2007 Programs
February 2007 — Why Doctors Leave Kona
Doctors presented their viewpoints on why they are leaving Kona. In the discussion were Dr. Wesley Sugai; Dr. Carol Brown; Dr. Barry Blum; Dr. Robert Laird; Jon Lattimer, Director of the Kona Community Hospital
April 2007 — Agricultural Issues
Speakers: Nancy Pisicchio of Kona County Farm Bureau; Bob Cooper of The Original Hawaiian Chocolate Factory; Glenn Fukumoto and Virginia Easton-Smith of the University Cooperative Extension Service; Reverend Dennis Shields
May 2007 — Kona Community Development Plan
Speakers: Chris Yuen, Hawaii County Planning Director; Councilman Angel Pilago; Attorney Mark Van Pernis; Community Educator Charles Flaherty; Beth Methau, Habitat For Humanity
Meeting sponsored by Island Chevrolet.
September 2007 — West Hawaii Healthcare
Speakers: Josh Green, State Representative and Chairman of House Health Committee; Councilmember Brenda Ford; Bruce Makarewicz, Director of the West Hawaii Community Health Center; Wally Lau, the Neighborhood Place; Wilbor Boyd, Curves Fitness
October 2007 — Flood Control Law Reform
Speakers: Councilmember Brenda Ford, Director of Public Works Bruce McClure, USDA Conservationalist Jeff Knowles, Steve Herbert, Professional Engineer, and David Edgar, Holualoa farmer. Councilmember Angel Pilago provided a Council update.
November 2007 — New West Hawaii Community College
Speakers: John Morton, President of University of Hawaii Community Colleges; Andy Smith, Governor Lingle’s liaison; Cindy Evans, State Representative from District 7; Dr. Walter Kunitake, former Director of West Hawaii Community College; Jim Lightner, Food Services Manager; Roger Harris, Palamanui Planning Director; Lionel Kutner, Community Leader; Rick Vidgen, Governor’s Advisory Board.
Councilmember Brenda Ford provided a Council update.
December 2007 — Affordable Housing and Homeless Shelters
Speakers: Tobi Taniguchi, United Way KTA; Bo Kahui, Hawaiian Homelands; Noni Kunz, Kona Historical Society; Barbara Kossow, Transitional Housing; Rex Jitchaku, Waikoloa Affordable Housing
Angel Pilago provided a County Council Update.