Molokai Times
Wednesday, March 5, 2008
By David Lichtenstein
By more than a 2-to-1 margin, members of the community who offered testimony at a confirmation hearing opposed the appointment of Abbey Mayer as the new director for the State of Hawaii Office of Planning.
Thirty-five people testified in regards to Gov. Linda Lingle's January appointment of Mayer during a senate confirmation hearing held last Wednesday. Senator Clayton Hee, chairman of the Water and Land committee that will recommend or reject Mayer's appointment, along with Senator Kalani English, sat through five hours of testimony at the halau at Kulana 'Oiwi.
A total of 25 people spoke in opposition to Mayer's appointment while 10 stood up to support it. The supporters and detractors were clearly divided along the same line that separates those who favor the development of La'au Point (supporters) by Molokai Properties Limited (MPL) and those who oppose it.
Mayer recently resigned as executive director of Ka Aupuni Lokahi, known as the Molokai Enterprise Community (EC). The EC was central to the development of an MPL-sponsored, community-based master land use plan that seeks to develop La'au Point with 200 luxury home lots. The plan also sets aside over 50,000 acres of land on Molokai's West End for preservation and details the reopening of the Kaluakoi Hotel and related infrastructure improvements.
Both supporters and detractors announced surprise at Gov. Lingle's appointment of Mayer to this high-level state position in early January. If confirmed, Mayer will replace OP director Laura Thielan who has since moved on to director of the Department of Land and Natural Resources.
Mayer provides testimony
After the public finished its testimony, Mayer had the opportunity to share his feelings about why he is suited for this leadership role. Both senators then questioned him thoroughly about his credentials and what he would bring to the OP.
Sen. Hee was particularly interested in Mayer's vision for statewide sustainability, his knowledge and experience concerning all the Hawaiian islands, his views on creating affordable housing and how he sees his role as a state planner in relation to other government agencies.
Mayer began his testimony by highlighting his qualifications. Mayer discussed his contributions to the Leeward Coast Initiate begun by Thielan, his "ability to form partnerships" as executive director of the EC, his recently-acquired accounting degree that taught him generally accepted accounting practices and his work on the community-based master land use plan.
"A lot of the work that has been done by the EC has gotten drowned out in the controversy over La'au Point," said Mayer.
Regarding the La'au development, Mayer called it a solution to the question: "How can us common people find ways of living with millionaires? É The plan was a heartfelt means of finding a solution. Preserving 51,000 acres in perpetuity was the driving force behind my support of the plan."
Some of the EC experience Mayer discussed was his work with the Molokai Land Trust in developing the community-based master land use plan, creating low-interest home loans for low-income housing in Maunaloa and securing funds for the preservation of the Kalani Ana Ole Hall across the street from Kulana 'Oiwi.
Mayer addressed head-on the issue of a potential conflict of interest over the La'au Point development. "I would offer MPL no unwarranted advantages," he said. "No one has a magic button to push this thing through."
Mayer said the state attorney general's office is examining the issue of a possible conflict of interest. He said he will abide by whatever decision is reached.
Questioned by senators
Sen. Hee asked Mayer for specifics on what he would do to help deal with the pressures on Hawaii created by population growth and the need for affordable housing to help young people.
Mayer suggested that Kapulei on Oahu will have room for expansion. Mayer was more vague about growth on neighbor islands, but said it should be proportional.
Mayer discussed maximizing the use of the state's resources, allowing for mixed-zoning in rural areas, using "green" or environmentally-friendly building techniques, negotiating with contractors and using the state's leverage to provide low-interest mortgages for qualified applicants.
Hee continued to press Mayer for a more concrete answer. "That doesn't sound like an answer you can hang your hat on," said Hee. The senator wanted to know if Mayer would mandate a percentage of housing as affordable for every new development.
After reviewing 2000 census figures, Mayer came up with an off-the-cuff proposal based on a median household income of $49,000. Using that figure, an affordable home would cost between $200-$300,000, said Mayer. He suggested that 30-50 percent of the homes in any development could be reserved for affordable housing.
