One way to promote local products

A Taste of the Range is a great way to sample the best Hawaii has to offer.  The tasting venues are FABULOUS (save your appetite for days - there is a whole lot to sample!), it's very informational, and you get to catch up with friends you haven't seen for a while.  The setting is beautiful and the atmosphere very festive.

If you have never tried A Taste of the Range, I recommend that you go and see what the Big Island has to offer.  Read the article and how to purchase tickets here.

Monk seals and Hawaii

Yet another indicator that Hawaii Changes Everything.  The Hawaiian monk seal that has adapted to Hawaii's 60 degree water, and eyes adapted to coastal shores.  Read the article here.

Global warming confirmed by prominent denier

A significant scientist, backed by Koch brothers petrochemical money, has concluded years after others, that global warming is a real threat.  Read the articles here and here. Global warming, he concludes, is due principally to humans and the emission of greenhouse gases.  Our small corner of the world can do our part to stop greenhouse gases by being less reliant on fossil fuels.  This means meaningful public transportation and development of alternate energy sources.  We can't do anything about the volcano, however.

Endorsed by West Hawaii Today

On page 6A, Editorial section, the publisher, editor and two political reporters met, and endorsed me for County Council District 1, calling me "the smartest and strongest candidate for this agricultural district, someone who has demonstrated a willingness to get fully educated and involved in issues with a sense of informed independence."  Read the editorial endorsement here.

EMS 5K

Ran/walked my first 5K since knee surgery in February!! It felt great to be among lots and lots of folks doing the EMS (Emergency Medical System) 5K.  I saw so many folks I know, and the politicians were out in full force, Mayor Kenoi, former Mayor Kim, Gilbert Kahele, Mufi Hannemann, Lincoln Ashida, Mitch Roth and me.  Mayor Kenoi and I ran the 5K, Lincoln and Mitch walked the 2 miles.

I didn't know how important a goal this was for me until I finished.  A friend said I looked like I was struggling, but I did it!
                                                                                                                 
Read the results here.

Medical response to diabetes

The medical response to the increased rate of diabetes on the Big Island is a call to increase the number of doctors in the County (or Maslow's hammer: "if you're a hammer everything looks like a nail").

Although that is one response, and may be one of the reasons to grow the island's doctor population, the other response would be GET MOVING!!

Type 2 diabetes is a "life style" illness, and things like moving more (walking, running, sports), and eating less, would also be an appropriate response.  Read the article here.

Cupping winners

Big Island coffee producers took top prize in a cupping competition.  Congratulations to grand champion honors Wood Valley Coffee Co. (Ka'u) and Heavenly Hawaiian Farms (Kona).  Read the article here.

FBI Investigates Big Island Voter Fraud

What?? Voter fraud on the Big Island? Absentee ballot stuffing?  This is too important to let slide.  Read the Staradvertiser article here and the West Hawaii article here.

Kapulena Agricultural Park

Went to the blessing and dedication of the Kapulena Agricultural Park.  With massive cooperation from the County, Hawaii Farm Bureau, prisoners, Department of Agriculture (State), cartographers (National Resource Conservation Service) and others, ranchers and farmers have access to hundreds of acres of land.

The culled cows will eat the grass down, and then ?

Bees and Neonicotinoids

Remember the walk in Laupahoehoe?  Where I learned about synthetic nicotinoids from a voter?  Today in the Staradvertiser there's an article about bees and bee hive collapse and (what they call) neo nicotinoids.  Learn something new EVERY SINGLE DAY!!

Article in the Trib on the candidates

Well, the young reporter, Tom Callis, got some of the information wrong, but here's the article.

ZIPPY's coming to Hilo

Do you love Zippy's chili?  It's coming to Hilo.   Our soccer girls ate breakfast at Zippy's on the way to the Waipio Soccer Field almost every time we went to states.   Read it here.

Hauling trash

The solid waste disposal study by the county Department of Environmental Management estimated that Waste to Energy would cost (per ton basis) $210-$80, a new Hilo landfill $110-$92, and hauling to West Hawaii $71-$52.  Read the article here. 

