HAWAII COUNTY, Hawaii: Last Friday the Hawaii County Commission unanimously approved a proposal to amend the county council's terms. Currently, county council members are allowed to serve up to four two-year terms but the new proposal, if approved by voters in 2010, would change the terms served to a maximum of two four-year terms. Alapaki Nahale-a, who chaired an ad-hoc committee on the issue, said, "The council members need more time to see pools built and roads on the ground." Additionally, Nahale-a noted that county residents will also be voting on another ballot amendment that will make it easier for the public to file recall petitions. This, said Nahale-a will help balance the longer terms.[1][2]
