Musings: Belly Full

First thick clouds, then heavy rain, muffled moonlight, stifled sunlight and waylaid walk plans for a while, but eventually Koko and I were able to venture out into a dripping landscape with roadside rivulets.

The sky briefly blushed pink atop Waialeale, which was buried in a heap of fleece, and a black cloud curled up like campfire smoke from the belly of the Giant.

Hanalei resident Mark Daniells was busy bellyaching in The Garden Island yesterday about his “vindictive and malicious” neighbors in Hanalei. It seems they're not pleased that he has been operating an art studio for the past 20 years under a temporary permit that actually expired 19 years ago. Now he's trying to make the permit permanent in preparation for subdividing and selling — as a much more valuable “commercial” property — the 7,900-square-foot lot where he and his wife, Diane, also run a day care and vacation rental.

I found it amusing that Diane is a former Taylor Camper. Doncha just love the evolution of those great “'60s values?”

Meanwhile, The Garden Island today took up the evolving topic of legalizing vacation rentals, with nary a word on Tuesday’s planning commission vote on the matter, and no reference to when it will be back on the County Council agenda. But at least it did shed some light on how Councilmen Tim Bynum and Jay Furfaro, both avid supporters of the new TVR bill, think:

Like this comment from Jay, offered as rationale for why we have to allow TVR operators on ag land to apply:

“Not only the county accepted tax money, but the state accepted revenue,” he said.

So if an ice dealer pays some taxes, that gives him a claim to legitimacy?

Or this:

“They still have to meet all codes, conditions, show their records and so on,” said Furfaro, adding that owners will also have to prove that they were actively operating legally on March 7, 2008, otherwise they won’t be granted a permit.

Yes, but if no inspection is required, how will we know if they’re meeting all codes and conditions?

Or this example of Tim’s naivete:

Hanalei-Ha‘ena Community Association Board Member Barbara Robeson said many property owners have abused the current ordinance, claiming they have been running a TVR, and obtaining a permit, despite no such activities.

“They would be committing major fraud; they can go to prison for that,” Bynum said.

Yes, but who is going to go after them? The planning department doesn’t even want to hear about those kinds of complaints and the prosecutor’s office is in shambles. Meanwhile, the perps are laughing all the way to the bank.

The article underscores the lawsuit phobia driving this bill and the county in general — a phobia fed by opinions from the county attorney’s office that aren’t even made public.

I was talking to a Council and Commission observer who pointed out that the County Attorney’s office regularly pressures members to get with the program by saying they will not be given legal representation if they go against the County Attorney’s opinion.

So then essentially what we’re getting is rule by the County Attorney’s office. And who appointed them king?