Monday, August 10, 2015

Musings: Valued and Values

As folks marched through Waikiki yesterday calling for “aloha aina” — narrowly defined as the demise of biotech seed crops and no new telescopes on Haleakala and Mauna Kea — a much more powerful force of change is already at work in the Islands.

It's called money. Really big money. According to a Bloomberg News article:

The next migration of wealth and development is now moving to Kauai,” said Chris Fair, president of Resonance Consultancy, which produces reports on travel and leisure spending by affluent Americans.

It seems a “record number” — 23, to be exact — of $20 million-plus homes are now up for sale in Hawaii, catering to the big bucks from Northern California's Silicon Valley.

The article quotes Matt Beall, the North Shore Kauai-based co-owner of Hawaii Life Real Estate Brokers:

It’s certainly a higher number of very high-end sales in recent times than at any other time in Hawaii.

Hawaii Life, you may recall, is the luxury real estate company that donated handsomely to the campaign of Dustin Barca, the anti-GMO candidate who made an unsuccessful bid for the Kauai mayor's seat.

And Beall's wife, Elif, is the acting executive director of the Hawaii Alliance for Progressive Action, the anti-GMO group headed by Kauai Councilman Gary Hooser. HAPA was a sponsor of Sunday's “aloha aina” march, as was SHAKA, which is headed up upscale Maui Realtor Mark Sheehan.

Do you suppose it's all just a coincidence, this ongoing close connection between high-end Realtors and the anti-GMO movement?

In a blog post titled “Why I March For Aloha Aina,” Hooser wrote:

The Aloha ‘Āina Unity March is to express political views regarding issues that are impacting the management and use of land and natural resources in Hawai`i.

At the forefront of these issues are the construction of TMT on Mauna Kea, regulation of pesticide use and genetically modified organisms on agricultural lands in rural communities throughout the state, and mismanagement of agricultural lands across the State.

Yet even as they obsess over agricultural land, he and the rest say absolutely nothing about its continuing gentrification, which takes it out of meaningful production forever. And though state studies showed urban areas on Oahu have the highest concentrations of pesticides, they are concerned only with pesticide use in rural areas. Why? 

Hooser goes on to blast the Agribusiness Development Corp. for leasing land to the seed companies:

ADC...is focused on the revenue generated from the high lease rents paid by these large chemical companies.

As opposed to, say, his Realtor pals who are focused on the revenues generated from the high sales prices paid by these well-heeled individuals.

And the rich guys just keep selling to other rich guys, for more and more money.

For example, the article cites this sale:

Actor Will Smith and his wife, Jada Pinkett Smith, sold their home on Kauai’s North Shore in 2011 for $20 million to a trust linked to Russian heiress Ekaterina Rybolovleva. Last month it was listed for $29.5 million. The 28-acre property boasts an ocean view; a gym, pool and adjoining hot tub; and an orchard with avocado, grapefruit, star fruit, banana and orange trees, according to the listing.
Yes, that's what's happening to agricultural land in Kilauea, while all the North Shore anti-GMO activists are screaming about the westside seed crops.
Gary, who has fed off the public trough for decades now as a politician, and before that sold real estate, fails to grasp a very basic concept here: ADC has to earn lease money in order to manage the 15,000 acres of ag land under its jurisdiction, which includes developing ag parks and maintaining ag infrastructure for small farmers.

And in his typical hypocritical fashion, Gary dings the very same government he works for:

Instead of seeking first to protect and preserve via Aloha ‘Āina and embracing the precautionary principle, our government leans increasingly toward a cost/benefit analysis. The sad part is that the people and the environment are paying the costs and the corporations and their enablers are reaping the benefit.

So tell us, Gary, how do you justify missing so many of the Council meetings that you're paid to attend with taxpayer dollars?Or having your HAPA group further screw the taxpayers by claiming a nonprofit tax status when you're actually engaged in political advocacy and lobbying? Aren't you reaping the profits while the people pay the costs? 

Speaking of hypocrites, musician Neil Young is among the property owners now cashing in. Beall's Hawaii Life has listed Young's three-acre property on the Big Island's Kohala Coast for $24.5 million. It's got 830 feet of ocean frontage, a five-bedroom beach house and two guest cottages. He bought it in 1997, no doubt for considerably less than the current sales price.

