Every Tuesday at 7 p.m. HST Master Gardener Jon Biloon discusses agriculture and politics on www.Bigislandlive.com. Jon will take questions from the home audience during the broadcast. For the past few decades Mr. Biloon has taught guerilla gardening techniques and consulted farmers on a wide variety of issues. Previously, Jon hosted a talk show on Big Island Radio station KCOF 105.5 FM and then developed a following after being featured on www.coasttocoastam.com, one of the largest radio talk shows in the world. Now Master Gardener Jon Biloon is ready to engage the audience sharing his personal knowledge and experience on how to live a more sustainable healthy lifestyle. Be sure to tune into the show every week on Big Island Live.
Congressman Neil Abercrombie at Waiakea High School talking about his run for the governor's office in 2010. Photos and Videos by Baron Sekiya/Hawaii247.org
Karin Stanton/Hawaii247.org Contributing Editor
U.S. Congressman Neil Abercrombie said if he is to win the Democrat slot in the race for governor in 2010, it will be due to neighbor island voters.
The 10-term congressman made stops Monday in Kona and Waiakea after the weekend announcement that he wants to come home to Hawaii – or more specifically to the governor’s residence of Washington Place.
“This is not a stepping stone for me,” Abercrombie told about three dozen supporters gathered Monday morning at Old Kona Airport. “This is cornerstone of the future of Hawaii. I’m not running for anything. We’re running.”
Hawaii247.org photo by Karin Stanton)” width=”356″ height=”428″ />
He said he was pleased with the response he received during visits Sunday to Maui and Kauai, and that support will be critical if he is to carry the Democratic nomination into the 2010 general election.
“This nomination will be won on the neighbor islands,” he said.
Abercrombie is the first Democrat to announce his candidacy. Others considering a run include former congressman and Big Island native Ed Case, Honolulu Mayor Mufi Hannemann and state Sen. Colleen Hanabusa.
Lt. Gov. James “Duke” Aiona is the lone Republican candidate to date.
Reaching out to the neighbor island populations is getting easier with the increased use of the Internet and wireless communication, Abercrombie said.
He said he was encouraged by President Barack Obama’s campaign, which relied more heavily on the Internet, social networking and online video than any previous race.
“We’re going to unite the islands in the movement,” he said. “We are going to create our own community.”
Abercrombie said he realizes it is early to jump into the 2010 race, but he wants to make sure Hawaii is ready to take advantage of what he predicts will be Democratic rule – from the White House to the U.S. Senate to the U.S. House of Representatives.
He said he believes the economy will take until at least 2010 to fully recover and a state Democratic leadership will be best able to manage Hawaii’s future.
“A recession always hits the mainland before it hits us and it’s on its way,” he said. “We already have a high cost of living and it really can hurt people. This recovery, we need more. We need to be moving faster. 2010 will be the bellweather for this.”
He also is eager to capitalize on the positive energy of the 2008 presidential race.
“We’ve set the agenda nationally and need to set the agenda for the state,” he said. “I have no interest in a personal political agenda.”
Congressman Neil Abercrombie answers questions from the audience regarding his position on issues in his run for governor. Photo by Baron Sekiya/Hawaii247.org
Abercrombie said he hoped his supporters at this early stage would get informed, get involved and consider serving as precinct captains.
“It’s going to take everyone here,” he said. “This is Iowa for us.”
Already, though, he has identified four priorities for his campaign: economic recovery; a safe, clean environment; energy independence; and quality education.
He also spoke of the importance of protecting and promoting the Hawaii brand – from Maui onions to Kona coffee.
Addressing a coffee farmer, he said, ” you’re one of my heroes.”
Abercrombie said the state should support farmers and the agricultural industry.
“The Hawaii brand is worldwide. We’ve already got the goodwill from everyone,” he said, and the state should be doing everything it can to promote, market and protect it.
Abercrombie said he realizes much can change, priorities can shift and issues can materialize during his candidacy, but he is ready.
“It just reminds me you think you know what challenges you are facing, but fate and circumstances can change that,” he said.
He left his Kona supporters with something to mull in the many, many months before the September 2010 primary election.
“When you think about who’s going to sit in the governor’s chair, think alphabetically,” he said.
Abercrombie also met Monday with members of the media before his campaign kick off in Hilo. About 25 people showed up Monday afternoon at the Waiakea event.
The congressman said he was returning to Washington, D.C. late Monday.
HONOLULU – The Governor’s West Hawai‘i Community Advisory Council will meet on Wednesday, December 10, 2008, at the Natural Energy Laboratory of Hawai‘i Authority (NELHA) Gateway Center, at 73-4460 Queen Ka‘ahumanu Highway #101, in Kailua-Kona. The meeting begins at 5:30 p.m. The public is invited to attend.
The Governor’s West Hawai‘i Community Advisory Council will have an open discussion on priorities regarding state government in West Hawai‘i for the upcoming year. The Council will also discuss future meeting venues, community issues and guest speakers. Public testimony will also be welcomed.
