Mauna should not be clouded by so-called Activist groups

TO: UH CENTER FOR MAUNAKEA STEWARDSHIP    March 23, 2022

Subject: Public Draft Comprehensive Management Plan 2022 Supplement

I, William Hoohuli am a Community Member and Native Hawaiian. Thank you, for reaching out to me and giving me an opportunity to respond to your letter.  My voice is for our future science explorers. 

Hawaii’s treasure is Mauna a Wakea! Legislature has put in writing that only Native Hawaiians that belong to known associations are allowed to be heard.  I am a Native Hawaiian and I want my voice to be heard and not clouded by the so-called Activist groups.  

Hawaii’s Revised Statue is amended by a new chapter which is the takeover of the Mauna a Wakea Stewardship Authority. They will be the sole authority for management that will start in 2024.  Senator Inouye has opposed this decision and no one is listening. There must be a governing balance by the legislature!  Once again the legislature is bullying their way toward complete control of Hawaii’s treasured Mauna.  

The University of Hawaii was wrongly removed; the legislature used the term mismanagement the same terms they used to remove our Queen Liliuokalani for corrupt governance. Under the University, the mountain generated enriched education for future botanists and its fieldwork; exploration of our solar system to predict catastrophic events that could impact Earth. And most of all the accessibility to all Hawaiians, neighbors, and kindred.

What about maintenance, and preservation? All interest and natural resources that include water, minerals, and everything connected to land should be part of  Hawaii’s Department of Land and Natural Resources recommendations and should exercise control; not the Steward Authority and its stakeholders.

How does allowing negotiation on land leased to the highest bidder that will include foreign entities provide a stable future? Right now the Three House Committees are still looking for what role do the Hawaiians have in this? It’s sad and heartbreaking to know that legislative decisions have stricken Hawaii’s future in science. 

Thank YOU,

Willie Hoohuli

  *   *   *   *   *

Do You Trust Corrupt DPP to Seize Property by Assessing Fines?

Dear Editor,    March 12, 2022

Aloha,  

Please do not approve this dangerous assault on private property rights SB 2110 / HB 1434.  These bills allow each county’s planning department the power to seize property through fines. The verbiage started out as non-Judicial Foreclosure. But now it's ‘power of sale’.  It's ambiguous, arbitrary, and gives planning departments too much power.

City Council Resolution 22-11 was pushed through by Councilmember Tsuneyoshi in 25 working days. 

It's alarming to see Council Resolution 22-11 so tied into HB 1434 and SB 2110.

The only HB1434 testimonies are from Honolulu DPP and City council members. The public does not know about this.  In the testimony from DPP, the characterization of an Hauula immigrant family from Tonga which have been targeted by Councilmember Tsuneyoshi is flawed.  

Committee Reports refer to non-Judicial Foreclosures. This is too drastic and unfair. It's like Civil Forfeiture!

The bill text states: "After all notices, orders, and appeal proceedings are exhausted, a county may satisfy all unpaid civil fines through the power of sale on the real property subject to a recorded lien.  A power of sale shall become fully effective within a county upon the enactment or adoption by the county of appropriate and particular laws, ordinances, or rules establishing the power of sale." 

The above description makes it sound that due process is intact. But based on the city Resolution 22-11 quick adoption, it's certainly hostile to the targeted property owner.  It was a show of big government with a big stick. The testimonies showed overwhelming protests and pleas for due process but they were ignored.

There are so many unanswered questions.

The public needs to know about this very potent tool against property owners and be given the opportunity to weigh in. 

We must protect private property rights and due process.

Thanks.

Choon James 

Hauula, Oahu

  *   *   *   *   * 

Save Astronomy, Stop HB2024

Dear Editor,  March 3, 2022

I am very disappointed the House has advanced HB2024, which would remove the University  of Hawaii from managing the summit of Maunakea.

The university’s management had left a lot to be desired in the past, but their management of the mountain has greatly improved  in recent years.  In other words, there is no reason to reinvent the wheel, and jeopardize the future of astronomy on Maunakea.

If the new management structure envisioned in HB2024 is put in place, it would cede control of the mountain to the  minority that is opposed to astronomy. This would mean the end of astronomy as we know it on Maunakea.

These astronomical facilities contributed $110 million in direct economic impact for the State of Hawaii in 2019. The indirect economic impact doubled that amount.

These facilities have been made a scapegoat by the minority seeking control of  the mountain for their own self centered religious reasons.

The existing management of the mountain should remain in place, as they’ve become good stewards of the mountain. This is why I stand with Sen. Lorraine Inouye in opposition to this proposed legislation.

The summit of Maunakea should be accessible, and used, by all Hawaii residents, not just Native Hawaiians.

Aaron Stene

Kailua-Kona, Hawaii