Young most recently enriched himself by pandering to the anti-GMO movement with his anti-Monsanto songs and tour. But did he ever, say, host a benefit concert for the homeless in Hawaii? Help some small Island farmers with start-up money? What's his contribution to "aloha aina" aside from the anti-ag agitprop?

At least Realtor Shawn Smith is working with Facebook owner Mark Zuckerberg, who reportedly spent $100 million on North Shore Kauai land last year, to develop a local giving program, continuing a tradition that began with Larry Bowman and Falko Properties. What has Matt done, besides blow money on Dustin?

Gary ends with:

This is not about being for or against science, or GMOs or telescopes or even development.  This is about putting the values of people and the environment first.

Mmm, yeah, sure. But first, which people are you talking about? And whose values? 

60 comments:

Anonymous said...

great post

Anonymous said...

Thank you, ms. joan

Anonymous said...

When the folks who are whining and marching and wasting their time due to misinformation finally open their eyes to the fact that they were cleverly misled, it will be too late. Only the wealthy and their servants will be able to afford to live in Hawaii. Certainly not my kids and grandkids.

It's not haole go home....it's goodbye locals.

Thank you Joan!

One small correction: don't forgot that Neil Young came over to Maui a month or two ago to help "Plant Against Monsanto"...the much-hyped several hour shindig on the Lahaina side where some wannabe farmer-activists actually got in the already-cleared and prepped dirt and planted some sweet potatoes and coconuts. And raved about how they're on their way to saving the planet. With two acres. Would love to know how many show up to keep it watered, and weed and bug-free, or maybe they think that's all there is to it.

Anonymous said...

sowing more seeds of dissension. what a tool!

Anonymous said...

Both Shaun and Matt are good people.. When in business on Kauai sometimes it is a simple as throwing the dog a bone to keep the dog from biting. Think how such a contribution can settle the restless natives? Sorry to tell you....you are either a pimp or a ho.....everybody has to pay !!!!!

Anonymous said...

Starting to see a pattern here:

says their stance isn't about being against science.

Says something about how can't be allowed to triumph over the will of "We the People" (or some other drivel).

Anonymous said...

Hawaii Life sponsors the Hawaii Surfing Federation kids contests on Kauai

Anonymous said...

Thanks Joan. Great post and interesting timing. -Just this weekend I was wondering who/what is driving the anti-GMO movement. I can see the involvement of some of our realtor's -they definitely have a vested interest. But who is behind people and organizations like Vandana Shiva or GMO Free Kauai/Hawaii and Hawaii Seed or Food Democracy Now? What's their purpose for pushing the anti-GMO movement and where are they getting the money for their campaigns?

Anonymous said...

Eliff Beall is another slave attorney for the Kauai Syndicate Mafia. There is proof and evidence that she co conspired in sabotaging a defendant's appeal.

Anonymous said...

Hawaii Life is pimping Kauai's land. These real estate pimps aren't from Kauai and sell high dollar real estate on Kauai and the state of Hawaii to drive up the housing market so the locals can't afford to live where they were born and raised.

Karma will get them. Watch for the next hurricane to destroy their pimping profits. It's coming soon real soon.

Anonymous said...

The march also focused on Saving Hoopili Farm Lands, as well as the underlying issue of Hawaiian Sovereignty.

Shaka was not a sponsor.

https://www.facebook.com/events/400520650136449/permalink/404047866450394/?ref=1&action_history=null

https://www.facebook.com/events/400520650136449/permalink/401959883325859/?ref=1&action_history=null

Anonymous said...

Just got off the phone with my son who left Hawaii to serve in the military 10 long years ago. He's been risking his life flying rescue and humanitarian aid missions to help people in Afghanistan and other dangerous and less fortunate countries. I always assumed he would come home, if he was lucky enough to survive.

He told me that he's been following the anti-telescope and anti-science movement and he can't even believe what home has become. That humanity is making such amazing progress in understanding and bettering our circumstances through science but that Hawaii is going backwards. He's angry. So am I.

Joan Conrow said...

3:32. One of those links you posted does list SHAKA as a sponsor and I saw it on other march materials. Curious Gary never mentioned Hoopili or sovereignty. And last week I posted a comment from a march organizer who said people were divided about sovereignty so it was just focusing on aloha aina unity. Maybe you guys need to get your talking points straight?

