PAHOA, Hawaii – Puna’s State Senator Russell Ruderman (D) met with the community on Wednesday evening in Pahoa. The Senator just wrapped up a busy legislative session and the meeting was a chance for Ruderman to give his report, which included sharing his disappointment in the legislatures’ level of help in a time of need.
Pahoa is enjoying a more optimistic existence now that the June 27th lava flow is no longer an immediate threat. In January when the 2015 legislative session began, a volcano warning was in effect, and lower Puna was deeply concerned about being cut off from the rest of the Big Island once the lava cut Highway 130. Ruderman went to Honolulu with a list of lava related legislation, but not much passed.
Ruderman did have success with “perhaps the most important single bill that passed with benefit to Puna”, the Insurance Bill, SB 589. This bill requires most homeowner’s insurance policies to be renewed and new policies to be issued during emergency declarations, Ruderman explained. This will allow home sales and property values to return to normal following a period when such policies were being denied, the state senator says.
But overall, the session left the senator feeling cynical.
I want to express my great disappointment that the state didn’t really help Puna in very many material ways, getting through the crisis we went through last year. It was a giant lesson to me of we’re kind of on our own. But I thought there was a lot more that the state could do that they didn’t do.Sen. Russell Ruderman
what did you expect?…the red carpet?..again you should know…it is not what you do…but who you know…look at the mayor…he breaks the law…and all the county council members tremble in their shoes…he will get away with this…even the Attorney General is afraid of him….so wake up…being cynical ? the laugh is on you….business as usual….
Thanks for trying Russell.
Look back to the 1980’s history. The help that truly helped came from local businesses, then the world… Huge donation’s came daily. The world news helped. Each subdivision organized teems of men and moved many homes. It was a humbling experience in that even though the Government waited 10 years to declare it a Disaster the world saw what’s up with Kalapanas destruction. The government agency’s help looked like this, first FEMA came in and helped right away by paying grants to qualified people. Then it was $10,000.00 each person or family. That came in mail took three day’s. Red Cross did food and medical and housed hundreds in hotels in Hilo. The State of Hawaii, county was helpful but limited resources. But still gave us community leaders what they could. The Mayor was in lala land and Harry Kim took over, at this point all got way better he kicked out the policemen and empowered the community. So years went like this one house or more each day was moved or evaluation of its belongings or left it all for Pele. Each family was given a opportunity to decide what to do. And a team of men and women did it. Food equipment know how man power all day for 14 years. We all moved the Painted Church last together. Now for the States part, they took 16 months to eliminate family’s they never planed to help in the first place. But finally they had to as the New agencies were showing this heartless elimination crap they were pulling. So they offered the community Loans!!!??? This pretty much summs it up, they made a Proffitt off out destruction. Oh yes they created a Subdivision call Kikala. Put the Hawaiians as reason got millions to create it, then took forever to do it. They stold the millions by sticking it in the general funds of State of Hawaii. We had to Sue them to get it back. Mean time people died before any lots were ready to build on. This destroyed the once so wonderful Kalapana community. Yet still we host everyone at Uncle Robert’s to share and remind Hawaii Aloha lives still in Kalapana.
I can assure you this is only the truth. And only a small part if the action that took place for 14 years. And still going….