Tuesday, July 13, 2010

Musings: Nightmare in Paradise

The day started with pale yellow light and two shrieks from a barn owl that pierced the chorus of crickets when Koko and I went walking this morning. Pearlescent clouds were dripping off Waialeale and forming little white lakes in the depths of the pastures and at the base of the cinder cone.

On our return, birds began adding their twitterings to the background music of the crickets and the northeastern sky exploded in a blast of orange-pink that caught the mountain slopes on fire.

A mainland couple, writing a letter to the editor entitled “Nightmare in Paradise,” are all fired up about the scam that is timeshare ownership, what with its exorbitant ownership dues — some properties charge $600 per month —puppet boards and just one way out: foreclosure.

Meanwhile, the homeless who staked out a space beneath one of Honolulu’s freeway overpasses are experiencing their own “nightmare in paradise” as the state once again rousted those with nowhere else to go.

In between are the average working people, like a woman I know who recently managed to buy a house in Hanamaulu that required the incomes of three adults working four fulltime jobs between them to make the payments. And while she gets medical insurance through her job, she’s paying $390 per month to get coverage her child.

Who is making it here in paradise? Surely not the farmers, as yesterday’s letter to the editor from Sherwood Conant pointed out. Sherwood, who used to farm out on Kauapea Road in Kilauea, recounted his own nightmare of being forced out by the high tax assessments levied on his land after a “gentleman” bought the land next door and built a “gentleman’s estate.”

The house site which I had dreamed to live acquired a “fair market” value after my neighbor moved in. Since I could not afford these taxes, I had to sell my farm (the rich neighbors were not too happy about other farm activity also).

On the same road where Sherwood farmed can be found high end ag land vacation rentals, including some owned by Michele Hughes, the developer of that fake agricultural subdivision known as Kealia Kai. As her website for luxury homes, which she actually has the nerve to call "farm dwellings," notes:

The 50 acres of land owned by Michele and Justin Hughes is zoned agricultural but most of it is unsuitable for farming because of its location on the rocky bluff above Secret Beach and Anini Beach. Despite the adversarial conditions, they have made, at considerable expense, a concerted effort to irrigate, add steps and trails for access, and plant the hillsides and whatever small flat areas available.

Do you suppose they got a conservation district permit for their trail to the beach? Which, btw, is not far from the access trail that the county gave up because it feared liability. Or perhaps it just decided it wouldn't funnel the public riff raff onto the beach near these wealthy vacationers.

Just down the road a piece is the ritzy gated Seacliff Plantations ag subdivision where the planning commission recently approved a fake farm/mini hotel that calls for a 4,500-square-foot swimming pool and plans to "farm" an acre of sod.

As Sherwood can so painfully attest:

Anytime non-agricultural use (and/or non-farmers) occurs near farm property, the farmer will suffer.

Yet County Council members who claim to love farmers and support ag are simultaneously working to cut them off at the knees with their bill to allow vacation rentals (TVRs) on ag land. The point that is often missed in the discussion about the bill now before the Council is that it would replace the existing bill governing TVRs, which does not allow those on ag land to seek use permits.

That’s why it’s so disturbing to see Councilman Tim Bynum make comments like these to the newspaper:

“After I heard the public hearing and I read all the testimony, I revisited the bill with the attorneys and the staff,” Bynum said. “We found areas based on input that we can make the bill clearer and a little tougher.”

Bynum introduced an amendment suggesting that the Planning Department “may physically inspect” the transient visitor rental prior to issuing a certificate. The original bill had no requirement for physical inspection, which drew much criticism from the public.


In fact, the existing law on TVRs says the Planning Department shall inspect the property. So Tim is not only weakening the law, he’s lying about it.

And if he’s lying about things that are clearly black and white, it kinda makes you wonder if the whole thing isn’t a sham — just like those fake farm dwellings and "barns" that the county keeps approving.

In my last post about TVRs, in which I noted that former Councilwoman JoAnn Yukimura had testified in opposition to Tim’s bill, someone in comments wrote that JoAnn has always opposed ag land TVRs.

