Opening of the Hilo Self-Help Center

Went today to the opening of the Hilo Self Help Center.  Chief Justice Recktenwald was there to encourage all attorneys to participate in staffing the Self Help Center.  The Hilo SHC is the culmination of years of work by me and Shannon Wack and the committee, Delivery of Legal Services to the Public, Hawaii State Bar Association, Judiciary, Legal Aid Society of Hawaii, and Volunteer Legal Services.  It was gratifying to see the excitement in the judiciary, attorneys and legal staff in providing pro bono information to pro se litigants.  A photo of Judge Ronald Ibarra, me, Judge Greg Nakamura, Chief Justice Recktenwald, Darien Ching (Hawaii County Bar president) and Carol Muranaka (HSBA president).

Malama Solomon's fundraiser

A chili rice dinner, beautiful desserts, and (thankfully) short speeches by the politicians.  Malama emphasized energy and food in her talk.  They are the topics under consideration of every political speech you hear. Lovely hula, good music, and fun folks.

Undersea cable for Oahu's energy

Act 159 was signed into law.  This lays the groundwork for an undersea cable from the neighbor islands to Oahu to help provide power for the island of Oahu.  It will have far reaching consequences for our island.

Read the Star Advertiser article here.

Healthcare law upheld!!

Woke up to the very good news that the Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS) upheld the most contentious parts of the the healthcare law, nick named "Obamacare".

We will all have to rethink our positions on Chief Justice Roberts, who wrote the 51 page opinion.

Unexpected treasurers

Heard Dr.Mark Unno speak about "Unexpected Treasurers Along the Crooked Path of Life" and the differences between Shin Buddhism and Zen Buddhism.  The talk was gentle and challenging.  It's good to learn new ideas!
We then had refreshments!  Oh my, scones like scones should be! I spoke with the baker of the scones, and he was so modest.  He says, "It's just a biscuit with some dried fruit." It was like saying about a Ferrarri, "it's just a car with four wheels."
Thank you Kamuela Hongwanji Buddhist Temple and the Peace Committee for such an enlightening evening.

Abercrombie says Big Island to lead the way

The governor just confirmed what we all know - the Big Island is this state's future in agriculture and energy.  We need to take that responsibility seriously and our planning should be with an eye towards that future.  Getting the goods to market is going to be our challenge.

Read it here:

http://www.hawaiitribune-herald.com/sections/news/local-news/abercrombie-big-island-‘lead-way’.html

WE NEED YOUR HELP!

If you can help in any way be it going door to door, helping solicit donations, or willing to receive information about Jo please click here and fill out the information.

Mingo's candidate forum

Participated in the Mingo's candidate forum and pot luck in Papaikou yesterday. The four candidates for District 1, County Council, spoke. Thank you to the Mingos and all who came to hear the candidates.  A "getting to know you" forum like that is so much better than a yard sign. The people there were interesting and interested in knowing about the qualifications of the candidates, and getting to know the candidate up close and personal.  I met many people who knew me by name and it was good to connect the name to a person.  Let's see if we can get more of these forums going.  It was fun! Click here if you are interested in sponsoring a forum.

100 Ways to Increase Self Sufficiency

Are you interested in reading the Hawai'i County Food Self-Sufficiency Baseline Study 2012? The data provides a 2012 snapshot of where and what kind of farming is occurring on Hawai'i Island. You will find it quite interesting.  Click here to access the full final report and more.

Jo Featured in Hawai'i TribuneHerald

Jo was featured in yesterday's Hilo Tribune Herald. Click here to read the full article.

Eating close to the source

Yesterday the pig, and sweet potatoes and kalo went into the imu prepared by Jo's boys, Noa and Max Bowman, and her husband, Addison Bowman.

This morning the pig and root vegetables came out of the imu HOT HOT HOT!! Delicious.  Jo will be taking the pig and vegetables to a Candidate Potluck sponsored by John and Christine Mingo of Emery Plumbing.  

Jo supports 4H'ers

Jo recently purchased a 189 pound hog at the 4H auction held at the Mealani Research Station in Waimea.  4H provides valuable learning lessons for young people - they learn to care  and be responsible for their animal, learn how to budget for feeding, raise a healthy animal, and market the animal to prospective purchasers.

Jo's youngest child, Noa, was in 4H while he was in high school.  He raised three market hogs, and successfully marketed them at the auction.  The money he earned from his 4H projects helped him go to college.  In fact, most 4H'er's marketing letters include the phrase, "I'll use the money I earn to go to college".

Our community should support young people in their efforts  to learn more about the work required to go into farming.

Release of Axis Deer

The governor just signed a law making the release of feral axis deer illegal (see: http://www.staradvertiser.com/news/breaking/159949735.html?id=159949735).  However, as you may know, there have already been sightings of axis deer on Hawaii island.

Photo courtesy of http://archives.starbulletin.com/2001/08/28/news/story8.html

Community Gardens

Had a luscious pot luck dinner at NHERC w/ Third Thursday Thrive, a lively discussion led by Wei Ming on gardens and community and reports by Michael Gibson on his agricultural project, and Donna Mitts on school gardens.  On the Big Island, Donna reports, 36 of 43 school have school gardens!! Everyone had hearty appetites, and my greens and 'Ano'ano tomato salad disappeared.

Hawai'i County's Food Self-Sufficiency Baseline Study

Are you interested in Hawai'i County's food self-sufficiency baseline study? Click here.

Outstanding Woman Lawyer

Liana Iaea, Jo Kim, and Kika Honda at the Hawaiʻi Women Lawyers Awards Assembly (April 2012)

Hawai'i's Women Lawyers honored Jo Kim with the prestigious Outstanding Woman Lawyer Award for 2011 at an Annual Awards Ceremony held on O'ahu in April. Kim resides and practices law in Pa'auilo, Hawai'i Island.

The citation that accompanied Kim's award pointed out that she and a co-honoree, Shannon Wack, were "the driving force in the creation of self help centers throughout the state...and took the lead to bring this idea to Hawai'i and to expand the self help services already provided through the Judiciiary by involving pro bono attorneys [furnishing legal information to persons without lawyers who need professional assistance]."

The Hawai'i Women Lawyers added that Jo Kim "has a long history of working in legal services. She is a co-founder of Volunteer Legal Services Hawai'i and the Domestic Violence Legal Hotline (now Domestic Violence Action Center)."

Yes, Jo is Running for Office

yes! i've thrown my hat into the ring!  i'm so excited to be running for district 1, Hawaiʻi County Council.

Your support means so much to me, and I thank you for championing my candidacy.  

To get the word out to as many voters as possible i need to raise funds.  Can you support my candidacy?

I am sure you want to know why I am not taking public funds.  Actually no candidate for district 1 is going for public financing because public financing for this district is based on the money spent in the last election - and for the primary the public funds are $1,200 and for the general $400, not enough to run a campaign.

A check in any amount is most appreciated.  You can mail your check to me (Committee to Elect Jo Kim) at P. O. Box 426, Paauilo, HI  96776.  You can call me at 775-0245, or my cell 937-9590 to discuss my candidacy or the issues of importance to you.

Mahalo. I appreciate your consideration and hope that you will vote for me on august 11, 2012.