Council will meet in both Hilo and Kona

KAILUA-KONA » The Hawaii County Council looks set to take its show on the road beginning next year.

The council has tentatively agreed to meet every other month in Kona instead of always staying home in Hilo.

Although Hilo is the county seat, West Hawaii accounts for nearly three-quarters of the county's real property tax revenues, and residents have grown more vocal in demanding better access to government.

Much of the grumbling had concerned planning or zoning decisions made about large developments and subdivision projects in West Hawaii.

Many Kona residents who would like to express opinions to the Council cannot take the time to drive two hours to Hilo only to be frustrated by agenda or scheduling changes. One Kona-based group, Citizens for a Better Government, already is exploring the possibility of breaking off into a separate county.

Organizer Susan McGeachy admits that talk about a new county is in the very early stages, and such a change would require an amendment to the state Constitution. The latest push for regular Council meetings in Kona was spearheaded by North Kona Councilman Angel Pilago, who is running unopposed for a second two-year term.

"West Hawaii is all grown up, and we've earned our right to equally share in government. West Hawaii has paid its dues," he said last week at a candidates forum.

Hilo Councilman Stacy Higa supported the measure despite an annual cost of more than $100,000 for Council members, staff and contract videographers to travel across the island. Higa said he has reservations about the inflexibility of a set calendar but has no problems scheduling meetings in Kona when appropriate.

Other recent moves to make county government more accessible include making videoconferencing available in Kona and Waimea, and committing to building a civic center in West Hawaii.

The latest resolution calls for Kona meetings during even-numbered months beginning in February. Kona Councilwoman Virginia Isbell has said she favors meeting in Kona and confirmed last week that a west-side civic center is "on its way."