Friday, June 26, 2015

Musings: Disconnect

Has anyone else noticed the schizophrenia of Hawaii's agri/enviro activism?

On the one hand, we have the Sierra Club suing to prevent the reclassification of 1,500 acres of ag land on Oahu for the 11,750-unit Hoopili housing project. It is arguing, in part, that the state isn't doing enough to designate Important Ag Lands, and this land meets all the criteria.

On the other, we have the Sierra Club and its attorney, EarthJustice, actively working with self-proclaimed “green” groups and “aloha aina warriors” to destroy agriculture on acreage already classified as Important Ag Land.

Through lawsuits and direct action, they are aggressively targeting seed operations on all islands, a proposed Kauai dairy and Maui's HC&S — the largest farm in the state.

So what, exactly, do they want? I mean, other than agriculture that yields sufficient food to end Hawaii's import-dependency without using any pesticides, chemical fertilizer or water, producing any dust or smoke or generating any waste.

Here's an example of how they want to reshape ag to fit their bucolic fantasies: “completely organic and self-sustainable...what do you think that would do to the tourist industry? You'd never be able to get a hotel here. Everyone would want to come.”

Is it any surprise these “green” movements have succeeded primarily in attracting greenbacks from high-end Realtors?

Welcome to the black-and-white, simple-minded, short-sighted delusional world of the “new locals” — folks who have all the answers, all the facts, and don't want any conflicting opinions to shake their fast-held views.

A case in point: last night's “sugarcane burn moratorium” meeting on Maui. Here's a shot of the “locals for local change” crowd. 
Looks an awful lot like mainlanders who chose to buy homes in Kihei knowing HC&S was burning cane, but now they want it stopped.

The meeting was hosted by “community leaders and field experts,” but they failed to invite anyone from HC&S who might actually have first-hand knowledge about cane burning operations, alternatives the company has pursued or the fields green-harvested at great expense to minimize impacts on neighborhoods.

Similarly, though folks from the Department of Health's clean air branch traveled from Honolulu to attend, at the group's behest, they were not allowed to share their mana'o, only listen.

But Sen. Josh Green, a Big Island emergency room physician and political foe of Maui Sen. Roz Baker, was invited to speak, as was Maui Community College physics teacher Joe Ritter, who just so happens to be the boyfriend of Terez Amato, who is challenging Baker for her Senate seat.

Yes, Maui has its political demagogues, too — folks who cravenly try, like Kauai Councilman Gary Hooser, to build a voter base among the newcomer-mom-greenie crowd by deliberately distorting facts to create an agricultural demon and fan the flames of fear. For the keiki, of course.

Speaking of Gary, his pal Lance Collins has been hired to sue HC&S, with his fee to be paid through a crowd-funding campaign. Lance, you may recall, came to Kauai to make humbug over the use of pro bono lawyers to defend the pesticide/GMO Bill 2491. He dropped his complaint at the last minute, after wasting county money and time.

Though they protest against cane smoke, their tactics are smoke-and-mirrors. And as they rally against perceived poisons, they spread the poisons of propaganda and community divisiveness.

Yet all the while they remain oblivious to the contradictions in their words and deeds.

71 comments:

Anonymous said...

hi Joan got ur first link incorrect. Great post...

Anonymous said...

Gary just happens to be protecting the right to peace and quiet. I built my house on a large quiet piece of Agricultural land. I have two beautiful horses and a couple of hi-bred goats. Now my neighbor, this dusty guy starts his tractor in the morning, raises dust, kills the quiet. I tried to talk to him and he was very rude. He told me "Eh you, shut the f*ck up".
I have hired a foremost Horse Meditation Channeler for my poor horses to try to calm them down. The Animal meditative expert has determined that my horse's jitters are from the dust and noise from my neighbor. The goat's have just gone thru extreme peaceful psychiatric sessions and are doing OK. This type of loud and dusty farming has no right to disturb my inner peace.
Gary, JoAnn and Mason are my last hope at stopping the noise and dust. Stop this noisy Ag. Put the land back at peace just the way it was when my Realater sold it to me.

Anonymous said...

I see Gary Hooser will next be blessing the Big Island with his presence as he joins Walter Ritte for a speaking gig.
Dave Smith

Anonymous said...

