Monday, July 1, 2013

Musings: Thump Thump

It was all about orange this morning, save for the waning white moon that clung to a patch of blue, and that was even before the rising sun fired up the clouds like charcoal briquettes in a grill. The dogs and I saw it all on our pre-dawn walk-run, which began with a pig encounter that got all of our hearts thumping.

Poor Kauai is bound to take a thumping with the governor's appointment of developer Shawn Smith to the state Board of Land and Natural Resources. Smith and his buddy Larry Bowman are Falko Partners, which is currently trying to sell a big chunk of land at Koolau, just west of Larsen's Beach, for a cool $67.5 million. As the listing at ebillionairesclub.com gushes:

KAHUAINA PLANTATION 360 acres of pristine secluded Kauai coastline 80 luxury homesites [CPR lots] ranging from 1 to 7 acres Nearly a mile of coastline with 2,500 linear feet of white sand beach for all lot owners Ocean and mountain views from each intimate, private homesite Entitlements provide high barriers to entry.

Gag. There goes more good ag land into upscale gentleman's estates.  

Kealia's Valley House, now on the market for $25 million — “Of particular note, a vacation rental permit has been secured for the estate, and additional residences may be built if desired, adding to the future ownership options for the property.” — is another one of Falko's community-minded ventures.

Smith replaces architect Ron Agor, who replaced timeshare developer Lynn McCrory, on the board responsible for overseeing the state's most sensitive public lands. Are you starting to see an ugly pattern here? As a friend observed, “The state works in mysterious ways.”

Though no doubt Sen. Ron Kouchi put in a good word for his buddy Shawn. Their cozy relationship was revealed five years ago on this blog by a reader who happened to be reading Shawn's smart-phone over his shoulder when the Council was reviewing the ag subdivision moratorium bill:

Shawn is so close to [then] councilman Ron Kouchi that he felt he could send him text messages DURING THE MEETING. For example, after Ron made a point against the bill, Shawn sent him the message "Kick ass! [I love it] when you get rolling." In the address book is almost as good as in the pocket.

To another lucky text recipient, possibly Larry Bowman, he spilled the beans: "Here's my secret - I wrote that letter blasting Bynum." 

Sure enough, today's TGI has a criticism of Bynum attributed to one Brian Flournoy of Kapa'a. Previous letters by that alias have the same vitriol against ADU sunseting and ferry protestors.

What a stellar guy. I'm sure he'll represent our island admirably.

The Kauai Humane Society has taken to the newspaper to defend its proposal to hike dog licensing fees against the thumping it took from hunters at last week's Council meeting. KHS director Penny Cistaro admits they never consulted with the hunters before hatching this revenue-raising plan, even though hunters will be hit hardest.

I know she's new, but surely someone at KHS should have advised her that hunters are a well-organized voting constituency, as evidenced by the strong turnout at the Council meeting. But rather than say, OK, maybe we should sit down and talk, Cistaro takes the defensive pit bull stance:

The community, with the exception of the feedback that was given at the council hearing, has all been positive,” said Cistaro, adding she has not received calls from hunters since the bill was introduced.

And why would they call you when you never call them? Besides, not all the community response has been positive. KHS is another organization that lives in an echo-chamber, as exemplified by the older haole lady from Lihue who testified that she didn't understand “why they need a huge pack of dogs for one hunter, one person.”

As one of my friends observed, “Well, she wouldn't now, would she?”

In case you haven't noticed, Kauai has big wild pig population, and the hunters are the only ones keeping it in check. Yes, some hunting dogs are treated poorly, but so are the house-yard dogs that are overfed, under-exercised and bored. KHS needs to move past the mindset that hunters = bad.

Speaking of bad, it really makes me want to give food manufacturers the thump-thump treatment when I hear them whine and cry about how they can't possibly label GMO foods because it's too expensive and difficult.