Anonymous said...

I would be really interested to read about ANY other politician or leader that participated in the march yesterday had to say about it.

Anonymous said...

Having old Sugar Lands being used as homesites is no big deal. If Sugar, the easiest to grow crop couldn't make it, nothing will.
A better formula would have been to allow greater density on the old C Brewer lands and as part of the density leave most of the acreage in open space. It easy to do with deed restrictions.
Once again, land use and the seeming inequality is not the fault of the realtors or builders. It is the fault of the State LUC and an ever increasingly misguided council.
The Council controls ALL density via law. The Council makes all kinds of shifty deals with the State that fast tracks all State issues. If the Council forced the State to fast track Ag to Urban land classification this would allow less expensive homes for Kauai, the number one issue of housing would be solved.
It is simple. It just needs commitment.
Hawaii Life's realtors are not representative of many of the realators on Kauai. They are known as liars and greedy SOBs but, Hawaii Life has found itself to be the relator of choice by the new rich guys and movie stars.
The guilty rich and Hollywood mentality people are lulled by the anti-GMO/Grocer Green hype put out by Neal -the Squeal- Norman and Matt Beal. These newly arrived rich are very earth conscious, love the land and very environmentally concerned.
But just don't let yo' unwelcome self be caught on their property, you will be arrested or beaten by body guards. After all "loving the land" means it is only for them..
So from Aliomanu, Papaa, Larsons, Pilaa, Moloaa, almost all verboten...except for slim entry.
"Keep Out" is Hawaii Life Realty's legacy.....oh yea' don't forget about the other high end, anti GMO, organic, total hypocrite, money is God realator, John Ferry and his gaggle of Bali Hai elitists.

Anonymous said...

Joan maybe you are not aware that mark z. And Shawn smith work with Hawaii life. They are their realtors they work with and sold and brokered every peice of land he bought. Also I have heard many people being verbally accosted for stepping on their land as people walk down the coast. Also if they are so down for kauAi why don't they open up the plubic access you walked down in a past post? Just to be good neighbors. Maybe you need to dig a little deeper.

Joan Conrow said...

Shawn represented Bowman as seller and Hawaii Life represented Zuckerberg as buyer. Shawn does not work for HI Life. And why would Zuckerberg give an access after Gary, Mason and certain citizens complained it wasn't good enough?

Anonymous said...

10,000 mostly kanaka marching in largest gathering in Hawaii history. Can't you give the big fist and his many friends just a little love for this incredible accomplishment?

Anonymous said...

Very true Joan but...Mason, Gary, and Joann are on their last term on Council for sure. the locals now know the difference between what they stand for and what Mel, Ross, Arryl, and Kipukai stand for. There is a big big difference. One side stands up for the rich, noise making, arrogant, entitled haoles and the other side stands up for the local families consistently. The three clowns will not squeak by again in 2016. I cannot wait to see and hear their lame excuses about what happened. It will be a monumental moment for Kauai and our children, because the future will definitely be brighter.

Joan Conrow said...

So just marching, even if you accomplish nothing and are aligned with sleazy people, is an "incredible accomplishment" in your book? And the only place I've seen 10,000 was activist sites. The media reports I read said thousands.

Anonymous said...

May I point out that Neil Young has diabetes, for which he takes insulin. Which is genetically engineered. Maybe he wasn't aware of it.

Anonymous said...

These Luddites, rich, stupid, and poor, are tiresome.

Anonymous said...

Gated communities can be wonderful things- as long as we get the keys and can lock the bastards in.

Anonymous said...

Speaking of money, the Huffington Post has an interesting article:

Larry Lessig Believes Democracy Is Screwed. So He's Running For President To Save It.
The Harvard legal scholar promised to quit if he passes his reform agenda.

Larry Lessig, a well-known legal theorist and political activist, is taking the plunge into electoral politics, announcing on Tuesday that he will formally explore a run for the presidency in 2016 as a Democrat.

