Thursday, October 18, 2012

Musings: Patterns

It rained in the night, and some clouds were still present, forming little halos around Jupiter and Venus and revealing, then hiding again, the patterns within the stars when the dogs and I went walking this morning.

As has become its pattern in recent months, the County Council sparred with Prosecutor Shaylene Iseri-Carvalho — this time over her derailment of Teen Court. Except yesterday Councilman Mel Rapozo was emceeing the show. Which is why Shay got to deliver a few long-winded repetitive rants, and rebut everyone twice — and two recesses were called to shut Councilman Tim Bynum up.

But then, I guess we shouldn't be surprised at Mel's overt bias toward Shay. After all, he knows which side of his bread is buttered — literally and figuratively.

I find it quite curious how Shay and her first deputy, Jake Delaplane, always move as a unit, like a ventriloquist and her dummy. Do you suppose she keeps him in a box at the foot of her bed at night? It would be humorous if he weren't pulling down a six-figure salary as her handmaiden.

Don't get me wrong. There were amusing moments. Like when Mel, who has actually earned kala from the OPA, tried to make like County Attorney Al Castillo had a conflict because he once served as a volunteer judge for Teen Court.

And I loved the part where Shay claimed she was the only prosecutor in state to start a diversion program. Gee, I distinctly recall her trying to blame former Prosecutor Craig DeCosta for starting the diversionary program that got her in trouble.

Mostly, though, I just felt sad, thinking of all the people — kids and adults alike — who have been, to borrow the words of Herman Hesse, “crushed beneath the wheel” during Shay's “leadership” of the Office of Prosecuting Attorney. Btw, the OPA has a brand new website. But just like the old one, the VISION link is dead. Nuff said....

Personally, I love the concept of diversionary programs. All but the most violent offenders should be diverted out of the American judicial system, which is so systemically sick it incarcerates a greater percentage of its population than any nation in the world.

But when I heard them promoting Keiki POHAKU as a way to clear charges that could keep kids out of the military, well, then I started thinking maybe that particular diversionary program isn't such a benevolent thing. After all, it's a lot cheaper to turn kids into cannon fodder for America's endless wars than it is to incarcerate or — God forbid — rehabilitate them. That's why I felt a little sick when I heard Councilman Dickie Chang, who admitted he'd never actually been in the military, talk about how drill sergeants can make kids grow up fast. Yeah, and so does the bloody combat that so often follows the indoctrination and dehumanization of boot camp.

Speaking of which, I was sent an interesting article about how a recent study found that soldiers with low levels of omega-3 fatty acids are at a greater risk of suicide. The findings prompted the Army to consider that “a simple nutritional intervention” could help reverse that trend. Uh, how about just bringing the troops home?

Meanwhile, an article in The Independent reports on a new study, published in the Environmental Contamination and Toxicology bulletin, that shows a link between the Western military invasion of Iraq and an increased rate of birth defects in that nation:

High rates of miscarriage, toxic levels of lead and mercury contamination and spiralling numbers of birth defects ranging from congenital heart defects to brain dysfunctions and malformed limbs have been recorded. Even more disturbingly, they appear to be occurring at an increasing rate in children born in Fallujah, about 40 miles west of Baghdad.
There is "compelling evidence" to link the increased numbers of defects and miscarriages to military assaults, says Mozhgan Savabieasfahani, one of the lead authors of the report and an environmental toxicologist at the University of Michigan's School of Public Health. Similar defects have been found among children born in Basra after British troops invaded, according to the new research.

The latest study found that in Fallujah, more than half of all babies surveyed were born with a birth defect between 2007 and 2010. Before the siege, this figure was more like one in 10. Prior to the turn of the millennium, fewer than 2 per cent of babies were born with a defect. More than 45 per cent of all pregnancies surveyed ended in miscarriage in the two years after 2004, up from only 10 per cent before the bombing.

American forces later admitted that they had used white phosphorus shells [in Fallujah], although they never admitted to using depleted uranium, which has been linked to high rates of cancer and birth defects.

