Monday, June 2, 2014

Musings: Barc and Bite

A friend asked me the other day what I thought of Dustin Barca — the surfer/MMA fighter who is challenging Kauai Mayor Bernard Carvalho Jr. — saying, “He sounds great.”

Yes, his four-pronged message of “sustainable agriculture, cultural revival, kapu on ice and ka wai ola (life-giving water)” does indeed sound great. But though I scoured his website, I found no plans, only platitudes. I'm sure most of us would agree that restoring heiau and fishponds, protecting water sources, boosting local food production and especially creating a farm-type setting for drug rehab are great ideas.

But as the old saying goes, the devil is in the details, and I've yet to see any details on how all those lofty ideals will actually be implemented. Well, aside from his “vision” for agriculture, as articulated in Flux Hawaii:

His personal farming dreams start with circulatory livestock farming—plots of land being grazed by cattle, rotating to chickens who fertilize the land with their feces, to organic farming the nutrient-rich soil area until it’s time to bring the cattle back.

Just don't try it near Poipu…. Gee, maybe Hawaii Dairy Farms could take him on as a consultant, make all that bad PR go away.

Still, it's not just the empty campaign promises that concern me. That's typical among politicians, including many who are regularly re-elected. No, what worries me are his other words, the ones where he departs from his carefully crafted script and reveals who he really is, and worse, how little he really knows.

For example, this piece on ESPN.com:

"There is a bacteria on the reef in Hanalei Bay that doesn't exist anywhere in the world," explains Barca, a former ASP Tour competitor who grew up surfing Hanalei alongside Andy and Bruce Irons. "It's killing the reef. There are a lot of big chemical companies -- such as Dow and Monsanto, among others -- that test in the hills and fields around Kauai, and what we're seeing on the reef at Hanalei, it's no coincidence."

No coincidence? Does anyone in their right mind really believe the chem companies are impacting the reef in Hanalei, which is on the opposite side of the island? And btw, Dustin, Monsanto hasn't been on Kauai for a few years now.

Then there was this weekend's Instagram post, where he's running past Hanapepe Valley, but identifies it as Waimea Canyon. But hey, we'll cut him some slack since he's a North Shore boy. And he's not gonna get the westside vote, anyway. Not while he's riling workers with a video that derides the seed companies as “lazy man's farming," though he's never actually had his ass out in a field all day.

But it was the article in Flux that really raised eyebrows, and I'm not just talking about the part where he dropped out of school in tenth grade (did he ever finish?) and has spent his adult life fighting and surfing. Has he ever had a regular job, the office-kine, like where you show up every day at the Round Building and put in a solid 10 to 15 hours? Is he even working now?

No, it was this comment:

I’m not a religious person, but I feel like I’m on a mission from God.”

Hooboy. Giant red flag.

Followed by this:

Even from an early age, Barca was angry and quick to throw a punch. He fought so much that his surf sponsorships were revoked. “I’m the sorest loser—I don’t see myself losing this fight. No way.”

And therein you see the true essence of the “leadership” behind the anti-GMO movement on Kauai. It's got all the religious fervor, sanctimony and single-minded group think of an evangelical sect wrapped in the angry, reactionary violence of a sore-loser mob quick to throw a punch.

Don't get me wrong. I'm not saying that everyone who supports pesticide regulations or has concerns about GMOs, as I do myself, is like that. I'm saying that's the true tenor and tone of the movement's leadership, as Dustin — and Councilman Gary Hooser, with his "lil fistees" call to action — so vividly portray.

That's the ugliness that repelled me from the get-go, and that I've been railing against ever since.

And it's not just Dustin and Gary. We see it also in groups like Kauai Rising, which sent out a hit email — with the subject line “Community Alert” no less — denouncing Allan Parachini as a chem company shill because he dared to publish a commentary outlining the many flaws of that asinine charter amendment and speak against it at last week's Council meeting.

Blogger Andy Parx — the “voice” of the anti-GMO movement who tellingly self-declares as “rabid" — quickly piled on, trying to cast aspersions on Allan because he previously suffered from depression. Never mind that Andy is himself disabled. Because empathy and compassion have no place in this movement.

