Thursday, November 12, 2009

Musings: The Right Path

The roar of the surf woke me in the night, and again this morning, and it accompanied us a far ways mauka when Koko and I went walking, skirting puddles and gazing upon Orion, Triangle and Makalii, all lined up on a diagonal.

The moon was thin and white and chased by dark clouds that approached from the east, and on all sides we were surrounded by the flash of lightning in the sky and even at that early hour, the flash of TV sets in homes.

But how better to indoctrinate the masses, get them with the program, and then keep them on track? And if that doesn’t fully do the trick, there’s always the encroachment of advertising into every aspect of our daily lives.

I noticed that when I went to the doctor’s office the other day, a primary care physician who is nearly on par with God in the world of HMOs, which I joined when my part-time job offered me the health insurance that we’re all supposed to covet, even if it doesn’t fund the kind of care I really want.

I hadn’t been in a traditional doctor’s office for about 10 years, and it was with a little bit of a shock that I saw how thoroughly medicine has been co-opted by the pharmaceutical industry. Even the cardboard of the Kleenex box had been claimed by its advertising. And as I left, I saw the high-heeled, short-skirted drug saleswoman pulling her carry-on bag of wares through the parking lot.

Sex and drugs are still a winning combination, apparently.

Speaking of the latter, a friend took the day off yesterday, telling his boss he was a veteran of the war on drugs, an assessment with which his boss agreed.

And Breckenride, Colo., became the latest town to opt out of that crazy, wasteful war — as all wars are — when a proposal to legalize marijuana passed with 73 percent of the vote. Now folks in that popular ski town can possess up to an ounce, as well as paraphernalia.

"This votes demonstrates that Breckenridge citizens overwhelmingly believe that adults should not be punished for making the safer choice to use marijuana instead of alcohol," said Sean McAllister, Breckenridge attorney and chair of Sensible Breckenridge, a local project of the statewide marijuana law reform group Sensible Colorado.

I’d like to see Hawaii move in a similar direction, and not just because it would boost tourism and the economy, while refocusing police attention on really dangerous things, like speed and speeding. Making it possible for people to grow their own, or legally grow for others, would also cut down on some of the back country trashing associated with marijuana cultivation.

It seems growers living in Kalalau and elsewhere along Na Pali Coast are responsible for a lot of the opala that piles up there, and according to some of the folks who malama that region, they also damage ancient rock walls when creating their plots and steal irrigation intended to nurture native plant seedlings.

When I interviewed Sabra Kauka of Na Pali Coast `Ohana the other day, she said the group had given up on Kalalau because the problems there were so overwhelming, and each time they returned, all their work had been undone. So now they focus on Nualolo Kai, which has a chance to recover because it can only be accessed by boat.

I find it ironic that so many of those who choose to live outside “the system” and are dismissive of its private property rights think nothing of exploiting and mistreating public lands for their own economic purposes.

I also chuckled just a little bit when I read the closing paragraph in Juan Wilson’s screed about the Larsen’s Beach access issue on his website, Island Breath:

These attitudes and strategies are typical of property owners that see the land as a commodity with which to make money, and not the very source of our lives. It's time to take that attitude about "private property" behind the barn and put it down.

Funny, I distinctly remember interviewing Juan in the house he owns — and uses for his business — in Hanapepe. So how come Waioli Corp.’s private property is “the very source of our lives,” but his isn’t?

Getting back to the topic of access, I couldn’t help but wonder why Mayor Carvalho decided to schedule a “stakeholder’s meeting” for the Wailua Beach bike path project for Friday afternoon, which just so happens to fall within the 24-hour vigil that Native Hawaiians have planned to draw attention to the sacred aspects of that place.

This issue has been simmering for quite a while, and it’s been a good six weeks since OHA came out against building a boardwalk for the bike path on the beach. The vigil was announced more than a week ago.

So why do you suppose Carvalho, who claims he’s culturally sensitive, scheduled the meeting for a time when some of the most ardent opponents couldn’t attend? This is the kind of thing that makes people feel angry and dismissed.

As one person involved in the issue observed:

Classic, and shows exactly how they have done their job so far, in name only. If they plan it for a time we can't attend, oh well, they held the meeting. … too bad we didn't show up. We'll see if the mayor is full of crap, or has the ability to lead, or shall we say, choose the right path.

19 comments:

  1. Which came first, the announcement of the vigil or announcment of the Mayor's meeting? If the former, then they are blowing smoke..if the latter, Mayor's office is blowing smoke...

