Ka`u News Briefs Tuesday, July 12, 2016

      Suggested solutions included hiring trucks to bring water from Na`alehu to the storage tank, banning water trucks from getting water from the well until repairs are complete, shortening the time for repairs, and not closing the well until all needed machinery is available and repairs are ready to begin.

      Whiting said she had called and emailed Daryl Ikeda, Chief of Operations for the county Department of Water Supply, in order to get more information, but her calls were not returned. She wanted to find out about the repairs and determine what plans the department has for keeping residents supplied with water for household uses.

      Unless the department comes up with an alternate solution, Ocean View’s spigots will be closed from Sunday, July 24 until approximately Sept. 30, a minimum of ten weeks. Residents at the meeting all agreed that the county needs to do whatever it takes to keep water in the storage tank that feeds the spigots, supplying essential household water.
      Ocean View’s looming water crisis was one of many concerns facing the town that Whiting and residents discussed. Issues included the controversial solar farm project that threatens to industrialize the rural town and the long-awaited Community Development Plan that, according to residents at the meeting, has been languishing on the Planning Director’s desk instead of being approved by the County Council.
      Ocean View resident Karen Pucci raised the issue of inadequate and ineffective policing and lack of facilities for criminals that are apprehended. “We need a holding cell with about four to six beds,” she said.
      James Weisend, a former law enforcement professional in Alaska, told the meeting that the police set-up in Ocean View was abysmal, and other residents complained that “the police pick on victims.”
      “There is talk of vigilantism,” another resident said. “We need real officers who won’t make us wait an hour for a response.”
      Whiting agreed that the community needs to be active in holding the authorities accountable for the poor standards of police services.
      “I am a grass roots organizer at heart,” she said. “If this is not working, we need to speak out. We need to be the ‘squeaky wheel.’ We need plans for our future growth, as well as the services we need already.”
      State Rep. Dr. Richard Creagan, said that “a good, solid showing at the polls” is needed.
      “You all have a vote,” he said. You need to vote. Communities who do not vote are ignored. State politicians care enormously where the votes are coming from and cater to communities that can, and do, deliver the votes. It’s not enough to have 7,000 residents if only a few hundred vote. You all need to register and vote and encourage your friends to register and vote on Aug. 13,” urged Creagan. 

      Thursday is the last day to register to vote in the August election. Wikiwiki applications are available at Na`alehu Police Station and Pahala Library and online at elections.hawaii.gov. For more information, call 961-8277.
      Whiting announced that sign wavings would take place tomorrow in South Kona and outside Na`alehu Post Office from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. and on Friday in Ocean View on Hwy 11 above Malama Market from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. Also on Friday, Whiting and current Council member Maile David will hold a forum at Ocean View Community Center beginning at 6 p.m.