Well, not only are they labeling their GMO junk in Europe and elsewhere, they actually have entirely different formulations of their products for markets that have banned the preservatives, additives and other crap that the Food and Drug Administration sanctions in the U.S.  

For example, the Betty Crocker cream cheese frosting sold in Britain has none of the hydrogenated oil, corn syrup, yellow dyes and sodium benzoate of its American counterpart. (Though neither contains any cream cheese.)
And the fries sold at McDonald's in America are made with an anti-foaming agent, "natural beef flavor" and unhealthy transfats, whereas the UK fries are not.

So why do food manufacturers insist on selling Americans this crap? And why does our government allow it? 

Another good reason to grow your own, hunt your own, make your own food.

31 comments:

Anonymous said...

Not only are the hunters a well organized constituency, they are connected to the top of such agencies as grove farm and a&b. They also number in the thousands. They do have a major impact on voting habits. Especially on an island where voters tend to vote for who they know and who their friends are voting for. The KHS director should get educated really quick, or she won't be here long. On another note, some really strong arguments were made against the seals in today's GI LTE.

Anonymous said...

The mass punishment the KHS DICTATOR is trying to impose is ridiculous. The prices of $6 to $50 and from $2 to $15 for licensing dogs are outrageous. We havent seen these price gouging since hurricane Iniki. When Greed was selling $5 cases of juice for $100 or when the wailua bridge was suppose to cost 9 million but ended up costing the tax payers 45 million ( a bridge that a mainland company put in a 1 million dollar bid to repair and build).


Where there is POWER- there will be ABUSE.

Anonymous said...

People like Shawn Smith,Larry Bowman, and Ron Agor make me sick. They'll rape our land to make a profit. We got to stop this greed and selling off our good Ag lands.

Anonymous said...

They were mad at Bynum for supporting the end of Gentlemen Estates on ag land. Only he an JoAnn voted to stop it.....so on it goes.

Anonymous said...

If Kouchi and Furfaro had voted to suport Baptiste to end ag CPR's Bowman would not have exclusive oceanfront ag CPR's for sale on Kauai. And his boy Shawn is now the protector of our land? Shoots!

Anonymous said...

This is some pretty serious shit against Kouchi regardless of when it happened. You think itʻs time for him to go the way of that other wasted piece of skin, Sagum? Then Tokioka.

Anonymous said...

The conflicts of interest are just too glaring.

Anonymous said...

"They were mad at Bynum for supporting the end of Gentlemen Estates on ag land. Only he an JoAnn voted to stop it.....so on it goes."

July 1, 2013 at 11:13 AM

I donʻt think you are correct about this.

Anonymous said...

They should have listed drowning as one of the activities for people buying that land above Larsen's.

Anonymous said...

"They were mad at Bynum for supporting the end of Gentlemen Estates on ag land. Only he an JoAnn voted to stop it.....so on it goes."

July 1, 2013 at 11:13 AM

I donʻt think you are correct about this.

July 1, 2013 at 11:47 AM

July 1, 2013 at 11:13 AM

I donʻt think you are correct about this.

July 1, 2013 at 11:47 AM

From Joans Blog Feb 2008:
"In the end, only Bynum, JoAnn Yukimura and Kaipo Asing voted to keep the bill alive, while Mel, Ron, Jay Furfaro and Shaylene Iseri-Carvalho (she’s running for prosecutor next, just so you know) killed it."

This bill was for an immediate moratorium on ag CPR's to buy time to eliminate them compleatly once and for all. Which has yet to happen six years later.

Anonymous said...