Are you a local?
How many of the following attributes need to be checked in order to qualify?
Please check all that apply-
__ Pure Hawaiian Ancestry
__ Caucasian Missionary Ancestry
__ Pure Chinese Ancestry
__ Pure Japanese Ancestry
__ Pure Portuguese Ancestry
__ Pure Filipino Ancestry
__ Hapa mix from any of the above
__ Second generation or more in Hawaii
__ Born and raised in Hawaii
__ Immigrated to Hawaii 1950-1980
__ Ability to speak Pidgin
__ Eats Poi
__ Hunts Pigs
__ Plays Ukelele
__ Likes Jawaiian music
__ Collects Opihi
__ Practices Net Fishing
__ Supports the Hawaiian Sovereignty Movement
__ Actively involved in restoration of Hawaiian Agriculture
__ Supports GMO Agriculture
__ Does not support GMO Agriculture
__ Drives rusty old small kine pickup truck
__ Drives Brand New 2500+ pickup with extra large wheels
__ Extends aloha with a big smile to everyone they meet
__ Gives good stink eye
__ Owns Home
__ Rents Home
__ High School drop out
__ High School Education
__ Some College Education
__ College Degree
__ Votes Republican
__ Votes Democrat

I appreciate your clarification on this matter, as I have been somewhat confused about my status and believe it is so productive and useful for all of us to understand our place in the pecking order. Thank you for all you do to promote and continue the racial divisiveness here on our island.

Anonymous said...

Anonymous, farming, or any kind of agriculture, IS dusty, and sometimes loud, and sweaty, and hot and hard work. If you want peace and quiet, you should live on preservation land. Far away and removed from people who actually sweat for a living, not in an air-conditioned home office or downtown office building.

Anonymous said...

If you put a camera in a an open field, guaranteed Walter Ritte will show up. Shortly before Babes against Biotech...

Anonymous said...

Saw a photo of cane-burning on Maui the other day. Looked like the bomb dropped on Hiroshima. Hey all you asthmatics and sensitve people who have bad reactions to this smoke- it is your fault for choosing to live there. It is not the fault of the colonialist capitalist plantation owners who introduced sugar cane to the islands and their descendants who continue this marvelous monocropping farming method today. Either stay inside with closed windows, use a gas mask, suck it up or ship out. Long live the plantation mentality! Long live monocropping and biocides!

no aloha for local families said...

Why in the world does Hawaii's mainstream media continue to pander to these shameless, mean-spirited prevaricators?

Why is Joan the only one to draw back the curtains to reveal that the emperors and their sheeple have no clothes and are leading us down the exodus path for local families who cannot compete with the wealthy, misguided, self-serving, holier-than-thou transplants to retain their homes and jobs on the islands?

And how in the world does Lorin Pang keep his job at DOH when he foments public fear and panic without a shred of credible evidence? His comparison at last night's meeting between the health risks from the one to two early morning, half-hour cane FIELD burns, averaging 3-4 times a week during the harvesting season, and the death and disease resulting from daily, INDOOR coal-burning kitchen stove fires used by 3 billion poor people in less fortunate areas of the world, borders on criminal.

Anonymous said...

To 9:07 AM ---- Me too, me too!

Anonymous said...

@ 8:17 AM - LOL!!! I hope you kidding? So you purchased an Agricultural lot and are upset that your neighbor turns on his tractor each morning. Sorry to stun you but that is what people do with Agricultural land. That you "built your house on a large quiet piece of Agricultural land...have two beautiful horses and a couple of hi-bred goats" is interesting. Doesn't seem like you are using Agricultural land for it's intended purpose, but more for your retirement estate. Glad you can afford a "Horse Meditation Channeler." I have little sympathy for you. Maybe you should be more upset with your realtor than your neighbor for not explaining to you what Agricultural land is... Then again, the word "agriculture" should have said it all -too bad you couldn't figure it out.

Anonymous said...

People should realize what A & B did for their employees and the community. They developed Kahului with a Master Plan. They provided their employees the opportunity to have a home. They subdivided the ag land and provided the lots for their employees and some other lucky family. The people that worked hard in the fields were given this opportunity to own land. The land in Kihei was loaded with Kiawe trees. The driest seasons during summer, the mice invaded the area from up country. Kihei slowly expanded to be another Kona or Hanalei for the rich. When in Rome, do like the Romans do... Certain people like be by themselves. Certain people don't want neighbors. They prevent other people from living by them. The sugar plantation was here before a lot of us came or was born here. There was always the burning of the sugar cane... People knew this before they bought their property. now they want the burning to stop.

Anonymous said...

9:07. If you have to ask you aren't.

Anonymous said...

@9:07 AM Joan isn't promoting racial divisiveness, she's just pointing out the facts. Respecting a place and understanding its people & culture is something everyone should do whether visiting or moving somewhere new, instead of trying to change their surroundings to suit their own comfort. Don't like it? You can move! I'm tired of all the drama that's been going on and the self-entitled, oblivious people who come here with their own agenda's. They need to learn what aloha is.

Joan, thanks for calling a spade a spade and seeing through the smoke and mirrors. Great post!

Joan Conrow said...

Thanks, 7:59, for letting me know. The link is fixed now, and offers some classic pie-in-the-sky dufus ideology: "I think the (Shaka Movement) GMO Model is a phenominal [sic] model. Phenominal! [sic]"

Anonymous said...