The goal is to simply smear and silence anyone who dares to express an opinion contrary to group think, so that no one speaks up anymore. As in Twilight Zone's "The Monsters Are Due on Maple Street." 

All the while coating the slime in syrup, like the “Please keep on shining” and “blessings” that Kauai Rising's Michael Shooltz used to close his hit piece.

But no, we're not a divided island, it's all aloha here, the movement is couched in peace and love and Dustin and Gary are gonna save us from the big bad chem companies — while racking up ego-feeding national press clippings for themselves.

More GMO-corn syrup-sweetened Kool-aid anyone?

63 comments:

Anonymous said...

Got to give the man props for running, takes time and energy. Bernard did not have to run his first term, was appointed. What was his platform back then? And as far as speeches, with every other sentence peppered with we have to come together for `ohana and the `aina, Bernard will dizzy anyone who is listening. And, as far as spending 12-15 hours in an office, Bernard is at every party, opening and blessing singing and dancing, not an office kind of guy.

Anonymous said...

Bernard wasn't appointed. He ran a hard fought race against Mel Rapozo and Joann Yukimura in the Primary and Joann in the General special election.

Anonymous said...

Bernard was not appointed. When Baptiste died, Heu and then Asing became acting and interim Mayor until the special election where Carvalho defeated Yukimura and Rapozo.

Anonymous said...

Thanks Joan for your courage to speak the truth!

Anonymous said...

well, i don't know much about barca other than his stance on the pesticide, gmo and ag issues. but, i do know we need some big big change and we need it now. someone fresh and inspired, please.

Anonymous said...

Bernard had no platform other than "together we can". How much life experience did he bring to the job back when he first became Mayor?

Today he still talks using "feel-good" phrases with very little meat to his message. Its a popularity contest and when you use all your family connections and promises of County jobs to his supporters, well there you have it.

Realistically, we're stuck with him for another 4 years. Then he'll hand the baton over to his Campaign Manager Lenny Rapozo so that MaryAnn Kusaka's legacy can live on for another term or two and the beat goes on and on and on. Sad shit for those who want some real change, all good for those who benefit from the status quo.

I applaud Dustin for stepping up and trying his hand at this political thing. Many have run and lost, but kudos to them for sticking their necks out and challenging the status quo. It's easy to sit on the sidelines and complain, harder to put yourself out there for public scrutiny.

If there's anything this GMO controversy has done besides divide our community, it has sparked an interest in running for political office. I'm happy to see that the next generation of young adults are getting involved. That's a good thing.

Anonymous said...

Dustin may not be the sharpest tool in the shed but, then again, neither is Bernard. At least Dustin shows concern about some things that really matter, whereas Bernard is a kissing, singing politician who has played both sides of every fence and made some incredibly stupid moves, including his veto of 2491 and the release of the confidential county attorney's opinion. What this all points to is the necessity of a county Manager and an appropriate method of choosing one. Then, pay the Manager $100K per year and the Mayor/Figurehead $35,000 for appearing at events.

Anonymous said...

Boy is that pathetic reasoning. Bernard was junk so let's support another crappy candidate.

Anonymous said...

Let's fix this MESS instead of making a bigger MESS in this political arena! This Mayor's run is a big joke!

Anonymous said...

"There is a bacteria on the reef in Hanalei Bay... "It's killing the reef. There are a lot of big chemical companies -- such as Dow and Monsanto, among others -- that test in the hills and fields around Kauai, and what we're seeing on the reef at Hanalei, it's no coincidence."

This is what disturbs me as a frightfully uninformed comment because how are bacteria and chemical morphed into the same category?

Which is it, Mr. Barca, either bacteria or chemical poisoning.

Anonymous said...

I am elated to see that Dominic Acain is running for County Council.

Anonymous said...

If a county manager would approve 2491 then I'm glad we don't have one.

Anonymous said...

Who is funding Dustin's campaign?

