Council Member Bob Jacobson is currently serving his third term as the Hawai`i County Council representative for District 6. Bob Jacobson is former Vice-Chair of the County Council. Bob Jacobson currently serves as the Chairperson of the Environmental Management Committee, Vice Chair of the Finance Committee, Vice-Chairman of the Hawai`i State Association of Counties, and formerly served as the Chairman of Public Safety and Parks and Recreation Committee. His wife Julie Jacobson served as the County Council representative for District 6 from 1998-2002, making it a true family affair and providing remarkable continuity in process, (9 years) and progress. The Jacobson's have lived in the district for 26 years and have been active and involved in the community since their arrival.

Jacobson also serves on the National Association of Counties (NACo), Transportation Committee, and on the Hawaii State Association of Counties (HSAC), solid waste sub-committee. Jacobson is on the board of advisers of the Conservation Leaders Network, as well as an Associate Director on the Board of the Puna Soil and Water Conservation Committee.

As the Council representative for Puna, Ka`u and South Kona (District 6) Jacobson has worked collaboratively with many departments and agencies to make important improvements for all residents. Some of his accomplishments include:

• Securing funds and opening up the Old Volcano Trail for public use and enjoyment
• Playground equipment installation at the Kurtistown Park and Waiohinu Park (similar playground equipment will be installed at the Cooper Center in Volcano Village, and at the Shipman Park in Keaau).
• Helped obtain adequate dirt and materials to make Kahuku Park an approved ball field for league play
• Obtained funding for water meter expansion at Ho`okena Beach to allow improved use of new park facility
• Repairs to the Pahala Swimming Pool
• Installation of lights for the Pahala Tennis Courts
• Shoulder widening and paving in Volcano for improved pedestrian safety
• Helped bring all parties together to promote federal support putting Wao Kele O Puna, Puna's great cultural and water shed rainforest into public ownership again
• Helped organize the Children's International Art Festival for the last four events in Hilo, Beijing, and Los Angeles
• Helped pass workplace protections for a smoke free environment
• Helped pass the General Plan Revision
• Worked tirelessly with Federal Representatives and agencies to purchase and protect the Ka`u Coastline for conservation.
• Sponsored and got the support to pass a funding measure to acquire 225 acres at Honu'apo Beach and fishponds. One mile of coastline will become County open space and park.
• Introduced and help pass Bill 78, which creates a fund and continuing funding mechanism for the County of Hawaii to purchase lands for "Open Space" that will ensure public access to shorelines as well as traditional hunting and gathering sites in perpetuity. The new 2005-2006 budget contains at least $1 million for open space purchases.
• Sponsored and passed legislation purchasing 785 acres of coastline at Kawaa, Ka`u
• Sponsored and passed legislation to purchase 150 acres of coastline at Punalu`u, Ka`u

Thanks for this opportunity to serve as Council Member for Hawai’i County District 6, Puna-Ka`u & South Kona. Do not hesitate to contact me if you have concerns, ideas, or other reasons to contact your government here in Hawai`i. I look forward to meeting you and others as my office takes me out into the community.

Mahalo nui loa,

Bob Jacobson

Bob Jacobson - April 17, 2002
Brief summary of  Education; Job History; Community Organization Affiliations; Accomplishments and Activities as a Community Volunteer; and Political Experience

Born in Minneapolis, Minnesota 1953.
Married to Julie Jacobson in August 1975
Living in Hawaii since 1981

Education
University of Minnesota 1970-1971
Rochester Community College, Associate Degree Nursing 1978
Licensed as a Registered Nurse 1978-present
Continuing professional enrichment and research
Extensive training as a non-profit board member and training in writing non-profit grants 1993-present

Job History
Construction laborer 1971-1973
Computer Operator 1974-1975
Property Manager, MN and HI - 1976 to present
Tutored Native American nursing students in math and chemistry at Rochester Community College 1975-1978
Registered Nurse at St. Mary’s Hospital/Mayo Clinic Respiratory Surgical Intensive Care 1978-1981
Registry Nurse at Kona Hospital, Hilo Hospital, and Kauai Veterans Memorial Hospital 1981-1982
Registered Nurse, State of Hawaii, worked variously as an Intensive Care Nurse, Home Health nurse at Hilo Hospital 1984-1985, as a Nursing Supervisor, & Quality Assurance Nurse at Kona Hospital 1982-2002. Resigned to work as fulltime Council Member for District 6.