10:17 Ever heard of Photoshop? Kihei was developed long after cane fires. Let the buyer beware.

Anonymous said...

Hooser, Ritte, SHAKA, Pang, Babes against Science, and the rest of the Giant Ego Gang---how are you helping our community work TOGETHER to resolve our real challenges? By instigating more division; that will help us get....where exactly?

Here?
Another of many "unscheduled" sugar cane fires (AKA arson), last night during the anti-HC&S meeting. Coincidence?
http://mauitvnews.com/blog/2015/06/26/unscheduled-cane-burn-lights-up-paia-sky/

Our elected officials need to stand up to these fomenters and focus on what the hard-working, respectful, but silent majority of local families really need to continue to survive here and how to protect our natural resources from the real enemy: the constant influx and spread of destructive invasive species.

Anonymous said...

9:07 you gotta be just off the jet. Who "collects" opihi? The short answer, to quote the Beatles, is "Get back, get back, get back to where you once belonged".

Anonymous said...

@11:04-
The original sugar plantation owners in the mid 1800s were New England transplants, the poster children for "self-entitled, oblivious people who come here with their own agenda's". Talk about exploitation!

From wikipedia-

The industry was tightly controlled by former missionary families, concentrated in corporations known in Hawaii as “The Big Five”.[2] These included Castle & Cooke, Alexander & Baldwin, C. Brewer & Co., American Factors (now Amfac) and Theo H. Davies & Co..,[9] which together eventually gained control over other aspects of the Hawaiian economy including banking, warehousing, shipping, and importing.] This control of commodity distribution kept Hawaiians burdened under high prices and toiling under a diminished quality of life.[4]This control of commodity distribution kept Hawaiians burdened under high prices and toiling under a diminished quality of life.[4] These businessmen had perfected the double-edged sword of a wage-earning labor force dependent upon plantation goods and services.[7] Close ties as missionaries to the Hawaiian monarchy along with capital investments, cheap land, cheap labor, and increased global trade, allowed them to prosper.[4] Alexander & Baldwin acquired additional sugar lands and also operated a sailing fleet between Hawai`i and the mainland; the shipping concern became American-Hawaiian Line, and later Matson.[10] Later the businessmen of missionary families were critical in the overthrow of the Kingdom of Hawaii in 1893, creating a short-lived republic. In 1898, the Republic of Hawaii was annexed by the United States and became the Territory of Hawaii, aided by the lobbying of the sugar interests.
Importing labor
Hawaii Demographics, 1959.
Hawaii Demographics, 2005.

When Hawaiian plantations began to produce on a large scale, it became obvious that a labor force needed to be imported. The Hawaiian population was 1/6 its pre-1778 size due to ravaging disease brought by foreigners.[4] Additionally, Hawaiian people saw little use for working on the plantations when they could easily subsist by farming and fishing.[7] Plantation owners quickly began importing workers which dramatically changed Hawaii’s demographics and is an extreme example of globalization.

Anonymous said...

emperors and their sheeple have no clothes and are leading us down the exodus path for local families who cannot compete with the wealthy, misguided, self-serving, holier-than-thou transplants to retain their homes and jobs on the islands?

BINGO!

Chuck Lasker said...

"Yet all the while they remain oblivious to the contradictions in their words and deeds."

No, they are not oblivious. They know they are being disingenuous. It's just that they are antis - meaning they are against things without regard for the alternatives. They self-identify as "activists," and that almost always means, "fight to ban something." And when you think you're saving the world, you can easily justify any wrong in the name of "the cause." And unlike real activists, who have a passionate focus for something supported by facts and data, these hobby activists jump on any cause that is popular. "If you don't stand for something, you'll fall for anything." And that means they are easily lead.

Developers use the antis to push for land they can sell to people like (8:17 AM) above and to knock out competitors for prime resort land (like the dairy, which, if killed, will most likely be replaced by a Hyatt-like polluting resort). Politicians use the antis to create the appearance of popular support through loudness. The shipping companies used the antis to stop a competitor - the Superferry. Organic sellers use the antis to scare people into spending double for food less healthy than non-organic (the food is covered in cow shit). All the while the antis think they're saving the world, while enjoying a clique of same-thinkers and all the parties, parades, and often income, that come along with it.

The problem is we try to understand the antis by listening to their words. But looking deeper at their motivations, you can replace everything they say with, "look at me!"

Anonymous said...

@10:17 AM, you just gave yourself away as a Google farmer. If you are looking for biocides, check out the wealthy subdivisions and golf courses...how many cockroaches, centipedes, geckos etc. you gonna find there??

Anonymous said...

@11:27- In response to your implying photoshop may be the culprit, here is a nice group of photos from Google images. Enjoy! https://www.google.com/search?q=maui+sugar+cane+burning+photos&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&client=ubuntu&channel=fs&gws_rd=ssl

Anonymous said...