But then, the military has a longstanding pattern of denial when it comes to toxic depleted uranium (DU). Tthe Army for years denied that it had ever used DU here in Hawaii — until its presence was inadvertently confirmed in emails that Earthjustice subpoenaed in its lawsuits over live fire training at Makua. As a result of citizen pressure, the Army applied for a federal license to possess the DU in Hawaii and elsewhere.

However, as I report in the Honolulu Weekly, the Army is now four years into the process and it's still denying it needs such a license. But if it must have one, it wants no conditions attached, such as air monitoring, as the Nuclear Regulatory Commission has proposed.

Just something to keep in mind as the military continues to expand its presence in Hawaii and perpetuate the fiction that it's a good neighbor as it conducts live fire training exercises on Oahu, Big Island and Kaula islet, off Kauai. Moderns munitions are the deadly gift that just keep on destroying, long after the bombs have been dropped and the "good guys" go home.

75 comments:

Anonymous said...

Contrast the image of Kauai with the reality,

Anonymous said...

I wanted to find out more about how offenders qualify for POHAKU program. So I went to their website : http://www.pohakuprogram.com/

It's there I found a list to qualify for the program as follows:

CRIMES ELIGIBLE FOR DIVERSION
THROUGH PROJECT P.Ō.H.A.K.U.

Camping without a Permit
Closed Area Violation
Contempt of Court (1st and 2nd Offense)
Criminal Property Damage
Criminal Trespass
Disorderly Conduct
Driving While License Suspended or Revoked
Driving Without a License (1st and 2nd Offense)
False Certificates
Fraudulent Use of License
Harassment
Inattention to Driving
Leash Law Violation
Leaving the Scene with Injury/Damage to Property
Mutual Affray
Negotiating a Worthless Instrument
No Insurance (motor vehicle and motorcycle)
Prohibitions Against Alcohol
Promoting a Detrimental Drug
Theft

In looking at the list - maybe I am mistaken - but aren't some of the misdemeanors? If so, why are they on the list - it's unlikely you will go to jail for camping without a permit. Or am I mistaken?

So assuming this is a similar list to the Keiki program - how does this service keiki who "fall through the cracks" in the present but currently defunct TEEN COURT program through Hale 'Opio?

I don't see a need for Keiki Pohaku unless after all these 17 years or so Hale 'Opio is suddenly not doing a good job. Did no one look into legality of this existing program for 17 years?

I am frankly tired of the children of the city council and OPA office and plan to vote accordingly.

Anonymous said...

On teen Court - that is a wonderful program, and it is shocking that the OPA would ruin kids lives by stopping referrals to teen court (seems like even trying to kill teen court program and replace with pohaku), instead of just getting on the phone and clearing up any misunderstanding. Instead OPA and its blogger smear Laverne, a great public servant, and once again blame everyone else.

Anonymous said...

Teen Court a wonderful program for 17 years, down for 7 months and now out because of Shay. Another in a long list of casualties. When will it end?

Anonymous said...

You're correct in that none of the Pohaku candidates were ever facing the real possibility of jail time. Nor did the program save a single court hearing except for trial-- which you also avoid by making plea bargains. It was all a sham from beginning to give iseri something to run on.

Anonymous said...

November 6th, one hopes.

Anonymous said...

Totally off topic, but Trey Parker and Matt Stone have hit the nail on the head with their latest episode of South Park where Butter Stotch travels to his native Kauai to partake in his right of passage. Can see the whole episode on Comedy Central channel or go to the South park website. Hilarious!!!

Anonymous said...

The concerns about the impact of the military strikes on the environment were minimized back when the Iraq War began.

Anonymous said...

The sheer stupidity and immaturity of these council meetings is downright shameful. Give a person a gavel and it goes right to their small head. Apparently Mel can't keep his objectivity in place when he needs to. All the reason why he should conflict out when it is well known he's on the payroll. I'm pretty sick of Shay's alway defensive, blame everyone else, self-righteous indignation and childish outbursts before the council. No accountability, no professionalism, no shayme.

Anonymous said...

Mel and Shay (and Dickie and Kipu for that matter) are a disgrace to Kauai. They should do the honorable thing and step down. Of course they won't so we the voters need to give them the swift steel boot and force them out.

