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Long Division

Saturday, November 8th, 2008

None of us can say with any certainty how growing up in Hawai‘i affected Barack Obama. Certainly, he has shown an affinity for many things we consider enduringly local. He eats plate lunches, gave one of his daughters a Hawaiian name, and was not afraid to be photographed walking through his old neighborhood in rubber slippers. Deep down, no one can know but the President-elect, himself, how much of Hawai‘i he carries in his day-to-day awareness.

Yet at the end of a nearly-two-year campaign, American voters responded to one aspect of his personal approach that all of us feel came from his spending his formative years in the most culturally-diverse state in the nation: he knows how to bring people together. The contrast between the Republican campaign and the Democratic campaign was stark. One side talked about fear, and distrust, and domestic terrorists. The other spoke of uniting our country, respecting diversity, and caring for those who need our help. The latter view won out. And I think that view is the Hawai‘i view.

Local people learn early on that living on an island in a sea of cultural cross-currents takes certain skills, foremost of which is knowing how to get along. There are small gestures and demonstrations of sensitivity, respectful rituals by which we show each other that we care about everyone’s comfort.

When Barack Obama talks about inclusiveness, when he tells those who voted for his opponent that he will be their President too, he is displaying that same skill of getting along. And when the country responded by building a new coalition of winning states, with a broader and deeper reach than we have seen for decades, they validated our local spirit of cooperation.

Our nation has been divided a long time. Somewhere along the line, those on the national stage developed an affinity for the politics of polarization. Winning by the barest of margins while maintaining the deepest of divisions, they cast the national debate in terms so stark and acrimonious that the public developed a distaste for government. Somewhere in the victory of politics over principle, civility was lost.

Now, just a few days after the Presidential election, I can’t help but feel that we are in a moment of—you’ve heard the word before—change. I can’t shake the impression that the country could be different, that we may find a way to include more people, more concerns, and more avenues of success.

We can’t say for sure that Barack Obama gained his approach or his perspective growing up among the diversity of Hawai‘i. But we can be sure that the spirit that drives him is very familiar to anyone who has truly made Hawai‘i home. And we can feel the core of that spirit, a spirit that could well become the theme and hope of a better America, beating in the heart of our own community.

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Wind Power Championed as Hawaii’s Future

Monday, November 3rd, 2008

Hawaii enters into historic renewable energy agreement.

By Catherine Cluett

Molokai could be a key component to a future of renewable energy in Hawaii. Last Monday, Governor Lingle announced an agreement that looks to wind power from either Lanai or Molokai to supply up to 400 megawatts of electricity to Oahu via undersea cable.

The agreement focuses on the Renewables for Oahu Project which calls for 1,100 megawatts of additional renewable energy, 700 of which will be implemented within five years. Oahu's current total energy capacity is 1,700 megawatts.

According to the initiative, in order to achieve substantially greater use of wind power on Oahu, where most of the electric power in the State is consumed, it is necessary to transmit the electricity by undersea cable. Initial focus of the plan is to connect a single wind developer from either Molokai or Lanai.
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Te Vaka Beats Move More than Feet

Monday, November 3rd, 2008

Te Vaka Beats Move More than Feet

Molokai enthralled by award-winning Polynesian group.

By Catherine Cluett

Tongue out and feet stamping, Etueni Pita follows the movements of his Tokelauan ancestors. Beside him, Tremayne Lihou’s grass skirt shakes as she gestures and steps. Over two hundred faces of Molokai are watching their every move.

Pita and Lihou are members of Te Vaka, a Polynesian music group that has completed five world tours, performed in 37 countries, and recorded five albums. Thanks to generous sponsorship from a variety of organizations, Molokai was able to enjoy a free performance on the lawn of the Molokai Public Library last Wednesday.

Along with such instruments as guitar, keyboard and flute, members also played instruments like the “pate liki” or “little drum” and the “pa`u vili” or “running drum.” Voices, instruments and dance combined for rich artistically and culturally unforgettable experience.

