Wednesday, December 19, 2012

Musings: Hawaii A.D. (After Dan)

Venus glimmers briefly, brilliantly, in a pale band of morning sky and then the dark curtain falls, as does the rain, dampening the visitors' holiday vacations, countering the picture-perfect weather portrayed in the movies that attracted a whopping 22 percent of the first-timers here, but replenishing the aina, restoring the wai, the wealth. 

So now that Sen. Inouye is gone, amid tributes paid in hundreds of column inches and emails from Tulsi and Mazie, Hawaii is faced with a bleak financial future as political leaders ponder the burning question: who is going to bring home our bacon now that the Prince of Pork has passed?

In just a cursory review of some of the accolades and photos, I'm reminded that Dan was a player in virtually every economic arena, supporting PMRF, NTBG, the West Kauai Visitor and Technology Center, Sue Kanoho's tourism career, etc., etc., etc. Not to mention Honolulu's high-speed rail project, which he vowed to see through to completion, though fate intervened. Nor was he able to bring to fruition another plan, announced last February, to secure Department of Defense funding for a state-operated interisland ferry.


As chairman of the Senate Committee on Appropriations, Inouye was instrumental in securing some $490 million for Hawaii this year to finance initiatives ranging from military construction and highway projects to native Hawaiian healthcare and disaster preparedness. Inouye secured funding to base F-22 Raptor fighter jets at Hickham Air Force Base and build a new Coast Guard command and control center on Sand Island.
[Peace activist Kyle] Kajihiro thinks Hawaii will see less military money “in a post-Inouye situation.” Though the Senator has announced his plans to run for a tenth term in 2016, it is questionable whether the 87-year-old will be able to fulfill that dream. His spokesman, Peter Boylan, did not respond to questions on how the Islands would fare economically without the clout of the Senate’s most senior member.
Let’s start looking at alternatives now,” Kajihiro urges. “What is a different economic model for our islands, one that is more sustainable?”

Well, we obviously didn't follow Kajihiro's suggestion, preferring to pretend instead that Inouye could live forever. So now he is gone, and with Sen. Akaka retiring, we have no one but a newbie — Mazie Hirono — in the Senate. How much cash do you suppose she'll be able to muster?

Which leads to Inouye's replacement. Though he reportedly chose Congresswoman Colleen Hanabusa as his heiress apparent in a deathbed last wish, that kind of rubs me the wrong way. Talk about some heavy political pressure. I mean, we're not a banana republic, where political leaders get to name their successors, right?

I've been wondering whether Gov. Abercrombie, who makes the pick based on a list of three nominees provided by the Democratic Party, will choose himself. I imagine some of the sheen has worn off the governor's job, now that he's been booed and badgered about the PLDC, the Lege has drawn the drapes on his "New Day Hawaii" and the state's coffers are empty.

In some ways, it makes sense to send him. Abercrombie surely has more clout in Washington than Hanabusa, and Brian Schatz, a personable guy, could take over as guv, with Senate President Shan Tsutsui filling his seat.

If Hanabusa is selected, a special election would have to be held to fill her seat in Congress, which means Charles Djou, the Republican who challenged her in November, might well be elected. And no way do the Dems want to risk that.

Who else is there? Tulsi Gabbard, another newbie, is probably the most popular politician in the state right now, and she's also captured national attention. But if they name her, we could be stuck with Mufi Hannemann as our Congressman, perish the thought. Surely they won't choose the big Muffster, and no way are they going to give Ed Case an edge.

In any case, with both of the Dans out of the Senate and Calvin Say no longer running the state House of Representatives, political life as we've known it for decades in Hawaii has ended. And it's not even 12-21.

Perhaps this is our chance to create a different future: one that incorporates more of the self-sufficiency and sustainability outlined in Abercrombie's “New Day,” but without so many of the federal handouts that require us to accommodate the military at all costs. 

22 comments:

Anonymous said...

..."who is going to bring home the bacon now that the Prince of Pork has passed?" Nice!!

Allen said...

He was a national and state hero, respected on all sides of our political divides, and though you only seem to focus on what you view as the negative effects his endorsement of military expansion in the islands, I think most appreciate the economic and social benefits that have come from bringing so many soldiers, sailors, and Marines to our islands, islands which many now claim as their beloved homes just as you do. Senator Inouye will be missed and his passing is indeed worrisome for the financial outlook of our state.

Anonymous said...


"Perhaps this is our chance to create a different future: one that incorporates more of the self-sufficiency and sustainability outlined in Abercrombie's “New Day,” but without so many of the federal handouts that require us to accommodate the military at all costs."....luv your optimism : )

Anonymous said...

So how are they going to honor Inouye? Name the Westside High Tech Center after him?
or how about the Inouye N Korean Missile target (PMRF). Or the Rail System, or the new super ferry? Or the old ones that he got financed?
I bet we will see a major cutback in military funding and a reduction of its presence in Hawaii. Cheaper to go to Guam, Philippines, Japan. CLose PMRF!

Anonymous said...

Appointing either Colleen Hanabusa or Tulsi Gabbard all but guarantees we'll get a Republican Congressperson.

Hanabusa doesn't have the backing to defend a senate seat against a 2014 Lingle challenge.

Gabbard could certainly win in 2014 providing she keeps her promises on social issues. Most people are inclined to support her but want to see her in action before she goes on to the Senate.