Anonymous said...

Just watched, OMG, Hale O Pio, Hina Mauka, and Ke Ala Pono were trying to apply for a $600,000.00 grant to expand Teen Court to provide substance abuse services to our kids and Shay killed it because no cooperation! Unbelievable.

Anonymous said...

Why would anyone believe anything said on this blog or in its comments?

Anonymous said...

DU and the sickness was from the first gulf war. Gulf war Syndrome like agent. Orange will be enacted only when more veterans die and little are able to collect any kind of compensation. This is what has happened in many wars.

Anonymous said...

What she was hiding was the plea deals and thrown out cases of family and friends of the GOBAG. There were too many requests to help them out so she had to create a program that could cover her ass and help them.

Anonymous said...

He was friends with Lauren Kagawa and that's why he made the episode. See court and police records for what happened to her and him and who was involved. Notice how things relate to kagawa, KPD blue, Aurero Moore, and Mel Rapozo.

Anonymous said...

Are you people starting to see who is apart of this cabal? Listen to the radio campaign ads and pay attention who supports her in the paper and the cops who show up waving signs and going to council meetings, these are the people that you all should on the RICO list.

Anonymous said...

This program is a total scam and a way for them to protect their own. Just like scolarships, jobs, services, and other programs that are for the people are actually being hoarded for the POWERS and their families. This is identical to Nepotism, where only a certain hand picked people by guess who; Will get these benefits!

Anonymous said...

Just like No Bid Contracts, Stealing Gas and Drug front businesses!

Anonymous said...

NOVEMBER 6th, Shay No More! No more Melfeasance! Kipu is Kapu!

STOP THE ABUSE!!! The 3 Headed Beast ShayMelKi Must Go!!!

Anonymous said...

The Reality of Kauai is that we have Powerful people who are Home Grown Terrorists!!!

Help Fight against Kauai's Terrorism!!!

UNITE KAUAI!!!

Anonymous said...

There was nohing wrong with Teen Court! Shay just wanted total control and power over a program that will help her benefactors.

Anonymous said...

After watching the council meeting, what I didn't know is that every county employee can ride the bus free, whether it be weekday, weekend or holiday. Wow!!!!

Anonymous said...

It's gonna be Shay on Nov 6th.

Anonymous said...

As a parent of a minor who had a misdemeanor incident with the law, I am grateful we were able to divert our child from the legal system because of Teen Court. Our teen completed all of the conditions required by a jury of peers and the experience was both eye-opening and humbling. It is a shame that teens who make a one time poor judgement choice, will no longer have this program to turn to as our family did. The implications of a conviction in the legal system could be devastating for a teenagers options in the future. Loosing a valuable program like Teen Court because of political posturing is inexcuseable.

Anonymous said...

6:08 pm post:

Why would you NOT believe what Joan blogs about? Unless you are a supporter of Shay and/or Mel? I am grateful that we have an alternative view of the goings on of our County government that Joan reveals through her sources and research. No one has been off limits from her blog posts including the Mayor, Al Castillo, Tim Bynum, most other councilmembers and the Planning Department to name a few. It may appear she is has a personal vendetta against Shay and side kick Jake, but they've just shot themselves in the foot so many times and continue to lie about their actions, that it's important to write about it. Especially with an election coming up. Thanks Joan!

Anonymous said...

Jake was at the council meeting all day? Just to "sum up" the presentation? He's getting paid $105,000 to sit in council meetings? WTF?

Anonymous said...

Not if I can help change that nightmare of a thought by voting!!!!

Anonymous said...

Recidivism- criminal recidivism is highly correlated with psychopaty. The psychopath is defined by an uninhibited gratification in criminal, sexual, or aggressive impulses and the inability to learn from past mistakes. Individuals with this disorder gain satisfaction through their antisocial behavior and lack remorse for their actions.

Shay you are out of your league! You are not a clinical psychiatrist nor does anyone in the OPA qualify for these duties. Stick to your Job duties and responsibilities, yes you want to have the authority to now protect your little psychos.

Anonymous said...

