The DLNR Just Located a Crucial Public Hearing to Limit Public Response

OPINION

Opinions expressed herein are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the staff at Hawaii Ocean News

DLNR Chair, Suzanne Case, did not argue with us when we outed her and her board for lying to the public.  Apparently, this is the era of post-ethical rule making and it seems that Hawaii's present leadership is trying hard to emulate third world banana republics everywhere.

The DLNR's latest ploy has been to schedule a crucial public hearing regarding a major fee and rules change proposal, 13-234, and locate it in Aiea. The latter meeting place is a lengthy drive through congested thoroughfares from the Ala Wai Small Boat Harbor neighborhood, the largest population of those most seriously affected by this proposal.  Getting to the meeting, as scheduled, in order to have five minutes at the microphone, will present a real challenge to those most needing to exercise their rights as citizens. The latter will inevitably translate into an empty public hearing room, no doubt to the glee of administrators who already know about the avalanche of public opposition.

The 13-234 proposal, authored by Ed Underwood's DOBOR, will have dire consequences for much of the boating public, will not result in a single upgrade to a widely-acknowledged failed public harbor system, and will most likely drive many middle-income boat owners from the public harbors completely -- an excellent example of how out-of-touch rule makers continue to destroy the quality of life of grass-roots Hawaii.

So, you think you live in a democracy?  Please follow us here at Hawaii Ocean News as we continue to document, from end to end, the State of Hawaii's rule-making/implementation process.  We think you'll find this quite interesting.

Below find the Public Hearing announcement:

Meetings will be held as follows:

• On Hawaii Island at Kealakehe High School Cafeteria, 74-5000 Puohulihuli Street Kailua-Kona, HI 96740 on March 4, 2019 from 6:00pm to 8:00pm.
• On Hawaii Island at Hilo State Office Building Conference Room, 75 Aupuni Street Hilo, HI 96720 on March 7, 2019 from 5:00pm to 7:00pm.
• On Kauai at Chiefess Kamakahelei Middle School 4431 Nunou Street Lihue, HI 96766 on March 9, 2019 from 9:30am to 12:00pm.
• On Maui at Velma McWayne Santos Community Center 395 Waena Street Wailuku, HI 96793 on March 6, 2019 from 5:30pm to 7:30pm.
• On Oahu at Aiea Elementary School Cafeteria, 99-370 Moanalua Road Aiea, HI 96701 on March 2, 2019 from 8:30am to 10:30am.

Meeting locations are disability accessible. For special needs (large print, sign language interpreter, etc.), call Clifford Inn on Oahu at (808) 587-1972 at least one week prior to the designated date and time of the applicable public hearing.

All interested parties are invited to attend and present their views on the proposed amendments, either orally or in writing.  Individuals interested in providing oral testimony must sign in with DLNR staff no later than 30 minutes after the stated start time of the public hearing.  Public hearings will conclude at the stated times or when the last oral testifier has finished, whichever comes first. Written statements may be submitted at the public hearing or to the Chairperson up to five working days after the latest public hearing date.  You may also submit written testimony by replying to this email.

The proposed rule amendments may be viewed online at the Division of Boating and Ocean Recreation website (http://dlnr.hawaii.gov/dobor/draft-rules)

The public is invited to email their testimony regarding this agenda item using the following email address: dlnr.harreview@hawaii.gov .  Those emailing testimony are strongly advised/cautioned to request a confirmation of receipt and to be very specific as to which meeting (see above) and which agenda item is being referred to; in this case, Chapter §13-234, fee increase proposal.