I attended that packed room hearing.  It was so informative, and people brought interesting and thoughtful ideas to the table.

Also learned about bio-diesel, e-recycling and the hard work of the the committee.  The husband of one committee member, patiently waiting outside, said he knew the meeting was going to be a long one.

Nuturing our keiki

The Annie E. Casey Foundation ranked Hawaii 24th in the nation for overall child well-being.  Auwe!  The economic situation in Hawaii ranked our children 31st, educational well-being at 31st, health well-being 21st, and family and community well-being 14th!  To see the full report go here.

Happily the number of children being read to more three times a week less than three times a week dropped from 12% to 6%!  That is so encouraging.  Reading to your children is the best guarantee of educational success.  Why?  You get to cuddle with them for the reading time, it shows that reading is fun,  it makes them want to read (because YOU do it), and it opens up a whole new world for them.  JOB WELL DONE!!

Some of the other numbers are not so encouraging (mostly economic indicators), and we can work on that.

Recheck your voter yellow card

The County of Hawaii will be resending your voter card with information on your polling place.  Apparently the reapportionment caused problems with the boundary streets.   Read the article here. 

The County Clerk also urged all to keep the Election Guide print out coming out on July 27, 2012.  It will contain a special one full page ad with 10 reasons to vote for me!!

Sign waving with TRUE supporters!!

OMG! (oh my god) these people are so wonderful.  It was early, and wet and cold. And they all showed up to wave at passing motorists.  Addie's cousin, Heather and husband, Norman, passed up the opportunity to go to Waipio and chose to sign wave!  Addie in his yellow rain coat (yes, it rained), Gaylene and Nalani came from Waimea, Lynn and Miles from Ahualoa, and Keith!  See the next picture!

Me                         Noa                        Keith

My singing gig

First time ever I got applause for singing. Singing at Obon with the Honokaa Hongwanji Dharma Band.  The MC had to announce us twice before we realized he was calling us up to sing our song!  That's me to the left of the guitar player.

Walking Laupahoehoe

Thank you to Potter for driving me.  Walked Laupahoehoe on this stunningly beautiful day.  I got a bit carried away and wanted to go as far as the road would go, and we ran out of houses! So back down, and then I walked.  It was fascinating.

Met my friend Glen's classmate's mother - he graduated from Kamehameha Kapalama, and the mother Laeha was so happy to talk about her son and Glen.  Met some interesting, some grumpy and some very interesting people.

Heard complaints about pigs (a person formally opposed to hunting now would welcome hunters on the property to stop the pigs), learned about how synthetic nicotinoids are killing bees, saw my son's classmate from Paauilo, and met a lot of folks.

People say they are ready for a change in the county council.  Now let's see how they vote!!

The Mayor says burn

Mayor Billy Kenoi  says, after a pilot project hauling trash to the the West side, that he believes we should burn our garbage.  See the Tribune Herald article here.  Although I believe that the internal combustion engine is yesterday's technology, and spending millions of dollars to invest in yesterday's technology may be disadvantageous in the long run, we do have here and now problems to deal with.

We, however, do need to be informed and make a decision.  Pushing the issue only increases the cost to us.

Honokaa Obon last night

As with any organized event, the Obon committee of the Honokaa Hongwanji worked very  hard to put on a community gala event.  The services, the singing, the music, the food, and mostly the good feeling that comes with a successful event.

There were many young people dancing, I saw my law school classmate from Oahu, my next door neighbor, my son's Paauilo and Honokaa High School classmates, soccer girls, and met new friends in the kitchen.

By any account it was a very very successful event.

I'm looking forward to the Peace Day Parade, September 22, 2012!

Exciting development in solar energy

Those solar panels are going invisible, well, at least see through.  Research has allowed the solar panels to be used in a variety of settings, even windows.  Read the article here.

No matter how flat the pancake . . .

. . . there are always two sides.

