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Posted: Thursday, October 4th, 2012 9:17 AM HST

Council passes resolution urging end of PLDC

By Ken Hupp - 67AM KPUA News

The County Council has unanimously passed a resolution urging the abolishment of the Public Land Development Corporation. The PLDC was established by the state legislature in 2011 to foster development of public lands, but has encountered a wave of opposition, which led the Kauai County Council to pass a similar resolution lastmonth. Resolution sponsor Brenda Ford urged her colleagues to pass the resolution and send a message. “Repeal this thing. If they really want to do this, start over, do it right and leave the councils in control of the county,” Ford said. “We are responsible to the people, and we get ourselves elected or unelected based on what we do for the people of the island. not just the district.” Opponents have criticized the PLDC for its exemptions to land use and zoning laws. PLDC Executive Director Lloyd Haraguchi said the agency cannot act alone and is not out to simply generate profit from public lands, but to create public-private partnerships. Content for this story was provided by Big Island Video News.