Not so. Some may recall that she and Councilman Jay Furfaro drafted the bill that called for unenforcement agreements. In other words, the planning director would agree not to enforce against ag land TVRs until the Important Ag Land study is completed. Under that bill, TVRs operating on lands deemed important would have to stop, while those on less important lands could continue.

The bill was so heavily amended after going through 16 hearings at the Council that it was pulled back and Tim’s bill was introduced in its place. But that bill is still alive, and it seems quite likely that if Tim’s bill dies, it will be resurrected.

Meanwhile, farmer Jerry, who sits on the Important Ag Land committee, said that at the last meeting of that panel, Planning Director Ian Costa finally said that nothing will change after the designations are made. “It won’t be open season,” Jerry told me. “The [less important] land won’t be rezoned.”

So how, then, could TVRs be allowed on some ag lands and not others, without triggering more threats of a dreaded lawsuit?

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: the Council should stop screwing with the TVR bill until it gets clear about what kind of agricultural future it envisions for this island.

Because right now, they're working to create a “nightmare in paradise” for agriculture.

65 comments:

Anonymous said...

"...a woman I know who recently managed to buy a house in Hanamaulu that required the incomes of three adults working four fulltime jobs between them to make the payments. And while she gets medical insurance through her job, she’s paying $390 per month to get coverage her child."

WHY, OH, WHY...

Does she live here?? Move to where the cost of living is better and jobs somewhat more plentiful.

Reminds me of the old Sam Kinnison routine about "foodless" people living in the desert.."IT'S A !#@$% DESERT!!! MOVE TO WHERE THE FOOD IS!!!"

Joan Conrow said...

WHY, OH, WHY...

Does she live here??


Ummm, maybe because it's her home, where she was born and raised, where all her family is, where she wants to be??? And if all the people like her leave, who the heck do you suppose will be left to provide all the services required/desired by those who are jacking up the cost of living with their speculation and greed?

Anonymous said...

Thanks Joan. For calling it like it is. Joann and Jay have been at this for quite a while. Tim wants to be the champion. Joann is now trying to fool the public, yet again. She is trying to get TVRs on AG land. Don't let her testimony last week fool you.

Anonymous said...

And if all the people like her leave, who the heck do you suppose will be left to provide all the services required/desired by those who are jacking up the cost of living with their speculation and greed?

Obviously the pay for such people would increase to a point at which they could be enticed back. It's the ones who stay for non-economic reasons that keep the pay low due to oversupply of labor.

Anonymous said...

WHY, OH, WHY...

Does she live here??

Ummm, maybe because it's her home, where she was born and raised, where all her family is, where she wants to be???

--------

At what point does the price become too high?

It would have become too high for me way before this. I'd be outta there to greener pastures.

Anonymous said...

It sounds like that woman is only a couple of paychecks away from her house of cards tumbling down. Then it's "tent city" or moving.

Better to move while you still have some assets, unless 3 people working 4 full time jobs equates to acceptable "quality of life"...not me!

Anonymous said...

That's the difference between you and the locals. We are here because we love the land and its culture. Money was never the reason for being here. This is who we are. If you don't like it, get the hell out of here. This is our greener pastures. We are comfortable here. We don't need the mansions, lavish meals, fabulous cars, etc. And. we don't need you to tell us to move to greener pastures. F YOU!!!

Anonymous said...

Fine. Continue working 240 hours/week/family just to scrape buy.

I'll use my mainland money to buy a "gentleman's farm".

Maybe you'll be cutting my lawn soon.

Anonymous said...

Or burning it down.

Anonymous said...

Jealous.

Hey, but you have "your land" (for a while more, anyway, until you get taxed out) and your Spam.

You got what you want, apparently. So do we.

Ours is better.

Anonymous said...

Joan, the original bill you're referring to is 2204, made into ordinance 864, right? If so, that bill said "shall inspect."

Anyway, in that bill, 2204, Yukimura denied TVRs on Ag lands to apply. That was said and done in 2008. She is opposed to it now as much as she was opposed then.

Now, two years later, Tim Bynum picked up the bill, reintroduced it to allow TVRs in ag land to apply. The bill that Bynum introduced did not say "shall inspect" anymore. There was no provisions for physical inspection.