Anonymous said...

I too am thrilled that Dominic Acain is running for County Council. He's a good man, smart, honest, compassionate and very articulate .

Anonymous said...

Speaking of things being done by government and a Mayor. When we are all dead and gone, future generations will be using the Bike Path. They will be thankful to Mayor Kusaka.
The legacy of this current group of politicos is confusion, over spending, cat licenses and manini stuff. Of course legacy will also include many footnotes on Jackpot Bynum's pillaging of the people's money.....of course with the help of his many friends Furfaro, Yukimura, Hooser and Chock.
Hey Chock, stop swinging your chair in Council meetings, it distracts and also appears to be a symptom of something else.
Barca would be a better Primo Warrior than a Mayor. He can put in some time in county volunteerism and get some experience, the edjamacation may come. His heart may be OK, but communicative skills are must.

Anonymous said...

My father once told me only a fool runs for public office. That tells me we have at least two running for mayor.

Dawson said...

The goal is to simply smear and silence anyone who dares to express an opinion contrary to group think, so that no one speaks up anymore. As in Twilight Zone's "The Monsters Are Due on Maple Street."

Exactly right.

For those who haven't followed the link in Joan's blog to view "The Monsters Are Due on Maple Street," here's Rod Serling's closing:

"The tools of conquest do not necessarily come with bombs and explosions and fallout. There are weapons that are simply thoughts, attitudes, prejudices - to be found only in the minds of men. For the record, prejudices can kill...and suspicion can destroy...and a thoughtless frightened search for a scapegoat has a fallout all of its own - for the children...and the children yet unborn. And the pity of it is...that these things cannot be confined...to the Twilight Zone."

Sound familiar?

Anonymous said...

If you want real reform, Hawaii need to de-unionize goverment employees and public safety officers. Collective bargaining and defined befinits will break this state. Better to be a Wisconsin than a Detriot. Our elected officials do not have the courage to do this as they cowtow to the unions for votes. We, the voters, need to rise up and say we simply cannot afford these raises.

Anonymous said...

Kusaka will be remembered for the death of seven people at the Ka Loko dam tragedy !!!!!!She should be in prison.

Chuck Lasker said...

"The goal is to simply smear and silence anyone who dares to express an opinion contrary to group think, so that no one speaks up anymore."

Enough said. Thank you.

Anonymous said...

Kauai is a real messed up place!

Anonymous said...

I thought Bryan Baptiste was responsible for the bike path.

riseup said...

At least barca is not at some campaign party having a good time with the people who,are sueing our county ! It makes me wonder what's really going on? It's time for some new young blood and he has a good vision , and yes he has a job it's surfing. He get paid to do some thing he loves. I never seen our mayor besides at a party or even where he gets paid to be ! It would be cool to surf with the mayor or talk story at a beach or even a store ! And I know he won't sell his soul to a gmo company ! I see he has woken up alot of people and now the other guys are gonna find anything about him ! All these chemicals going into our aina is wrong and yet we can't even eat it and they make millions and not get taxed.. corruption politics suck we need a change and now BARCA 4 MAYOR ! GOT MY VOTE.. WAKE UP KAUAI this place is a test sight !

Anonymous said...

. . . a sight to behold, indeed!

Anonymous said...