Kahuaina owned by Larry Bowman and Shawn Smith is NOT above Larsen's Beach, it is above WAIPAKE Beach in Waipake ahupua'a, which is right next to Larsen's going north on Kilauea side. Larsen's is Lepeuli ahupua'a owned by Waioli Corporation (Lindsay Faye, Charles Spitz, Bonnie Lake, Sam Pratt, Albert Spencer, Shirley Iha, Patsy Sheehan, Andy Bushnell, Pam Dohrman, Diane Zachary, and Kathy Richardson who leased to Paradise Ranch owned by Bruce Laymon. That's the place with the illegal fence blocking the ala loa trail. There is an accusation Falko Parters, next door to Lepeuli, planted bouganvilla on the ala loa trail there to help make it "disappear". The State claims a ala loa trail in Waipake as well as in Lepeuli and Kaakaaniu (Patricia Hanwright). Ask Shawn Smith if there is an ala loa trail in Waipake owned by the State (that's us). See what he says.

Anonymous said...

i thot ag land was for food, my bad...aloha Dean

Anonymous said...

The bike path is probably going to cost us 300+million instead of the 120+ million it is estimated.


Kauai will be lucky to see at most 20-50 residents utilizing this bike path as alternate route/means for transportation.


But at least we will have an annual pig out party just to celebrate that the bike path from kapaa to lihue exists.

While the other 67k residents and tens of thousands of visitors sit in traffic. Thinking WTF is going on?

Anonymous said...

Kouchi, Kawakami, and Tokioka are sell outs. These uncle Toms will without a conscious give all to the rich and screw the locals while laughing all the way to the bank.


These guys have ties to the GOBAG syndicates. All you have to do is research who their family is and what they are connected to. The old guard dogs are breeders of these puppy chows.


Actually it is interesting read about these guys and if you are lucky to find some old timers that will be happy to sit down and talk to you about the history then you will see things differently.

Anonymous said...

lots of shady stuff on kouchi too

Anonymous said...

Don't hate me, but gentlemen farmers will not be raising gmo crops and spraying god know what all over us.

Anonymous said...

You don't think they use poisons in their yards and spray for pests around the house?

Anonymous said...

Love the echo chamber analogy. Especially regarding radio station.
No original (out of the box) thinking going on up there.

Anonymous said...

Follow the money!!!
It wouldnt suprise me that Grove Farm is supporting ALL THE GOOD OLD BOYS!!! Ever been to any of there exclusive parties? You would see all the politicians there. A lot going on there. Raising gmo crops on property.These guys have ties to the GOBAG syndicates. All you have to do is research who their family is and what they are connected to.

Anonymous said...

Let me give u a hint 9:11. The gobag will be around for years to come. The Brady bunch is making their presence known, and eventually they will take over. However, that won't be for a few more years. Please remember though, that there is a whole new crop of gobag being trained, introduced, and brought into the system.

Anonymous said...

What's That? 1047
You must be one of those GOOD OLD BOYS? or GAYBAG wow! people of Kauai watch out! A whole new crop of GAYBAGS being trained, introduced, and brought into the system.

Anonymous said...

Be prepared for more GOBAGgery as Gary Heu retires in October, and more Carvalho cronies get promoted. Anyone wanna bet Lenny Rapozo gets the nod at managing director?

Anonymous said...

It's the way it's always been. NEPOTISM is a plague that will one day destroy Kauai.


You have family and friends that are not qualified and under qualified in positions that are critical in the operation if government and the health and safety of the county of Kauai.


You have a lot of collusion and conspiring within departments and with other departments. Unethical behavior is rewarded with rapid promotions and newly created positions that are paid top salaries.

The worst part is that a lot of them are criminals and drug addicts. It's total insanity!

Anonymous said...

Good riddance Heu, your disservice to the people and island of Kauai will be noted.


Runaway far far away like Imai. The good ol boys are fleeing the criminal enterprise.


The Kauai SUPER FERRY is sinking!

Anonymous said...

Heu and the Admin had a paid DC lobbyist group that has been working for the county for a year and a half.


The county council and people of Kauai was never publicly informed of these lobbyists.


Lobbyists are good to get federal funding for Kauai but why was it all a secret for a year and a half? Are they hiding something?

What grants have been approved? What departments got tax payers dollars? Who is in charge of these departments? Was the funds allocated appropriately? Was the funding utilized for the approved grant application?