Joan- could you please use this link in my previous comment instead of the first link? Images of cane-burning from Google. Mahalo. https://www.google.com/search?q=maui+sugar+cane+burning+photos&client=ubuntu&hs=o7I&channel=fs&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ei=0cyNVYmVCJCioQSX8YLIDw&ved=0CDMQ7Ak&biw=1292&bih=692

Anonymous said...

Thank you for a short and brief history lesson.

Many people born, flown, or boated here most likely didn't know this.

So now look at the sell outs in office. They've been playing this game for a long time. Dividing the people and laughing with the Rich while going to the bank and collect their riches or new lands and houses.

They smile in your face, act local and support your concerns then when backs are turned take money for campaigns and money to send their kids to colleges so they can work for the same big five and now billionaires who see Kauai for its exploitation. They know that they will make their riches when they become the pimps like their daddies and mommies were. They need to prostitute Kauai and its people to stack their bank accounts so they are the only local families that can afford the home prices on Kauai.

What concerns me is that we have a majority of born and raised people on council and the same business as usual is still going on. These for the people imposters are the sell out families that have been in power for decades.

I am happy to see that they are discussing a county manager instead of the sloth Mayor and cronie system.

I nominate General (retired) Hertog as Kauai's first county manager. She definitely has all the qualifications to take charge of a historically important responsibility.

Time for change on Kauai and let's get rid of the sell out families that have been in power for far too long. That means all current council members.

Anonymous said...

@12:06- Biocides are killers, no matter where they are used-in homes, yards, golf courses, farms, whatever. Makes no difference, they are poisons and are being used indiscriminately across the board. Poisons go into soil, water, aquafers, rivers, lakes, oceans, air, and bodies of humans and all wildlife. Google that! We are entering the Sixth Extinction. You can Google that, too. Wake up sheeple before there is no turning back!

Anonymous said...

Somehow this good KE post has morphed into a weird history lesson with a lot of hatred.
Anyone who complains of "too many people" should set the example and leave.
Kauai has shown minimal growth during the past 50 years. Sure there has been significant development in key areas, but overall the vast majority of the interior of the island and MOST of the f*cking beaches and shoreline are as they have been for a hundred years.
We feel the so-called "extreme development" because we are still using the same roads and basic essentials built by the great planners and builders that were Sugar. People have kids. Kids need to work and need houses. Simple.
The County and especially Da Hoos, JoAnn and Mason have done an outstanding job of dividing the people. And with this division comes all of the easy stereotypes of rich f*n' Haole and stupid local comments. Most people live their lives simply and politely. Caring for their families and community. I wish the Council would remember this.
With Da Hoos (along with JoAnn, Jay, Mason, oh yeah can't forget about the biggest miscreant Tim Bynum)) and his Anti-Ag campaign igniting some well-intended, but holier than thou newcomers. Saul Alinsky comes alive as Da Hoos " makes the world where he is always moral and his enemies always immoral” (sic) and pits the perceived rich newcomers against the long term locals. Classic.
The current Council used this same tactic with shutting down the BnBs. Always turn people against each other by highlighting the differences. Welp Folks. There ain't no differences. We are all, just people.
The crowded and poor roads, the overflowing luas, the high taxes, the untreated Meth Heads, the endless nonsensical Council Meetings, the lack of anything important, the need for 4000 (FOUR THOUSAND) homes within five years, the Himalayan Heights of the Kekaha Dump (Mt Yukimura), the Nasty extreme power deepthroated toward any homebuilder by Planning and Water etc. are ALL problems made by and perpetuated by the County Council. The Council approves every penny and passes every law. All responsibility is at their doorstep. We realize that as individuals a good intentioned, loving lone Council Member has a hard time in the Byzantine maze of County rules...but, even if as an individual you are a Good Guy, as a Council person you have a responsibility to try to make things better. Not just going down the well trodden path set by the many free loading County people that preceded you. Cut a new path.
Kauai's people if left alone are a pretty happy lot. Working, living, laughing, loving, raising their kids, muffling their dog's bark and just making their way on God's Green Earth. Oh wait, I think I see a smoking chimney and an illegal ricecooker in the Homesteads....quick, let's make a law and sue the County. Please Council...try to bring the people together. Muzzle Da Hoos and JoAnn and give Mason a little remedial assistance.
You have four good guys, why don't you do some good? or at least just fix a road or or two. Maybe even Puhi Road.

Anonymous said...

@11:38

Quoting an Englishman? Imagine if Ed Sullivan had had a policy of only allowing true blue "Americans" to appear on his show? We might never have heard of the Beatles, a band that influenced an entire generation and changed the way we looked at humanity forever.

"When you've seen beyond yourself
Then you may find
Peace of mind is waiting there
And the time will come
When you see we're all one
And life flows on within you and without you."