The controversy over the new Hawaiian Registry is such an issue.  A happy day for one faction (a step towards Hawaiian recognition and sovereignty), a wrong move for the other faction (institutionalized racism).  See the Staradvertiser article here and read the comments.

I was rather startled to see Abercrombie and Schatz signing with Mahealani Wendt.

Another, is the lawsuit over Ho'opili.  Clayton Hee and the Sierra Club are suing the Land Use Commission over the approval of the Ho'opili housing project.  The Staradvertiser article is here .  It appears that even the farmers are split on this one, with the Hawaii Farm Bureau supporting the housing project and other farms in opposition.

It looks like its going to be a stunning day!

Looks like a beautiful day to be outdoors.  Son Max picked white ginger for my desk, and I am loving the fragrance. Enjoy the stunning day.

Obon @ Honokaa Hongwanji

The Obon season is upon us.  This is the Japanese Buddhist custom to honor your deceased ancestors, family members.  You may recognize it as a time to dance in a circle and eat good food.  The dances have evolved ("Electric Slide" bon dance may be peculiar to the Honokaa Hongwanji - not sure if it has spread to other communities),  I guess its spectacular proof that Hawaii Changes Everything.

So taking my mother tonight to eat and dance.  See you there.

A partially sunny day!!

This rain is driving me nuts.  My weather conscious son tells me that we are on course to exceed the rain fall at Mt. Wai'ale'ale if this keeps up!! The grass is too wet and tall to cut, why wash your car, and our driveway is a mud bog.  We haven't had solar heated water for weeks, and the laundry on the line is going through its fourth or fifth rinse cycle.

It's hard to go door to door when you look like a drowned mongoose!

I read about the heat wave and drought on the mainland, and wonder what it would be like to live somewhere dry.

Thankfully the architect who designed our house lives in the same sort of weather pattern, and designed this house so it has constant airflow - therefore, no mildew or mold.  I am thankful for his foresight and planning.

This can't possibly be true

Podiatrists against slippers.  This can't possibly be true - click here.   Why you shouldn't believe EVERYTHING you read.


Does this mean that everyone in Hawaii has bad feet, ankles, arches?

Working together -

Ho'okahi ka 'ilau like ana  (Pukui, Hawaiian Proverbs). Wield the paddles together.

Hawaii County passed an admirable resolution asking the Public Utilities Commission to raise the threshold of peak electricity load to the area from 15% to 30% to obviate the need for a costly "Interconnection Requirements Study." Read the article here.  This new HECO Company rule went was adopted in November 2011 by a host of entities - 13 in all.  Read the news release here.  Was our Agriculture, Water and Energy Sustainability Committee unaware of the adoption of the rule? Are the problems of cost unique to our island?  The rule affects Honolulu, Maui and Hawaii counties. (Kauai has their own utility company.) Was the 15% threshold too low when it was adopted?  Was it meant to discourage folks from hooking up?  The article was thought provoking, and got me wondering whether this problem is unique to our island or whether a more unified front would get a more favorable response.

The squeaky wheel gets the WD40, but a really really BIG squeaky wheel may be able to change the direction of  the PUC.

Hauling Trees

The newspapers caution us about trucks hauling eucalyptus to Kawaihae.  Read the article here.  However, I thought the company was going to haul when the roads are less congested because they said they would be going through between 4:30 and 5:00 a.m. Read that article here.  It is certainly understandable that the trees need to be harvested in daylight hours, but loading the trucks and driving them to Kawaihae can probably be done with minimal effect on traffic if the truckers do it during low traffic hours.

Thank you Rural South Hilo Community Association

A fabulous candidate forum at the Honomu Gym put on by the Rural South Hilo Community Association.  The format (three minute introductions by the candidates and then small groups for 10 minutes, then closing) appears to be the most popular way of allowing the group participants one on one time with a single candidate.

The closing statement was new.  We were asked to give a one word description of Hamakua, and I chose "vibrant."  I loved the energy in the room, the ideas flowing, the questions probing, and the hope that an election brings.  Many folks at the forum tonight are sorely disappointed in the way the County Council operates, and I promised to bring respect and dignity to the proceedings.

