Wednesday, August 14, 2013

Musings: Random Observations

It's been cloudy at night, which is great, because it brings the rains that keep Kapahi from crisping. But it cuts into my stargazing, which means my attention has been trained instead on observing humans and their many quirks.

Like the County Council, and its approach to opinions from County Attorney Al Castillo. Councilwoman JoAnn Yukimura, for example, swallowed Al's dubious claim that a Council investigation into the TVR debacle would further slow planning's snail paced-enforcement by “freezing the files.” Yet when the CA's office determined that hundreds of crappy, incomplete applications were legit, just because a former planner had rubber-stamped them, JoAnn demanded to see that opinion, with legal citations included.

Councilman Tim Bynum insisted on a copy of that opinion, too. But when it came to letting the CA weigh in on Bill 2491, the pesticide/GMO ordinance, Tim was like, no need, imua. Councilman Mel Rapozo, on the other hand, though typically one of Al's toughest critics, felt the Council should wait for his opinion on 2491.

My suggestion: take all of Al's opinions with a big grain of salt, and when you need some top notch advice, do what Al does: hire special counsel.

Getting back to Tim, I couldn't help but take notice when he gushed, in an open session, about the tremendous respect he has for both Jeri DiPietro, the face of GMO Free Kauai/Hawaii Seed, and Cindy Goldstein, a DuPont/Pioneer scientist who for a time was the company spokeswoman. And I wondered, how can you have great respect for someone who is shilling a company that you believe is covering up its systematic poisoning of the westside?

While watching the testimony in support of Bill 2491, I was struck by the Molokai brudda who made several references to those who are “a'ole koko” — no blood — which is apparently the phrase now used to describe a haole with whom one is politically aligned. Well, at least to their face.

I was also puzzled when Waimea resident Phoebe Eng gave a theatrical reading of testimony in support of Bill 2491, supposedly on behalf of a couple dozen “well-known, long-time westside families.” Phoebe, being relatively new to the island, apparently doesn't know that when it comes to public testimony, one local equals a dozen “a'ole koko.” So by becoming their voice, she blew their chance to make a really big splash. But apparently she will let them speak for themselves one day when, presumably under her tutelage, they are “fully in their power.”

Meanwhile, up in Kilauea — home to so many self-proclaimed agricultural visionaries — the ag land is being consumed by non-ag uses. I mean, think of all the small organic farms that could have been created when Guava Kai went under. Instead, Bill Porter planted trees so he could land bank his CPR lots under low ag tax rates, and Chris Jaeb somehow convinced the planning commission to let him turn Guava Kai's snack shop into a full-on restaurant, market and wedding facility at Common Ground.

Now the Resonance Project Foundation wants to convert the former Kilauea Plantation manager's house, located on land zoned open and ag, into a research park. Plans call for building a 3,600-square-foot research facility, a 1,963-square-foot lecture facility and various other buildings, including two “dormitories,” each 4,510 square feet.

The planning department is recommending the use permit be approved, having determined that a research center and mini-hotels are a natural fit for agricultural lands and will have no significant adverse impacts to the environment or community — provided, of course, the buildings are a “dark earth-tone color” and obscured by substantial landscaping.

However, as neighboring landowner Peter King notes in testimony opposing this decidedly non-agricultural use:

Absent the requisite permits, it appears the Foundation has already begun work on their plans to convert the Kilauea Plantation Manager’s House property into a “Research Park” Being that our property is adjacent to the Kilauea Plantation Manager’s House driveway/easement, we have noticed activity along this driveway/easement (photo 19) has increased exponentially given the team of researchers, staff and volunteers who are accessing the grounds on a daily basis.

Further, just the other night my wife was awaken in the middle of the night by strangers trespassing on our property from the Manager’s House grounds via a bridge we use to maintain the auwai (photo 14), and who attempted to enter into a separate guest cottage opposite the main house where I, my wife and two children were sleeping.

Perhaps they were looking for a bathroom?

Come now, Peter, we all have to do our part to welcome those who need the aloha spirit that we, according an unsigned commentary in The Garden Island, serve up for free.

Which prompted Mike Miranda to note on his clever blog, All I Need is One Mike:

I guess it is free when all Hawaii needs to do is dedicate its resources to feed the tourism machine with the altruistic blood and sweat of the working class that drives tourism; sacrifice education, housing, public works, raising the minimum wage, and bringing tax code reform, thereby further entrenching our working class in the service and retail industries, and failing to diversify the economy. No extra money to be spent--just rob Peter to pay Paul.

When Hawaii is done miseducating its neo-plantation workers, will we get our 40 acres and a mule? Well, maybe after the whole GMO thing clears up and farming isn't such a controversial thing.

But by then, sorry, they'll be fresh out of agricultural acreage. You may, however, be allowed to pitch a tent at Common Ground in exchange for the privilege of growing herbs used in the restaurant.

23 comments:

Anonymous said...

Wow, even Common Ground does not escape your wrath. I thought they were doing noble pono job. Am I wrong?

Anonymous said...

It's DuPont Pioneer, not Dow Pioneer. Pioneer was founded in 1926 and started growing on Kaua'i in 1968. Dow AgroSciences is a completely different company.

http://www.pioneer.com/home/site/about/business/who-we-are/

Also, DuPont Pioneer scientist Cindy Goldstein has the same job that she's had for years.

