Political

Molokai and Hawaii – Island Politics

Inauguration Bound

Monday, January 19th, 2009

Molokai represents at Obama's inauguration in D.C.
By Todd Yamashita


Aloha from Washington D.C.! My wife, Noelani and I are here to represent Molokai at the historic inauguration of President-elect, Barack Obama. First of all, brrr it's freezing! Sweaters, jackets, gloves and even long-underwear aren't enough to keep the cold out! But as chilling as the 20-degree weather is, the city is full of warmth and excitement. Everyone here is talking about Obama as well as all of the celebrations and events that will be ushering him into the presidency.

Just one night of good sleep after arriving on the East Coast, and Noe and I are up and ready for our first event – the Hawaii Democrats for Obama Ball atop the Hay Adams Hotel. Just across the street from the White House, this is where Obama is living until the inauguration.

Although there are more than 4,000 miles separating D.C. and the islands, the 100-person-party was a tight knit group of Hawaiian politicians and Democrat Party supporters. On-hand was Senator Akaka and family, Honolulu Mayor Hannemann, Kauai Mayor Carvalho, Hawaii Island Mayor Kenoi, State Senator Hooser, Democratic Party Chairman Brian Schatz, and Obama's sister Maya Soetoro-Ng among others. Bonus – Noelani had her photo taken with Lucy Liu -- Charlie's Angels style!

While Obama did not attend this function, Noe and I will certainly get to see him over the next two days. Tomorrow we will be attending the Pearl Gala at the Mandarin Oriental five-star hotel. Also expected will be both Hawaii Senators and dignitaries from throughout Asia and the Pacific. On Tuesday, Noe and I are planning on attending the inauguration ceremony and afterwards, the Obama Home States Ball. This ball is a combination of Hawaii and Illinois dignitaries and Obama is expected to attend.

A big mahalo to our number one supporter on Molokai who helped make this trip possible – you know who you are – thank you so much! Also to the Molokai businesses who provided ho`okupu for the people we will be meeting along the way – we will list you all and continue our story in next weeks’ issue of the Molokai Dispatch.

 

County Irons Out Bed and Breakfast Laws

Thursday, January 8th, 2009

WAILUKU, Maui, Hi - Mayor Charmaine Tavares signed into law today a legislative bill pertaining to bed and breakfast businesses.  The bill was approved by the County Council on December 19. The new law, which takes effect immediately, specifies the amount of bed and breakfast businesses allowed in districts except for the islands of Molokai and Lanai where every application will be reviewed for approval by the island’s planning commission. The new law allows a bed and breakfast business to operate in residential, business, hotel, rural and agricultural zones.

In signing the bill into law today Mayor Tavares called it “a great result of collaboration between the Administration, the Council, and the community.” She continued, saying that “this new law reflects the wishes of our community through the correct process of legislation.

Building Everyone’s Future

Sunday, December 28th, 2008

Governor Linda Lingle recently announced that she will release over $1.8 billion for more than fifteen hundred of capital improvement projects around the state. She further promised to work with the counties and industry to expedite the permitting, design and completion of these projects to create jobs and inject cash into our declining economy.

On Moloka‘i, the governor’s list includes thirty-five projects, ranging from termite tenting at Kaunakakai Elementary ($6,000) to improvements at the Moloka‘i Airport’s Aircraft Rescue Fire Fighting Station ($6.3 million). Twenty-eight of those projects involve educational facilities, including repairs and renovations. Total estimated construction costs: $25.9 million.

Increasing government spending to help drive an economy in distress is a tried and true strategy. FDR used it to help move the US economy during the Great Depression and President-elect Barack Obama continues to support government CIP spending at the federal level as a way of softening the impact of our nation’s current economic downturn.

So it’s pretty hard to argue with the governor’s proposals here on Moloka‘i, considering that we should see both a strengthened economy and improved school facilities when the day is done. Still, now that some time has passed since the initial announcement, we can take some time to look more closely at the details.