I believe that we should absolutely ban signs (I know, I know, free political speech and all that) and have these candidate forums instead.  The people who come are so thoughtful in their questions, respectful in listening to what the others have to say, and appreciative of the candidates' time and energy in participating in government.  

The format chosen by the organizers are non-confrontational but provocative, informative without being too static and boring, and allows the candidates the opportunity to learn and address the concerns of the particular community being addressed.

Thank you Rural South Hilo Community Association for sponsoring this important event.  And the food was delicious, too!!

Campaign financing as public polling

I am hoping that this article was written with tongue firmly in cheek (read it here.)  The writer posits that campaign contributions are a free market analysis of public confidence.  That the more money a candidate has the more "popular" or the greater the candidates "stock."   So query whether a hundred $1 donations is the functional equivalent of one $100.  This article really discounts the "little guy" and allows the big bucks to sway "public opinion."

The latest campaign spending reports are in and have been reported in the Tribune Herald, read it here .  No District 1 candidate chose public financing because the amount of the financing depends on the amount the candidates spent in the last election.  Because we had an incumbent with no opposition our public financing amount was $1,400.  In District 6 it is $41,000!!!

Go to the Hawaii Campaign Spending Commission website to see who gave what to whom, and then see what the candidates spent the money on.  It's fascinating reading.

Peanut butter jelly sandwiches

I did not know that I loved peanut butter jelly sandwiches until I "discovered" them at the gas station in Laupahoehoe.  Sometimes when I am on the way to Hilo I stop at the gas station  to buy a pbj sand.  They use three pieces of whole wheat nutty bread, and slather on the pb and j.  I've made many a stop with children in the car to share my "discovery."   And now, an article in the Tribune Herald about pbj sandwiches or "sang"wishes, as my mother calls them.  Read it here.

Walking Ka'ie'ie in Papaikou

It was a wet, drizzly day going house to house in Papaikou.  The folks there were so friendly and so willing to give me the name of the neighbor, down there, at the green house, with the construction and dogs, she knows a lot about the County.  And then she says, three houses down, that man knows everything about the County.  Clearly a close knit neighborhood where folks know each other by name and talk to each other.  That's a great neighborhood.

I walked up to houses with other candidate signs to let the folks get a look see at me.  They were so unfailingly polite.  I like that neighborhood.

WOW! that was fast

UHERO's response:

Jo Kim

Thanks for your feedback.  Our newsletter is only intended to highlight the various reports and blog postings at UHERO over the past few weeks.  So all it does is list the various products with no additional analysis.  So yes, you will have to form your own opinion of how the US economy can be experiencing sluggish growth while tourism is booming.  Or,  catch our full forecast report when it comes out in a few weeks.  Rather than assume that someone is cooking the numbers,  I would point out that a very large portion of the tourism boom is coming from outside the US and from new markets that are opening up due to new flights by Hawaiian an other airlines to Seoul, Australia, China, etc.  The Japanese and other Asia visitor numbers have surpassed their pre great-recession peaks while the US visitor market is still climbing out of its deep hole. 

Carl




On Jul 15, 2012, at 11:07 PM, Jo Kim wrote:

but the article right above yours says:  another weak employment report - still waiting on the fed. so can i truly really believe the report from the tourism authority saying tourism is up?  do they really think we can believe that?  i mean it doesn't take an economic genius to figure out that you need money to be a tourist.

we're not THAT gullible.

if your really want us to give this report any credence at all you better tie the two stories together, or we'll do it ourselves and come out with some pretty damning conclusions (you know the one about the right hand and left hand, etc.)

i'm disappointed in the newsletter, you've got to do better than this.

Do you know UHERO?

It stands for University of Hawaii Economic Research Organization.  You can get its bi-weekly research and analysis update.  The latest update was full of contradictory information:  one article said  "Another Weak Employment Report - Still Waiting on the Fed," another said, "Unemployment Numbers Unchanged (in Hawaii)."  So how in the world can the Hawaii Tourism Authority tell us that US visitor arrivals were up 8% in May from last May, and Japan arrivals were up 8% in April from last April and arrivals from the rest of the world grew by 16%?