When he says he made it a little tougher, he's referring to the bill he introduced now, not the original one.

You may not agree that it's tougher, I'll give you that, I don't either, to tell you the truth, because we all know they won't inspect it anyway. But it's a matter of an assumption or educated guess, I'd say.

Aloha.

Anonymous said...

To July 13, 2010 10:53 AM:

Please get your facts straight. Joann tried to get TVRs on ag lands in the original bill but couldn't get the votes. Furfaro then picked up the ball for Joann when she left the Council. That bill is still deferred. Tim couldn't wait any longer so he introduced a new bill, which they are working on now. Joann was always trying to grandfather TVRs on ag land. We from the northshore know this all too well. Please don't let her convince you otherwise. The Council minutes don't lie.

Anonymous said...

"Fine. Continue working 240 hours/week/family just to scrape buy. I'll use my mainland money to buy a "gentleman's farm". Maybe you'll be cutting my lawn soon."

This is a testament of why haoles cannot coexist with the locals. In their minds, we are beneath them.

Joan Conrow said...

Thanks for your comment, Anonymous 10:53 a.m. Yes, we are talking about the same thing. I recognize that Tim's comment about "toughening" is in regard to the bill he introduced, rather than the existing law, but my point is that his bill is actually serving to weaken existing law, so there's some double-speak going on.

As for JoAnn's stance, I've sent her an email asking her to clarify her position, so when I get her response, I'll print it and folks can judge for themselves.

Anonymous said...

Joan, you might want to get the minutes of the Council meetings. I'm sure Joann will spin this to her advantage.

Joan Conrow said...

Will do, Anonymous 11:28 a.m. It could turn out to be a very interesting comparison.

Anonymous said...

It would have become too high for me way before this. I'd be outta there to greener pastures

It's obvious from all your
comments, you don't have a connection with people, family, Simple, people who have a strong family connection and a strong connection to the aina aren't going anywhere, far diffent from perhaps you being here for the money and those investment properties...

Anonymous said...

When he says he made it a little tougher, he's referring to the bill he introduced now, not the original one.

Yeah, Tim having conversations with himself.

At the end he introduced an amendment to his proposed amended ordinance #2364 that he supposedly wrote, that adds the may inspect. But it is disingenuous to tell the reporter that he is making the ordinance stronger, when his proposal is nothing but a proposal.But the law in effect is far more protective, and requires inspection. Why should that be problematic?

Anonymous said...

there's nothing inherently superior to having "strong connection with the aina" or to refusing to move to better opportunities because of family connections. There's nothing inherently wrong with it either, but it can be self-limiting.

Anonymous said...

If you knew my family, you'd go for the money and investment properties, too.

I'm not a "people person", but do have a knack for accumulating wealth. That buys all the friends I need...even ones "with benefits".

Dawson said...

"Fine. Continue working 240 hours/week/family just to scrape buy.

I'll use my mainland money to buy a "gentleman's farm".

Maybe you'll be cutting my lawn soon."


Spoken like a true Englishman in India, Frenchman in Southeast Asia, Dutchman in South Africa and Haole in Hawaii -- proving once again that colonialism transcends time and space.

Anonymous said...

That buys all the friends I need...even ones "with benefits".

You mean hookers??? Maybe you should invest in a personality.

Anonymous said...

Personalities are underrated.

Anonymous said...

The world as it is only has to last another 40 years. Then I'll be dead.

Beyond that, I don't give a fuck.

Dawson said...

"The world as it is only has to last another 40 years. Then I'll be dead.

Beyond that, I don't give a fuck."


Fess up. You don't give a fuck now.

Anonymous said...

bankrupt individual,

Anonymous said...

"Fess up. You don't give a fuck now."

You're right. I don't. I'm set for the rest of my life, so I really don't give a fuck.

Anonymous said...

"Spoken like a true Englishman in India, Frenchman in Southeast Asia, Dutchman in South Africa and Haole in Hawaii."

The big diff is that Hawaii isn't a "territory" of the USA in the way that those other places were to their "home countries".

Hawaii is a state of the union, unlike American Samoa, the Marshall Islands or Puerto Rico which are akin to territories or protectorates.

