LEILEHUA YUEN AND MANU JOSIAH present a 50-minute narrated demonstration of the preparation, protocol and offering of traditional hula and chant tomorrow at 10:30 a.m. at the hula platform near Volcano Art Center Gallery in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. Hands-on cultural demonstrations take place from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on the gallery’s porch. Donations are welcome, and park entrance fees apply.

SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS AT PAHALAPLANTATIONCOTTAGES.COM AND KAUCOFFEEMILL.COM.