What kind of governance is this? There is no accountability.


BIG FAIL by county council! BIG FAIL by the administration!


The federal government should investigate if the funds were properly used.


We all know how gas goes missing or stolen. 1 million dollars goes missing then is miracously found. supplies are stolen for personal use. misuse of county vehicles are acceptable daily practice. No bid contracts get rewarded to the highest union bidders.



Anonymous said...

Shawn is an ex cop who volunteered for this position. I think he should get the benefit of the doubt.

What about all of those missing trout a few years back? Did anyone ever bring this up with the BLNR? Was it investigated? Or did TGI just not follow up? How nobody got hooked on that one smells fishy.

Shawn might not be willing to turn a blind eye to DLNR funny business.

Anonymous said...

Yes, he'll vigorously investigate allegations of misconduct. I have some land in Fiji that you might be interested in buying.

Anonymous said...

ergo, the damage is already done.

Anonymous said...

DLNR- is where most of the dirty retired syndicate KPD cops go for their second gig. Now they can have a monopoly on the drug trade and nobody suppose to suspect what they are doing.

Anonymous said...

Im wondering if Penny Cistaro of KHS is Penny-wise and (dog) pound foolish. A simple google search reveals she had a record of high kill rates and poor management decisions, something that is carrying over to her current position as director of KHS. The kill rate there had doubled and they no longer allow anyone to be notified if an animal they find and turn in to be notified if they are going to put the animal down. She is already elimiating positions at the shelter that are much needed and overworking employees. Challenging the local government and local people so quickly after taking her position as director is foolish and short sighted. She needs to work together with the hunting community to garner thier respect and suppord to improve the treatment of hunting animals and the safety of the population with respect to powerful pet/gaurd dogs.
Who will bring some sense to this mainland interloper? School of hard knocks? Unfortunately the biggest victems will be the animals they are supposed to protect and the loyal employees trying so desperatly to help them.
Most transplants don't make it on this island past a year and the board of directors need to realize that if they are planning on having anyone take over the direction of the KHS long term enough to understand the local culture and build relationships with the government that supports them.

Anonymous said...

Does anybody remember a little newspaper published by a guy in Kapa'a about ten years ago, I think the name of the paper was the "Kauaiian" but I'm not sure.

Anyway that guy used to publish stuff like what I'm seeing on this blog and his paper came out once a month. It cost a dollar a copy and was 16 or 20 pages.

Everybody knows the Garden Island is nothing but fluff but nobody would buy that little paper and support the outing of all the shady stuff going on around Kauai.

He could not get any businesses to take advertising either. Eventually he used up all his savings (after about a year and a half) and went out of business. But he was just some stupid white guy, why should you show him any support?

All you people posting comments here, why were not supporting him then? Now you cry about crooks but are you willing to actually do something to change things. NO. You'll just sit around and complain. And do nothing.

Talk is cheap. All the worthless Hawaiians sat around and talked when some plantation owners brought in some Marines and took control of the islands. You should be ashamed to be descended from such cowardly people.

Show you got the guts to run for office. Then you'll get in and somebody will hand you a big wad of cash to vote their way and you'll figure 'wat da hell, people don care anyway' and there ya go, slippery slope...downhill.

It takes a very rare individual to work for a public that doesn't care and doesn't want to do anything to protect the common ground. It's time for a change. There's a way it can be done while you stick you head up you butt. But what if it involves giving up drinking beer and watching TV every night? Did you know that TV is the same as a narcotic? Same as heroin? Yup. Takes over your mind and you can't get involved with your community anymore. The rich and the powerful want it that way. They don't want you to sober up and get involved in your community. They like it just the way it is. With you quietly watching TV, half drunk, and staying in your home. And during the day go to work FOR THEM and shut up.

OK, I'm through complaining. Go back to sleep.

Meet da new boss, same as da ole boss.