A more proper analogy would be like England giving up the county of Kent, etc. Or France giving up it's wine country.

Hawaii is and forever will be a state of the union of states known as the USA.

I know...illegal overthrow...indigenous culture...international courts (as if...)...we don't care! Nothing will change! We don't do things like that!

Now, get back to mowing my lawn. Where's that damn pool boy??

Anonymous said...

Oh my...the "Natives" are restless today.

Wahine Warrior said...

As I said, that was the MOST infuriating council meetings I have been to in a while. I am contemplating this morning wither I should attend today's meeting. I swore I would never return to one after last Wendsday. But I suppose I have some fascination with diving into a room filled with land sharks, barracudas, and grinning greedy land grabbers, and people with law degrees salivating for more victories and money for themselves.

I have seen far too much flip flopping from everyone on and off the council. The purposely confusing "over my head", (literally) rhetoric, and everyone coming out with so many ammendments no one can even remember what the original issues are is truly ludicrous.

And where, pray tell is that crop of council candidates? You would think they would all be in here, at least getting used to the flow and vibes in the room, and learning how to separate the slime baiters from the bottom feeders, wouldn't you? Or at least learn how to sit through an entire meeting, be interested, and keep up with things, since they all want to be on the council so bad? Its like signing up for a job on the stock exchange, and never even walking into the building, then getting shell shock when u actually land the job and having no idea what to do then.

We get the council we deserve. Amen.

Wahine Warrior said...

Now, get back to mowing my lawn. Where's that damn pool boy??
July 14, 2010 7:27 AM

oh, and a note to this bottom feeder.

Next time there is a hurricane?

Your pathetic, whining, helpless can't fend for yourself person, will be the last to be fed, I promise you. In fact, you will be lucky if we toss u some scraps of day old bread and bottled water.

There wont be anyone to cut your little lawn, or wipe your nose or spoon feed you then.

And when you are sitting all alone in a room, with no one to tend you at the end, and at your funeral the only ones attending will be the funeral director, and you move on to whatever hell your God has prepared for you, I hope that you remember how you relished your cruelty and bigotry and how you wallowed in your blood stained wealth, and how you gloated over your puny and insignificant victories over your helpless fellow men.

And when the words "uncivilized, uncouth, savage, heartless, ludicrous excuse for a windbag", are leveled at you at your reckoning, remember that "boy" that was cutting your lawn will be more then likely residing with an eternal wealth that you will only hunger for for all of eternity.

Now get back to pushing that lawnmower. The help has fled the plantation, and there is no one that will help you.

Y'know what? I am gonna go to that meeting afterall. You just made me realize that if I don't go, people like you win. Not on my watch.

amen, sucker.

Anonymous said...

People like me always win, sooner or later.

Enjoy the meeting.

Anonymous said...

Oh, and next serious hurricane watch/warning, I'll be off-island enjoying another of my properties.

If this one is flattened, so what? That's what full-replacement insurance is for.

No worries.

How 'bout you?

Anonymous said...

"That's what full-replacement insurance is for."

hahahah that's what a lot of folks believed until Iniki hit and then the full-replacement insurance companies didn't cough it up.

Does a rampaging bag of gas take time to read the fine print of these contracts or just "believe" the insurance companies will "do the right thing"?

Anonymous said...

You just have to be smart enough to get a flood rider. If you don't then you deserve it when the insurance doesn't pay for your flood damage. Oh, and it helps to be able to afford a running retainer with a good law firm. Because, yes, they'll try not to pay. But it doesn't take them long to figure out who knows how/has the resources to go to the mat with an insurance company and who doesn't.

Anonymous said...

You just have to be smart enough to get a flood rider.

Actually, it's not a rider. You have to get separate flood insurance through the National Flood Insurance Program.

Anonymous said...

I'm smart and rich enough to have a bank of lawyers on speed dial.

They read the fine print.

I'm covered for everything. Costs a lot, but I don't care. I can't possibly spend it all in 3 lifetimes.

Anonymous said...

Oh, I get it now. The insensitive,supposedly rich Haole guy who keeps trying to tell us how smart he is and how dumb we are, must be a jokester. I think he's poor, but wants to be a big shot, and this is his forum to play pretend. May I suggest that instead hanging around Joan's blog, he start his own Smart People's Blog?