3:21 n 5:08 Mayor Kusaka had as much to do with Wailapa Flood as Joann Yukimura had to do with Iniki. Big storms cause big damage.
After Inkiki more stringent building codes were adapted, after Wailapa, dams and spillways were inspected by the STATE. As difficult as it is to accept, every life that was lost after the 100 day rain was in an illegal dwelling and in a flood zone.
The concept of a Bike Path started with a few people who took the idea to several County people ( Ron Kouchi and Mary Thronas were the first rays of hope for the idear) and then to Mayor Kusaka, she did it- Kealia etc. Mayor Bryan great man that he was, carried the idea, got the kala and deserves major credit as well. There were a lot of people involved in the Bike path and unfortunately, every Babooze on the Council has forgotten that it used to be "if you want to develop, you give the people land, on the ocean for bike path" PERIOD....solved beach access and gave a forever gift to the future generations.
Mayor Bernard has had to deal with a wacky limp fistee Council, that prefers to forget the local people and push fantastical LA moon beam agendas. There ain't nothin' that the Council does that helps the regular folks.
Legacy of Mayor Yukimura, she made it so f'ing hard to get houses for the people, that the last sub-d for locals on the eastside was Waialeale Estates...a quarter of a century ago...nothin' on the books and sorry working people no mo' hale for you. But at the same time, Joann's many friends were making many milyuns of dollahs choppin' up Ag land and building Ag estates for the wealthy....once again, a nice lady, whose policies have f'cked the locals and continue to do so.
Council, give Bernard support and watch what can happen....get rid of the Unicorn Fisters and get back to basics.
Hooser/Bynum legacy- gut the County, and make the big land owners so isolated that they will need Jesus to help them turn the other cheek and give the County water and land for future needs. The County can do eminent domain, but that takes years and is very expensive. The Babooze Duo has been a tryin' to git big land guys every way possible. This equals NO cooperation from big land...who actually control the future of Kauai. Yep, beeleeb it or not..land is the real power.
BTW, Jackpot and Big Fister...private property is still a right in Amerika, no matter what Commie/Self-Glorifying ideas lurk in your "the world is a watchin'", "we are really Nationally famous" egos, rights exist.

Anonymous said...

Prior to the Kaloko Dam breach, Kusaka silenced a County engineer who reporting illegal grading on the Kaloko property owned by Pflueger. Pflueger stupidly told a reporter that Kusaka cooperated with him (ignoring his "earthwork", which was filling the dam's spillway) after he handed her $9000 cash in a brown paper bag.

It appears she is complicit in the dam breach, and at least partly responsible for the deaths of 7.

Were you an eyewitness to the victims being swept away? A fully permitted home was entirely erased, right down to the footings. Why do you feel the need to defend the likes of Kusaka and Pflueger?

Anonymous said...

If Kusaka hadn't given the orders to keep the inspectors away from Flueger after a complaint was made about illegal grading going on at Kaloko, there is a very real chance the dam wouldn't have burst. Ethically and morally she is culpable and only escaped prosecution because of who she was. Her sweetheart deal with the developers of Kealia Kai closed off all mauka access including the favorite local swimming hole Waipahe'e. High makamaka with her nose in the air.
Using County money to fund her personal car. Yhea, quite a winna there.

Anonymous said...

This comment is to 2:41's de-unionize employee's solution. The unionized employees are the lowest paid. It's the top heavy administrative positions that do not belong to unions but appreciate the same benefits negotiated by the unions, that takes a chunk of the budget. Organization is beginning to look like a huge mushroom. Stop faulting the unionized government employee who is actually delivering the service that many of us depend on.

Anonymous said...

7:55 Joann Yukimura hasn't been the mayor for over twenty years and when she was the mayor, name one law that she pushed through that made it harder to develop housing for locals. You also "forget" that Kealia Kai is an ag subdivision championed by Maryann Kusaka on behalf of her friends the Hughes.

Anonymous said...

Cornerstone is the development company of Kealia, Cornerstone is also the name of Andrew Kimbrell and the Rockefeller sisters non profit. Is this the same group that is holding some of the choicest agriculture lands on Kauai for development interests that don't include any real agriculture?

Anonymous said...

Rising oceans fueled by global warming will see the Kusaka-Baptist-Carvalho bike path crumble and fall into the ocean along with all other structures built foolishly close to the water. South Pacific islanders are already experiencing this, so too are the residents on Oahu's north shore. I have seen the sands of my birth literally disappear in Waimanalo and Kailua. We don't need a bike path to provide permanent beach access. Public beach access is already guaranteed by law. Our state just needs to get better at enforcement. That is where energy should be directed.

Anonymous said...