If joanne would quit playing puppet master maybe Delaplane could get some work done!!!

Anonymous said...

Fraud, Waste, and Abuse! First they make good money and then they hire their family and friends-nepotism, then some double dip as vacay pay, sick pay, overtime pay, and friends with tax dollar benefits, travel pay, steal gas, steal supplies, used funds inappropriately, inappropriate used of government vehicles, fraudulent pay raises, no bid contracts, over bid contracts, and so on but now they want free Bus rides also. Effin No Shayme and what they going to now double tax us like they do with the bottle fees, trash fees, dl fees, registaion fees, id fees, and so forth.

Anonymous said...

People in the OPA with the help of some syndicate cops and others almost set someone up to possibly get terminated for retaliation, some people believe some people in the OPA and others were believed to have set up Moore's termination for retaliation. Some people believe that the informant that was killed was for retaliation. Conspiracies aren't so far fetched when you see the people who were involved in both or all these cases of termination through retaliation are the same people.

Anonymous said...

Falluja was the image of health before ... Americans got there? What is this delusional nonsense? Why it must have been paradise.
Oh wait. It was hell on Earth.

Anonymous said...

I think not! If Mel served as county chairperson fairly and correctly and if the OPA Office would have answered questions like straight forward and respectfully (as majority of all people who have sat before the council previously). It would not have taken this long!! So keep the facts straight! And give credit where credit is due- We see what you are all about. Shame on you for your lies and holding youths futures hostage for personal gain. Amazing. How just a few weeks ago they were crying wolf concerning the need for another diversionary to divert youth from entering the Family court system

Anonymous said...

The OPA screwed over Hale opio, Teen Court and the OYS. It seems like the 4 EEOC, all the fired DPA's, the 2 civil lawsuits, countless wrongful retaliation prosecution, the Tim Bynum retaliation, the adult pohaku program has one thing in common- abuse of power by Shaylene Iseri Carvalho.

Anonymous said...

Obviously you know nothing of the history of America and the Middle East. You don't need a kindle fire to read and learn of the history. It is very interesting and you could learn from it. You will better understand why and how Kauai's corruption has similarities.

Anonymous said...

David Hipp should come to Kauai and set the record straight once and for all!! Mel and Kipu Popo. Spoke against it??? Very interesting. Scared of the truth? Just watching the County Council meeting. Can't believe the injustice and circus of abuse of power given to these elected officials and there sick destruction of what has been really good community programs serving first with victim witness programs and now Teen Court. Let the people speak at the voting poles please vote.

Anonymous said...

Do you all see a pattern here? With the DPA's firing, hiring, and pay raises. With the crime victim witness program that was disbanded and now is being recreated. With the pohaku programs that are trying to take precedence over programs that have been there many years with proven track records. With the EEOC and other point the finger at everyone else blame game. Follow the money and who is to financially benefit from the newly created positions and contracted services. Who benefited from the replacing people and positions. It's not that hard to figure out what is really going on here.

Anonymous said...

I am watching it too and this is why I fight to END the CORRUPTION!

Anonymous said...

Whats gonna happen if iseri-carvalho gets back in? Will this blog continue or will people continue to bash her for the next 4 years?
What about the race for mayor in 2 years? Who will be the 'great white hype' to get in and bounce the gobog? What will happen if the current mayor gets re'elected to 2 years? This blog will go on and on for years and years. Kollar may win this election, but there's no way in hell a haole comes in and wins the mayoral race in 2 years. Long live the good ol boys!

Anonymous said...

Delaplane would be at court putting away the bad guys if it wasn't for Joann? Yeah, that's what he does every Wednesday when he's not carrying Shay's purse or picking up her dry cleaning.

Anonymous said...

Rolf Bieber for Mayor!

Anonymous said...

Yeah they got the smoke shop in Lihue as a drug front, I guess these people wasnt connected with the big guard dogs and did not pay their fees to run their front like others out there.

Anonymous said...

Without Joan's blog, we'd be in the dark. Mahalo, Joan!

Anonymous said...

