This may also be a time to bring up concerns related to the Koke`e Master Plan

Tuesday, June 17th, 5:00 pm, Moikeha Building, Rooms 2A & 2B. Next to the DMV Office in Lihue.

Kauai’s Governor’s Community Advisory Council will be holding a meeting at for the specific purpose of addressing HB 2872, which is currently sitting on Governor Lingle’s desk, awaiting her signature.

This is the ‘Kokee bill’. Here’s the link to the actual text of this bill so you can read it for yourself:
http://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session2008/Bills/HB2872_CD2_.htm

There are 3 critical aspects to House Bill 2872:

1) All current Koke`e leaseholders will get an opportunity to obtain new long-term leases at re-negotiated lease rents.

2) There will be an auction for all other available cabins and vacant lots, giving preference to Kauai full-time residents.

3) A Citizen’s Advisory Council will be formed, consisting of 9 members from Kauai’s community and 4 non-voting ‘experts’. This Council will help direct how issues pertaining to Kokee are addressed.

The unfortunate choices made by the DLNR in 1985 do not have to be repeated. We do not need to lose more beloved Kokee cabins to an ill-conceived auction. The current Kokee cabin community provides lodging and ‘connection’ to a huge network of local families, and this needs to be preserved.

The accumulated knowledge, relationships, commitment, passion and experiences of those with deep ties to Kokee is unique and invaluable, and an integral part of this historic and cultural community. This bill recognizes these important realities.

With passage of HB 2872, more Kauai families and organizations will have opportunities to have their own cabin in Kokee, without needlessly punishing the current leaseholders. And with the Citizen’s Advisory Council the community will have a REAL voice as controversial issues are considered for Kokee, ie the ‘Master Plan’.

Kauai’s Governor’s Community Advisory Council has decided this bill is important enough to have called this expedited special meeting to discuss whether they should advise Governor Lingle to sign HB 2872 into law.

We need to pack the room with ‘Yes’ votes. Please make the time to show up next Thursday, June 12th, at 5:00. We’ve all attended many useless meetings and hearings. Well, this is an important one. Let’s make a little history here, and preserve Kokee for current and future generations!

Thanks to our Kauai legislators for helping get us to this point, especially Representative Roland Sagum and Senator Gary Hooser.

Mahalo, Erik Coopersmith

***Malama ‘Aina – Preserve Koke’e***