(Margaret Wille, a Kamuela resident and attorney, submitted this commentary)
The County Council district lines now favor Hilo-side politics by usurping what should have been a second Puna area council district. The Redistricting Commission is creating new district boundaries that will be in effect for the next decade. Again, this commission is leaning toward giving Hilo an extra (undeserved) council seat, but this time by eliminating Hamakua’s one independent council district. What do you think?
If you don’t mind a lop-sided redistricting plan with another decade of Hilo old boy-dominated politics, then you can support “commission plan A.” Under commission plan A, Hamakua, as an independent district, would be eliminated. District 1 would be redrawn to extend from Paauhau south and be combined with part of downtown and suburban Hilo; Honokaa and Kukuihaele would be combined with Waimea, Kawaihae, Puako, and North Kohala.
If instead you want a fair division of County Council districts, you must speak up in favor of “community plan 40.” Community plan 40 would not give an unfair preference to any particular district and would preserve an independent rural Hamakua District, extending from Wailuku River to eastern most Waimea, about the same as the current boundary. (I call this community plan 40 because community groups all around the island worked together to create the best overall fair plan — same as plan 40 adjusted as of Oct. 24).
At its Aug. 24 meeting, the Redistricting Commission discussed what a fair plan of council districts would look like. They recommended: 1 Hamakua District; 2 Hilo Districts; 2 Puna Districts; 2 Kona Districts; 1 Southern District and 1 Northern District. Community plan 40 meets that criteria and commission plan A does not. Compare the likely political outcome of these two alternative plans:
(These plans are available for viewing here)
Commission Plan A: 0 Hamakua; 3 Hilo; 2 Puna; 2 Kona; 1 southern Ka’u and 1 northern Kohalas (it moves Waikola Village into Kona district 8).
Community Plan 40: 1 Hamakua; 2 Hilo; 2 Puna; 2 Kona; 1 southern Ka’u and 1 northern Kohalas (it keeps Waikoloa Village in district 9).
And it is very important to realize that a fair overall composition of the County Council districts is even more important than exactly where each council district boundary is located.
There are only two Redistricting Commission meetings left before a final decision will be made. Both will be held at 10 a.m. in the Hilo Council Chambers, on Nov. 3, the other Nov. 10, final decision day.
Your voice is important: so if possible go in person to Hilo for the final commission meetings: or testify at one of the other Council offices: West Hawaii, Waimea or Pahoa. You will have five minutes to speak. If you can’t attend, send written testimony to the Redistricting Commission addressed to Commission Secretary Karen Eoff by email: keoff@co.hawaii.hi.us or by fax: 329-4786 or by mail: Hawaii Redistricting Commission, WHCC Building A, 74-5044 Ane Keohokalole Highway, Kailua-Kona 96740.