Opetaia Foa’i is the songwriter and lead vocalist of the group. The inspiration for his music comes from his multi-cultural upbringing, born in Samoa and raised in a Tokelauan community in New Zealand. Every song had a story, and all are written in Foa’i’s native pacific tongue, Tokelauan.

Melodee Panapa, on vocals, taught an enthralled audience how to do the “wiri,” a motion of relaxing the fingers and shaking the hands, often accompanied by sticking out the tongue. She explained it is used in war dances and chants, as well as to draw energy from the earth.

“I’ve heard that Molokai has good dancers,” said Foa’i during the performance. “I can see people moving – it starts with the toes and moves to the knees and next thing you know, you’re dancing,” he laughed. “C’mon Molokai, get up and dance!”

Soon young and old were rising to their feet, getting wrapped up in the rhythms. Many were too captivated to move.

Te Vaka currently consists of 12 members, several of whom are members of Foa’i’s family. “The members are normally auditioned but I joined the group when I was 12,” says Manase Foa’i, son of the songwriter. “Most of us in the group have know each other and been close for a long time,” he adds.

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Netra Halperin – Maui County Council, Kahului

Monday, November 3rd, 2008

We need to find creative solutions for the economy where money can stay on the island, instead of being driven by off-island ownership of resorts. Community involvement and ownership of economic resources is key in this process. I think it’s important that the people’s goals for Molokai are kept intact.

Zoning changes are a significant way in which we can help the economy. We need to make zoning fit the community needs, instead of community development being constrained by zoning designations. I have co-founded the Maui Sustainable Farmer’s Coalition, which is designed to support local farmers and bring about zoning changes that are modeled after a traditional neighborhood design rather than block zoning.

One thing that sets me apart from my opponent is my position on conditional use permits, which often prohibit home businesses and other enterprises that would boost local economy. I am against the conditional use permit policy because I think it is a waste of time and money. The county council needs to exercise its full power for the public good.

As a county council member, I would bring my experience owning small businesses in fields like real estate and tourism as well as extensive community involvement working as a child and family therapist with such organizations as Women Helping Women, Aloha House, and Maui Youth and Family Services.

I would bring common sense to the table, and I think it’s important that council members fully commit themselves and prepare and educate themselves on the issues placed before them. I also see testifiers as a huge resource, a wealth of knowledge that council members should listen to and utilize more in the decision-making process.

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Michael Howden – County Council (Upcountry)

Monday, November 3rd, 2008

Michael Howden – County Council (Upcountry)

As a member of the Maui County Board of Water Supply, I see water as the core issue on Molokai. We need to return water to being a public trust. Molokai needs their voice to be heard on the Board of Water Supply. There needs to be a lot of maintenance and storage updates for Molokai water, and I believe that if the Department of Water Supply just supplied the materials, the people of Molokai would do the work themselves. I see the county’s exercise of eminent domain as key to the water solution.

I think that the amount of water going to Monsanto on Molokai is a detriment to the community and the island’s water supply. As an alternative to Monsanto’s employment opportunities, I propose the organic seed industry. We need biodiversity, and seed production would allow for a successful economy of micro-enterprise.

I have lived and worked on farms, and have a lot of experience in the field of permaculture. I see a need for a real political will to address the issues of water and sustainable resources, and there currently seems to be a real reluctance to engage with the community at large.

I have a different relationship to the `aina than all the other candidates currently running. I have a love of the land and a fearlessness and willingness to engage when it comes to community rights. Gladys Baisa has been in favor of many issues that the people haven’t been in favor of, and I think it’s important to listen to what the community wants. I also feel that she leans too heavily on tourism as an economic solution.

As voters go to the polls, I hope they take the chance to embrace change and look for viable and enduring solutions. It will require sacrifices for all of us. We need to listen and be willing to sacrifice for good of others, and right now we only seem willing to sacrifice for corporations rather than building a community that will help everyone.