The Ka Loko Dam handled over one hundred years of torrential rains. Pflueger leveled a hill and covered the dam's spillway. Kusaka knew about it and ordered county officials to back off. Pflueger then illegally graded his Pilaa property but because of Kusaka, nothing was done. The results were two of the worst environmental disasters in Kauai's history and seven deaths. That, along with appointing the fraud master Gary Baldwin to head the Planning Commission, will be a part of Kusaka's legacy.

Anonymous said...

To: Anonymous June 3, 2014 at 7:01 AM

If you want to read the law Joanne Yukimura championed and pushed through which has halted development of housing on kauai you need only look here and you can read the summary or the entire Ordinance No. 860.

http://hilanduse.blogspot.com/2008/02/kauai-county-affordable-housing-bill.html

Joanne had plenty of warning from the laws enacted in other Hawaii counties and their experiences that forcing high percentages of workforce housing on market-priced developments HALTS all development and hurts the very people she would try to help. She refused to acknowledge the facts of economics which is a good reason why we shouldn't elect attorneys to the Council. They tend to have NO CLUE of economics and how business works. She only know socialist methods of force which always end in failure.

Anonymous said...

A 2008 bill? She wasn't mayor and was one of seven on the council. What did she propose and push through as mayor twenty years ago? And you think that without the workforce housing requirement the housing would be affordable for blue collar workers on Kauai? That's a trickle down economic myth.

Anonymous said...

I am for for Barca. Time for a change.

Anonymous said...

The bone of contention is not GMO per se. It is the spraying and the health concerns of the local people. Hooser isn't politically posturing unless you consider standing up and speaking his truth and working for the benefit of the island and it's people. At least Dustin is stepping up. And the rest of you who sit here with your heads in holes or clouds watch this and tell me if it's anything more than explaining the facts of the story of Bill 2491. They are suing you, yes you and all of us. For the right to spray poison when in Switzerland where BASF is based it's against the law to use the same chemicals they unleash in tonnage here. We have become a 3rd world testing ground for the biggest chemical companies on the planet and some still belittle and demean anyone for this bill. Wake up. It's called Kauai Myopia. It's Kauai local myopia. Too long a place in the pocket of a few. A place where the people are not smart enough to think for themselves in large numbers (there's a large group of easily swayed people just waiting to be led)and are easily deceived because they are not worldly. Been here too long. Well it's a big bad world out there and they're using this place as a banana republic dumping/testing ground for the some of the most toxic chemicals on the planet. Poison? Understand?. Where's the other side of the debate from you. You throw out biased double speak but Gary just puts facts out that reasonable intelligent people understand with NO political motives or if so highly respectable ones. Wake up all of you. I grew up with Dustin Barca's dad. Watched Dustin grow up. Whatever you find as his faults pale in comparison to Baptiste, Repozo (bad seed from way back) and the new shill (Repozo's little buddy on the council). Watch and learn...Wake up as Dustin says. At least he's out there walking the walk and what support is found in here? Us who come to this little corner, dark corner, of cyberspace to stand up and support thie people who care. You think Barca would ever take a kickback? I'd rather have him by my side in any confrontational situation and he's human. Yet you pick on him. Minini Pilikea And the sharp tacks that would rather fight for their own jobs than admit that there even COULD be a problem by where their own children go to school? Are you kidding me. Anywhere else it would be a no brainer. Here West side myopia at it's finest. Well it is the decendents of the cane working culture so I can understand it to a certain extent out of compassion but.... Real bright....
Watch this and tell me this is a politician with ulterior motives and I'll show you a myopic local who thinks it's all the North Shore granola rich haoles out to do whatever nonsense they make up to continue being unhappy and jealous. This isn't racisim I'm spouting here. It's pretty obvious. Gary Hooserr could be any color or whatever. He's right and on your side. Don't you get it. Those companies are attacking you! Personally. All of us!
And some of you in here are just plain lolo....Would you support your own child if they choose to run for mayor even though they knew they wouldn't win just to inspire others? I didn't think so. Yet in here you grumbling people belittle Dustin Barca. He comes from good stock. He cares about Kauai and in here's he's ridiculed by you Joan. You...Watch this and learn. I think it's 50/50 you'll publish this. After all it's your bias here and sometimes the truth might bruise your ego. Your perogative but I challenge you to publish it.

http://garyhooser.wordpress.com/2014/05/31/gary-hooser-on-2491-the-chemicals-companies-agenda-and-the-little-island-that-could/

Joan Conrow said...

