Kim
apparently sees no conflict in allowing Takemoto to serve on the committee, even though Monsanto tried to pull off a major water grab last year. The chemical company unsuccessfully sought
approval from CWRM to drill a new well that would have drawn 2.636 million
gallons per day (“mgd”) of potable basal ground water from the
Waipahu-Waiawa Ground Water
Management Area. Monsanto currently takes water from the
Waiahole Ditch. But it wanted to double dip so it could be assured of having an emergency back-up source for 2,052 acres of seed corn and other
crops, according to the CWRM staff report.
The
Hawaii Independent reports Kim made the appointment at the request of
Sen. Malama Solomon, one of the lawmakers who pushed the Public Lands
Development Corp. It also reports that Solomon received contributions
totaling $2,000 from Monsanto last year, while Kim got $1,000. In an earlier story, it reported that Monsanto attorney Yvonne Izu is a former deputy director of the water commission.
Takemoto
currently serves on the state Agribusiness Development Corp., and the
Board of the pro-biotech Hawaii Crop Improvement Association. He
previously served on the Board of Advisors to the UH College of
Tropical Ag while working as a lobbyist for the Hawaii Farm Bureau.
It's
all so very cozy, isn't it?
Speaking
of cozy, Grove Farm is trying to get 11,026 acres designated as
Important Ag Lands, which means the company gets tax credits for
keeping the acreage in ag. Though the law was intended to protect
prime ag lands, Grove Farm admits that at least 80 percent of the
land is rated D and E, as in marginally productive. But that isn't
the only troubling aspect of its application. Grove Farm also wants
IAL designation for three reservoirs — Papuaa, Halenanahu, and Kapaia — that do not serve the proposed IAL lands. They do, however, serve such decidedly non-ag uses as the Puakea Golf Course and Grove Farm's commercial and residential projects in Lihue and Kalepa.
So why the big stretch? I'm
sure Grove Farm is hip to a little-known provision in the state law that
gives IAL owners tax credits for "legal and other
consultant services" for water. That's how Hawaii
Commercial and Sugar and A&B were allowed to write off millions
of dollars in lawyers and biological consultant fees, at the
taxpayers' expense, to fight the community in the Na Wai Eha water
allocation case on Maui.
That
tax credit was jammed into the IAL law at the last minute by — who
else? — A&B and the Hawaii Farm Bureau, which takes us back to
Alan Takemoto.
Oh,
yes. It's all so very cozy, while taxpayers, the land and
the water are getting screwed.
Posts
23 comments:
This totally sucks.
Donna Kim wouldn't be Senate President if she didn't take care of her friends. Grove Farm trying to designate land unsuitable for ag as important ag land? I'll bet they get it.
Such blatant corruption... more evidence to present to the ICC! of the conspiracy to commit fraud/stealing!!!
The worst part is, from my understanding, that Planning Director Mike Dahilig wants to approve these marginal lands as IALs and has to power to decide one way or the other. It's suspected that he is doing so to show he can play ball with the big guys so as to get a cushy appointment. I believe Joan covered this previously.
leave poor mike d alone - don't be talking stink about his GF drinking buddies...
Andy, Mike Dahilig did submit testimony supporting the request overall, though he did question how designation of the Waita reservoir might affect its use by surrounding properties. He also said "recreational uses on IAL may need further evaluation." The state LUC has jurisdiction over this proposal since Grove Farm is voluntarily putting the land in IAL. But some day -- they've been at this since 2009 -- the planning dept is supposed to release a map of the proposed IAL for Kauai and the Council will have final say.
Hope GF doesn't think this means they can develop the rest of their ag land....WRONG
Thanks for the correction and update Joan.
"Kim apparently sees no conflict in allowing Takemoto to serve on the committee, even though Monsanto tried to pull off a major water grab last year."
that's why he got picked monsanto wants to make sure it passes next time.
Monsanto is a killing machine. If this Toxic company receives water rights then Kauai will turn into a Superfund site like Anniston, Alabama. People on the west side of Kauai are already being exposed to dangerous chemicals that are known to cause serious health problems such as cancer, endocrine disorders, autoimmune diseases, neurological problems and diabetes.
Read about Anniston, Alabama and how Monsanto paid the city nearly a billion dollars for their crimes against humanity and te environment. The EPA and 60 minutes have called Anniston as one of the most toxic places in our country. Is Kauai being lined up to receive this Toxic label by those evil lobbyists and greedy politicians?
We are so screwed! How depressing! Corruption alive and well! Any suggestions on what we can do?
Start to petition for a Commission against Corruption. Kauai could lead this Nation where people and organizations would be held accountable for their actions an inactions.
maybe try an established US government agency - instead of starting with an international agency that isn't established in the US
http://www.justice.gov/criminal/fraud/fcpa/othersites/
http://theumiverse.wordpress.com/2012/12/11/press-release-from-david-keanu-sai-re-un-filing-on-behalf-of-hawaiʻi/
good luck with that maybe in another 10 or 20 years after the land has been developed you'll get an apology and letter
Mike D headed back to B of Regents to suck up to the heavy hitters so he can build a foundation for future political ambitions.
Joan, thank you for this information. Will you please keep us up to date on all of this and let us know what we can do to protect Kauai's aina?! Is there a way to get to Kim and Takemoto? Kauai Rising is working very hard to protect our island regarding companies like Monsanto. Thanks again!
February 11, 2013 at 4:36 AM
it is the year of the Snake...
You can always contact Sen. Kim to ask her to withdraw Takemoto's name:
Phone 808-587-7200
Fax 808-587-7205
E-Mail: senkim@Capitol.hawaii.gov
And you can contact Takemoto directly and ask him to step down:
(808) 685-8300
alan.takemoto@monsanto.com
There is a distinct difference between a tax credit and a write-off, i.e.a deduction. Lawyers are almost always allowed as a deduction regardless of the industry. Being a credit would be extraordinary indeed.
As for the water well, it is not clear that this draw is a significant figure. It is about equal to a single natural spring in Nawiliwili, for example. If the water were flowing as is the usual case in Hawaii, the well would be a far better alternative than the current situation. The well water is simply going to be loss to the sea otherwise. The stream water currently employed can have that figure removed from the DLNR registration and thus be a bit healthier for wildlife.
People do need jobs you know. Monsanto employs people.
Unrelated good news from the capitol: the law to repeal the PLDC unanimously passed 2 committees:
http://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=HB&billnumber=1133&year=2013
Monsanto employs people, monsanto kills people .
"good luck with that maybe in another 10 or 20 years after the land has been developed you'll get an apology and letter"
They already got a half-baked apology not that one was really warranted. Check out an alternative view on my blog regarding the Hawaiian sovereignty movement and their claims.
At the end of the day no government can be legitimate without the consent of the governed. There was a statehood vote and we all know how that turned out. Until there is a vote to the contrary Hawaii is the 50th State. I don't see that changing as there will never be many takers for an ethnocentric, backwards looking, faux royalty based ruling entity.
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