First, while we are all grateful to Governor Lingle for taking the initiative to get these projects moving, it’s important that the public realize that each first had to make its way through the budget process. In other words, each of these projects represents many hours of legislative work in reviewing proposals, determining policies, and setting priorities. And, since once a project makes it into the budget it falls within the governor’s authority to release the funds, her current decision to move these projects ahead can equally be seen as her deciding not to hold them up any longer.

In short, it would have been nice if Governor Lingle had acknowledged the work that had been done by others to get us to this point as loudly as she touted her administration’s work in releasing the money.

In addition, while it is the governor’s job to consider the state as a whole, it is my job to focus on my district. Yes, we will enjoy benefits from the spending, but how much of the money will end up in the pockets of our residents?

Moloka‘i needs jobs. I would like to see a real effort made to ensure that these twenty-eight projects mean employment for Moloka‘i residents, rather than other people coming to the island just to do the work. If the demand for labor exceeds our capacity, or if a job calls for specialized skills, no one will complain that someone from Maui or Honolulu does the work. But all else being equal, I hope we can count on a lot of Moloka‘i residents getting up early and going to a job site.

Yes, in the end the Lingle administration does deserve credit for finding ways to help our economy. Let’s keep reminding them that there are ways to help down at the community level too.

Investing in ourselves

Monday, December 15th, 2008

By Senator J. Kalani English

A recent article in one of our statewide daily newspapers featured three Molokai businesses that are using photovoltaic systems to reduce their electric bills. The Friendly Market Center, Kamoi Snack-N-Go, and Molokai Drugs each installed sunlight-powered electrical systems that have reduced their consumption of electricity by up to ninety percent.

One challenge is that while the electricity the system generates is essentially free, the system itself is not. The Friendly Market system, for example, cost about $700,000 for an 81.2 kilowatt system. Even with a U.S. Department of Agriculture grant paying a quarter of the system’s cost, and with state and federal tax credits offsetting more of the investment, it is a substantial amount of money. Friendly Market expects the system to pay for itself in about four and a half years, so there is a payoff in sight down the road.

The “glass-half-empty” way of looking at the example these three businesses are helping to set may be that free electricity is not really free, and unless you can find a few government agencies willing to split the cost, the point where the initial investment begins to provide a real savings is pretty far into your future. However, I don’t think that view provides the most accurate picture.

The fact is that there are programs available to help defray the cost of alternative energy systems, and I am thankful that we have neighbors who are willing to make a commitment to the long term. You may recall that a few weeks ago, I wrote about how critics of a proposed wind farm and statewide power distribution system said that single-home photovoltaic systems were a better alternative energy investment. In that case, my position was, okay, but how would everyone pay for it?

The point is that there is no single alternative energy solution for every need in our community. We cannot look at alternative energy the same way we look at the existing electrical grid: a single source providing every kilowatt we need to fulfill our energy requirements. Instead, each of us must consider what our total consumption is likely to be, and ask what approach will best serve those needs.

Friendly Market, Kamoi Snack-N-Go, and Molokai Drugs deserve credit for making an investment of time and money. At the same time, everyone in the community should thank them for taking action that will eventually provide secondary benefits far beyond what is immediately apparent.

One challenge of our dependence on fossil fuels is the fluctuation in cost. While oil prices are now moving lower, we all know they will rise again. The stability offered by alternative energy will also help these businesses keep their prices down, particularly once the systems themselves are paid for. That’s a benefit we will all enjoy.

I am committed to continuing my support for the spread of alternative energy in our community, and ensuring that the widest range of options will be available. I also hope all of us will continue to ask what more we can do individually to help us all.

Staking a Claim

Wednesday, December 10th, 2008

Cultural and environmental healing for the DHHL

By Catherine Cluett

A place to call home may be on the horizon for many Hawaiians waiting to receive Hawaiian Homeland property. Not only would future generations be given an inheritance of land, but thanks to a new energy policy, they could be left with a legacy of renewable resources and sustainability they would be proud to call their own.

