ALOHA,

FULL COUNCIL HEARING THIS WEDNESDAY DEC. 5TH INCLUDES TWO MEASURES TO BE VOTED ON FOR ADOPTION - INTRODUCED BY OUR OFFICE (CLICK HERE FOR AGENDA):

EWA KARST RESOLUTION
12-318 FD1
Here is an excerpt from the resolution pasted below (note: massive development plans on virgin soil that contain these karst systems are at risk of being destroyed - and you will never know it was done- of which is why this reso is so important):

WHEREAS, because karst is recognized and studied worldwide by universities, institutes and organizations, it presents an opportunity in West Oahu for cultural and eco tourism, scientific research grants, community educational endeavors, and the bringing together of Hawaiian cultural practitioners, teachers and scientists to discuss native Hawaiian flora, fauna, aquatic resources, and to study Hawaiian cultural histories and scientific geological and hydrological facts; and

WHEREAS, federal bureaus such as the United States Fish & Wildlife Service have funded projects to restore Ewa Plains karst sinkholes and have demonstrated that Hawaiian freshwater shrimp can be restocked and can flourish in these unique karst sinkhole habitats, providing working environments for education and training; now, therefore,

ANIMAL EUTHANASIA RESOLUTION
12-326

Bill 57
did not pass out of committee . . . so I turned the bill into a resolution to garner information from the contractor (Hawaiian Humane Society) with the hopes that someday, animals about to be euthanized that are healthy and adoptable, get a reprieve, a stay of execution.

I contend, that it is less expensive to the taxpayers to permit the public to adopt and sterilize the animal chosen to be killed by HHS in secrecy than it is to "put it down" behind closed doors. Here is an excerpt from the resolution pasted below:

WHEREAS, information on the itemized per-animal costs involved in euthanizing the various types of animals sheltered by the animal control contractor and estimated total costs of euthanizations in the ensuing fiscal year would be helpful to the City in evaluating the animal control contractor's operations, but such information is not currently available; now, therefore,

BE IT RESOLVED by the Council of the City and County of Honolulu that it urges the CSD to require that an Offeror pursuant to an RFP, or an animal control contractor prior to extension of its Agreement, disclose to the City in its operating budget submitted for the ensuing fiscal year the total cost per animal of each type (e.g. dog, cat, rabbit, etc.) to humanely euthanize the animal, and a breakdown of such cost itemized as follows:

1. The cost to house the animal in preparation for and during the euthanasia procedure;

2. The cost of the drug (if any) used to euthanize the animal;

3. The cost for the veterinarian to administer euthanasia;

4. The cost to transport the euthanized animal to a crematorium, or to otherwise legally dispose of the remains;

5. The cost of cremation or other legal disposal;

6. The cost to dispose of cremation remains; and

7. Any other costs (please specify) incurred in connection with euthanizing an animal;

and

ALSO OF INTEREST ON THE AGENDA FOR FINAL VOTE ARE:

RAIL: THE FINAL VOTE

I made my speech last Thursday to justify my position when the measure was debated for a vote in committee. The vote was 8-1 to pass reso 12-322, with myself being the lone NO VOTE. Why? The GET surcharge option at ½ of a percent for transportation relief was a fixed fight - corrupted from the start. HB1309, which became ACT 247 (Hawaii Session Laws 2005) allowed all counties - except Honolulu, to use the GET surcharge for highway technology. Meaning, if Kauai, Big Island, Maui counties wanted a fixed guideway and decided to put buses on it, they could. However, in the small print, hidden in the bill, was language that stated - if Honolulu wants to put buses on their fixed guideway, they can't. All other counties can do what they wanted - but Honolulu can't.

Why would that be? It was because in a study done in 2002 in Honolulu that compared buses and rail technologies - buses beat rail hands down on all fronts. See, politicians could not make a buck off buses, but could rather, cash in big off of a steel rail endeavor. Got PRP? A bus system could be built faster, for less money, use less energy, cleaner on the environment, and get riders to their destinations faster than rail besides being able to carry more passengers. The problem was, how do politicians cash in on the deal? So they (State Legislature) created legislation that dictated only rail could be advanced on Oahu - the biggest con job of all time, and many good people, have fallen for it. I have not. You can't fool me . . . and in my book, in the world of good government and justice, I simply cannot vote for a corrupted government ploy steeped in deception and ill-will to fleece the public. Follow the money. My 5-minute speech explaining the corruption was recorded on Olelo television for your information.

Here is a youtube that outlined what was at stake:

REMOVING NANAKULI REGIONAL PARK
12-139

If you want to keep a landfill from expanding on virgin land and would rather advance a park on 50 acres of virgin land, show up. Right now, I am the only vote in favor of preserving the park proposal. Note: I returned a $1,000 campaign donation from the landfill operator, PVT, and in contrast, your new councilwoman elect, took and accepted a $2,000 campaign contribution from the landfill operator . . . by voting on this measure Wednesday - rushing it through now before your new council person comes into office . . . well, figure it out - who is protecting whom. Follow the money.