ilind.net - June 22, 2011
DBEDT director Richard Lim’s recent speech at a meeting of the Hawaii Economic Association spelled out his view that public lands represent a significant resource and opportunity for private development.
Now a bill signed into law by Governor Abercrombie provides muscle to move Lim’s vision towards reality.
Here’s what Lim had to say about development of public land.
"The State has vast land resources which currently represent a drain on the State’s coffers due to heavy maintenance costs. We cannot afford to pay for adequate upkeep so facilities are in disrepair and, consequently, become underutilized. Most residents don’t use them which often results in them attracting undesirable elements.
By engaging in public-private partnerships, we hope to turn this situation around. We will find private sector partners who are willing to make the requisite investments to renovate and revitalize our underutilized lands.
There are a number projects that can improve our infrastructure and provide improved facilities for the enjoyment of locals and tourists. And, partnering with the private sector minimizes the need for State funding or additional personnel.
Of course, there will always be the vocal minority that will object. Think of the Superferry. And, there have been other projects that have been derailed by well heeled NIMBY’s and special interests.
While I am all for protecting the environment, we need to strike a balance. We can do responsible and sustainable development."
SB1555 CD1, quietly signed into law by the governor on May 20 as Act 55, will create a potentially very powerful Public Land Development Corporation to implement Lim’s strategy for privatizing public resources.
Lim will sit on the 5-member board along with the director of Finance and the Land Board chairman.
Two additional members will be appointed by the House Speaker and Senate President, and those members must have “sufficient knowledge, experience, and proven expertise in small and large businesses within the development or recreation industries, banking, real estate, finance, promotion, marketing, or management.”
Conservation? Environment? Public interests? No seat at the table.
The new PLDC is charged with selecting land from the state inventory and promoting private development for projects that but are not “limited to office space; vehicular parking; commercial uses; hotel, residential, and timeshare uses; fueling facilities; storage and repair facilities; and seawater air conditioning plants.”
The PLDC is broadly empowered to guarantee loans for developers, issue bonds to finance projects, and take other steps to push for development. It looks like a piggy bank for private investors and developers.
Comments
ALOHA Kakou,
The Public Lands that the FAKE State administrate are TRUST LANDS! The FAKE State do not own these lands IN FEE SIMPLE! Read the State of Hawaii Admission's Act!
The FAKE State now wants to Sell of these TRUST LANDS that have a Clouded Titlte to them coming from Hawaiian Nationals of the Kingdom of Hawaii!
Anyone buying these National TRUST LANDS of the Kingdom of Hawaii best be informed of the foundation of these Public Trust Lands under the FAKE State!
Long Live The Kingdom of Hawaii, o Pomai
First, This is not new new's this is old! First ilind.net is a highly respectible guy, and his web site is always attacked by his foe's. He knows what he is saying.
As for the develpment stuff, it came via na Kanaka partnerships beginning with education, the humliation of native Hawaiian women with children, and their welfare status. The State and Federal Task Force gave force to this land schema at the Federal Levels. We the native Hawaiian women filed a complaint with the Civil Rights Commission and the State of Hawaii during Ariyoshi's time was found to be in 'Breach of Trust". If this author does his research on Andy Anderson he will see the shores 5(f) and how this transfered into John Dominis Restruant--the whole shore line problem. Keep in mind no one owns the ocean except its people. So who are the people that engaged in business with developers? It's easy to note how our people were part of the commercial uses on 5(f) and its five purposes.
Native Hawaiian women wombs were used to replenish the 'dying race' and when it came to the real out comes. These so-called busines men ran for the hills! Just as what happens to any military based communites--soldiers make babies with native Hawaiian women and when their time in the military is over with they too run like hell back to their culture roots of the Civil War. Leaving the state with children that are fatherless, and this phenomenon continues....What does a Lesbian think? Adoption! Adopting out our na kanaka children is a much sweeter 'deal' to barren women and their counter part corporations.