Kaʻū News Briefs March 29, 2024

THE LAST HUMPBACK WHALE OCEAN COUNT FOR 2024 is Saturday from 8 a.m. to noon at Punalu'u and other locations around the island. Participants tally humpback whale sightings and document their surface behavior. The Count is sponsored by NOAA.

        NOAA's Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary Advisory Council will hold a virtual meeting on Friday, April 12 from 10 a.m to 1:30 p.m. The meeting is open to the public, with public comment scheduled at 12:15 p.m. Members of the public interested in attending or providing public comment can fill out this registration form at https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfpTBiBqvGUQIQuD9k8cRaNyn-wuZDMzG1Mj6qo_-6LMT2HFw/viewform to receive the Google Meet information.

IKAIKA KAILIAWA-SMITH is running for the District 6 County Council seat, to represent all of Kaʻū and adjacent parts of Kona and Puna. The 32-year old Nāʻālehu resident is a rancher and full time county welder and mechanic. He said he would like to see working people, like those in the trades, "who know how to get things done," take jobs in public office. He said a lot of money can be saved and red tape cut by putting the right people with his kind of background in public office and county administration.

Ikaika Kailiawa-Smith seeks a first term on the County Council. Photo from Kailiawa-Smith campaign

    He gave the example of a ramp at the Waiohinu Transfer station. He said he was able to save thousands of dollars for the county and much time for the public by building it himself. He promised to fix the lights in the ballfields in Pāhala and Nāʻālehu and put in lighting in the Ocean View county park.
    Kailiawa-Smith joined the military right after hight school and came home to  Kaʻū in recent years with his wife who also grew up on this island, and their two children. He said he and his family would like to fight to keep local people their age in Kaʻū from having to leave the island, by creating economic opportunity and affordable housing. He said his platform aligns with community concerns about sustainable agriculture and food production.
    The candidate said he is dedicated to addressing food security issues and lowering costs for residents by promoting local egg production and dairy farming. He said he supports construction of slaughter facilities for livestock and poultry to help lower food costs and promote local farming.
    Kailiawa-Smith said he recognizes the financial struggles faced by retired individuals and is committed to removing property taxes for retirees on a fixed income. "This initiative aims to provide financial relief to those who have contributed to society for many years."
    Concerning public safety, Kailiawa-Smith said he plans to address the issue of violent criminals and mentally unstable individuals on the streets "by implementing measures to remove them from communities." He said he supports the construction of sub stations for police and fire departments to improve response times and overall safety for residents.
    Kailiawa-Smith took a strong stand at the recent public hearing on the development proposal at Punalu'u. His position was carried by Hawai'i Public Radio. He said his opposition "stems from a history of extractive developers using the land for profit. When C. Brewer developed Punaluʻu as a playground for the rich, they bulldozed graves, ancient home sites and heiau. When they extracted all the wealth that they could out of Kaʻū and its people, they left a mess in their wake. They left asbestos-built huts, gravel-filled ponds, and a leaking sewage system. Now this foreign developer wants us to ignore all of this. We cannot in good conscience allow this development to continue."
    He said that while the proposed 125 accommodation units have been pushed back to about a quarter mile from the coast, he could not support the Punalu'u proposal with restaurant, market and other activities near the shore.
    A statement from his campaign says, "Overall, Ikaika Kailiawa-Smith is dedicated to making positive changes in Hawaii by addressing important issues like food security, taxes, public safety, and government accountability. His commitment to these causes makes him a strong candidate for office."

To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see facebook.com/kaucalendar. See upcoming events, print edition and archive at kaunews.com. See 7,500 copies the mail and on stands.

    Submit comments via email to publiccomment@wilsonokamoto.com, or written comments via mail to: Keola Cheng, Director-Planning, Wilson Okamoto Corporation, 1907 South Beretania Street, Suite 400, Honolulu, Hawai'i 96826.