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  2. Juan's producing "screed"? Well, I would agree, but you writing it?

    You and J have a falling-out? As I recall, the 2 of you were like-minded buddies in the past.

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  3. You find it ironic that those who are dismissive of private property rights think nothing of exploiting and mistreating public lands for their own economic purposes?

    That's the opposite of ironic. What would be ironic was someone who is dismissive of private property rights who wasn't totally selective and hypocritical about it.

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  4. "Speaking of the latter, a friend took the day off yesterday, telling his boss he was a veteran of the war on drugs, an assessment with which his boss agreed."

    -- "a veteran of the war on drugs" ...that is a pretty great line :)


    dwps

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  5. Joan,

    A "Screed" is a long and monotonous harangue. Thanks for the kind words.

    The last paragraph that you quoted in my article is about those who see land as a "commodity". That's the point. There is a difference between making a living on the land, versus making money off the land. Maybe you do not discern the difference.

    You interviewed be several years ago. Much has changed in the world since then. Peak Everything, The Great Depression and Climate Chaos to name a few.

    Owning property is like owning beer... it only passes through you. The fact is, the house I live in is owned by American Savings Bank. With a 30 year mortgage, I will pay them rent until I die.

    If you remember from your visit to interview me, I spent much of the time with you in my garden showing you the dryland taro I was growing and the fruit trees we had planted.

    Since then we have added a big chicken coop and begun serious harvest of macadamia nuts. We are growing vegetables in tubs and on the ground.

    We trade produce with friends near by and barter some of what we grow at Mana Ohana for things we need. No cash required.

    It's true, I work at home and grow food there too. I'm trying to do it with pono and the support of my Hawaiian neighbors.

    To me that is an indication that where I live is the source of my life and a bit of one for those around me.

    Isn't there a better target for your biting sarcasm than me?

    What's growing in your garden? Do you work at home?

    Juan Wilson
    www.islandbreath.org
    Hanapepe Valley

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  6. Juan Wilson’s screed

    pot, kettle: ebon and ink-like in its tenebrous moonlessness as Koko and I chuckled just a little bit

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  7. The fact is, the house I live in is owned by American Savings Bank. With a 30 year mortgage, I will pay them rent until I die.

    No. You own the house. American Savings Bank has a lien on the house to secure repayment on the loan you asked them for. American Savings Bank doesn't have any rights of ownership in your house. But you do. You can live in it or rent it out or paint it purple.

    And, I bet you don't let just anyone come onto your property and take your taro or macnuts uninvited. You evil robber baron, you.

    Before anyone starts feeling superior, having a lease and paying rent on an apartment is also a private property right.

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  8. You and J have a falling-out?

    First KP and now J. Wonder if hot flashes come with that orneriness.

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  9. The private property issue is getting blown out of proportion, and must be balanced with the public trust. Waioli corp has always been good stewards of the land. Traditionally, and still today, people accessed the coast from the alaloa, as they made their way along the coast to fish and gather. The trail has been in open use with the landowner always accepting that use. Like many places, overuse by transients has created problems. The people deserve to access that beautiful stretch of beach without having to go over a rocky cliff edge. Kupuna, should not be cut off from accessing what they always have used. Surely, the landowner can work with the community to find a solution that is equitable for all. When the property abuts the ocean, there are public trust issues as well. The transient issue, camping and nudity enforcement or police . We shouldn't all lose access because of poor enforcement.

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  10. JC and JW in a pissing match...

    ...film at 11...

    I guess there can be a falling-out among tree-hugging new-age leftists after all.

    Fun to watch!

    Give us more...more...

    Dish the dirt...talk smack...

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  11. "First KP and now J. Wonder if hot flashes come with that orneriness."

    November 12, 2009 12:39 PM

    Ooh. Tacky tacky. Got a little hair up your ass huh?
    Thatʻs a reaction youʻd expect from someone whoʻs wrong or scorned.

    tsk tsk. Afraid Joan is right on this one. No harm intended Juan but there has been some misguided mighty rightiness on your part.

    When someone has a much bigger plot of land than you do, wouldnʻt you expect them to use it as a commodity or should they grow only enough to feed a family? To them, utilizing more acreage is ʻmaking a livingʻ.

    This bickering is off point. The point is: who does all this land belong to, including the land under your house?

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  12. The long sloping trail is not ancient. The hippies made that trail.

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  13. I have to admit, I used to set up a projecter and sound system for the pharma
    hustlers (back in the day, I actually thought getting a pharma sales job would be
    good for my bottom line). A group of local doctors would get wined and dined at
    Kilohana Restaurant, the only cost would be the proverbial sales hustle, via
    the sales girl.

