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"?