Just finished watching the meeting. Mel was obviously in Shaylene's corner. Why doesn't he have to recuse himself as he was paid by OPA to deliver warrants? Sad to see that Shaylene again told lies about Hale Opio. Didn't she realize that they were coming up after her and the truth would be told?
We just cannot have her win the election with everything that has been discovered about her.

Anonymous said...

What lies did she tell? You must be Joan. Every time there are conflicting claims between Shay and one of Joan's favored politicians, Joan says Shay is lying. It never occurs to her that every time Al Castillo opens his mouth he lies.

What we can't let happen in this election is for Al Castillo to get control of that office by electing his boy Kollar. They would be free to ride roughshod over the entire county.

Anonymous said...

I spent a little time on the mountain, I spent a little time on the hill
Things went down we dont understand, but I think in time we will.

Now, I dont know but I was told in the heat of the sun a man died of cold.
Keep on coming or stand and wait, with the sun so dark and the hour so late.

You cant overlook the lack, jack, of any other highway to ride.
Its got no signs or dividing lines and very few rule to guide.

I saw things getting out of hand, I guess they always will.

Now I dont know but I been told
If the horse dont pull you got to carry the load.
I dont know whose backs that strong, maybe find out before too long.

One way or another,
one way or another,
One way or another,
this darkness got to give.

Anonymous said...

What does Joan or anyother citizen for that matter have to do with Shay and her actions or her conduct?? We the people have a right to question and speak up about what we see, hear, and feel??? You must be Shay or one of her dogs to be questioning it. Can't wait till the peoples voices are heard on election day. You should start packing up!!!

Anonymous said...

I watched the recent Council meeting on the telly. I was appalled by the unprofessional and disrespectful behavior of Mel and Shay. How is it that Mel could allow Shay to rant and then he cuts Tim Bynum off? Mel's preferential treatment of Shay was so obvious. They're both such disappointments. They need to take their huge egos off the pedestals they've placed them on, and remember the community they're paid to serve.

Anonymous said...

We invade a country that had committed no acts of aggression against us, killing thousands of innocent men, women and children, unleashing sectarian violence that most predicted would come (except for Bill Kristol and those geniuses at the National Review) and totally fuck up the occupation. Now, they hate us even more and when we leave, it may really get ugly. And it only cost us 6 trillion dollars.

Anonymous said...

Actually, the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan will cost us 4 trillion dollars.

Anonymous said...

Anonymous said...

Rolf Bieber for Mayor!

October 19, 2012 7:48 AM

FACEBOOK these guys:
Walter Ritte for OHA- At Large
Leland Yadao(Radar) OHA-Kauai
Keʻeaumoku Kapu -OHA Maui

Vote for anybody else and Hawaii is in gonna be in serious trouble.

Anonymous said...

Only Kauai's own Gen Shinseki stood up against the powers and he got fired just like Rolf Bieber stood up against the powers and exposed the corruption then they fired him.

Anonymous said...

Shay, et al, sma kine potatos, yeah? Da elephant insai da hale is da military. "Pearl Harbor," "9/11"-eh, wen we goin get da truth? Dis settler colonialism gotta stop! Da destruction enuf awready! Da corruption and lies da american way, not da Hawaiian way, you know? Pau awready.

Anonymous said...

6:45 AM
yes.

Anonymous said...

"What lies did she tell?"
Here's one --- Shay said she had been a prosecutor for 12 years and had prosecuted tens of thousands of cases. Do the math. Even if she did 20,000 cases, that would be 138 per month or 7 per work day. Hard to believe especially she prosecuted only a couple of cases in last four years. Or is she taking credit for all the cases that all the other deputies did?

Anonymous said...

Kawahara and Bynum stood up against the powers.What did it get them.

Anonymous said...

Bottom line.......
we have to get off our "okole" s and Work to make a difference..
even....if we just get people enlightened to the facts of living in a "Banana Republic".

Vote the corruption out!

That is our way, or molotov cocktails, the guillotine and the French Revolution, or as our Arab Bros.... car bombs.....which is what other cultures do to promote change.

We Live in Hawaii...so lets be Gentle with Aloha.....and gracefully and lovingly excise the Cancer out!