“The Governor encourages the public to attend to share any concerns or suggestions they may have regarding state government and the issues that should be addressed in the new year,” said Andy Smith, the Governor’s West Hawai‘i Liaison.
Governor Linda Lingle created community advisory councils to give the neighbor islands a stronger voice in state government. The West Hawai‘i Community Advisory Council holds monthly public meetings to seek community input and advise the Governor of important issues, public priorities, and recommendations for state boards and commissions.
Members of the Governor’s West Hawai‘i Community Advisory Council are Rick Vidgen, Estela Halverson, Lei Kihoi, Glennon Gingo, Dale Fergerstrom and Elaine Watai from Kona; Doug Carr from Waikoloa; Joanne Ralston from Kapa‘au; and Beverly Byouk from Ocean View.
Anyone requiring special assistance or accommodations to participate at this meeting may call 327-4953. For additional information on neighbor island community advisory councils, including meeting minutes and agendas, visit the Governor’s Web site at www.hawaii.gov/gov.
Councilman J. Yoshimoto, Mayor Billy Kenoi, Councilman Guy Enriques, Councilwoman Brenda Ford during inauguration ceremonies.
Billy Kenoi, center, recites the oath of office from Judge Ronald Ibarra, left, as Council Chair J. Yoshimoto watches during inaugural ceremonies at Afook-Chinen Civic Auditorium.
A member of the audience gets a snapshot of the Hawaii County Council taking the oath of office during inaugural ceremonies in Afook-Chinen Civic Auditorium.
Lunch provided after inaugural ceremonies.
more photos to come
Karin Stanton/Hawaii247.org Contributing Editor
HILO — Mayor Billy Kenoi used his inaugural speech to promise a hiring freeze for county government, an efficient and reliable bus transit system and a new system to track requests and applications.
A crowd of hundreds gathered Monday in Afook-Chinen Civic Stadium to watch as Kenoi, the nine-member county council and prosecuting attorney were sworn in.
Kenoi’s speech included many of the topics that were hot button issues for previous administrations and the nearly year-long mayoral campaign.
Kenoi said he wants to connect all the communities across the island with their county government and keep the lines of communication open.
“It’s not a time for finger-pointing, it’s a time for leadership,” Kenoi said. “I don’t intend to govern from one office in Hilo.”
Kenoi noted the county is headed for a time of increasing unemployment, slow job growth, declining revenues and likely a slow recovery from the economic slump.
He said he will work with state legislators to maximize the positive impact of available resources.
Near the top of his speech, Kenoi mentioned a hiring freeze for county government as a fiscally responsible move.
As he had repeatedly stressed during the campaign, the island would greatly benefit from a safe, efficient and reliable bus transit system. He did not mention how he intends to pay for it during his speech.
Kenoi also called for a tracking system for county applications and requests. Another of his campaign bullet points, such a system would allow applicants to monitor where their paperwork is, whose desk it is on and when a decision should be made.
Such a system would speed up permit applications and make departments and workers more accountable, Kenoi said.
Although there may be less money, Kenoi said some issues cannot be pushed aside, including finding a solution to the island’s rapidly piling up solid waste problem and straightening out infrastructure.
The new mayor, an attorney and former executive assistant in Mayor Harry Kim’s adminstration, thanked his family and supporters, and recognized the responsibility Big Island voters gave him last month.
“I will be here every single day to honor that faith and honor that trust,” he said.
Kenoi will serve for four years. The Big Island mayor’s office is non-partisan.
Mayor Harry Kim, who was not in attendance, has said he plans to retire. Kim has suffered at least two heart attacks in recent years.
In addition to his eight years as mayor, Kim served the Big Island as its Civil Defense Administration chief for more than two decades, and also as a teacher and youth coach. His students included Billy Kenoi, the man who succeeds him in the county’s top spot.
J. Yoshimoto, of Hilo, took over as council chairman, echoing Kenoi’s economic restraint and called for government efficiency.
“We need to find ways to do more with less,” he said, adding he intends to return to the general fund some funding that already has been allotted to the council.
Also returning to the council are: Donald Ikeda of Hilo, Dominic Yagong of Hamakua, Pete Hoffmann of Kohala, Brenda Ford of Kona and Emily Naeole of Ka’u.
New to the council this term are: Dennis Onishi of Hilo, Guy Enriques of Ka’u and Kelly Greenwell of Kona.
(Eds. Note: Hawaii247.org is kicking off its semi-regular feature ‘Straight from the Source’ with this column by Kona Councilwoman Brenda Ford. The idea is to give a list of questions to leaders and notable figures in the community, then let them talk directly to readers. Who do you want to hear from? What questions are you burning to ask? Let us know and we’ll hunt down the people who have the answers.)
Brenda Ford is the County Council representative for District 7 – Central Kona (South half of North Kona and the north half of South Kona). She begins her second two-year term Monday, Dec. 1.
H: What are the top issues or priorities right now and what’s the best way to tackle them?