Hee then speculated about how many homes in La'au Point would be made affordable if this mandate was implemented.
Sen. English questioned Mayer on his familiarity with the role of the state planner as set in Hawaii statute. In particular, English wondered out loud about Mayer's ability to consider alternative solutions to common problems. "You have to be an outside-of-the-box thinker. That's why the position exists."
English was also concerned with Mayer's familiarity with all of the Hawaiian islands. Mayer has lived in Hawaii four years with his wife Rose and son Juno, all of those on Molokai.
"What's your vision, your passion?" English wondered. "I haven't been able to ascertain your depth of passion," he added.
Hee said he believes Mayer possesses the necessary vision and passion for the position. His bigger concern was whether or not Mayer met the necessary experience or qualifications for the position.
Public testimony
The public also expressed concerns over Mayer's experience and qualifications.
"I cannot say that one who has been here four years has the roots in our culture and society for this job," said Molokai spiritual leader Moke Kim. "This will be another nail that will cut our link with our culture and our people."
Others did not see Mayer's lack of experience in Hawaii as a problem. "There are some people who have lived here forever and still don't get it," testified Zhantell Dudoit, Molokai Visitor Coordinator who works with the EC under Mayer's supervision. "I know Abbey to be honest and dignified É I would vote for you if you were running for governor," said Dudoit as she turned to face Mayer in the audience.
Bridget Mowat, an elected board member of the EC, also questioned Mayer's experience. "Does his experience prepare him for the whole state of Hawaii? É As director of KAL he is there to protect resources and that is not going in the right direction already. I find it suspicious that Governor Lingle supports La'au Point and then appoints Abbey Mayer."
Those in opposition, such as Karen Holt, director of the Molokai Community Services Council, questioned Mayer's qualifications as well. "This isn't about Abbey personally, but when you look at his qualifications there is some concern.
"Every principle of good planning is violated in the planning of La'au Point," Holt said. Holt discussed the problems with sufficient water and monk seal protection for La'au and what that bodes about the person empowered to help make important decisions about land and water use.
Local water educator and activist Mahea Davis testified that she had requested from Mayer a community meeting with the EC to discuss water issues in relation to the community-based master plan. "I wanted him to support a discussion about water and it never happened," said Davis.
DeGray Vanderbilt, chair of the Molokai Planning Commission, said he based his testimony on conversations with Mayer, and concluded that he "is not independent enough to stand up to the governor, who wants people who will do what she wants. We have to get away from that É I haven't seen him bring people together. He kind of has a closed meeting mentality."
Prior to his job with the EC, Mayer was manager for the Molokai Livestock Cooperative. Martin Kahae, homesteader and former president of the coop, said he regrets recommending Mayer for the position in 2004. "I can honestly say that the cooperative is losing money because of the actions of Abbey Mayer."
But others supported Mayer's work on Molokai, including his work at the cooperative. "He helped get the USDA permits approved and he was involved in the formation of the slaughterhouse," testified John Sabas, community relations manager with MPL. "With the EC he was courageous and professional in the way he handled himself," Sabas continued. "Abbey would be a good statewide director. He understands rural areas and has the sensitivity to know what is desired or not."
Also testifying in Mayer's support was Billy Akutagawa, the executive director for Na Pu'u Wai Native Hawaiian Health Care System. "I know from the Molokai Land Trust that there is genuine care for the Molokai community from Abbey Mayer."
Akutagawa mentioned grant money for land that Mayer helped with, his assistance in a dialysis project and with Kalani Ana ole Hall, along with his work with the livestock coop. "All these things take planning," he said. "He has demonstrated his ability to work with many people and to help many. I strongly support his confirmation."
A previous Senate confirmation hearing had been held the week before at the Hawaii State Capitol. Senator Hee said he would consider possibly holding a third hearing to determine whether Mayer is qualified to run the state Office of Planning. At this time Mayer is working as the interim director for the state Office of Planning until a final Senate vote confirms him.
Original article URL: http://www.molokaitimes.com/articles/83505652.asp