The Beatles - Within You Without You Lyrics

Anonymous said...

"....the real enemy: the constant influx and spread of destructive invasive species."

Yes! They are called mainland transplants.

Anonymous said...

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20520870 .... Abstract

Sugarcane leaves contain amorphous silica, which may crystallise to form crystalline silica polymorphs (cristobalite or quartz), during commercial sugarcane harvesting where sugarcane plants are burned. Respirable airborne particulate containing these phases may present an occupational health hazard. Following from an earlier pilot study (J. S. Le Blond, B. J. Williamson, C. J. Horwell, A. K. Monro, C. A. Kirk and C. Oppenheimer, Atmos. Environ., 2008, 42, 5558-5565) in which experimental burning of sugarcane leaves yielded crystalline silica, here we report on actual conditions during sugarcane burning on commercial estates, investigate the physico-chemical properties of the cultivated leaves and ash products, and quantify the presence of crystalline silica. Commercially grown raw sugarcane leaf was found to contain up to 1.8 wt% silica, mostly in the form of amorphous silica bodies (with trace impurities e.g., Al, Na, Mg), with only a small amount of quartz. Thermal images taken during several pre-harvest burns recorded temperatures up to 1056 degrees C, which is sufficient for metastable cristobalite formation. No crystalline silica was detected in airborne particulate from pre-harvest burning, collected using a cascade impactor. The sugarcane trash ash formed after pre-harvest burning contained between 10 and 25 wt% SiO(2), mostly in an amorphous form, but with up to 3.5 wt% quartz. Both quartz and cristobalite were identified in the sugarcane bagasse ash (5-15 wt% and 1-3 wt%, respectively) formed in the processing factory. Electron microprobe analysis showed trace impurities of Mg, Al and Fe in the silica particles in the ash. The absence of crystalline silica in the airborne emissions and lack of cristobalite in trash ash suggest that high temperatures during pre-harvest burning were not sustained long enough for cristobalite to form, which is supported by the presence of low temperature sylvite and calcite in the residual ash. The occurrence of quartz and cristobalite in bagasse ash is significant as the ash is recycled onto the fields where erosion and/or mechanical disturbance could break down the deposits and re-suspend respirable-sized particulate. Appropriate methods for treatment and disposal of bagasse ash must, therefore, be employed and adequate protection given to workers exposed to these dusts.

Anonymous said...

I brought up that the fixing of Puhi rd was in dire need years ago, instead these guys are building a roundabout at Wilcox school. This is not a necessity. The fixing of the Puhi rd is a neccesity.

It's like Yukimura trying to build a 200-300 million dollar bike path Instead of fixing and not just bandage the rd (this is what the county and unions call job security).

The county fixes the roads in Princeville every year and they are always up there with rd construction or cleaning the overgrowth bushes and trees.

Why come they don't do it around the whole island? But all you have to do is look at where the bus shelters are to see that the county favors specific areas and treat other areas like red headed step children.

Anonymous said...

Why do so many commenters enjoy focusing on other people and putting them in a negative light Auwe! Tabloids love to write about individual people, gossip, innuendo, etc. And it looks like many of us enjoy putting down others in a way which makes us feel superior and righteous. What happens if we shift our focus to real issues- and speak only about the issues. Then we are able to find common ground. Since none of us is perfect, why throw stones? If humanity wants to survive as a species, it is imperative that we begin to treat each other more harmoniously, even if we hold opposite opinions. The leaves on a tree are all unique, but they come from the same tree. For the tree to be healthy, all the leaves must act in harmony. All humans are unique and come from the same source and creator. Canʻt we behave more like leaves on a tree?

Unknown said...

Good read. Keep smiling!

Anonymous said...

WTH is Gary Marks talking about? What an imbecile! So this is all just "fun"? So sick of these rich retirees and trust funders treating this all like a big game of Monopoly. For people trying to keep their heads above water, feed their families and MAYBE send their kids to college this is serious stuff. Why is anyone paying attention to this lame-brained fantasy talk?

Odie Dill said...

Aloha:
I have read a lot about the bus shelters in Princeville and Kilauea being built by the County. Not, the Kauai North Shore Lions Club designed and built them as a work project. It took almost 4 years to get approved before being build. We built them, maintain them and keep the graffiti removed etc. You want to help, join us today Sat. at 8:00 at Hanalei Elementary school for another one of our work Projects.
Peace

Odie Dill said...

Sorry, I forgot to say we only built the wooden bus shelters.
The county has put up a metal one now in Kilauea.

Anonymous said...