FYI, 1:46, I linked to Gary's video in the post.

Anonymous said...

who is "Minini Pilikea?"

Anonymous said...

Minini Pilikea is KK Kau Manua's cousin and Bu Laia's uncle.

Anonymous said...

mahalo @5:14

Anonymous said...

We deserve what we got - sing and dance mayor. Heaven forbids should Lenny Rapozo will be the next mayor. Ouch, Auwe!!!!!

Anonymous said...

Thank you for publishing my point of view. Of course it was heavily redacted of it's uncool name calling. Manini Pilikia is what I misspelled. Thanks for the useful mention of the misspelling. Glad you put that link up Joan. That's a step in the right direction. Don't get me wrong. I do respect you for standing up for your own beliefs and values. Just the delivery and attitude concerns me. It's just unbelieveable that most people on Kauai go with the herd mentality and not with reason. Banana republic and backwater island. That's how the big companies you all are supporting by dissing the people who have the balls to take a stand for what is right and good. I men come on. Spraying next to schools and then suing the county to continue to do so? It isnt about GMO at all. Get it?

Joan Conrow said...

Your comment was not redacted.

Anonymous said...

I think that the FLUX article pretty much sums up Barca and the anti-GMO movement in general. I'll quote:

"While in France for a surf competition someone showed him an online conspiracy theory documentary..."

So in other words - someone with no formal education (does he even have his GED?), who has read a bunch of crazy conspiracy theories online. Does Kauai really need to keep electing these idiots who create illegal and unconstitutional laws on behalf of ridiculous things that they read about on the internet?

Anonymous said...

LOL, if Barca wins, i'm going to laugh at this island all the way back to the mainland. Not that i'm a Carvalho fan, but really? This is the best you can produce to challenge him? Pathetic. Joan. You should run. You certainly aren't perfect, but at least you have a brain on your shoulders that thinks.

Anonymous said...

Don't let the door hit you in your ass on your way back to America. We don't need racists fools who think a white transplant is better than a local boy with deep roots and genuine aloha for his home, who puts 'ohana and 'aina above all else. Those are Hawaiian values that I support. As much as Joan talks like she supports kanaka, her actions of late say other wise. Dissenting opinions don't get fair play on her blog. No holds bar for Joan, only she's allowed to disparage but won't take the heat when she's called on her shit. Censored!

Joan Conrow said...

LOL! What do you know about taking the heat? You're posting Anonymously!!!

So easy to be racist and ugly when you don't have to be accountable, right?

Anonymous said...

Right Joan! You want a level playing field for all do away with your anonymous comments and let the chips fall where they may. I'd put my name if every other spineless fool were required to as well.

Whose the racist one here? The comment before mine who said "laughing all the way back to the mainland". Poor fucking Hawaiians, incapable of governing themselves. That was the mentality of the first wave of transplants.

Anonymous said...

June 6, 2014 at 2:00 PM,
Do I understand you correctly? Are you saying Carvalho is a white transplant?

Anonymous said...

No, following the thread.

Anonymous said...

Sorry, but I can't vote for a high school dropout to be the next mayor.

Anonymous said...

Dustin Barca will be our next mayor. We need a clean-sweep in how we operate our county government. New faces in the council will be Kipukai, Aryl, and maybe Mason. Sorry, but Tim and Jay will not be re-elected. We can't afford another four years of the current administration. I like Bernard but he's all hot air. Enough already.

Anonymous said...

Gary Hooser is ahead of his time. He will stay in the council. He would have been an effective mayor. I would rather see him or Mel Rapozo as our next mayor.

Anonymous said...

Gary's ego is ahead of his political capabilities. Thought he could be in Congress. Thought he could be lieutenant governor. I gave him money when he ran for senator. Never again. He is a quitter.

