THANK YOU TO ALL

Thank you to all who are so supportive of my bid to the county council.  So many of you have had encouraging and thoughtful words.  I really appreciate your support.

I am currently working on the Peace Day parade in Honokaa, to be held on September 22, 2012.  I am helping organize the 5K run/2 mile walk.  Hope you will join us there.  We all need to move more!

Being third

It is an interesting experience being at the mercy of the electorate.  Thank you to my many supporters who have offered their thanks for my candidacy.

As I explain to anyone who will listen, I was bested by a 26 year old single mother with a high school education.

I wonder what that says?

Thanks to all!!

Well, the election results are in, and I placed third, so I am not going to go on to the general.

Thank you to everyone who followed this blog, read my thoughts and kept up with the campaign.  I guess there just weren't quite enough of "us" to pull it together.  But I am so grateful to every person out there who went out to vote, and make her voice heard.

The district of Hamakua has spoken, unfortunately I will not be the spokesperson to go forward.  Thanks for following the blog.

My supporters are the greatest.  I am overwhelmed by your confidence.  Thank you.

Day before the day

Thank you to all the readers who have been keeping up with this blog.  You've gotten a good insight into what I think is important.

Now, you've got to know what I think is REALLY REALLY important.  VOTING tomorrow.  Many of you have already cast your vote, but tomorrow is the absolute last last day to do it.

I'm kind of old fashion in that I like going to the polls, greeting the workers, seeing friends, feeling like voting is a big deal, and important.

So, no matter who your candidate may be, get out there and make your voice heard.  Truly, every vote counts (gives me chicken skin, like that guy in Wainaku said).

Women in sports

Thank you Patsy Mink and Title IX!! 40 years of equality in sports has lead to a strong American field in the Olympics.  Women took gold in soccer, beating Japan 2-1 after losing to Japan in the World Cup last year on penalty kicks.

40 years ago they say that 1 in 27 girls played sports and now the number is 2 in 5 girls are active in sports.

I know what that training, dedication and perseverance takes.  I am so proud of every single girl I had the pleasure of coaching.  They have given me so much inspiration, and hope for all young women.

Sign waving down by Hilo

It was an overcast afternoon.  Plenty of cars zipping by.  No other candidates around as Addie and I held the sign and waved and waved and waved.  Lots of waves, some honks.  I think the honks are from folks who have done sign waving.

It is a humbling experience.

Sign waving in Honokaa

Went sign waving at the four way stop by the Post Office, Ikeuchi's, Jolene's and Malama Market.

I love living in a small town.  So many friendly faces, everyone waves (even the tourists!) and there are occasional honks.  Auwe to the guy driving the gray car that gave the thumbs down signal.  Hey buddy, that was totally rude and unnecessary.

To the rest of the people, thank you for the warm reception.  This afternoon reminds me why I love living in a small town.

Honokaa Business Association

Thank you to the organizers of tonight's forum at the Honokaa People's Theatre.  The turn out was substantial, the organization of the forum very well planned, the moderator was very efficient, and the time keepers were spot on!

The questions were provocative, and some of the answers absolutely entertaining.  Each candidate gave thoughtful consideration to the questions posed, and the answers were honest and heartfelt.

I truly appreciate the time and effort it took to organize this event for our community.  I'm sure everyone in Honokaa joins me in a mahalo to the organizers for a great forum.

A great idea to get moving

A new non-profit aimed at getting us more active.  What could be wrong with that?
Read the article here.

Going door to door with Gerard

Gerard is a very funny, gregarious guy.  He took me around Paukaa, Alae, and Wainaku.  Since this is his stomping grounds he wanted to chat and catch up with the goings on in the neighborhood.  We had long talks about cousins, aunties, and the people who used to live down the street.

The best though was being asked inside to watch the last two laps of the mens' 10,000 meter race.  I was glued to the set.  Those guys looked beautiful, perfect form, fast, and hardly winded.

I want to look like that when I run! (Well, not like a guy, but you know what I mean.)

Thanks Gerard for taking three hours out of your Saturday to walk me around.  Really appreciate it!

Campaign spending reports

Campaign spending reports make fascinating reading.  Go here to see reports (enter name of candidate).

And why does an incumbent mayor spend $474,302 to his oppositions' $25,259 (Yagong) and $3,563 (Kim)?  See article in West Hawaii Today here.

Perhaps the mayor's confidential polling results (Solutions Pacific, LLC, paid $13,611.50) are cause for concern?

Increase in farmers markets across the US

The number of farmers market (direct from farmer to you) increased from 1744 (1994) to 7,864 (2012).  The head of the San Francisco farmers market said,  " Every day eaters have the opportunity to vote with their forks and support small-scale farmers, investing resources in their communities, stimulating their local economies, and keeping ag land in sustainable production.  Read the article here.

So, support your local farmer.  Buy at the farmers market, and make sure the food you are buying is locally grown.

HELCO, biofuels and rate increases

The story in the Staradvertiser about the $125,000,000 drop in price in HELCO's purchase of biofuel from Aina Koa Pono, LLC after it was rejected by the PUC last year (September 2011, read that story here) as being too expensive should give one pause.  (Over the 20 year contract it ends up being about $625,000 per year.)

(I like putting in those zeros, makes the number seem waaay big.)

Query:  why was HELCO willing to pay $625,000 per year more than it had to before the PUC said no? and then, why is Aina Koa Pono, LLC willing to accept $625,000 per year less than what it had originally agreed to?

Read the new Staradvertiser article here.  For a more comprehensive article read the West Hawaii Today article here.

Can you say "sweetheart deal"?

Why super PACs are scary

It is scary to think that 47 people will influence the vote because of their TREMENDOUS wealth.  Yes, 47 people account for more than 50% (one-half) of the $230,000,000 (look at al those zeros) raised by super PACS.  1,000 donors giving $10,000 or more were responsible for 94% of the money raised.   Read the article here.

Those glossy postcards and big fold out brochures you're getting in the mail?  Check and see who is sending them to you.  If it's not the candidate it's someone with a LOT of money who wants to influence your vote with their big bucks and special interests.  Read them carefully to see what they want.

If it is the candidate you can go to the Campaign Spending Commission and see where the money is coming from.  It's your responsibility to be informed!!

Hilo Orchid Show

Tonight the Hilo Orchid growers are having a benefit for Kuikahi Mediation.  Tomorrow the Orchid show opens to the general public.  This is such a great show, amazingly beautiful flowers, and good prices (if you have a green thumb).  Ahem, some of us are not so blessed.

See you there!

Mainland drought

The drought on the mainland is going to have long range implications for us.  The drought has destroyed crops and what there is is of poor quality.  Soybeans are of poor quality, corn is of poor quality.  Food and gas (ethanol) will be adversely impacted.  Read about it here.

What to believe?

The Washington Post tells us that the Federal Reserve has rejected new action to bolster the faltering economy.  You can read that story here.  Now that story makes the economic picture look pretty grim.

But Smith Travel Research and Hospitality Advisors LLC says that statewide hotel revenue rose to nearly $1.6 billion, a 14.8 percent gain over the first six months of 2011.  Read the article here.

Funny, on the mainland they're bemoaning the bad economy but here we think "people appear to be traveling despite the economy."

Can critical thinking reconcile these two stories?