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.