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I was a reporter for close to 17 years at the Hawaii Tribune-Herald until October 2005, when I joined the growing ranks of union leaders now formerly employed by the newspaper. (For more about what's happening at the Tribune-Herald, check out the Hawaii Newspaper Guild web site.) Since then I've been the Hilo unit representative for the Guild, a freelance writer, photographer, and blogger.  Puna has been my family's home since 1993.

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« Naeole wants 'clean' Puna CDP | Main | Hey Pete, c'mon down, take a look »
Thursday
24Jul

CDP showdown Friday in Puna

I'm looking forward to Friday's meeting on the Puna CDP at the Pahoa Community Center. It could be one of the more lively meetings of the year in Puna. Or it could be a dud.

What happens also could say a lot about Councilwoman Emily Naeole's chances for re-election. Naeole relented on her opposition to any discussion of her proposed CDP amendment to have this meeting, and if she digs in her heels on the amendments, she could have an angry group of community activists on her hands.

Naeole would do better tomorrow to sit, listen and say little except thank you, that she'll think it over carefully and try to make the best decision for the community -- and then vote for the amendments later if she feels she really has to.

But we all know that Councilwoman Naeole is not shy about speaking her mind, and if she really believes that her amendments need to be made now and takes on the no-amendments crowd, things could get ugly.

Strategically -- and hypothetically -- speaking, if Councilwoman Naeole had an inkling that at least five other Council members would vote for, say, the Planning Department's amendments, she could easily drop her amendments secure in the knowledge that any amendments would likely delay the CDP until a new County Council and administration is in office anyway.

Cynical, I know, but it's one way out for Naeole who boxed herself in by staking out her position then scheduling the meeting for input.

Anyway, the meeting starts at 6, and I'll report here what happens in case you can't tear yourself away from Gary Safarik's talk-story at the Leilani Estates Community Center, which starts at 5.


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Reader Comments (6)

Activist(s)... *cough*

I've heard that word used before.... I don't like it. I just like to speak my mind so.... please Mr. IRS. Take My Name Off The List.

Why is it when someone speaks their mind now a days they are considered an activist?
July 24, 2008 | Unregistered Commenterdamon
Damon, I don't consider the word "activist" to be pejorative. I define it as someone who speaks his or her mind publicly about community issues, as opposed to a person who does not participate. Nothing more or less. No offense intended.
July 25, 2008 | Registered CommenterHunter Bishop
Damon,
I don't take activist as a put-down. There are so few people who actively speak up (publicly), it should be a compliment to be an activist. A bit like being a registered voter and actively voting.
Thank you for ACTIVELY speaking up, And if you "agree with me", Thank You for ACTIVELY voting! Okay, just kidding. Thank you for voting, no matter how you vote! Just stay Active.
Kim
July 25, 2008 | Unregistered CommenterKim Jordan
I was joking about the Activist comment...

I found it very interesting that there were two officers present.

I wonder who requested them and what for?

How often do armed policemen attend community meetings?
July 25, 2008 | Unregistered Commenterdamon
Activist or apathetic, part of the solution or part of the problem, calling on local bureaucrats to buck up and do their J O B S, or waste time nit pickin words on a blog.
July 25, 2008 | Unregistered CommenterYou must be joking
I hope people who met with Naeole gave her a chance to explain those amendments. As Chris Yuen explained in his letter, it is far better to put in the amendments BEFORE the CDP is approved than after because the process after is a lot more complicated and involves forming a new committee to review the amendments.
July 26, 2008 | Unregistered CommenterKELIIPIO

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