hunterbishop.com

Hopefully the newspapers will write some preview stories; there was an ad published in both Sunday's and today's papers... There was also a suggested news article posted on the Hawaii Tribune-Herald web site and a suggested calendar item for HTH posted on the site as well. KWXX, KHBC and KAPA have all been mentioning the upcoming event, and Auntie Emily is expected to be a guest on KHBC's Mynah Bird show tomorrow morning to talk about the town meeting and some of her latest legislation and initiatives. Also, in a August 22 posting on this very blog under the subject, "Naeole Seeks 'Upzoning' Delay In Puna," I mentioned the upcoming town meeting along with all the ways to get a hold of Councilwoman Emily to receive accurate and timely information about legislation and initiatives.
I don't know how else we could have gotten the word out about the town meeting short of stalking Tribune-Herald Editor David Bock.
I, too, will be really disappointed if there isn't a big turnout for this event. People, turn off your computers and get down to the Pahoa Neighborhood Facility on Saturday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.!

Mahalo,
Tiffany Edwards
legislative assistant to Councilwoman Emily Naeole
(808) 961-8020
tedwards@co.hawaii.hi.us

Hunter, here's hoping that Bill Gates will show up and get the DOE and the County to builg a multiuse gym for the high school and the community. It took the County and the State and Hawaiian Homes umpteen years to rebuild the Keaukaha gym which the schools use during school hours, sports programs use afterhours, P&R has officials there. Probably would take work order changes since DOE has started the ball rolling. Think Hanohano can handle the job? She'll have to set up a committee to include the Major/County reps, Athletic Director at Pahoa, Ms. Gacusana. Its frustrating that some public schools, and the BOE, put up yellow gate at their public facilities so we don't get to use them after hours. Security , children's safety. Those issues don't go away after school is over.

But if we don't make an effort, we'll get a good high school gym that won't be big enough for the town 20 years from now, Hawaiian Beaches kids won't have something close by, and the Keaau gym isn't big enough. We'd end up with a relatively small size gym, much biggetr if we partnered with DOE. Why not the governments work together and build a supersize gym with supersize parking and someone, like a P&R and a school coordinator to work out scheduling, maintenance fees, cleanup? Why not? Too many problems to work out? The current principals are in the way? Its just easier to say no can, and come up with "becauses"...Lets face facts. Pahoa will never have two big gyms, one for the small school, one for the community. The other schools are part of the community Taxpayers won't stand for it. So, is there a problem? Whats the real problem? Territory? Blockages will retire soon. I hope their replacements realize that working together will get better results. But it;ll take time for the newcomers to study the issues. The new LA and Emily working together are a good example of the perception that things are going in a good direction. But they didn't start the process. Safarik had something to do with it. And before him there were others. There will be more. Lets hope we all pull in a positive direction. Lets get a really nice gym built. One that the girl Scouts, PTA, Keonepoko, Judo. Kupuna, hula, AA, all of us can use.to put on really big meetings. With parking and bathrooms [and locked rooms for student activities] and space for change orders and plenty of bleachers for home games. Built next to a good access road. The easiest solution is to change the location of the locked gates, and get the principals to make it happen. Start with a Reso.

I say forget the Pahoa High School Gym. It has been talked about time and again for over 30 years. It's too late for a gym. We need a new Pahoa High School - complete with a Library, Cafeteria, and maybe a Multi Use Gym. The present High School could be swallowed up by the overcrowded Elem. and Intermediate schools. I actually think we have a better chance of a whole new school instead of a new Gym.
I do agree that a Community Use Gym is the Best answer to the Gym problem. We seem closer to getting that started already. A few years ago some of us walked the County Property above the Ball fields thinking of where a Library and a Gym could fit on that 56 acre property. Near the Community Center and the Pool, Walking distance from the Schools. Then the Fire, Police, Gym Complex came into the picture. Okay, we got behind that. Now we need to look at other locations.
I believe Emily has mentioned the 56 acres as a possible location for the Gym. I will try to talk with her Sat. Wouldn't it be great to have the Gym at a high location overlooking Pahoa. Where our stundents and community could feel strong and empowered...Pride is a great tool.
Oh yeah....no new 130 access. More reason to get the Malama/130 access "fixed' ... and the State to have to take a whole new look at the situation!
Where ever we build our Gym, it should be built to standards for an Emergency Shelter. Not only do we need the shelter, but it would open up more financial support.

Kim

Perhaps folks did not read the horribly misconstrued HTH article about Billy Kenoi running for Mayor.That briefly mentioned;

How he is right now implementing a county wide program to keep school facilities open after hours for families to use.

Check it out at: www.billykenoi.com