Park service continues to hold up progress
I’m growing weary of the National Park Service’s repeated attempts to stop development in North Kona. They’ve held up three different projects that I’m aware of over the past 14 years. The NPS has intervened in the Kaloko Makai, Kaloko Industrial Park expansion phases III and IV and the second phase of the Queen Kaahumanu Highway widening.
The latter project was slated to start in 2011, but the National Park Service intervened and requested a Section 106 consultation. This opened the door for Native Hawaiian organizations to intervene. The net result of these delays is approximately 100 construction workers on the bench and a much-needed highway widening stalled.
The National Park Service also intervened in TSA Corp.’s petition to reclassify 102 acres of land for the Kaloko Light Industrial Park expansion. It did a case study titled “Using State Laws And Regulations To Protect Parks From Adjacent Development,” which detailed its actions in this matter.
TSA Corp. wasn’t able to start construction until mid-2007 because of the National Park Service’s intervention. However, the overall economy was sliding into the Great Recession at that time. These lots remain unsold to this day. The TSA Corp. never recouped its $43 million investment as a result.
History is about to repeat itself on a more devastating scale if the Commission on Water Resource Management approves the NPS’s petition to designate the Keauhou aquifer as a water management area. The Department of Water Supply won’t be issuing new water meters until they can determine how much existing usage there is. In addition, all new requests for water will have to go through a quasi-judicial contested case hearing. This isn’t a quick process, as various experts will be presenting contradictory information during these proceedings.
The National Park Service actions will undoubtedly affect future economic growth in North Kona as a result. Its actions are not only waste taxpayer money, but also put residents of North Kona in harm’s way.
Aaron Stene
Kailua-Kona
Obama library — a want or a need?
Which clowns and what idiots want the Obama library to be built in Hawaii? Let Chicago build it.
I imagine the library will have fans, air conditioning and more, using state funds — not 100 percent, but still using state funds. Do they think members of the public are fools?
The upkeep itself will be expensive. As time goes by, the state will have to carry the burden with no government help. Like everything else, the U.S. government will say it’s the state’s responsibility.
The state hospital system is going to the dogs. The state highways need improvement and repair work. The state parks need upgrades and better restrooms. The schools are neglected. Some schools really need the maintenance and there are no fans or air conditioners in the rooms.
Why did our vehicle registration fees increase if the state had money? Use the state funds where they are needed. Let Chicago build the library.
N.B. Pontis
Kona