Big Island districts
show few changes

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By Rod Thompson
rthompson@starbulletin.com

HILO >> Although controversy surrounded its efforts, the Hawaii County Reapportionment Commission made few changes at the conclusion of its work this week, redrawing County Council districts for the next 10 years.

Huge chunks of land formerly in the Hamakua district have been reassigned to two Kona districts. Those areas include the Pohakuloa Military Training Area and the summit of Mauna Loa, each with few, if any, permanent residents.

One big change is extension of the southernmost of three Hilo districts to include the Orchidland subdivision in Puna.

Alternatives supported by Kona-based Citizens for Ethical and Responsible Government and Councilwoman Julie Jacobson (Green, Puna-Kau-South Kona) were turned down.

Kailua-Kona is now split between two Kona districts. Commission Chairman Mark Van Permis said the town benefits by having district lines that give it two Council members instead of one.

Commission Vice Chairman Lloyd Van De Car said the same is true of Puna, which gets three Council members through the reapportionment.