Too late, the county is now the proud owner of 100 acres in Waikapu. Will this land be used for a central baseyard as currently proposed or will be it be used for a new county seat, first iteration by this administration in this mayor's very first term?
In either case, let's hope the new council will demand a complete cost analysis before approving any more expenditure for the use of this property, regardless of its final purpose.
Please, just because it's real property doesn't necessarily make it a good buy. This county purchased a warehouse to hold excess fire engines and a police command vehicle and no one asked why do we have excess and unused equipment requiring storage; refurbished a laboratory to become a 70-slab morgue for the police and no one asked who will run this morgue; and purchased the vacant post office next to the county building and no one asked about plans for this building.
On top of that, Maui Police Department has a number of resource centers scattered around the county sitting mostly empty and unused. Remember community policing? Now we have a $38 million police station being built in Kihei and I bet we have no idea how much it will cost to furnish, man and maintain this edifice on an annual basis.
Even if part of purchases were through federal funds, it makes no difference. It is still taxpayer money.
Council members, please ask meaningful and probing questions before saying yes.
Ken Taira
Haiku