Community Organization Affiliations
Hawaiian Acres Community Association, former board member
Hawaiian Acres Road Corporation member,
Kula Kai View Estates Community Association, member
Fern Forest Vacation Estates Hui, member,
Volcano Community Association, member,
Ocean View Community Association, member,
KAFA (Ka`u Agroforestry Association), former President, KAFA is a conservation land trust.
HGEA (Hawai`i Government Employees Association) past president of Nurse’s Unit 9, former steward
Sierra Club, Hawai`i Chapter, member,
East Hawai`i Cultural Center, member,
Big Island Dance Council, member,
Volcano Art Center, member

Accomplishments, assets, and activities as a community volunteer:
Attends, listens to residents, and testifies at meetings and events that help our community and decision makers
Worked to expand the Federal Park at Pu`u Honua O Honaunau (City of Refuge)
Working to promote an effective and reputable Hawai`i County Police Department
Familiarity with Big Island, state, and federal decision makers
Lobbied for two conflict of interest bills to reduce the influence of special interest money on Hawaii County government.
Consistently testified for sustainable developments and against urban sprawl and other non-sustainable developments
Working to open bike and pedestrian trails such as the Railroad Avenue Project
Lobbied at state and local level to oppose private prisons on the Big Island
Brought attention to and helped to stop illegal dumping of waste cooking oil in Ka`u
Actively supports the preservation and recovery of Punalu`u Beach
Assisted Senator Levin in writing SCR 89 (passed in 2000 legislature) which sponsors a task force of community stakeholders, scientific experts, and state/county/ federal officials to resolve environmental and infrastructure problems at Punalu`u Beach
Met with park officials, military officials, residents, and legislators to provide enhanced ambulance services to the Volcano area
Promoted continued funding for miconia eradication.  Team leader of Hawaiian Acres Miconia project.
Helped to assemble water tank for Hawaiian Acres Volunteer Fire Department
Worked successfully to help solve marketing problems of some local farmers
Lobbied for organic food standards
Sought funding for organic food handling facility
Testifies to promote preservation of clean air and water
Actively supports public access to beaches and preservation of open spaces
Actively involved in promoting non-profits to help care for the needs of Hawai`i

Political Experience
Attended 2000 National Green Party in Colorado as a Hawaii Delegate
Active in Hawaii Green Party since 1996
Lifelong commitment to health issues, social causes, and political action
Worked on planning issues in Puna District of Hawai`i County - 1982 to present
Worked to reform toxic procedures and practices of the Hawai`i geothermal industry - 1990 to present
Elected as Hawaii State President Registered Nurses Unit 9 HGEA 1993-1996
Hawai`i County Council Volunteerism Award Puna District for completing a comprehensive planning survey - 1996
Volunteerism Award for the Puna District from Hawai`i House of Representatives - 1996
Worked to keep private prisons from being built on the Big Island - 1992 to present
Worked for a ballot initiative to ban the import of radioactive sources to allow the construction of irradiation facilities on the Island of Hawai`i.  Helped gather more than 11,000 signatures of registered voters - 1998
Surveyed Keaau School Complex (HPP to Volcano) community with the Keaau Planning Group to help determine community views on how to use Healthy Hawaii Initiative (tobacco settlement funds) to improve the health, safety, and well being of the Puna Community, and to plan a healthier empowered community.  This survey helped to secure funding to improve hiking opportunities in Puna 2001-2002