Representatives from the Department of Hawaiian Homelands (DHHL) held a “beneficiary consultation” meeting with Molokai community members last Wednesday to discuss what additional land the Department should acquire on Molokai. They also sought residents’ feedback on a new DHHL energy policy that will affirm Hawaiians’ commitment to sustainability and make renewable energy resources more accessible to the community. DHHL’s Administrator Darrell Yagodich and Planner Bob Freitas both gave presentations to a large gathering.

Molokai: Model of Sustainability

Tuesday, November 25th, 2008

Community members explore the options.

By Catherine Cluett

Molokai is a place full of strong opinions and occasional disagreements. But who can argue that we need food? The thought of “what if the barge doesn’t come?” is a reoccurring concern for many. The question of food security held top priority last week at a meeting of Hui Ho`opakele Aina, a group dedicated to creating a sustainable Molokai.

The meeting was attended by over three dozen Molokai residents. A variety of speakers addressed issues such as food shortages and solutions, education, and community development. Experts, as well as community members already active in the effort, shared their knowledge and experience with an attentive audience.

Glenn Teves is a University of Hawaii Extension Agent who specializes in community development. “Hawaiians produce less than 20% of the food we eat,” he said. “And 95% of Hawaii’s agriculture is non-food crops.” He gave a bleak picture of the state’s current resource insecurity, explaining that almost all assets such as airports and power plants are located on the coastlines – in danger zones for tsunamis and other natural disasters.

“There is little agriculture infrastructure compared to tourism infrastructure in Hawaii,” Teves said. He emphasized the need to create an infrastructure for local farmers to successfully sell their produce on-island, instead of relying on off-island business. He also suggested crop diversification and the production of local fertilizers as examples of ways to improve Molokai’s agricultural assets.

A time for peace

Saturday, November 22nd, 2008

For countless generations, the tradition across Polynesia was to mark the year’s harvest with a time of celebration, rest, and peace. The rising of makalii, the Pleiades, marked the beginning of the four-month Makahiki season. Conflict and war were set aside, and unity and peace prevailed as the people paid tribute to the god Lono.

With the harvest completed, everyone rested and let the land lay fallow. They offered food in tribute to their chief and to Lono in thanks for their wise stewardship. Without wisdom, the land would become barren, and the people’s life and culture were tied to the land.

While almost no one among us could afford to stop work for an entire quarter of the year, Makahiki stills serves as a reminder of the values that should guide us. Appreciation for the things we are given by our culture, our efforts, and our fates. The abundance that marks so many of our lives. And the wise stewardship that the best among us offer.

Even in a place that enjoys a year-round growing season, it is difficult to fathom allowing productive fields lie unused through four long months. Simple math tells us that ancient practitioners could have increased their annual yields by a quarter just by keeping fields in use. Yet the concept of fallow fields is critical to understanding true stewardship.

A fallow field is not wasted space; it is land in renewal. The period where a land remains unplanted allows the soil to replenish it moisture and nutrients. It regains the texture that provides roots with air. Decaying matter slowly develops into a loamy compost that shows its strength with the next planting.

Today, when every moment is consumed by meetings and activities, when we cannot stop checking our Blackberries and iPhones or worrying about cellular coverage, we seldom stop to replenish. It’s a drive-through, satellite-fed, multi-tasked life. The only fallow time we have is while we’re asleep, unless we dream about work, too.

And then there’s peace. We should marvel at a society where everyone accepted that whatever was happening the day before Makahiki, no matter who was arguing with whom, what group was set upon the defeat of what faction, it all stopped. Four months of peace. I would guess that enemies did not necessarily celebrate together, but the fact that they were celebrating separately instead of fighting on the same battlefield is pretty remarkable.

