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?