`Usual suspects’
By ddepledge
Gov. Neil Abercrombie, speaking on Wednesday to a Hawaii Business luncheon in Waikiki, said the Public Land Development Corp. should move forward.
The governor said the corporation has the opportunity to be the catalyst for partnerships with the private sector to develop public land, particularly land held by the state Department of Education. He said such partnerships could be used to modernize public schools as well as to establish workforce housing and commercial development.
Abercrombie also had a few words for the critics who want to repeal the PLDC as a threat to public land and the environment:
Pay no attention to the usual suspects that appear at meetings to vilify my directors and to diminish and try to demoralize people at this time as to what might be taking place.
Political Radar
September 12th, 2012 at 9:50 pm
The gov just does not get it. By demeaning and belittling critics of the PLDC he only fans the flames and emphasizes his inherent arrogance. Why not say “You know, maybe we should give this a second look. The critics have raised some valid concerns and I would like to look at those concerns and possibly amend Act 55 to include additional safeguards to protect the environment and the general public interest.” But no. Governor Abercrombie is all about “my way or the highway”.
September 12th, 2012 at 10:31 pm
“State land held by state Department of Education”. Seems DOE is getting money from elsewhere and not using it for Education. Sounds like dividends being divided by DOE persons into their own pockets.
September 13th, 2012 at 12:52 am
Many of these folks who Neil refers to as “usual suspects” supported and campaigned for Neil. He has rewarded us by joining in the attempts to clandestingly steal lands that belong to the public and indigenous peoples of Hawai’i. Ask Neil how many opportunities the public had to opine on Senate Bill 1555 sponsored by Senator Dela Cruz. He claims act 55 will allow public/private development of DOE projects, harbors, etc. There are other vehicles available that would allow these projects to move forward without this foolhardy act that includes over one million acres of state controlled land (much of it ceded lands not state owned). Circumventing environmental measures designed to benefit the people is not a wise move for a public servant. But it is for a land thief.
Mufi Hanneman did many questionable things while he was mayor. Neil has him beat by signing Act 55 in to law. As a staunch democrat with a bad case of buyer’s remorse, I may vote for whoever runs against the screaming midget come the next election.
September 13th, 2012 at 10:27 am
Shows clearly that abercrombie is a dictator. He should be thrown in jail for this. The Public already said they don’t want this. I didn’t go to the meetings. I’m glad people did so they can actually tell the truth. The truth is something Star Advertiser avoids. Shame on all of you.
September 13th, 2012 at 10:30 am
To be more truthful, everyone at the meeting spoke in opposition to PLDC. It wasn’t a “few”. If Star doesn’t have money to do their own research, I’ll help you…look on youtube and you can see the voice of the people. You definitely will not read the peoples voice on Star Advertiser. I’m so glad I don’t subscribe. It looks like you made up the article.
September 13th, 2012 at 11:14 am
I voted for Neil Abercrombie. That was an necessity. He is not who I thought he was. Public land is just
that. Would he sell Preservation Land? Privatize schools? Looks like. I don’t like being named a usual suspect.
I am not trying to “demoralize” people but to “moralize” them by saying the public should make these decisions,
not back room politicians. Shame on Neil.
Paul Nelson, Waialua
September 13th, 2012 at 11:41 am
I am disturbed by Neil’s comments about “usual subjects” which is a way to discount the concerns of people who oppose the PLDC. I believe there are huge flaws in the PLDC and it’s execution will not serve the common good of Hawaii, the land, or it’s people.
September 13th, 2012 at 11:54 am
It may be best to repeal Act 55 as it is currently written to enable the process to resume with the following considerations appropriately in place:
a. Prior to legislative action, there should be state-wide, In-depth discussions with the kupuna, especially from among the kanaka maoli. All others interested in participating should be a part of this shared kuleana, to bring their mana’o in setting a foundation and framing the parameters of this endeavor., If such a proposal merits the consent and approval of the majority of those participating, it would be then, that this proposal can move forward.. .
b. Address the historical and legal matters with respect to the “ceded lands” held in “trust” by the State of Hawaii.
c. Maintain clarity, transparency, and accountability in the processes and procedures to be “pono” and in concert with “malama aina” principles and practices.
September 13th, 2012 at 1:36 pm
Couldnt agree more with the Gov. PLDC is a long needed and legitimate “workaround” of the statutes that control tenancy and use of certain state lands. There are significant checks and balances in place prior to any transfer of lands and the ownership is not affected. While some ( Frankel, Curtis, etc) manipulate the complexity of our land use laws to further their opinions and agenda the Gov has now rightly called them out. The Gov has stated clearly that the PLDC is for the benefit of the community at large and does not accept it being misrepresented by special interests and fear mongerers.
September 13th, 2012 at 3:34 pm
Neil Abercrombie is the most usual suspect of all.
September 13th, 2012 at 3:47 pm
From recent Gov press release: “Governor Neil Abercrombie has selected Kaua’i for his first “Governor’s Cabinet in Your Community”event, an opportunity for his administration to hear from the community. The public event will take place Wednesday, September 19, 2012″ – Let’s see if the usual suspects have anything to say to the Governor and Cabinet on this day.
September 13th, 2012 at 4:09 pm
When the Governor says the PLDC is for the benefit of the community at large, all of us kama`aina know that means it’s for the benefit of the “big money boys” who support whichever party is in power so they can rip off the community at large in order to make a buck–or more like $$$$$$$.
September 13th, 2012 at 4:41 pm
I agree with 1 thru 8 except on this point: the public had many occasions to speak up about the bill that became Act 55. Specifically, hearings were held on 2/8, 3/1, 3/18, and 4/7/11 before 4 different committees and none of the “usual suspects” said a word. NOTHING, ZIP, ZERO, NADA from OHA, NHLC, KAHEA, Sierra Club, or any of the other orgs that one would expect to oppose such legislation. There were also 6 separate Conference Committee meetings after that. Testimony is not accepted at these latter hearings but those public hearings very clearly iundicated the bill was in play. The “usual suspects” shoulda gotten on it but failed, miserably.
As for number 9, I wish you were right. But if you read the actual law, you will see that it sweeps all of the existing checks and balances aside and you have not specified what replaces them. Of course, they could be put in the admin rules but why would they if the law itself exempts PLDC from them? It’s not enuf for the Governor, either of the D. Delacruzes, or you to say “Trust me.” We are a society of laws, not of people, and the laws will remain long after even well-intentioned people are gone.
Get it right or get gone, for good.
September 16th, 2012 at 2:00 pm
When Linda Lingle was Governor, she tried to deceive her constituents that her actions regarding the Superferry were legal and above board and we are still paying millions for her deception. Governor Abercrombie, on the other hand is making an open and public travesty of out laws and, in plain sight is turning the State of Hawaii into a dictatorship with the apparent support of the Legislature. If he succeeds we will pay billions for his actions and with his statements he is alienating the people of Hawaii. Will the citizens resist? Are the people so disenfranchised that they feel powerless? Or will we bring to bear pressure on our legislators and the Governor before and during the next election? If you care about this state, make your voice heard. This may be your last chance.
September 17th, 2012 at 9:25 pm
If you can’t dazzle them with brilliance,
baffle them with “Bureaucratic Standards”.
lingle did not have me fooled but little do people
listen to my two cents especially from a person without a Bureaucratic Standard
degree.
October 7th, 2012 at 5:20 pm
I have had a great deal of respect for Mr. Abercrombie while he represented us in Washington DC. He is about to wipe all that out in one mistaken move with this legislation. Bad move.