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Gladys Baisa – Maui County Council, Upcountry (Incumbent)

Monday, November 3rd, 2008

Gladys Baisa – Maui County Council, Upcountry (Incumbent)

My top issues are the economy, jobs, and social services. I am aware that there are many others but these are the issues I think we need to address as priorities. With the downturn in the economy, businesses are hurting, people and being laid off or having their hours reduced and the result of this is having a very negative effect on our economy.

Less income means less taxes being paid to the County, and lost jobs. Lost jobs means loss of not only income, but medical benefits and other social impacts. My fear is that there is talk about reducing funding for the nonprofit service providers just when they are going to be needed more than ever.

Being a very unique island, Molokai presents a challenging situation. The residents have clearly articulated their desire to "Keep Molokai, Molokai".  With that in mind, economic development must be done with that idea foremost. Projects must fit the local lifestyle and not impact the culture and mores of the island negatively.

I believe that Molokai is capable of charting its own destiny. I support letting the residents of Molokai decide its future to the maximum extent possible. In the short term, the County of Maui can assist with support like the ferry subsidies, HONI program for assistance with water bills, and other assistance like MEO transportation and other social service programs.

I am a high energy Type A personality. I am very business oriented with strong ties to social services, economic development, and service to the community. My opponent is much quieter, low key, and appears to be concerned mostly with environmental issues and sustainability.

I would like Molokai residents to remember that in order for Molokai to receive the support and help needed, they must elect a team of experienced elected officials who are familiar with Molokai and the needs and desires of its people. I believe I am one of those persons.

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Sol Kaho`ohalahala – Maui County Council, Lanai

Monday, November 3rd, 2008

I consider jobs, food production and energy as the most important issues for Maui Nui. I am interested in creating new jobs for us through food production and a clean renewable energy future.  By working with our local families to grow and produce healthy food crops we can rise to a level of self-reliance, self- sufficiency and sustainability.

Government can provide incentives, technical assistance, agricultural resources, assistance and subsidies to help our families and communities to reconsider farming as a future direction.  Grow locally, buy locally; support locally and live locally - this is the island way. This idea is not new to Moloka'i but it needs to be encouraged and supported by government.

Developing a clean renewable energy future is a necessary and vital component which can make us independent fossil fuels.  Aside from the impacts we face from global warming and sea level rise, we are the most isolated islands located in the largest ocean on earth.  Focusing on renewable energy will help create jobs for the installation, maintenance and care of all manners of the industry.  This will enable us to continue our sustainability and our ability to live and survive in our islands of Maui Nui.

I will put forth policies to support and provide the incentives and programs to bring short and long term solutions.  These critical times provide us with opportunities and alternative directions.

My knowledge of government processes at both the County of Maui and the State of Hawaii levels, the experience of being a Councilmember and a State Legislator, being a collaborator and leader in community work and organizing and the ability to be a visionary for the betterment of our island people.  The distinction is clear, and my accomplishments speak for themselves.

Working with you to find solutions that will be good for Molokai in a manner that is transparent, inclusive and honest are the things that I offer as your Lanai Councilmember.  I look forward to representing you on the Maui County Council.  Mahalo and Aloha.

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John Blumer-Buell – State Senate 6th District (East Maui-Molokai-Lanai-Kahoolawe)

Monday, November 3rd, 2008

The biggest issue for Molokai is self-determination. Molokai needs to determine its own future with regards to land use planning and natural resource issues. How can you create this within the system? Can Molokai become its own county? A constitutional amendment, would allow people to choose. If people want Molokai want to become its own county, I would support the process.

I really admire the Molokai community for standing up for what is pono. I have watched every La`au hearing on Akaku and I support people of Molokai against this development.
I have also been following Molokai’s hopes to buy Molokai Ranch in order to create wind farms. If this would make the island economically independent, this is something we should all consider seriously.