How can we have that much growth (?) and still have flat employment?    The people in our communities are rightly concerned about the economy and its impact on tourism, so these contradictory statements are not helpful for UHERO's credibility.

I wrote to UHERO and asked them for an explanation.  Until it comes (and don't hold your breath) read with a skeptical mind.

Outsourcing

Why it sometimes works and why it sometimes doesn't work. An interesting story about the life guard who lost his job because he went to a rescue in a part of the beach he was not guarding.

Read the story here.

Campaign contributions

Why does where candidate's contribution money come from matter?  The campaign contribution reports by the Elections Commission believe it is important.  The Hilo Tribune Herald did its own analysis (read it here). Apparently our mayoral candidates also believe that where the money comes from is important.


As the saying goes, "Keep your eyes on the money."  The money, the endorsements and where they come from are pretty good indicators of a candidate's position and who will have access to the candidate.

Energy density

An interesting perspective on why gas is favored in transportation from the ExxonMobil's perspective.  It's always interesting and mind expanding to read and know the arguments on the other side.  Knowing the argument FOR gas helps us understand and organize our arguments for alternate energy.  Read the article here.

The elderly and energy

An interesting article about the aging boomers and the new technology.  "Naturally occurring retirement communities" (NORCs) will all want to take advantage of the new sources of energy.  Read an interesting article here.

Collaborative Leadership

Attended a two hour seminar yesterday in Hilo on Collaborative Leadership.  The workshop was an introduction to group dynamics on empowering all participants in the decision making process.  The group leader sought consensus (everyone speaks and participates) and then conducted an exercise that helped people recognize when they speak from a position of "privilege" - all those hidden assumptions that make you believe your voice is so important.


it was an interesting framework, takes a lot of time, focuses on all working together to come to an agreement that suits all, (no such thing as majority rules) and builds on the importance of the concept of "talk story".  


I am currently reading, "Getting to Yes," and about respecting the ideas of others and the decision making process.  The current United States congress has much to learn.  Apparently, it is the lowest ranking, worst congress, ever.  Go here to read the article.

Last day to register to Vote.

Today, July 12, 2012, is the last day to register to vote in the primary.

Buses, cars, and bikes! Oh, my!!!

Transportation was on the minds of many last night.  Questions regarding the ridership of the bus (should it be free?), cost more, less, etc.

I was recently a bus rider (I had ACL surgery on my knee and was unable to drive for about a month).  The bus ride was crowded (a lot of folks use the bus), bumpy (gee, the roads are bad), and pretty efficient, if you have someone picking you up on both ends.

The problem is:  once you get there, there you are. Hilo is pretty spread out, so how to get from here to there?  Perhaps an Hilo local that links up with the Belt Highway bus to Kona?  Zip cars? Zip bikes?  Yes, let's encourage bus ridership, and make it easier and more convenient for folks to use.

Peer pressure in reducing energy consumption

This editorial by the Staradvertiser suggests that peer pressure will work in reducing energy consumption.  Read the article here.  How's about Counties competing - see who can develop buildings that don't rely on air-conditioning, take advantage of our own "renewable" energy (trade winds).  Air conditioning in most of Hawaii is unnecessary and redundant.

We need to see what architectural (i.e., substantive and basic) changes we can make to our building design to obviate the need for unnecessary electricity. Outlaw hot water heaters?

Thank you League of Women Voters, AAUW

Again, another exhilarating evening.  The candidates forum sponsored by the League of Women Voters and American Association of University Women was a resounding success.  So many thoughtful questions for the prosecutor candidates, Lincoln Ashida, Paul Dolan and Mitch Roth. And then the "speed" questioning for the County District 1 and 2 candidates was lively, quick paced and just plain fun.

One of the most exciting moments was to find out that the audience there truly listened to the one minute introductory speeches and asked probing questions about our statements.  I especially loved the table full of young Honokaa High School graduates - educating themselves about the candidates, asking interesting questions and really listening to our answers.