Lessig, a Harvard law professor, will be a distinctly unconventional White House aspirant. In an interview, he said he will run on a singular platform: the Citizen Equality Act, which includes campaign finance reform, an end to partisan gerrymandering, and a vast expansion of voting access that would make Election Day a national holiday. Should he win and lead the passage of that agenda, Lessig said he'll promptly quit, handing the office to his vice president, whoever that may be.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/larry-lessig-2016_55c93a18e4b0f1cbf1e61b66?kvcommref=mostpopular

Anonymous said...

10,000 kanaka.....the sad thing is most of them don't even vote...lol

Anonymous said...

Makes me sick to see our land being sold to the highest bidder.... And all of these Haole realtors are making millions of our land...

Anonymous said...

aloha aina by hawaii life is bullshit.

Manuahi said...

It's interesting that these large Hawaii estate owners are a considerable source of the money that funds the anti-GMO protesters. Effectively, it’s Realtors and their high-end clients like Neil Young that don't want commercial agriculture with all its noise, dirt and smell anywhere near them. Near them is defined as on the same island. More interesting is the fact that it's the County that has enabled and fostered these "gentleman" farm estates (vs. affordable subdivisions for normal folks) by making the subdivision process so difficult, so onerous, as a way to prevent any development of the former sugar/pineapple lands. So by making that process impractical, developers have been using State agricultural condominium laws (no hearings, less improvements, etc.) to bypass County subdivision laws to develop 6 to 10-acre ag condos. The County process is so bad that even though normal residential subdivisions could result in a much higher density and profit for a developer, it’s been rendered impractical (i.e. unprofitable) by County regs.
The ag condo process was designed by the State to foster small farms to replace the large landowner farms of the past. However, because there's much higher demand than supply for Kauai’s beautiful acreage, these ag parcels sell for millions of dollars which is way beyond what a real farmer can afford with their meager farm income. So the County with its policies is effectively gentrifying former ag lands with their hapless attempts to prevent all development of our rural lands. What's funny (tragic?) is that the County thinks it’s doping good by passing ill-considered and ineffective affordable "workforce" housing laws which do nothing to prevent the gentleman estates from popping up and serve to only increase the cost or price of the very affordable housing that they wish to cultivate making it virtually impossible, and certainly impractical, for private enterprise to deliver with a profit margin. This (and tourism) is what has been driving pretty much all of the "change" on Kauai and we have the clueless County officials to thank for it. Deer in the headlights. "Huh? What?"

Anonymous said...

Ag condos weren't developed by the state. A smart real estate lawyer figured out how to apply the condominium laws to land instead of apartments and voila, no need to subdivide.

Anonymous said...

As for the subdivision laws, they haven't changed much since the seventies.

Anonymous said...

We deserved what we got..3 more long years with Bernard and his incompetent department heads. And he wants a third term? Dream on!!!

Anonymous said...

Tell us, Manuahi, how many affordable homes would Kukuiula or Princeville build if there were no affordable workforce housing laws or subdivision regulations?

Anonymous said...

Funny you bring that up. Heard Arryl, Ross and Mel are getting ready to dump all those pesky affordable housing requirements. And KipuKai? Well he will to pretty much whatever Mel tells him to do.

Anonymous said...

@12:45 - And those two projects, the only two that have occurred in recent years, have certainly taken care of our affordable housing crisis. Whew!! If County regs were less onerous, one could subdivide, build and bring units to market at more reasonable prices because the DENSITY would be so much greater. But then not too many people have the brains or experience to figure that one out.

Anonymous said...

PS - In case you didn't get it, there's more money in density than in large lots.

L Kinoshita said...

Telescopes are quiet, clean research instruments that take a VERY small footprint upon a 10,000 acre summit. It doesn't have to be one or the other. Science does not desecrate the land, it honors it. I got this stylish tank top from Teespring, http://tspr.ng/Oqvoltst, available for next 13 days!

Anonymous said...

Remember Kukui'ula promised the county of Kauai that there would be 10-25% if their luxury housing would be affordable.

Only after they built the multimillion dollar condos that they said "We No Can Afford to Affortable Housing Units in Kukui'ula.

These are the kinds of schemes that are elected and chosen officials into with these crooked developers and real estate agents and investors.

Sell a bunch of lies then renig!

Anonymous said...

4:53 Kukuiula lots start at around a million. They don't have to develop more density when they can sell 'em for a million. In fact, they wouldn't be able to market the lots as exclusive if they made housing for all income groups.

