Code of doom The direction chosen by our County Council to pass the new building code was a shameful rubber-stamping of doom for thousands of Big Island residents. ADVERTISING The state clearly asked for all counties to revise previous codes
Code of doom
The direction chosen by our County Council to pass the new building code was a shameful rubber-stamping of doom for thousands of Big Island residents.
The state clearly asked for all counties to revise previous codes to reflect more options of sustainability and cost-saving. Insulation and other needs on the mainland are not necessary here.
Every other county complied with the state’s intention, except for ours. The other counties clearly use “safe” in building allowance, whereas here the term is “standard.” So, if someone chooses to have a sink 2 inches shorter than “normal,” they can face $1,000-a-day fines.
As lumber becomes an expensive import, the rest of the islands have OK’d local wood and recycled building supplies. Yet our code says no.
Just as the Native Americans had their land taken from them, our council looks upon us as a reservation, and they become the overlords of telling people how to live.
So what will happen to thousands of Big Island residents who are happy in their homes but can now be thrown out and even put in jail?
Whose interest does the county represent? Is there a hidden agenda to get rid of low-income people and replace them with wealthier residential and commercial interests that provide a higher tax base? Jesus said help the poor, not rob them.
At the council meeting … there were over 50 people who expressed what a hardship passing this bill would be.
Yet it only took the council members five minutes to vote against the people’s wishes. And then they turned their backs and ran out of the room. Thus, with such a travesty of their intention, the state can now sue the Big Island for noncompliance.
George Douvris
Opihikao