In no particular order:
• Build the Captain Cook Police Station that will operate 24/7 with a full staff of officers and management (land already purchased & engineering design occurring)
• Complete the Laaloa extension to Kuakini Highway (improve traffic in the area and improve safety; engineering being completed by end of 2008)
• Complete the extension of Lako Street to Alii Drive (safety, evacuation, and reduce traffic on all streets in the area)
• Replace damaged playground structures in Higashihara Park
• Repave Kuakini Highway between Lunapule and Queen Kaahumanu Highway & repave the Seaview Circle streets
• Continue to try to reduce flooding in Kona
• Redistricting changes for fair reapportionment in council districts, and
• Keep the local economy employed by using bonds and federal grants to fix and renovate county buildings, parks, roads, and flood control projects.
H: How is the new council going to differ from the last one?
There is no way to tell at this time. While the westside had a quasi-majority during the 2006-8 term, the majority has moved again to the eastside. We will need to wait to see what changes there will be for the westside.
I can tell you what the outgoing council accomplished. The 2006-8 term accomplished:
• Kona Community Development Plan
• Passed charter amendment for two Planning Commissions (Windward and Leeward)
• Passed charter amendment for an Independent Legislative Auditor
• Passed charter amendment for increased criminal fines
• Passed charter amendment for improvements to the Initiative and Referendum process
• Started the Kona Business Improvement District
• The West Hawaii Civic Center was funded with a bond that does not allow those funds to be used for anything else and the contract was awarded for construction, and
• Bought the land for the new Captain Cook Police Station.
H: What changes do you see coming for the Big Island?
The financial meltdown on the mainland will continue to negatively impact the island, the work force, and certainly real estate. Major legislation should not be impacted by the economy. We still need to do our jobs.
H: The current economic conditions likely will mean cuts to county services or agencies. Where might we feel the pinch?
It is possible, but that decision is made by the mayor (Executive Branch) not the legislative branch (County Council). It may be necessary to control expeditures by the council members (e.g. travel out of state or county).
H: Which of the amendments approved in the last election will have the biggest impact?
The Kona Community Development Plan and the Leeward Planning Commission will have the most impact on the westside.
H: What’s the best part of your job? What’s the part you enjoy the least?
Working with the community to try to resolve problems is the best part of this job. The vast majority of our employees work very hard for the public and it is really a joy to work with them. The least enjoyable part is the length of time it takes to go through the process of fixing infrastructure, but whatever it takes, I do.
H: Where’s your favorite Big Island spot to relax and enjoy the scenery?
Home.
H: Where were you the morning of Oct. 15, 2006, when our last big earthquake struck?
At home. After checking the structural integrity of our house, my husband Larry and I activated as Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) members with our neighbors to check the structural integrity and safety of our neighbors’ homes, then the CERT team checked all of the major congregation locations (stores, hotels, etc.) and houses on public streets to see if anyone needed help. Fortunately, no one was injured and all structures were standing. Everyone should receive CERT training: first aid, search and rescue, fire safety, and team building.
Big Island Mayor-elect Billy Kenoi has announced a few key appointments officially, while others have been trumpeted in a variety of public forums over the weekend.
Wally Lau, who has been the director of Neighborhood Place of Kona for 10 years, will take over as deputy managing director, Kenoi confirmed Friday.
Kenoi cited Lau’s long experience in social service work, his board membership with Kamehameha Schools, and his humble spirit as reasons for the appointment. He said Lau understands West Hawaii development trends and can work well with various groups of people. Lau will work out of the mayor’s office in Kona and represent the mayor on a day-to-day basis.
Kenoi also named West Hawaii Today reporter Bobby Command to the newly created position of executive assistant for West Hawaii. Command, who served as sports editor, news editor and as a reporter during 25 years at WHT, will spearhead West Hawaii projects and ensure they get completed.
Kenoi said Command’s long history in Kona gives him background and perspective to help get projects completed.
Also Saturday, the Honolulu Advertiser announced its Big Island reporter Kevin Dayton will be joining Kenoi’s administration. Dayton, who was attached to the 25th Infantry Division (Light) at Schofield Barracks back in 1985, also will have the title of executive assistant.
Saturday morning, Hunter Bishop, former Hawaii Tribune-Herald reporter and current Puna blogger, will sign on as Kenoi’s public information officer. He said he will blog no more, but will continue to be an advocate for Puna.
Last week, Kenoi announced former finance director William Takaba as managing director.
Takaba’s deputy director, Nancy Crawford, will become county finance director, with Deanna Sako, currently the Finance Department’s account division chief, slotting in as deputy finance director.
Kenoi said Saturday he has no other appointments solidified. He has appointed interim directors, people currently within the departments, in the departments of Planning, Public Works, and Parks and Recreation to ensure the county continues to function smoothly.
— Find out more:
* Hear a 30-minute interview with Mayor-elect Billy Kenoi on “Island Issues,” which airs Sunday, Nov. 30, at 6:30 a.m. on KKOA 107.7 FM and at 8 a.m. on LAVA 105.3 FM and online at 8 a.m., www.lava105.com.
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