Anonymous said...

Do a little research and you will find that JoAnn Yukimura's conspiracy with Water Dept to say "oh no nuff water for your parcel". Density is by law...water is an "opinion". A sweet set up to stop all development. How she went go get Water to follow her anti-housing focus is another story.
Building nice little subdivisions is no problem. Getting our dog-barking, fireplace smoking Council to do something to put people in houses is another thing.
BTW 12:45 the last sub-d for regular folks in Kapaa/Wailua was developed 30 years ago.
Many of the old Pineapple/Sugar lands could be developed reasonably.
But now...with JoAnn's image of tree-lined, bike pathed, meandering Carmelesque cutsie freakin' walking form based developments...........all hope is lost. With her 20K water meters and 75K per lot County/JoAnn mandated improvements..before land cost it is close to 100K per unit.. But I guess that is OK, so she can take the extorted "affordable workplace" money and build shit*y apartments to stuff the local folks into.
But JoAnn, Da Hoos and Mason fit well into Kauai's burgeoning wealthy know-it-alls.
Wake up Mel....you will never be Mayor if all new residents are the wealthy tree-hugger limp-wrist types...this is Kauai's fastest growing electorate.
God God All Mighty and all we want are simple well lit and dry homes.
Four walls and a roof.

Anonymous said...

one post stands out over the blather. Thanks, 6:17.

While it would be great if all three panderers get booted next election, what needs to happen at minimum is re-elect Mel, Ross, Aryll and Kipukai plus one like minded new face. With a super majority of 5 votes (or more), the "new" council can proceed with the the job it started; reigning in the craziness that is engulfing this island . Read the threat letters about the barking ordinance for instance.
Elect the right guys so we can take our island back. I mean SERIOUSLY.

Dawson said...


August 10, 2015 at 6:12 PM wrote:
"10,000 mostly kanaka marching in largest gathering in Hawaii history. Can't you give the big fist and his many friends just a little love for this incredible accomplishment? "

People being suckered by the lies of self-serving demagogues and petty politicians is not an accomplishment, it's just sad.


Anonymous said...

F)$&K the 4 horseman!!! These frauds ain't shit and ain't done shit. Get off their Nizzzuts u C&@K rider and F"@&K the other 3 sell outs. Yah heard me

Anonymous said...

The stuff the doing at the clunty building and Wilcox school is full of crap. It's a great example of how government think they can makes things better but make it worst than it was. Who's Stoooooopid idea was that??? fricking F$&Ktards. Plants taking parking stalls, sidewalks taking up road space creating a more congested feel, and who is going to maintain these dumb plants in the road? Oh mo family members and that means more taxes for everyone to support the county welfare system.

Anonymous said...

The blabberers in the garden island about the dog barking law are no name haoles from Hooser and Yukimura's camp. Maybe one guy was local that Cosner guy but sounds like one asshole. Who cares, Ross beat Hooser by over 4000 votes. Common who the hell has the voters and who has the noisemakers? Locals are humble, they too busy to be writing articles in the garden island.

Anonymous said...

7:25 the last election results Rapozo 13,147 Kagawa 12,387 Kaneshiro 11,971. Kualii 9985. Yukimura 8941. Chock 8730. Hooser 8257 Furfaro 8165 Brun 8120 Perry 8076. Vote the 4 on the top out? I don't think so. Looks more like vote the bottom of the three out next time. Hee hee hee

Anonymous said...

everyone need to watchout for Kauai. it is changing rapidly. we had great leaders. now look what we have. everyone wants attention. best be the AD's. everyone wants money to go in their pot to protest... get a job. get real money. not fake donated money. too much actors out there. they act up to be on televised council meetings. barking dogs - shoot em with water through your neighbors fence. they don't care if it barks all night, they not going care if you shoot water on them (better than bb gun action). grumble grumble everyone not happy. eat a piece of chocolate suppose to make one feel better.(better yet one from Colorado) make you real happy.

Anonymous said...

Locals are humble......LMFAO

Anonymous said...

what you see in lihue is all about the yukimura/hooser plan to make walkable neighborhoods. you know, discourage driving, sidewalks for walking, street scaping so you eye no sore , bike lanes, etc. spend money for dis when our people living in tents in the bushes? dog law, cat law, anti GMO, backup illegal vacation renters, fight drug treatment center, on and on. reelect the 4 horsemen plus one more if you want this bullshit to stop.

