Legislators hear concerns
of Big Island residents

KAILUA-KONA, Hawaii » House Speaker Calvin Say was on the Big Island this weekend hearing the concerns of residents living at the southern end of the state.

"I just want to learn about the issues and concerns you may have," Say (D, St. Louis Heights-Wilhelmina Rise) said here after he, five other representatives and two senators made stops in Hilo, Honokaa and Kawaihae.

The meetings were organized by freshman Rep. Josh Green (D, North Kona).

Hearing from residents firsthand, Say said, provides him a better opportunity to convince other lawmakers of the magnitude and depth of concern.

Say said he left the Big Island with a better understanding of the need for a reliable public transportation system and affordable housing.

He called the island's public transportation system "antiquated" and said the planning process is failing to rectify the situation.

Preserving the shoreline from Kawaihae to Kau also was a priority for numerous residents.

Sara Peck, West Hawaii representative for the University of Hawaii Sea Grant College Program, said she has seen a growing number of residents concerned about marine and coastal resources.

Peck urged the lawmakers to focus on better land use management, saying the community would support any bill that benefits the state's natural resources.

The lawmakers also heard from Neil Sims, co-founder of Kona Blue Water Farms, who said his business is growing thanks to visionary legislation that has allowed him to develop his open-ocean fish farm. He urged legislators to continue support of the aquaculture industry.

However, Sims expressed concern that he had to look beyond the Big Island to find qualified employees to fill more than a dozen new jobs in the last year.

At each of the stops, concerns about public education were voiced, including funding charter schools and equitable working conditions for substitute teachers.

Another issue drawing testimony on both sides was assisted suicide.

Tom Hering, representing St. Michael Catholic Church, said it should remain a health and human services issue, not a judicial one. Susan Golden, speaking from her motorized chair, countered that it is a disability issue.