Joan Conrow said...

Thanks, I made the correction on DuPont.

Though Cindy Goldstein's job title may not have changed, she used to serve as company spokeswoman on Kauai, a function now performed by Laurie Yoshida.

Anonymous said...

Noble pono job, get real. Open your eyes and go see for yourself that the Ag operation on Common Grounds 26 acres is only hype. I would guess that nearly all the food served there is imported.

Anonymous said...

Yep -- thank the Planning Department for screwing over the mauka side of Kilauea town and all its residents on ag land. They bought Jabe's pack of lives after allowing him for years to have a restaurant when the previous permit was for a "snack bar." And now Planning has the nerve to quote Webster's dictionary. Folks, we are in terrible hands here.

Anonymous said...

To 10:23am who talks about the noble pono job at Common Ground, please take a tour, check out the restaurant, look for the FARM that's behind the granting of 7 days/week of breakfast, lunch, dinner plus special events like weddings, concerts, with alcoholic beverages, FARM-To-Table restaurant on AG land! If you discover that FARM, do take pictures so the rest of the island knows about this phantom farm. Then, if you also see the Esaki produce trucks, and the pallets of canned goods being unloaded, also take pictures. Farm? organic? an herb garden? show dem pictures to the restaurant patrons and the dedicated Planning Dept staff & Commissioners who are looking out for the "good, health, welfare, safety" of our island and her people! Unfortunately, the developers always get what they want, watch what unfolds with the Resonance Project with their multi-millions & high-priced lawyers!

Anonymous said...

Resonance project doesn's have very good reviews online,they are friends of chris joke jabe who he brought to the island. No common ground is not good neighbors, and they haven't been treating the employees fairly either. more like slaves not employees, Does he pay taxes? How is this non profit? Poser that guy

Anonymous said...

Who is the lawyer representing common ground before planning? Unusual that Jaon isn't personally attacking that person. Must be Hempey. Cmon Joan name names.

Anonymous said...

Whether or not the lawyers "influenced" the bad decisions made by the Planning Dept is secondary to the belief held by many: the Planners are supposed to
be guided by the principle that development "...is not detrimental to the health, safety, peace, morals, comfort, and general welfare of persons residing or working in the surrounding area, and should not cause any substantial harmful environmental consequences." How much does it cost to toss that out the window? How many times has this been violated? Think of all those blatant TVR abuses! As they say, follow the money. Or the one with the money wins!So sad for island.

Anonymous said...

They haven't hired a gardener and there is no garden at common ground. Just another Richie Rich that bought a planner and a permit.

Anonymous said...

That's more b.s. like TVRs. commercialization of ag instead of rezoning.

Anonymous said...

I don't know the behind the scenes...but I do know there is a garden at Common Ground....

Anonymous said...

so they have landscaped grounds that you are calling a garden? They do not produce food, which is the purpose of AG.

Anonymous said...

Kauai is facing a number of challenges and it has become clear that our mayor and his administration are incapable of meeting them. There is no enlightened leadership and county government is often inept and in certain places likely corrupt.

My advice to all the moaners and groaners is that you focus your energy in developing and supporting mayoral and county commission candidates who will clean house. Better yet run for office yourself if any of you are electable.

Anonymous said...

Kauai needs to set a precedence and let it be known that we will not tolerate corruption. We need to make an example out of this admin and all who conspire with them. There needs to be punishment for everyone who is involved.

Anonymous said...

Kauai's Cosa Nostra must be brought to down!

Anonymous said...

To 8:13, how about you? you sound enlightened and agree that there definitely is a need for a major overhaul.

We "moan and groan" because there is not much we can do. Did you watch any of the Planning Com two hearings regarding Common Ground? Not a single resident testified in support because for one thing, CG does not have a FARM for its so-called farm-to-table restaurant! A waste of time and Isobe and Kimura acted like they were on Jaeb's payroll. No shame! Flash the cash and get the same high paid lawyers, you get everything you want and more and more...shame.

Anonymous said...

Hey 8:45am what planet are you from?
This is Kauai - where the rich loonies & moonies can buy whatever they want.

wake up and smell whatever is cooking in your kitchen! aloha and peace to you too.

Anonymous said...

Who knows what Hawaii will be like in ten years? Overrun by the hordes or deserted by the masses?

Anonymous said...

Your the kind of person that would watch a man beat his wife or child and think because it's been done before its ok.


Your the kind of coward that will lets these criminals get away with unsolved murders!

Go back to your little hole and hide, I will tell you when it's safe to go outside.

Do you smeeelllllllll what Da F?€K is cooking??

Anonymous said...

Chris J. of Common Ground spent months, and countless signatures getting approval of county use permits for the "restaurant", then the next day put the whole property on the market. Scrub.

Anonymous said...

I like that he joined KNA, then quit, once he got what he wanted from the permitting department.

Chris Jaeb said...

Chris Jaeb's Responses - I have posted a reply to each of the "assumptions" stated above that relate to Common Ground Kauai. If you have any additional questions, feel free to follow up with me directly at chris@jaeb.net. Sincerely.

http://cgkauai.net/common-ground/