626 Thank you for your great work. The Planning Department takes 4 years to approve simple bus shelters? Wow. I know there are some issues on setbacks, safety etc, but remember GOLDEN GATE BRIDGE was built from concept to finish in 3 years. So I guess our new planning director is just being cautious about bus shelters, these little projects sure are complicated. Power Power Power.
There are many groups that would love to help in many ways. But the sheer terror and patience it takes when addressing the lords at Planning fends them off. THE front desk and workers at Planning are A-NUMBER 1 Great...but the rules set by the big swingers in the back rooms has stopped them from helping. "Can I build a house on my lot?" ANSWER "Fill out this intense form, make no mistakes, we will get back to you in 3 weeks or so"....and they say as a response to the completed form..."you may or may not be able to build, but you are zoned for one house. This does not mean you can build it".......uhhh OK Thank you, I think....The new kings of Planning have usurped total power to themselves. It is extreme. The workers are told NOT to asist you even when the answer is right there. Make 'em wait. Make 'em suffer. The Director even runs the Planning Commission meetings as his little fiefdom. I am surprised someone hasn't busted the Director for his extreme influence in the Planning Commission meetings. It is like group of puppets with the grand puppeteer. But that nice-looking wahine "senior staff Lady" sure does a good job as she presents the reports to the Commission and victims on the agenda. She is fair and concise. No ego, just the facts ma'am, just the facts. She should be Director, she has the qualifications and personality. She is no Power Queen, like Michael Dahlig is. The Director even keeps his good workers down by NOT letting the public know who they are...except the new Asst Hull, he gots all kinds love. He must drink down there at that Beer Factory (that does not have legal parking...closed for ten years and gets grandfathered?) Guadalupes Old Building. Maybe we should all go and drink at the in-place for cool county elites.

Anonymous said...

@8:48 PM

Well put. I'm sure that if most of us "Anonymous" were to find ourselves face to face at a farmer's market, we would treat one another with aloha. We would talk about our kids growing up, the unseasonably warm ocean temperatures, the long line of cars backed up at the Hanalei Bridge, whether or not a hurricane was coming this season and what a bumper crop of lychee everyone was having. We all want the same things for ourselves and our families. Good health, fun times, drug free neighborhoods, job opportunities and affordable housing for all. We are blessed to wake up every morning on this island. Let's remember to stay in gratitude and love our neighbors. It's a beautiful life.

Anonymous said...

A picture of that many assholes has got to be porn.

Anonymous said...

The greatest fundamental social and political problem facing America is the glorification of ignorance. The conflation of intellectualism with elitism and stupidity with populism has us fighting with two hands tied behind our back.
Ironically, the greatest warehouse of and tool for disseminating knowledge in history, the Internet, is largely to blame; there's no killer app for distilling wisdom from information, but failing to do so is like drinking out of a fire hose.
Critical thinking, folks, is the only way. Question EVERYTHING. Including this post.

Anonymous said...

A message to all who nicely post lengthy information and references to support their comments. Please lead with a one or two sentence summary and then go into the details. When I see a long comment, my eyes cloud over and I tend to skip it like I do BettyJo Duck's silly postings. If after reading a short summary and if I'm interested, then I'll continue reading.
Mahalo,
Mr. Short Attention Span

Anonymous said...

Hey Joan

Your picture of the anti burning audience on Maui underscores why tensions are on the rise all across Hawaii. None of the whiteys in the picture work for HC&S; guarantee. How many brown faces do you see? The brownies are the guys who actually do the work, appreciate the 2, sometimes 3 jobs they have and are not into grumbling about everything and anything. However, when the tipping point comes and the brownies reluctantly appear to express themselves, they are labelled as activist, ignorant, racist trouble makers. liberty and justice for all? depends on the color of your skin.

Anonymous said...

Hey 4:28, who wrote
"the constant influx and spread of destructive invasive species....Yes! They are called mainland transplants."

Really? What "land" did you come from? Amazing how so many people who came a few generations ago feel so morally and "environmentally" superior to more recent arrivals. Amazing the categories one group of people will put another group of people in to feel superior to the other group. All you people who came a few generations ago caused plenty of economic and social dislocation in your day, and were surely considered "mainland invaders" in your day. Get real - and get humble - being here an extra few generations gives you no free pass. Or as Michael Corleone said in the Godfather, "We're all part of the same hypocrisy".

Anonymous said...

STFU is the short enough for you?

Anonymous said...

Yes, thanks asshole! :)

Anonymous said...

B&R here Bozo!

Anonymous said...

B &R isn't a category giving anyone special rights. If you're a citizen of hawaii - born and raised here or not - you have the same rights. Except, perhaps, in your own mind.

Anonymous said...

"I've got rights1 I've got rights!!" Typical liberal panty looser cries!! Hey, guess what? You can now marry your partner!!!

Anonymous said...

