Yes, you must take action first, then you can look deep into the thoughts of a brand-new 69-year-old (it was day 2 that shook me). See below time-sensitive action items and then my birthday rumination.
1) Regardless of which island you call home: Email your district Senator and Representative and ask them to support publicly funded elections and the “Foley Reform Commission” initiatives. Ask them to “sign on” to be a “co-introducer” of these Bills. Remind them the Democratic Party of Hawaiʻi Platform states unequivocally: “We support full public financing of elections.”
2) Sign up for “Clean Election” action alerts and read my blog: Dancing with the devil – an untenable political reality
3) Read this excellent guest post by Nelson Ho in opposition to the appointment of DLNR Director Dawn Chang and sign the petition.
4) Kaua’i Residents: Tuesday, January 24th at 9am: The Kaua‘i Planning Commission is scheduled to hear arguments relating to the Coco Palms hotel development and vote on the Petition for Declaratory Order, filed by attorney Teresa Tico on behalf of the Hawaiʻi Alliance for Progressive Action (HAPA); Sierra Club Kaua‘i Group; Surfrider Foundation Kaua‘i Chapter; and individual Judith Ann Dalton. Full disclosure – I am the Board President of HAPA.
Please attend the meeting in person AND email testimony to planningdepartment@kauai.gov
Testimony is due 24 hours in advance, so before Monday, January 23rd at 9am if at all possible! Subject: Agenda Item K, SUPPORT the Petition for Declaratory Order and OPPOSE extending permits for the hotel development. Include your Kaua’i address.
The Petition states according to law and court precedent, the permits issued to Coco Palms Hui in 2015 have lapsed due to their failure to make “substantial progress”.
It’s obvious to anyone driving by the property today in January of 2023 that there has not been “substantial progress” over the past 8 years – let alone the past 30 years. And a new dust screen certainly does not constitute “substantial progress”.
In addition, the permits granted in 2015 allowing the developer to ignore important county building rules and regulations were amended in 2018 after the “Iniki Ordinance” had already expired.
To further muddy the waters. The new Chair of the Kaua’i Planning Commission is also the official Kaua’i Representative for the Hawaiʻi Carpenters Union. The union and its members will clearly receive a direct financial benefit should the Coco Palms Development move forward.
Kaua’i friends, this is important. Email testimony even if short to planningdepartment@kauai.gov SUPPORTING the Petition for Declaratory Order and OPPOSING extending permits for the hotel development.
If possible please attend the meeting in person AND email testimony. We must send a strong and united message to the Kaua’i Planning Commission.
Sincerely,
READ – 4 things you can do now to help – Coco Palms – I Ola Wailuanui
READ – Birthday Rumination – Hitting 69 – It was day 2 that rocked me.
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