And one more thing. When he flees the island the next time a natural disaster hits, let me thank him ahead of time.
Because, while we "poor loser folks" will be busy taking care of each other, he'd be here doing nothing but getting in the way.

Anonymous said...

I was waiting for the first "he must really be a poor guy" kind of comment.

You can't reconcile yourself to the possibility that someone like me who lives behind a custom-made gate costing more than you probably have in your life savings (or possibly net worth) would "stoop" to to posting here??

Wrong.

Anonymous said...

What's the difference between a porcupine and a McMansion? The porcupine has pricks on the outside.

Anonymous said...

Haven't you heard? In capitalism, nice guys finish last.

I'm happy as a clam to be a "rich prick" any day.

Actually, it's "every day" for me.

Anonymous said...

"You can't reconcile yourself to the possibility that someone like me who lives behind a custom-made gate costing more than you probably have in your life savings (or possibly net worth) would "stoop" to to posting here??"

We're trying to figure out why idiots are willing to buy custom made gates that cost that much money. You must really be afraid. Mommy still tucking you in and checking under the mattress?

Anonymous said...

Gates are cool.

Dawson said...

Oh, I get it now. The insensitive,supposedly rich Haole guy who keeps trying to tell us how smart he is and how dumb we are, must be a jokester. I think he's poor, but wants to be a big shot, and this is his forum to play pretend. May I suggest that instead hanging around Joan's blog, he start his own Smart People's Blog?

Dead-on analysis, but he'll never do it -- no power rush, no fun. His posts are typical of the narcissistic forum troll who acts out his anger anonymously.

For a fun read on what draws these passive-aggressive personalities to forums and online comment sections across the internet, see "Inside the Mind of the Anonymous Online Poster," at http://www.boston.com/bostonglobe/magazine/articles/2010/06/20/inside_the_mind_of_the_anonymous_online_poster/?page=full

...and "On the Psychology of Trolls" at http://thecountryshrink.com/2008/07/02/on-the-psychology-of-trolls/index.html

Anonymous said...

So much for pop psychology.

Is it such a stretch that these posters are who they say they are, but vehemently dislike local attitudes because they have the ownership/development mentality?

Would it be a stretch to think that Bresca could himself be such a poster? Or TVR owners? Or development realtors?

Anonymous said...

Ya, I almost didn't respond to the "Smarty Pants" rich guy - but just as I expected, he responded to the poor guy/rich guy line - and made no mention of being a dumb ass burden on our community. Because he is.

Last night, at a children's cultural program, I met a new person to the community. Instead of having a superior attitude towards Hawaiians, she is doing what all newcomers should do; show love and respect. She chooses to be of help in the community,instead of complaining and trying to Haolize everything, in order to create the an illusion of superiority.
The person I met may be rich, I don't know. But it's not rich we hate. It's the superior attitude of "Smarty Pants" that we don't like.

So go ahead and sit on your ass behind your gate, "Smarty Pants."
The rest of us have what we call "Ohana."

Anonymous said...

Wow, you sure paint him with a broad brush of dislike/hate.

He only said he was smart enough to have the fine print on insurance contracts reviewed by experts.

What's wrong with that?

Don't be hatin'

He's trying to fulfill his dream. You're trying to fulfill yours.
Both operating with your respective rights.

"This island's too small for the both of us" attitude, eh?

Besides, really nice decorative gates are very cool. There's one on Alii Drive in Kona that's drop-dead gorgeous. Must have cost $30K minimum.

Anonymous said...

Damn, should have been "This island isn't big enough for the both of us".

Sorry, John Wayne.

Anonymous said...

If "Smarty Pants" is richer than God and has has a bank of lawyers on speed dial, and enough money to go up against the insurance industry, and a gate that cost more than most people homes, and I assume security systems and personnel to protect him/herself why is he/she anonymously trolling this sight?

A Sad Sack IMHO

Anonymous said...

"Both operating with your respective rights."
hahaha.... Yeah both the rich and poor will be arrested for sleeping on park picnic tables! Fortunately the rich have other options, and so do the poor but I doubt the rich favor the poor's self help remedies

Anonymous said...

anon opinions going against the grain here are most likely done to avoid physical retribution.

