Public Meetings on Pohakuloa EIS should be Public Hearings with Public Testimony!
Public Meetings on Pohakuloa EIS should be Public Hearings with Public Testimony!
April 23, 2024
The two “Public Meetings” set for the Big Island on May 6th from 6-8 PM at Waimea District Park and May 7th from 6-8 PM at Imiloa Astronomy Center should be PUBLIC HEARINGS and not limited to two hours. These meetings (that should be held in all 9 BIG ISLAND districts) need to provide an opportunity for members of the public to offer public testimony. That means let others hear what each person is saying. I remember being at such a public hearing on Pohakuloa 20 years ago at the Naniloa that went on from 6PM to 2 AM. Hundreds of people participated because it was important to hear one another.
The 2 hr. public meetings now set for the PTA lease renewal are not public hearings. It’s more like a science fair where people can walk around various military stations set up on specific topics to learn and ask questions. While there is nothing wrong with that aspect, it is not enough. If a person wants to speak on the record, they are told to go over into the corner and speak to a stenographer. No one else can hear what that person has to say. The existing public meetings are designed to isolate and disempower the community by not being able to hear one another’s concerns.
What’s needed in addition to the “science fair model” is public testimony following the opportunity to view and raise questions at the various displays. Public testimony empowers the community by hearing one another’s concerns. We learn by listening to one another, not just listening to military propaganda.
Jim Albertini, president of Malu Aina
cc: government officials and the news media
Jim Albertini Malu ‘Aina Center For Non-violent Education & Action P.O. Box 489 Ola’a (Kurtistown) Hawai’i 96760
Phone 808-966-7622 Email ja@malu-aina.org Visit us on the web at www.malu-aina.org