Manuahi said...

@ Anonymous August 11, 2015 at 9:15 PM
Take a 1 acre million dollar lot and break it up into 6 smaller lots that sell for $350,000 and you've doubled your money.

Anonymous said...

It's 2 EZ to do and that's what's wrong with the bureaucratic BS. The simplest and less costly route is denied and the most treacherous and expensive paths are taken. It's all about MONEY and GREED and that's a matter of FACT.

Anonymous said...

Ms Joan, Da Big Fistee in a comment to a Civil Beat article he wrote, said that you are paid by pro-GMO groups to write KE and that the seed companies use 100 Tons of Roundup.
Are these 2 statements true?
I have known Gary since he was a rug cleaner on Kauai and he has always been a sneaky guy.

Anonymous said...

" And in his typical hypocritical fashion, Gary dings the very same government he works for:

Instead of seeking first to protect and preserve via Aloha ‘Āina and embracing the precautionary principle, our government leans increasingly toward a cost/benefit analysis. The sad part is that the people and the environment are paying the costs and the corporations and their enablers are reaping the benefit." So Joan, why is it hypocritical for one to criticize their employer? And why do you shift the focus of Garyʻs words and talk about Gary instead of the precautionary principle or a government leaning towards costs/benefits over aloha aina? Sorry that these next words are off topic, but since Joan has in past posts claimed that chemtrails are in reality just contrails, and exist only in the imagination of conspiracy theorists, I think it is time for everyone including Joan to do some research. Today I found this scientific study- < http://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/12/8/9375/htm > (published this week in International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ). I have also witnessed videos showing planes turning the chemtrails on and off- this is not possible with contrails. There is so much evidence of geoengineering if we spend a little time looking for it. Maybe it is the non-believers who need to pay more attention to our skies and what is really going on?

Joan Conrow said...

7:21. Gary still is a sneaky guy -- and a liar to boot. Nobody pays me to write KE. And nobody knows how much roundup the companies use. Though given Gary's wild inflation of their restricted pesticide use, I have no confidence in his 100 tons statement.

Anonymous said...

The best and most reliable indicator of how to tell that someone is completely and irredeemably insane is if they believe in chemtrails.

Anonymous said...


You know what else is just one big 'fuck you"? The ugly black tarps (with holes cut in them) that line some of our right of ways to the beach! Of course the property owners have a beautiful view, because they line THEIR side of the tarp with follage!!! It's the public who has to look at the unkempt black tarps.
(Who pays for and puts those eyesores up, anyway? ).

Hey Owners, how about planting to make your hedge thicker? You could even add a wire fence that lasts longer and blends in with your coverage.... and you would still have plenty protection and privacy!

In other words, we're tired of looking at UGLY BLACK TARPS!!!
Maybe you don't realize this, because you don't use the right of way to the beach path!
And if you've never thought about it before, we're asking you to think about it now.
By your making OUR side of the right of way look better, maybe your neighbors, your community and yes, maybe even some visitors, would appreciate it. ....BECAUSE sometimes such a simple gesture, like TAKING DOWN UGLY BLACK TARPS could make all the difference in the world.
Thank you.

Anonymous said...

Manuahi, Kukuiula'so million dollar lots aren't even a half acre and ain't no R6 lots selling for 350 gs. unless they're on the beach or overlooking the ocean.

Anonymous said...

talking about developer promises; when is Kukuiula going to build the soccer park they promised the community? by the time the foot dragging stops the kids who should be using the facility right now, will be adults. come on Kukuiula, it's way beyond give back time. do what you promised.

Anonymous said...


I think we should come up with our very own "Kauai Eclectic Top Ten Lists":

One - Top ten list of unfulfilled promises broken by developers on Kauai.

Two - Top ten list of the things that new people on Kauai do that annoy us.



Anonymous said...

That place is cursed!!! Only a handful of people reside there and that's the people who have millions of dollars to waste.

Anonymous said...

3:16
here is my top 10 list for what new people on Kauai do to annoy us.

complain, complain, complain, complain, complain, complain, complain, take advantage, take advantage, take advantage.