Thank you voters for turning out, asking great questions, and your honest evaluation of the candidates.  Thank you LWV and AAUW for giving us the opportunity to meet the community in a neutral setting.  This is so much more meaningful than waving at voters as they whiz by at 55 miles an hour.

Walking Wainaku, "Oh, gives me chicken skin"

Went door to door in Wainaku yesterday with Sandy.  I went up to a gated house, and there was a man working on his car in the fenced area. I walked up, introduced myself, gave him a card and asked for his vote.

He shook my hand, thanked me for coming, and said, "Yeah, every vote counts."

Then he rubbed his arm, and said, "Oh, gives me chicken skin."

Yeah, gave me chicken skin, too.

FCE fourm

Family and Community Education held a forum last night.  The women in the group call themselves "Adult 4H".  Each candidate had 3 minutes to speak.  Each candidate's style and personality were reflected in what they said and how they said it.  It was an interesting evening.  Afterwards they had a little question time with snacks.

Many of the folks there talked about 4H, the animal husbandry program, and the 4H auction.   The auction is so much fun.  This year I purchased a market hog and lamb.  One woman there purchased a lamb and donated it to the Food Bank.  What a great idea!!

Tonight there is a forum held by the League of Women Voters at Aunty Sally's halau.

See you there!!

Going door to door

Sandy came over to be my driver for the next two days.  Going door to door!!

Only 2 days left to register to vote!

Last primary election (2010) 4,109 people in our district voted, and a measly 39.5% voted in our County.  Let's get that number UP get out and vote.  Absentee ballots made up 16% of the total number of votes cast.

I personally like going to the polling place, getting in that secret booth, and casting my ballot. I love to see the precinct workers and other voters exercising their right to vote and decide the fate of our county, state and nation.

VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTEVOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE

It's your right and your DUTY!!

Attracting clean energy

We are not alone in the desire to set up clean energy.  Other countries (island nation/states) have set aside millions of dollars to attract clean industry (click here to read about it).  We want that energy development dollar!!

Really important dates!!

Memorize these dates.  There will be a quiz:

• Primary Registration Deadline: July 12, 2012
• Primary Absentee Application by: August 4, 2012
• Primary Election: August 11, 2012
• General Registration Deadline: October 8, 2012
• General Absentee Application by: October 30, 2012
• General Election: November 6, 2012

Register to Vote

Go here to find out how to register to vote, where your polling place is, and other important information related to the 2012 election.

Thank you, Carl and Carla

I know, they have interesting names, but really, their names are Carl and Carla! They hosted a wonderful coffee hour.  The food and drink were tasty.  They invited about a dozen folks to come over to find out about my candidacy.  We had a lively group, knowledgeable, opinionated and vocal.

Someone asked how they could help - send money, have your friends over, and spread the word.  That's called grass roots!  Thanks, Carla and Carl.  Appreciate all of your efforts in spreading the word.

Congratulations Tribune Herald

Our local newspaper won eight awards of excellence by the Hawaii Chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists.  This state wide competition was judged independently by the Greater Oregon Chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists.  The Trib won First in General News/Enterprise Reporting for "Shattered Paradise" by John Burnett, Finalist for General News/Enterprise Reporting for "The Price of Dropping Out" by Colin Stewart, Finalist for Feature Writing/Short Form for "Haunted by the Past" by John Burnett, Finalist for Spot News Reporting, "Zip line Accident Proves Fatal" by Colin Steward, Finalist, Special Section for "Celebrate Hula" by Meg Scarbrough, Peter Sur, William Ing and David Brock, Finalist in Editorial/Cartoon/Illustration, "A Sobering Statistic" by Gary Hoff, Finalist in News Phototgraphy, "Papaya Fields Destroyed" by John Burnett; Finalist in News Page Design, "A Changed America" by Meg Scarbrough.

Congratulations, read it here.