    Advertising is really just a brainwashing hustle. It has no relavance to product
    relaiability or performance. It just says, hey, I got miillion dollars to blow on
    my interest. As I will MAXIMIZE PROFIT! So I avoid advertising like the plague. I've never
    seen a good deal in media except the food ads for comparitive reasons. Americans, somehow, have
    decided that they like commercials and are lining up like gangbusters at the
    register to empty their wallets. We'll respond to the to TV. Let's see, Big mac
    and viagra. Well the doctor says it's okay, must be good!! Democracy is
    working because we buy what they advertise. Educate yourself my friends,
    it's not all what it xeems. Grow and cook your OWN! Only use the store for
    things you can't grow yourself! Anyone know where to get some sumak seeds?

    As for maijuana; I did a concert at Kilohana for Little Feat, and I couldn't
    beleive the amount of mj smoke coming out of that tent,or the amount of top
    government offcials present there. We really need to get a truth in government
    initiative!

    Until we can look within ourselves and see what's really going on in the world,
    we have very little chance of solving it's problems.

    As best as, little me, I can tell, we have a narrow window in time to correct
    our percieved truths and rectify them. Dink Dumbaugh is at the top of the list! What a dummy!!

    I don't know if you've taken a trip to the mailnand and seen the amount of powerlines
    that are running overhead, it's tnsidious. We're told we need this infrstructure, I don't think so!

    What we reallly need is to come together as a community, and pepetuate
    what hawaiians have already taught us. Duh, figure it out, if we can stop alot
    of the products shipped to us, we can by attitude adjustment and effort, we can really
    eliminate cost and pollution, It actually passes Wall Street scrutiny.
    What a concept!

    So much for my rants, and I sincerly hope JC and JW are able to reconcile, for we all need
    to work together to make it through the new millineum.

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  14. November 12, 2009 7:33 PM said it all. An economy based on ever increasing consumption? I don't think so. It over it ain't going any further!

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  15. November 12, 2009 9:02 AM
    Mayor's meeting was called weeks ago. The vigil was annoucned on Nov. 11.

    Wailua Beach path online poll results

    •54 percent favor multi-use path on Wailua Beach

    •46 percent favor redirecting the path

    It appears to me the people have spoken.

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  16. November 12, 2009 4:05 PM

    Meadow Gold actually made that road back in the day when the cows were actually out on the reef, but if you want to think its the hippies that did it - you must have seen a lot more hippies with backhoes than I have.

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  17. "Which came first, the announcement of the vigil or announcment of the Mayor's meeting? If the former, then they are blowing smoke..if the latter, Mayor's office is blowing smoke..."

    Not....revolution...involves everyone simultaneously....the politicians, the spiritual leaders, the activists, the artists, the writers, the grandmas, the teachers, the children.....each of us doing what we do best will bring about the change.....

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  18. whoever said the
    November 12, 2009 9:02 AM
    Mayor's meeting was called weeks ago must be a path proponent. The other stakeholders just found out about the meeting Tuesday evening. Now either you are misinformed or, your the "Path GUY' and you knew, but didn't give the others the curtesy of adequate notice.. .

    Wailua Beach path online poll results are BS. Thomas, the path guy, emailed all over the place asking folks to vote, especially to his path list.There is no validity to a poll like that. You have no right to desecrate the sacred sands of Wailua.

    Maybe you didn't notice Mother Nature speak either, better put the path on pontoons. Better yet, do the right thing and move it off the beach. Thomas, be a good boy, do the right thing.

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  19. "whoever said the
    November 12, 2009 9:02 AM
    Mayor's meeting was called weeks ago must be a path proponent. The other stakeholders just found out about the meeting Tuesday evening. Now either you are misinformed or, your the "Path GUY' and you knew, but didn't give the others the curtesy of adequate notice.. .

    Wailua Beach path online poll results are BS. Thomas, the path guy, emailed all over the place asking folks to vote, especially to his path list.There is no validity to a poll like that. You have no right to desecrate the sacred sands of Wailua.

    Maybe you didn't notice Mother Nature speak either, better put the path on pontoons. Better yet, do the right thing and move it off the beach. Thomas, be a good boy, do the right thing."

    -- there is much to make fun of in your post. but sorry the pathway is so well liked and used, and sorry if the path results are not to your liking. btw - youd be better off noting local anti path people are less technologically connected, thereby limiting online poll participation


    dwps

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