Although the "rich" don't go around defacing opponents property, the "poor" often do, as their only way to rail against the unavoidable future.

RichieRich said...

OK..abandoning "anon".

Is this better?

Wahine Warrior said...

the cartoon character of Richie Richy, is a child of about the age of ten. Even though he is mega ultra rich, his parents are humble, decent and down to earth. They give endlessly to charities, and instill in their child the obligation to give back, be compassionate, loving and caring, and to never gloat about their fortunes over those who are poor, ,but to help whenever they can.

On the ten year old age thing, I think using the name of Richie Rich may be very appropriate. On everything else however, it really doesnt fit. Unless you are really interested in emulating this famous, and beloved cartoon character, which was famousely portrayed by a mischeivious rascal who was himself raised in poverty, humble, and never stopped giving back.

my advice to you?

grow up, little man.

Or hire someone who can do it for u.
amene.

Anonymous said...

You can call yourself whatever you want. We're still going to refer to you as "Smarty Pants."

Gadfly said...

I could revert to my old name

Anonymous said...

"Although the "rich" don't go around defacing opponents property, the "poor" often do, as their only way to rail against the unavoidable future."

Yeah, the rich only despoil view planes by building on ridgelines, along the shore, etc.

Anonymous said...

It's their right.

Rich people need great view planes, too, and can afford the better ones.

This is what naturally happens when small islands grow in population.

Anonymous said...

That last comment made me do a quick search on Kauai census data.

http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/15/15007.html

64,529 - est. 2009 pop.

83.3% H.S. grads
19.4% BA/BS or higher

61.4% home ownership
$216.100 - median value of owner-occupied homes

622.44 - sq. mi. island land area
94.0 - persons/sq mi
(don't know the habitable sq. mi.)

All this puts some perspective on the internet-readable opinion blogs and comments.

Anonymous said...

Should have checked the math before posting. The 94.0 persons/sq mi must be for the 2008 population (didn't check).

Based on the est 2009 pop, the figure is 103.67 persons/sq mi.

More people, same land mass, more retiring baby boomers with a combined ginormous fortune from inheritance and income spending it, so the stats say, on real estate investment and travel. Combine both and you have....HAWAII !!

And we baby boomers want our creature comforts just like our old places of residence...just ad the palm trees, nice ocean, weather, etc.

Not that many come here to "go troppo". It's not a "magic place" or a "spiritual place"...it's just a place with great bragging rights if you own something really nice here.

ps - I'm the happy owner of 6 acres on the Kona Coast. Practically stole it from a distressed owner. Worth 1.7 mil now...well, when the market gets back to "average", anyway.

but I'm not selling!

Anonymous said...

Such a focus on local politics and who's doing what to whom.

Nothing else to discuss on "Gilligan's Island"?

How about shifting the focus to something interesting to people desiring to avoid any contact with or participation in the political process locally or nationally?

You'd think this place was Washington DC or something.

Anonymous said...

I don't know if you are new to the island and just trying to understand, or just oblivious to what's going on here.
Suggesting that we shift the focus is not a new concept. Haoles have tried that for years, and will continue to try. That's what gives them a bad name.
Suggestion; Try being a good Haole who cares and not takes away.

As for community dialogue, you can either choose to ignore it or get used to it - We Hawaiians are not closing our eyes, no matter what.

Anonymous said...

"Worth 1.7 mil now...well, when the market gets back to "average", anyway."

Does that include the gate?

Anonymous said...

Of course. Curb appeal, you know.

Anonymous said...

Not wanting to talk politics, or being apolitical, on Kauai gives one a bad name?

watchdog was sleeping said...

"only has to last another 40 years" - statistically less due to diving accidents

"France giving up it's wine country" - please look up Algeria, history of

"Bresca could himself be such a poster? Or TVR owners? Or development realtors?" - RS Weir often comments on Charley's blog, but at least he uses his real name

"There's one on Alii Drive in Kona that's drop-dead gorgeous" - what a coincidince, our very own gadfly used to post here from Kona side