Vote!!!!

Dr Shibai

Anonymous said...

Yah.......
Our USA culture is not used to dying for a cause.

The military soldier (bless their souls) are dying for the rich man causes under the guise of democracy.
Bombs make money for the 1 percent!

But how many are willing to demonstrate in the streets(if not die) and get arrested to address the corruption?

Anonymous said...

Shay said all KPD reports get screened by the prosecutor's office. That was a lie. Shay said the program assistant worked on all diversion programs when the assistant only worked on Pohaku. Shay said she is fiscally responsible but she gave maximum raises to her blogger and rookies who don't know their okoles from a hole in the ground.

Anonymous said...

We have proven this before by voting Kaipo Asing out of office and now we must vote Shaylene, Mel and Kipu out of office and show the GOBAG that the people of Kauai will VOTE CORRUPTION OUT OF OFFICE!!!

Kauai must continue to Fight against Corruption!!!

Anonymous said...

R E S P E C T from the people of Kauai! And the people responded by voting Kaipo Asing out of office and then getting rid of Peter Nakamura.

Anonymous said...

The program assistant did not only work on POHKU. You don't know what you're talking about. You are like Joan (if you're not Joan). You will say anything to get Shay out. It is widely rumored that Joan has been promised a job if Kollar wins. She wants the job as OPA blogger!

Anonymous said...

Has Charlie failed to do his job?

If he did not file the proper appeal paperwork, a RAPIST will go free, I hope that it reflects on how well Shayme does her job.

Anonymous said...

On the day Shay told the council that lie about the program assistant she sent an email stopping referrals to all diversion programs. Plus, teen court and drug court ran for years without a program assistant in the prosecutor's office. Stop the b.s. Shay lied. Don't act surprised.

Anonymous said...

FACEBOOK these guys:

Walter Ritte for OHA- At Large
Leland Yadao(Radar) OHA-Kauai
Keʻeaumoku Kapu -OHA Maui

Vote for anybody else and Hawaii is in gonna be in serious trouble.

Yeah, OHA is the key.

October 19, 2012 10:07 PM

Anonymous said...

What's this about the deputy blogger not filing the proper appeal paperwork? He can blog for Shay's campaign but he can't do real legal work? Someone is getting their (or the taxpayer's) money's worth for Charley the Top. Hope the rapist doesn't go free.

Anonymous said...

What is "appeal paperwork"? And what do you mean "if he did not file the proper appeal paperwork"? Sounds like more character assassination this blog is becoming so famous for.

Anonymous said...

The appeal paperwork that the prosecutor's office did not file in the Mundon sex assault case is the State's response to the defendant's application for review by the Hawaii Supreme Court. Why didn't the prosecutor's office write an opposition to the defendant's application?

Anonymous said...

You mean a rapist petitioned the court for another chance and the OPA did not even oppose it?

Anonymous said...

Why not ask the prosecutor instead of trying to start rumors?

Anonymous said...

Better check who was the attorney of record at the time. You may be condemning a Kollar supporter rather than the person you think you are condemning.

Anonymous said...

Because one does not expect the truth from the prosecutor anymore. At a minimum she must be verified.

Does anyone know - was an opposition to the defendant's request really not filed? And if not, why not? The OPA CANNOT let this guy back out!

Anonymous said...

I called the Hawaii Supreme Court and the clerk told me the Kauai prosecutors office did not file any response to the defendant Mundon's petition for the court to review the lower court's decision- which was in the prosecutions favor.

Anonymous said...

Cause he has pohaku connections

Anonymous said...

Why the hell are you guys making excuses for Iseri-Carvalho, despite all the bullshit that she does, I just don't get the way you're warped minds think. Bottom line is this, if you don't know her, her family, or is a part of her fucking circle, screw you, and you guys know it! Look at Jackie Alapai and Nani Lizama her nieces, her brother and sisters children, you think they got to be part of the team because they provided the "best" application of among the many that applied, what the fuck planet are you guys living on, Not fucking ours, that's for sure, so quit the bullshit about she does this and she does that, because yes she does this and that, but it's for who and when she like! End of story dummies!