Not just signs and and pretty pictures

If you're interested in *really* knowing who I am please read the testimonials (see the tab above).  These folks know me, we have lots of history together, and I so value their enthusiasm and commitment to getting me elected.   They've taken the time to write their thoughts down, please see what they have to say about me.

Walking Hakalau

The Aloha Buddha film viewing was very well attended.  There must have been over 50 people in the Hakalau Jodo.  The producer was present to give a short presentation.  Paauilo Mauka was well represented, and I saw many friends at the show.  The history (and the effects of intervening events) was very interesting.  Hawaii does indeed change everything.  I'm reading the Song of the Dodo and learning about island biodiversity.

After the viewing I took a drive down to the water.  Will post pics of the amazing bridge, and the beautiful water when I download it.

Then went door to door (very very wet) down Chin Chuck Road, and then up Kulaiwi Road, up and up and up.   Lots of agriculture going on up there.  Talked with the famers tending fields about their crops.

And then met with Lisa to give her a banner to put up, and sat through the Catholic mass! It was very interesting and mystical.   A very long day.  Made oatmeal cookies and carrot bread for a coffee hour tomorrow.

Putting up signs

Political signs are a necessary part of campaigning in Hawaii, just like sign waving.  So we're putting up the signs:

Walking Honomu

Gee, it's a small small world.  On this humid afternoon decided to walk Honomu.  The first house I passed someone called out, "Jo, Jo, is that you?  It's me, Jennifer,"  and so it went.  Walked and talked, and folks were so glad to meet the candidate.  The next stop (whenever you see more than two people together you stop) was Kalena setting up for a graduation party tomorrow!!  The folks in Honomu were so willing to share their concerns for the county. Agriculture is on everyone's mind, as is renewable energy, and also, austerity.  If people don't have money they won't travel to Hawaii.  What will our island economy do then?  Almost everyone had a thumbs up for geothermal, and sustainable agriculture.  Agricultural concerns ranged from organic food to rat lungworm disease.  Hunters and fishers are concerned about access - that is a huge issue for us.

the "meh" list

wow.  "Meh" is really a word.  In a NYT article about the waivers granted to states under the law, "no child left behind,"  a law I have long hated, the Superintendent of the Montgomery County schools in  Maryland puts it on the "meh" list.  Read the NYT article..

What are YOU reading?

In this age of political posturing and sound bites perhaps we should ask about what our elected officials are reading and thinking.   This would give us valuable insight into the workings of their minds, their thoughts, what they think is important.  The biography of Howard H. Nakamura, former justice of the Hawaii Supreme Court, should be on everyone's list.  Read a review of the book here.  


I got my copy in the mail yesterday, and am looking forward to reading it.

Whew!!

I was surprised and anxious that the state cut out funding for "junior kindergarten" and wondered what would take its place (see entry of July 2, School readiness (junior kindergarten) killed ).  I asked,  "Are they thinking they are going to have something else in place?"  The answer was revealed to day,  yes!  A "Preschool Network."  Read about it here.

Sangha candidates meeting

The candidates were out in force. The Hawaii Board of Realtors invited me to participate in the County council candidate meeting before the mayoral candidates addressed the crowd.  It was an interesting mix of folks, and the set up was interesting - they grouped the prosecutor candidates together, and all of the County Council district candidates together, so the voter had the opportunity to eye ball us next to each other.  I took some things that I am reading so the voters would get an idea of what I think is important.  Many of the folks there knew me from soccer!  I was pleasantly surprised that they remembered me from soccer, and mostly because my three boys played.

I had to leave before the mayoral candidates spoke because I had an appointment in Honokaa at 7 p.m.  But I do want to go and hear them talk in Kamuela on the 12th!  See you there.

Sound bites

Does it concern you that "sound bites" (the essence of a person's speech or thoughts), have recently gone from two full sentences to four words?  And now I see that the Washington Post has a video called "News in 59 seconds" (see it here.).   And we have a news magazine called the Week that culls and compiles news reports from around the world.