@12:13
Your comparison of the cloud formation from the burning of crops and Nagasaki is unfortunately born of a misunderstanding of thermodynamics and meterology. Mushroom clouds can be formed from both DETONATION and DEFLAGRATION and are simply the result of the hot, rising air mass reaching an altitude such that it is no longer less dense than the surrounding air. Comparing a crop fire to an atomic detonation simply generates fear and an unfair comparison. Unlike the energy of a nuke which is released in mere seconds, the energy of the crop fire is released over tens of minutes if not hours. With a crop fire you don't have a thermal pulse, a blast wave, or radioactive fallout; basically, any of the elements which make nukes such destructive weapons. The "damage" is localized to the crops being targeted and does not spread beyond. Please don't use humanity's most devastating weapon as a comparison for your own ends without knowing the actual mechanisms involved with a nuclear blast or intending for the associated connotations and stigma to be attached to the activity you'd like to see ceased. Or perhaps instilling fear was your intent all along?

I also agree with most people here. The burning of sugar cane fields has been happening since the beginning of the industry. It's the reason why if you didn't like the idea of the smoke, you live in a town that won't be affected by it. If you built a house near these fields, you should sue your realtor and get your money back if they said it wouldn't be an issue. And if you knew about it before, then you're an idiot and a dick for living there and now complaining about a practice that was there when you moved in. It's part of their business operations and residents have found ways to coexist on the same island before. It's not like people living in hanapepe can can the county to stop dumping trash at the transfer station just because kona winds blows that horrible smell into their houses....

Anonymous said...

Did anyone read the locals for local change website and notice that whoever quoted Gary marks doesn't know how to spell phenomenal?

Anonymous said...

"B &R isn't a category giving anyone special rights. If you're a citizen of hawaii - born and raised here or not - you have the same rights. Except, perhaps, in your own mind."

I don't think many of us whose families have spent multiple generations here would dispute that. We object mainly to the strictly noisy, haole-like exercise of those rights unfettered by a little humility, grounding in this place and especially without a modicum of critical thinking accompanied by a modest appreciation for the fact we have gotten along reasonably well for generations without your presence. Bullshit all you want, but don't get the idea that because we are reserved and don't make a lot of noise you can hoodwink or roll over us. And that's what's in our own mind.

Anonymous said...

6:31
Well said.
The more reserved Asian style is often misinterpreted as being slow, unfriendly or passive. But income/education/ facts disperse this newcomer assumption.
But as Da Hoos has made this a "morality" debate, the stakes are higher, passions become enthused and tactics that are "sent by God" become justified.
The mob actions at the Council Building worked. Kauai is forever changed. Shout down your adversary, threaten them, trespass and graffiti. Shuck Ma'am, we are just applying the First Amendment. But in this case, Mr GAry, you divided the westside locals and the NS Haoles. A social split that is still felt. Used to be Kauai was thought as one island, now its Kauai and the North Shore. Just saying the Northshore evokes a stereotype in Kauai"s citizens mind's. And it ain't pretty.
At least Mel, is keeping a lid on the two full blown Communists on the Council.
Now Kauai has to try to learn to share ideas between each other without angry mobs, hyperbole and lies.
And now an extension of Da Hoos mob style...the Humane Society could suffer the loss of massive donations due to the sign waving "sent by God" protesters. Thanks Gary. Thanks JoAnn. Thanks Jay, Mason and Bynum. Y'all have brought out the worst side of people and justified nutjobs to take to the streets.
Where's my sign? I like go picket for some peace and love. Peace and love or else I go bust you up.

Anonymous said...

"Your beliefs [Gary Hooser] don't make you a better person; your behavior does."

Your record of cheating on your taxes, lying, using your position in a false manner, faking who you represent, and breaking laws you expect others to follow best demonstrates who you are.

Anonymous said...

Da Big Fist is responsible also for the humane society issue? Wow. That guy is good. He stopped the super ferry, he killed the pldc, he blocked Carlton Ching, did 2491 and then got the Hawaii County Council and Maui voters to take in the GMO issue. Now he is going after the Humane Society? He is da man! He is not the man behind da man, but da man. And ain't nothing Mel or Ross can do about it. Bahahah!

Anonymous said...

Aloha Ms. Joan, do you know if those HAPA meetings statewide are well attended?

Anonymous said...

1:08, 6:31, 8:28

We read you loud and clear. We too are sick of people who move next to airports then fuss about aircraft noise, move in downwind from farms then complain about dust, noise, odor and smoke, buy in neighborhoods, operate illegal rentals then scream bloody murder when they're caught, buy, sell, buy, sell, making land prices crazy, make nutty claims about GMOs and inter island ferrys, complain about barking pets who've lived there much longer than they have. yada, yada, yada.

Come on all you reserved asian styled residents. We live in a white mans world, lets start acting more like them. You guys on Maui especially, hold back and lose your jobs when HC&S is forced to close.

Joan Conrow said...

Dear 11:41 -- From the videos I've seen, it does not appear so.

Anonymous said...

