Thursday, March 24, 2011

Musings: Not So Pretty

I haven’t been closely following the debate over the amphitheater proposed for the land on the mauka side of the highway in Kilauea, other than to express my dismay over the tacky miniature golf course that was the first phase of that project.

But then someone posted a link to this video in the comments section of yesterday's post, which was followed late last night by an email with the subject heading “Keep Kauai Country” and the headline “Preserve Kaua'i's Ag Land Urgent Action Needed.”

It framed the debate in a slightly different way than has been covered in the local paper (emphasis in the original):

So far, the controversy about whether to build the Kilauea Pavilion has focused on the surface-issue of whether or not the community wants or needs an entertainment complex, which includes an outdoor amphitheater, in Kilauea. A story has been spun to make it sound like the controversy is about "elitists" of Kalihiwai Ridge who don't want the noise -- versus the local people who "need" the services of such an amusement center.

Though the surface issue is noise from the amphitheater, the deeper issue that has not been discussed is the dangerous precedent that would be set by the Kilauea Pavilion development. This would be the first case on the island that a developer would be granted a "Special Use" permit to build a commercial facility on State-zoned agricultural land. Don't we want to preserve our precious agricultural lands? Once this precedent is set, it could have grave impact on Ag land across the entire island.


It then discusses how the developer allegedly launched a successful campaign to change the composition of the Kalihiwai Ridge neighborhood association board to eliminate opposition from that quarter, and speaks of a final public hearing on the permit to be held by the Planning Commission next month.

I’m not sure who is behind Keep Kauai Country, and I’m always a little suspicious of stuff that is sent out without any connection to a real live person. Still, the sentiments expressed speak to the ongoing struggle on this island over how ag land should be used. These debates are likely to become more intense as the economy worsens, which tends to make the county look more favorably upon any property tax-generating development.

And will the economy worsen? Well, I paid $4.53 a gallon for premium gas (which I need to prevent my engine from my knocking) in Lihue yesterday, and a friend on Oahu said she paid just over $4 for regular. When you consider how rapidly rising fuel prices will affect our electric bills, shipping, airline tickets (and thus tourism), food costs and just about every other facet of economic life on this island, and then factor in the fallout (hopefully not literally) from the devastation in Japan, it doesn’t look pretty.

Also not so pretty was the response that Hope Kallai got from Planning Director Mike Dahilig regarding her request to have the county look into Bruce Laymon’s fencing project at Lepeuli:

The context and specific relief outlined in the letter are not actionable given the form of the letter and its conformance with the Rules of Practice and Procedure of the Kauai County Planning Commission.

Ahhh, now I understand why Bernard chose an attorney, rather than a professional planner, to head the department. It aids the process of obfuscation.

Finally, Civil Beat, in following up on my post about Eric Shinseki eying the Senate seat being vacated by Akaka, printed a refutation of the claim. But interestingly, it came not from Shinseki, but Peter Boylan, Sen. Inouye's spokesman.

I guess the thinking there is that no one runs for a Senate seat on the Democratic ticket in Hawaii without Inouye’s knowledge and/or approval.

And that's not so pretty.

22 comments:

Anonymous said...

Minor permits are not for things that have major impact. This was another one of Mr. Costa's friends benefitting, the peolpe losing big time. Think how much access to the coastline has been lost in the last 8 years in Kilauea, now the coast is for private access through illegal private trails on illegal vacation rentals on Agriculture land. Ouch. The permit never shouda been given, but the county doesn't want to right the wrongs , just hide them better..

Anonymous said...

You do know that land was zone Industrial for over 20 years, right?

Anonymous said...

8:32 AM

minor permits? what code are you reading?

Anonymous said...

The putt Putt is dog ugly!! Hope there are some Cats claw planned as a visible buffer!

Anonymous said...

Not all of it is zoned industrial some is ag

Anonymous said...

The Pavilion area Kilauea land in question was previously upzoned industrial, and by agreement it was to revert back to agricultural if it wasn't developed under the prior owner, as it was not. Porter then stepped into it, and others had to point out to Planning that it was suppose to have reverted back to agriculture. Porter has attempted to present it that he had it down zoned, but he did not. That was set before him. It's zoned agriculture and now he wants Special Use Permits for this and eventually the rest of what he has planned for Mauka of the Pavilion, to get around State law.

