Hoping harbor agreement good for long term
I read in Saturday’s WHT that the harbor is going to be under a new lease management group. The article indicated that the revenue increase would be 10 times that of the past management group.
A few questions came to mind after reading the article.
Does Pacific Marine Partners LLC have the experience or resources to operate this property without forfeiting on the lease?
What will happen to local boat owners/commercial fisherman who may not be able to afford the proposed rent increase? I’m guessing it will be substantial.
Has DLNR done any revenue projections to verify that PMP- LLC can actually pay the lease amount that they agreed to for the long term?
I am very suspicious when DLNR is involved in increasing state revenues — for example, when they’ve wanted to charge parking fees at Honokohau Harbor, increase the number of boat mooring buoys at Keauhou Bay by 18 sites, and auction off surf school licenses for Kahaluu Bay. I think all these attempts by DLNR failed! Perhaps due to poor planing and oversight.
I am guessing that all this additional revenue was destined for the the state revenue fund, never to be seen on our island again.
I hope someone with more knowledge and contacts than I have will look into the new lease contract to see if the numbers are sustainable and see if any of this new revenue is used to improve the boat ramps and harbors on the Big Island.
Michael Flaherty
Kailua-Kona
Lava median awesome
I think that the lava rock in the divided highway median is a great idea. It blends in with the scenery. It will keep vehicles, animals and people out of the median. Weeds will not grow and, one would hope, people will be less likely to litter.
Scott McNamara
Waikoloa
Democrats can’t even follow basic rules
Why is it that of all the politicians from the island of Hawaii who were fined by the Campaign Spending Commission were either listed as Democrats (9) or non-partisans (4)? No members of the Libertarian, Republican or any other parties were on the list.
It makes you wonder what those politicians were thinking if they can’t even follow the rules that were made by the state Campaign Spending Commission. These were the same people who will possibly make the laws that everyone will be expected to follow.
And look at the fines, only one-third of the stated amounts because of their pleading, “I didn’t know what was happening.” If you are a candidate, then you are responsible for what happens in your campaign.
How do all the contributors feel knowing that their contributions go to pay fines?
Michael L. Last
Naalehu