We should all live in peace and harmony. But it is very hard when someone lies, cheats, or call you names.respect has no meaning to these individuals. Do on to others before they do on to you is their montra. Bad is first or hit first. We learned to respect our elders, be it an aunty or uncle. School teachers were treated with respect. You got lickinf because you deserved it. We were taught to tell the truth. Now days students talk back to teachers and show no respect because their parents ba k them up. Our society isn't so special anymore. Aloha like in the àirlines is gone.

Anonymous said...

B & R here should give you an insight of Aloha, respect for the Kupunas and Senseis,taking care of the weaker ones. We losing em. We allow others to boss us around and make us do things that is not pono. GMO is when mendel did the peas thing. Only neva get round up then. It is amazing how we p!ay follow the leader as we learn this from an early age and we still do em well into our 30 to 60's. B & R here an still FTL.

Joan Conrow said...

I saw that! lol

Anonymous said...

not in my neighborhood....once upon a time this road on the north shore was scheduled to be paved (hot A.C.). The residents were against it and "protested". The road was left with bumps and pukas. 20 - 30 years have gone by. The old protesters get sore back riding throught the bumpy road. Proud with backaches. Potlucks B & R here style is the best from Sushi rice, Sashimi, Poke, spare ribs, terriyaki meat, potato salad, macaronni salad, namasu, laulau, kalua pig, poi, kulolo, haupia, gandudi rice, pateles, vinega dosh, chop suey, blood meat, smoke meat, roast pork, lechon, penachebet, bendongo, the kilowen. It was the best each nationality brought to the Potluck. When was the last time you had this selection in front of you. was in our neighborhood...

Anonymous said...

Well Iʻve seen that cane burning hoopla on FB. It makes the GMO protestors look like a bunch of psychos protesting about EVERYTHING except what SHOULD be protested against.

For instance, do any of them GIVE A RAT"S ASS what KIUC is doing to the Hawaiian Homelands?
No, because it may mean cheaper utility bills? And if itʻs GREEN ENERGY it must be good? Wrong on both counts.
Anyway, it seems the only time Hawaiian issues are defended is if it will benefit them. NOT because itʻs the right thing to do.

That includes your buddy, Joan, Beth Tokioka.

Joan Conrow said...

I'm quite sure we can't blame Beth for the KIUC project in Anahola.

Anonymous said...

June 26 at 1:46 I quoted a Brit because they're polite enough to leave before they over stay their welcome.

Anonymous said...

ms. joan, you love this one:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DVY9menoeMU

Jason Donovan - just the facts said...

Aloha - I'm proud to invite you all to the local and global premiere of www.ainafeeds.us starts at 6pm July 25th at KCC - An amazing fact based film by national geographic film maker Josh Thome and Sherpa Cinema. Spread the good word 😊

Jason Donovan - just the facts said...

are you going to publish my comments?

Jason Donovan

Joan Conrow said...

I just published the one since the second was a duplicate. And so sorry it wasn't speedy enough to suit you, especially considering you're using my blog for your promotional purposes.

Anonymous said...

Jason - your trailer does not suggest a "fact based" film. Sorry to burst your bubble.

Anonymous said...

Ms Joan- I am upset. Sometimes it takes hours for you to post my self-gratifying posts.
It is all about me.
By the way. It looks like the Planning Department is passing some "farm worker housing" on Ag lots at Moloaa. A Scam. These lots were sold cheap, because no house allowed. Now really nice houses can be built. There is a farming and farm income mandate..to be approves yearly by Planning. All new laws have Planning as the enforcer. You watch the Planning Dept now has the horsepower to Add many new workers to fulfill their legal mandates.
A joke. An out of control power hungry Planning Director is getting all of his wishes. Bend-Over Kauai (I don't mean Ben Dor) look out for the big one looming right behind you.

Stan Fichtman said...

Although I understand that you agree with the statement, in the trailer, that "....land is a resource, not a commodity...", I have to point out here that the debate of whether land in Hawaii is a commodity or not got almost unilaterally settled in this state around 1959-1960. That was when the Territorial, and then State Legislature, under the control of the newly-empowered Democratic party, put forward bills that literally made land here in Hawaii all a commodity. The bill specifically put the onus on the counties to develop lands under the guise of "highest and best use". Since that was determined, you see how lands in Hawaii have changed hands, changed designations and changed use. Simply put, while it is noble to think that land is a resource and not a commodity, our laws and business practices in this state don't look at land as a resource. Now if you go back and change the way the state looks at land (fat chance, too many now are raking in the Kala because of this designation, but lets get hypothetical) than we can have a better discussion on what we should use land for, and bring together the thoughts brought up in the Carlton Ching/DLNR Director hearings at the Senate.

Anonymous said...

1:17, you are a bit confused possibly on the differences between public lands that the DLNR regulates and private lands.