Anonymous said...

Yep, I certainly WON'T let the door hit me on the way out Mr. Anonymous. If the best this island can muster is a 10th grade high school drop out beach bum MMA fighter that probably has one of those STUPID "defend Kauai" stickers on his truck with a gun on it, no thanks. I'm getting off the sinking ship. You have fun with that. Racist? Has nothing to do with race idiot. More like he's uneducated. Unqualified. I know locals with college degrees, that would make great mayors. This guy isn't it.

Anonymous said...

We need new faces in the mayor's office, starting from the mayor, himself. Beth has to go. She's been there since Kusaka era. Me thinks, it will be a big upset with Dustin as our new mayor. Go Barca, go...!

Anonymous said...

Uneducated according to western academia. Many ways to gain knowledge. Life experience, hands on, mentoring can have greater impact than a college degree. College doesn't teach leadership skills, compassion, humility and dedication to community. Barca can surround himself with people who can advise him, not unlike Bernard or any other politician for that matter.

Anonymous said...

And what has his life experience taught him then huh? Don't like someone, beat them up. Isn't that how he lost all his sponsorships? He gonna punch out the council when they don't give him what he wants? Maybe submit them with an arm bar...

Anonymous said...

Well, if not a college degree, then at least the 11th grade in high school.

Anonymous said...

He decided to withdraw. Here is a post he made on his Facebook page.

"I wanted to thank you all for your support in my last minute attempt in running for County Council. After taking many things into consideration I came to the conclusion that it would be wiser for me to withdraw as a candidate in order to pursue an opportunity to serve our people more directly but outside of the political arena. I had a chance to talk with several of our political leaders who are willing to work with me and to assist in making resources available in order to build stronger communities within our island home. I hope that you will continue to support me as I endeavor to work towards a better future for our people now and for generations to come. I thank you all once again for your words of encouragement and the many offers of support. May God's blessings be with you and yours. Me ke aloha pumehana... Dom"

Anonymous said...

@ June 8, 2014 12:31 PM -
True, a college degree definitely does not teach the characteristics you mentioned. I, myself, do not have a college degree. So, when someone approaches me, as Dustin Barca did recently at a public gathering, and disparagingly speaks to me with disdain because he perceives me to be on the "wrong side", it really doesn't reflect "leadership skills, compassion, humility and dedication to community". Considering I had never met Mr. Barca, never even knew who he was until after that day, and therefore had never shared any of my personal, or political views with him, it really offends me that he so arrogantly thinks he can judge me in any way. College degree or not, educated or not, for me it comes down to the values mentioned earlier, not to mention respect and consideration for others. None of which were displayed by Mr. Barca in my brief interaction with him. Surrounding oneself with "advisors" does not change the character of a person.

Anonymous said...

Dustin Barca and all the candidates for county offices need to understand basic civics. The county's main functions are roads, water, sewers, police, fire protection, garbage collection, etc. That should be the mayor and the county's primary focus. Unfortunately, the focus seems to be on everything but essential county services.

Anonymous said...

We should fear anyone who let's themselves be used as pawns in da Lilley / Sheehan racket "there are bacteria on the reef, um, chemicals on the reef um, it ain't crap from septic or taro pesticides or whatevah we or our friends do on our Hanalei wetland adjacent property, it's our enemies fault. Give us money cuz if you don't support us you don't support the reefs! And only we can save them!". In the end they will receive giggles not votes, by most locals & women North Shore Kauai. Here's some ALL CAPS FOR YOU, THEY'RE PSYCHO-SOCIAL TERRORISTS AND IF YOU AND THE REST OF THE GMO-ACTIVISTS THEY'RE TRYING TO LATCH ONTO DONT WAKE UP YOU ARE GOING TO LOOK LIKE FOOLS TOO! Don't need politicians who are that gullible, &/or are cowards who falter under the intimidation of bullies. Too much righteous agro "activism" where all kind of kooks with their kook agendas get sucked into a universal mission - EGO!