Hopefully the SCC and Gov will understand what a disaster it would be to pull one of our House members up to the Senate. The ensuing winner-take-all special election gave us Djou last time and will most likely give us Djou again.

Anonymous said...

What about appointing mayor Carvalho? He's a sure-fire winner for the special election.

Anonymous said...

Read Ian Linds blog @ ilind.com about Dan Inouye. It gives a more realistic view of the man and not the idolistic image that's being portrayed in the media. Hawaii is addicted to the "pork" he bought home and we need to wean ourselves from the overdependency on federal monies. It did not come without cost.

Anonymous said...

Apparently you are unaware that Abercrombie was once selected as the least influential legislature in all of Congress by the Wall Street Journal. He has not distinguished himself since. We are now seeing this dolt for what he is. Unfortunately.

Anonymous said...

so you would prefer Duke Aiona?

Anonymous said...

For all the genuine good that he accomplished for the people of Hawaii, he unwittingly became the greatest opponent to Hawaii’s freedom. The State of Hawaii’s one-party political machine is Inouye’s
baby. Also, cronyism development boondoggles (like the rail), class and ethnic warfare, small businesses hostility, unbridled GMO production and making Hawaii a super-armed fortress outpost of the US’
military industrial complex. This is his real legacy, the rest, the good stuff, is political window-dressing.

Inouye never accepted that the Hawaiian Kingdom still exists and that it is still a sovereign, independent nation.

In one week, the State of Hawaii went from having the most formidable, senior representation in the U.S. Senate to practically no representation at all!

What does this mean to the Hawaiian Independence movement? In one week, the two most powerful and formidable advocates of the Akaka Tribe “final solution” are out of the picture. That means at the congressional level, U.S. federal recognition of Native Hawaiian tribal status is completely dead.

Anonymous said...

Today's TGI's report on the county of Kauai is a total representation of what Kalua pork is all about.

What a way to rip off the tax paying citizens of Kauai! Kauai is truly a third world country. The county is taking in nearly 3 million less and paying 3 million more in salary than last year. The lifeguards have to be really upset at the contract they received. I guess now that the furlough BS has been uncovered it's time to spend the evidence.

Kauai needs candidates for a county manager position ASAP. We cannot wait for 2 more idiotic years of fraud, waste, and abuse by this admin. The parks and Rec director is an example of complete failure. How are you going to hire your campaign manager who has no expertise in anything but being a referee and a cop to be the head guy of parks and recs. He has cost the tax payers of Kauai way too much money for his incompetence. There are many examples but he is surely the poster boy of a crony.

Nepotism is out of control on Kauai and needa to be fixed. You cannot have all of your family and friends work for the county and not be qualified. This is how we get white collar crime as in gas theft. It is insane how the people of Kauai believe that this is how a functioning body should operate.

Lastly we need a complete change here on Kauai. I believe that a commission against corruption should soil it roots here on Kauai. A county manager and new Mayor with a progressive thinking and the ability to identify problems an find solutions. Wake up Kauai, 2 more years until change for the better good will save u from this Epic Fail of an Admin bossy. Together We Can... Get rid if our problems and make a change for a better here, now, and future.





Anonymous said...

YES WE CAN

Anonymous said...


2012 11:21 AM:
Speak for yourself, he will definitely NOT be missed by me.

I think it is important that Hawaii makes sure they never ever get another fixture like Inouye pulling the strings for Hawaii.
Hanabusa, Hirono, and all of them may now see their support system start to unravel.
I mean how long can bullshit like them be artificially supported without the walls caving in eventually.

Good riddance to them all.

Anonymous said...

Time to get rid of Kauai's home grown terrorists- the syndicates and all of the syndicate KPD cops.

Anonymous said...

It will take a miracle for the mayor to get re-elected. County needs a clean-sweep come 2014.

Anonymous said...

Dan was a great man but his accomplishments will make an impact forever....i.e. PMRF.

Pork is good in small amounts, but to be dependent upon it carries the "side effects" of the "drug". The military industrial complex does bring money to Hawaii....but its our money and some of it has been bloodied.

IT has polluted literally and figuratively without prejudice our islands, soil, water, and made "Independence" from USA impossible for the Hawaiian Nation.

Like a spam musubi....pork is bad for your health.

Dr Shibai

Anonymous said...

Independence from USA...

The Mayan calendar thing had more of a chance.

You're American now. Get used to it.

Anonymous said...

Yes....

Define "American"

Dr Shibai

Anonymous said...

I think Derek has a shot at the heavy weight title.

Your guv/brian plan would work as well.

Anonymous said...

Dan was a great man but his accomplishments will make an impact forever....i.e. PMRF.

Pork is good in small amounts, but to be dependent upon it carries the "side effects" of the "drug". The military industrial complex does bring money to Hawaii....but its our money and some of it has been bloodied.

IT has polluted literally and figuratively without prejudice our islands, soil, water, and made "Independence" from USA impossible for the Hawaiian Nation.

Like a spam musubi....pork is bad for your health.

WE GET FRICKEN GOUT CUZ

Anonymous said...

Define "American"??

Anyone having citizenship in the United States of America (all 50 of them).

Now, that wasn't that hard, was it?



Anonymous said...

I am thankful for the FEDS for the shut down of some Businesses that were fronts to run drugs. It was never mentioned in the papers or anything but the people who are in the know, give our thanks and appreciation for your duty and service.

Fidelity, Bravery, and Integrity