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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE April 25, 2001 |
Contact: Rep. Kika Bukoski Tel.: 586-6330 |
House Republicans said today that they will oppose HB 728 SD1 that would allow the state airports to be exempt from county rules and regulations, but they must have bipartisan support to defeat it. The counties and the Sierra Club are in strong support of the Republican efforts to defeat this bill.
Currently, both private and public sector projects must meet each county's requirements that may include environmental impact studies or residential input. This bill would allow the state to bypass those requirements on all lands used for airport purposes. Republicans are strongly opposed to any attempt by the state to usurp the decision-making power of the counties.
"The Republican caucus is united in an effort to defeat this measure," said Rep. Kika Bukoski (R-Upcountry Maui). "Discussions with other opponents to this amended bill has been ongoing."
"The state must recognize the counties and their right to determine what happens in their communities when it comes to land use," Bukoski added. "The county rules are in place to give the people who live in those communities a chance to discuss and approve land use decisions."
Republican representatives understand that Hawaii is made up of four very diverse counties that must have the authority to deal with issues that directly affect
their residents. Home rule is necessary to keep government effective and responsive to public input.
Representative Jim Rath (R-Kona) concurs. "Having served on the County Council, I know firsthand that home rule is extremely important to the Big Island."
Republicans said the state must recognize the counties' realm of authority and respect their ability to conduct their own affairs. The state cannot be above county law when the issues in question directly impact the counties. This bill would strip the counties of the power to manage their own affairs and shift decision-making authority to state agencies.
The bill was amended in the Senate to provide the various County Councils with a 45-day period during which they can disagree with the proposed usage of state lands.
"That provision is shibai," said Ron Davis (R-West Maui, Molokai, Lanai). "It makes it sound ok, but the truth is simple: the state should not hold itself above the law that everyone else must adhere to, and the people in the community have a right to discuss and decide what goes on in their own back yard."
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