Why Astronomy Matters (pun intended)

The astronomers at the Mauna Kea observatories have observed for the first time ever the thread of dark matter (see the pun?), moving the matter from theory to reality.  What this confirms about our universe, or THE universe, I'm not too sure.

Read the exciting news here. 

Sangha Hall

Tomorrow I'm invited by the Board of Realtors to participate in a "get to know you" at the Sangha Hall in Hilo before the mayoral forum.  I have to get back to Honokaa for a 6 o'clock meeting so I'm going to miss the mayoral candidates, but will catch them when they are in Waimea on the 12th.

Do you have any idea who you will vote for for mayor?

Celebrating the 4th in Paauilo

Working like crazy to finish an appellate brief!  For our fourth of July celebration we had the boys over, Mom worked on the farm weeding, Addie mowed the lawn.  No hamburgers and hot dogs for us.  Chicken long rice and tamales for dinner.  Now how American is that?

It comes full circle!

At the grocery store late last night ran into a former soccer player, Melissa.  Now in college learning to become a nurse, she was FULL of excitement about coaching soccer (5 and 8 year old little boys).  I know teachers must see this a lot (students going on to become teachers).

So glad that she is inspired to take up the cudgel and get involved.  Now that's coming full circle!!

Happy 4th of July

We had a great!! campaign meeting last night.  The eager faces at the table are all willing to contribute to the effort.  Thanks so much.

And today, our independence day.  Did you take the quiz? See link two entries ago.

Scientists think they found the "Higgs boson" (by the non-physics folks "God") particle, the building block of everything.  Read about it here  and here.

Constant power

It appears that fluctuations in the availability of power from wind and solar systems is the weak link in the power grid. A storage system for the power to keep the grid humming is necessary.  I bet some really smart person/kid out there can develop a system to take care of the fluctuations.  I want that person/kid out there to be from Hawaii.

4th of July and Independence!

Here's a fun quiz:  Independence Day  Quiz !!  30 questions in all.  96% of high school seniors failed, 50% of those over 60 failed.  How did you do?

Small farmers are changing the economic model

The belief in the economy of scale is being challenged by small farmers.  It used to be thought that small farms could not be successful. However, that belief is being challenged by small farmers. Small farmers are changing the belief in the "economy of scale".    The Hamakua/North Hilo Agricultural Cooperative is part of the new model of small farmers.  Read the recent Staradvertiser article here.

School readiness (Junior Kindergarten) killed

Governor Abercrombie signed a bill that establishes the Executive Office of Early Learning (good).  Early learning gets our kids ready for school, also called "school readiness".  This law also kills junior kindergarten programs at the end of the 2013-2014 school year.  Are they thinking they are going to have something else in place?  Since the Senate Education Chair and House Education Chair, and the Early Learning Council advocates were all in FAVOR of the bill there must be something else going on.  To read about the bill click here.

Hawaii Changes Everything

I am invited to see a movie called, Aloha Buddhism at the Hakalau Jodo Mission on July 7, 2012 (11:00 a.m. show, $5 donation).  At the bottom of the flyer there's a piece saying, "Hawaii Changes Everything."  Oh, how I love that thought.  Son Max says to read, Song of the Dodo.  I'm currently reading, In Pursuit of Elegance, and the Song of the Dodo is next.

Republicans are very poor losers

The headlines avow:  REPUBLICANS VOW TO WRECK OBAMACARE AS HEALTHCARE WRANGLE RAGES ON. Go HERE to read the article.  What's to wrangle?  They challenged the law and LOST.  Rather than figure how to make the constitutional mandate work the Republicans are now intent on making sure that the program fails.  What kind of leadership is that?  The bully on the street is going to take the ball home because he doesn't want to play anymore.  The Republicans are very very poor losers.

UEFA FINAL!!

History in the making - Spain wins huge.  Watched the game with the boys and Addie.  It wasn't quite as exciting as the Italy Germany game.  Spain is way too clinical and GOOD!!
Congratulations to Spain and Italy for making it to the finals, and Congratulations to Spain for winning three major cups in a row!!