On November 20, 2008, the State of Hawai‘i observed its first Makahiki Commemoration Day. It wasn’t a holiday, so you probably had to work. Still, it stands as a reminder of what Makahiki was, and how our sometimes more-civilized ancestors made the best use of their time.

Even if you missed Mahakiki Commemoration Day, remember that Makahiki lasted four months. There is still time for all of us to reflect on the many blessings we have been given, slow down, let our minds lie fallow for at least a little while, and offer each other peace. Happy Makahiki, everyone.

Don’t Like the Laws? Change Them.

Monday, November 17th, 2008

Residents get tips on how to work within the system.
By Sean Aronson

Molokai residents know how to wage political battles and have cut their teeth on a variety of hotly contested issues over the years. They’ve learned that often times the most successful campaigns involve working within the system to affect change. And being as strategic and smart about the legislative process can give residents the upper hand.

With that goal in mind, about a dozen people showed up for a seminar to better learn how to stay up to date with Hawaii politics. Virginia Beck, of the Hawaii State Capitol, was on hand to provide information on everything from utilizing the state government website to what kinds of things to consider when writing a letter to your representatives in the legislature.

Frustration on Molokai

Monday, November 17th, 2008

Molokai /Lanai OHA Trustee Colette Machado won the 2008 statewide election against challenger Waipa Purdy.

Here is a deeper look at the whole story. On January 31, 2007 an extraordinary event consisting of thirteen hundred Molokai citizens participated in an election for the seats on the Molokai Enterprise Community, or EC. To get a sense of how extraordinary, some twelve hundred Molokai citizens participated in this year’s state election.

Colette Machado lost her seat in this 2007 EC election by a huge margin garnering only 29% of the votes. A short time later, she was “appointed” back onto the EC board where she sits as an officer today.

In the November 4, 2008 general election, Colette lost to Waipa Purdy in Maui County, and, as happened in January of 2007, got trounced on the island of Molokai, receiving only 26% of the votes in her own precinct.

The citizen voice of Molokai was as loud as you can get in trying to pick their leader, but the process drowned out their voices. Something is wrong with this picture, and the process needs fixing. Molokai has only two resident publicly elected officials, OHA trustee and our county councilperson, but neither are elected solely by Molokai voters.

This is a true life story of frustration in trying to believe and participate in the system from the taxation without representation island of Molokai.

OHA Election – Legal Yes, Fair No

Saturday, November 15th, 2008

By Steve Morgan / Hui Ho’opakele ‘Aina    

As demonstrated in two consecutive elections, the residents of Molokai have clearly stated that they do not support the leadership abilities of Collette Machado.

The recent general election demonstrated widespread community support for OHA Trustee Candidate- Waipa Purdy. Running against Collette Machado, Purdy received  917 Molokai votes while Machado received  441 local votes. Despite these numbers it was Collette Machado who claimed the victory.

The problem lies in the process itself- Although OHA Trustees are selected to independently represent each of the major islands, constitutional law requires that each elected OHA official represent the same number of people. So how is this accomplished for a less populated island like Molokai? So far the legislative solution in appeasing this legal requirement has been accomplished by holding a uniform statewide election in which all of the OHA candidates are included.

The problems however become obvious. In no way does a statewide ballot assure that the real constituency is represented. Those voting off island may have little or no knowledge of specific Molokai issues yet are granted the ability to vote for the OHA Trustee representing Molokai.

Also, further complicating the vote is the involvement of special interest groups which regularly participate in statewide elections and who often have the ability to deliver large numbers of votes.  Ranging from trade unions to corporate interests, it is common for these types of special interest groups to pledge support for certain candidates, depending on how they feel the candidate will support or benefit their own intentions. This type of lobbying may be common in state and national elections but is not appropriate within the realm of selecting an OHA trustee.

 Waipa Purdy won the Molokai vote by more than a two to one margin and despite this landslide victory, he has been determined the looser. The fact remains that the clear voice of Molokai has been ignored!