Loved the sharp parody of that video. There's a lot of good, accurate insider info in the lyrics to that video.

People are starting to call Porter's greenwashing, payoff B.S.

Anonymous said...

I am disappointed that you are publishing a link to an obvious anonymous smear video that is full of hateful distortions, innuendos and untruths. Those of us in Kilauea that support this project are idiot nazi stooges ? Take a look at the supporters whose names are on record and think about this.
Jim Gair is the champion of saving ag land? He has sour grapes as he tried to buy this land to develop himself.
This issue has been and can be discussed civilly in public forums. But for you to tacitly give any credence to anonymous smear/cyber bullying as some sort of legitimate discussion/ debate does a disservice to your credibility.

Anonymous said...

Let's not confuse cyber bullying with political parody, a stalwart of healthy democratic discourse originating in the days of English common law.

Anonymous said...

"Don't we want to preserve our precious agricultural lands? Once this precedent is set, it could have grave impact on Ag land across the entire island."

Talk about begging the question.
What about the land zoned ag that isn't precious at all and has little to no chance of ever being used for crops?

But I'm glad I'm not the only one that thinks the mini golf course is lame beyond all words.

Anonymous said...

From Jim Gair's "Likes" on Facebook

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=146991542024234&set=a.115573198499402.16821.115565601833495

Looks like he has a thing about Hitler

Anonymous said...

"Let's not confuse cyber bullying with political parody, a stalwart of healthy democratic discourse originating in the days of English common law."

It depends on whose ox is being gored.
One mans parody is another mans smear.
This post doesn't raise the level of discourse, its pissing in the well. The parting shot of a guy who was tossed out, many believe rightly so for pursuing his personal vendetta based on greed and machismo.
If he posted a vid of chimps spouting hawaiian nationalism it would be squelched and rightly so.
Joan has no obligation to be objective on her blog but being the conduit for troll attacks is questionable
Just sayin...

Anonymous said...

It's always amusing to see people anonymously smear others as they complain about anonymous smears. Hello.

Anonymous said...

Mudslinging goes both ways
Glad to amuse you

Anonymous said...
It's always amusing to see people anonymously smear others as they complain about anonymous smears.Hello."

March 25, 2011 9:11 AM

What smear?
Sauce for the gander is good for the goose
I thought this rdialog was

"..., a stalwart of healthy democratic discourse originating in the days of English common law."

.....and didn't you just slam me anonymously ?
Hello

Anonymous said...

10:12 AM: What smear?

"The parting shot of a guy who was tossed out, many believe rightly so for pursuing his personal vendetta based on greed and machismo."

Holding up a mirror
Is different than a smear.

Goodbye.

Anonymous said...

Holding up a mirror?
Say what ?

""The parting shot of a guy who was tossed out, many believe rightly so for pursuing his personal vendetta based on greed and machismo."

Sounds accurate to me
You have thin skin if you think thats a smear.
Just one opinion agree or disagree.

Posting a photo of Mr Gair in KKK robes (Keep Kauai Kountry), that would be a smear,
..... and wrong.

Are you amused?
See you at the hearing

Anonymous said...

Holding up the mirror again-- The video you're all worked up about -- "You have thin skin if you think thats a smear.
Just one opinion agree or disagree."

hahahahaha

Anonymous said...

So far most of the anonymous comments here are from the two little $hi+ kids working for their parodied boss in the video.

That's right, your immature words reveal who you are. You're wasting your time, kids.

Anonymous said...

If that video isn't the work of Kahoon "Camera" Paik I'll eat my hard drive.

Who else could it even be? And who else fits the M.O. of annon. video?

Anonymous said...

Go ahead, eat your hard drive, Michael.

Anonymous said...

The video is a recycled idea. Definitely a smear. It has a GW style scorched earth approach (if your not with us your against us) and even takes a pot-shot at Malama Kauai, who are helping assist farming on a hundred levels.
This is just a petty neighborhood dispute with an angry (democratically-ousted) board member PR-ing it into an ag lands issue.
That land will never be useful for ag

Anonymous said...

More than just a neighborhood dispute...it just might affect AG land island wide. Also, maybe if that AG land will be never be useful for AG...that is why is is zoned "open" and not commercial. AG and OPEN land is precious...let us keep it that way!!

Anonymous said...

Correction on that:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e7O0m9Gcnsk