With regards to an economic plan for Molokai, I strongly believe the people of Molokai know what’s best. It’s up to the creativity of the people to inspire appropriate economic development. A good place to start would be to provide essential human needs which include control of the water so that people can grow their own food crops. The state and county should support subsistence because Molokai is in best position to realize a subsistence-based economy. Molokai represents a unique opportunity because it has not been over-developed.

In 1995, I helped facilitate the transfer of the state owned and operated Hana Medical Center to the Hana Community. Kalani deceitfully privatized the health center and has been a supporter of their proposed $26 – $52 million tax-payer funded health and wellness village – I completely oppose that. I continue to advocate giving control of Hana’s health needs back to community – Hana deserves better.

If elected, I will be on Molokai once a month to meet with people to work on Molokai’s preferred future. The people of Molokai have been successfully informing rest of state about themselves - people all over Hana know about Molokai issues. It is through better communication that things change and while I can offer good advice, it is the people who know best.

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John Ornellas – Maui County Council, Lanai

Monday, November 3rd, 2008

As neighbors, in just the last two weeks we’ve faced tremendous uncertainty with respect to our economy and jobs for our people. All we would need and ask for is a decent and stable job for each of our people so that we can send our kids to school, put food on the table, and keep a roof over our heads. With my resolve and determination, I would hope to tackle our county’s economic concerns.

Here’s what we must do together to stimulate our economy and bring it back for the good of the people of Maui, Molokai and Lanai: 1. Accelerate construction of affordable housing. 2. Invest our resources into improvements of our infrastructure. 3. Increase support for and communication with our visitor industry entities. 4. Advocate for the development of more water sources and. 5. Assert the growth of natural, sustainable and alternative forms of energy.

I want to thank the people of Maui County for their vote of confidence this primary election and I will work hard to do the following: Preserve the rights of citizens to a transparent and open government. Support the completion and development of the General Plan of the County of Maui. Ensure that small-business permitting process is not too burdensome, but is efficient and service-friendly. Ensure that our residents’ working-families are not over-taxed. Support programs for our senior citizens and those who are disadvantaged. Reduce our reliance on oil and work on alternative clean-energy resources. Support the development of existing surface water in Central Maui, balancing it with an adequate stream flow. Ensure the preservation of our unique historical and cultural resources—keeping it’s small-town, old-fashioned, and “local charm” character.

We need to work together as a community to solve our common challenges and bring confidence back to our now-ailing economy and in our public servants. With your help, support, and especially your vote for this coming November 4th general election, I hope to have the honor of serving you as your county councilmember for this upcoming term. Mahalo nui loa, John Ornellas

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Mike Molina – Maui County Council, Makawao-Haiku-Paia (Incumbant)

Monday, November 3rd, 2008

We have to boost the economy of Maui County because if we keep business strong, those revenues can be used to help Molokai. Everything is connected.

Another way to boost the economy for Molokai is working with the visitor industry on neighboring islands to put together attractive travel packages. We want to stimulate people to come to Molokai, but we have to do it on a small scale, with no large operations like cruise ships. We need to make Molokai something special that people can visit and enjoy.

We need to stimulate sustainable jobs, as well as address housing opportunities and services such as drug rehabilitation programs on Molokai. I think it’s important to keep the youth on the island, and as a former teacher, youth and education are areas I think are necessary to fund.

Budget cuts are inevitable in these tough economic times, but the County needs to see how we can tighten our own budget first. Sometimes in the worst of times, the best comes out. We need to look at lowering water rates to stimulate economy through agriculture, as well as marketing local products.

I am a veteran, and have long been involved community service projects. Candidates need to prove themselves long before they decide to run for office, and show a familiarity with the issues and people they will be working for. I am not working for just one issue, but have a broad range of concerns from the environment to affordable housing.

When choosing who you want to vote for, think about those members who are experienced, who have an open door policy, who will be a responsible candidate, and who don’t discriminate. I encourage residents to call candidates to talk to them personally and ask questions.

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