LIHU’E — The County Council is expected to begin organizing a focus group next month to participate in a facilitated process to study the pros and cons of extending a runway at the Lihu’e Airport. As part of its proposed
LIHU’E — The County Council is expected to begin organizing a focus group next month to participate in a facilitated process to study the pros and cons of extending a runway at the Lihu’e Airport.
As part of its proposed airport expansion project, the state wants to extend one runway from 6,500 to 10,000 feet to accommodate larger aircraft and additional direct flights.
The Council has proposed a community-based mediation process in an effort to resolve differences that have developed concerning the need for the runway.
There are strong opinions both for and against the expansion with people divided along the lines of issues concerning growth.
The Council is expected to seek the help of professional facilitators from the state Judiciary’s Center for Alternative Dispute Resolution to assist with the mediation process.
Council Chair Ron Kouchi initially asked the state Judiciary group to participate in the process to reduce the risk of a conflict in the community over the proposal.
Kouchi said the focus group should be comprised of 20 people from community groups and other interests, including:
• Kaua’i Chamber of Commerce.
• PONO Coalition.
• Kaua’i Visitors Bureau.
• Kaua’i chapter of the League of Women’s Voters.
• Kaua’i chapter of the Sierra Club.
• 1000 Friends of Kaua’i..
• Kaua’i County Council.
• Office of the mayor.
• State of Hawaii representatives.
• Airport users including airlines and other companies.
• Native Hawaiian groups.
• Organizations that can offer technical assistance.
Kouchi said group members should:
• Have the ability to represent viewpoints.
• Have a willingness to participate in a long process.
• Have the flexibility to change one’s mind based on compelling information.
• Have the willingness to contribute information.
• Have a desire to reach a consensus.
Among other issues, the group will be expected to look at environmental and economic impacts, the pros and cons of different runway lengths, protective measures against alien animals that might be brought to Kaua’i and whether ceded lands are involved in the runway proposal, said Gary Hooser, chair of the Council’s Economic Development Committee.
“There are a lot of questions, lots of issues,” Hooser said. “A lot of answers I don’t have.” The participants must be flexible in their analysis of the facts, he said.
“The people involved have to be open minded and be willing to accept change, and that is going to be most difficult,” Hooser said.
The group is expected to begin organizing next month and could hold its first meeting in January, Hooser said.
Between January and March, the group will meet and information-gathering sessions will be held, Kouchi said.
Between March and July, more community meetings will be held, followed by a final report from the group in September, Kouchi said.
The Concil will use the report to decide whether to draft a resolution supporting or not supporting the runway extension, Hooser said.
Elizabeth Kent, executive director of the state Judiciary agency, will be asked to facilitate the work of the focus group.
The county Office of Economic Development and the Kaua’i County Council are expected to provide staff support for the process.
