DELIGHTFULLY DELUSIONAL: It's pretty rare to be pleasantly surprised by anything the Kaua`i County Council does but it's hard not to be after our only endorsement in the November 2010 election, Kipukai Kuali`i, was selected to replace the bad rubbish to which we've bid good riddance, former Councilmember Derek "Going Places" Kawakami.
Even though we assigned the usual evil motives to the remaining council in our analysis last Tuesday and intentionally left Kualii's name out of our discussion, we now have to admit to missing the fact that there was a bigger picture in the alliance angle we pursued.
Although the list was apparently illegally withheld from public purview we can assume that the names fell into one of two categories: blasts from the past like "fourth generation plantation daughter" Maxine Correa- one of the truly abominable councilmembers in the 80's and early 90's- who actually attended the meeting, or absurdist and delusional self-promoters like Kimo Rosen.
One thing that all probably had in common was that they imagined themselves as someone who would "hit the ground running" whether they had a clue or sought to purchase one. That left the "humble" Kipukai as the only one that would be a complete follower- one who would be depending on the remaining councilmembers to "teach him the ropes."
We're not sure from the description of how the meeting was conducted since of course the article in the local newspaper was "written" by the observationally challenged Leo Azumbuja but we suspect that Mel Rapozo, who is increasingly becoming a minority of one, was left dangling in the wind in his hope for an ally.
Once current Chair Jay Furfaro- who has increasingly seen his bread as being buttered by the progressive wing of Yukimura and Bynum- fell into line, his lap dog Dickie Chang quickly heeled.
That left newbie Nadine Nakamura- who has, after the vote to sustain the plastic bag ban last week apparently declared her allegiance to the Yukimura/Bynum progressive alliance- to continue to drift even closer to them. Although she will no doubt not be able to help herself in trying to find compromises with Rapozo, the fact is that the council could just be gelling into a 5-1 (and now with Kuali`i 6-1) progressive bloc with Nakamura a solid third vote for a majority...one away from the promised land.
Really? Well, maybe.
Look at it this way. Kawakami had not only provided a vote opposing the majority but his apparent popularity had also made Furfaro- and so also Chang- a double swing vote making for a shifting majority depending on whether Furfaro feared Kawakami's sway more than he saw voting with Yukimura and Bynum on the progressive side as beneficial to his hold on the chair- which of course, in the final analysis, is all that his vote depends on.
Removing Kawakami removes that dynamic freeing Furfaro and so Chang.
Of course Chang is not really a solid sixth vote. His allegiance to Furfaro may sway depending on how much pressure the Chamber of Commerce/Kaua`i Visitors' Bureau crowd exerts on him and how far the progressive bloc tries to go.
And, as we said Nakamura's penchant for compromise will be strengthened if there are actually two opposing votes, especially if Chang provides a "second" for any Rapozo's lone-wolf proposals.
We hate to get ahead of ourselves in predicting this kind of amazing and even stunning shift to an overwhelming progressive majority but depending on how things play out, after all the recriminations and resignations to another two year of watching paint dry, this just could be the council we've waited for for decades.
You can bet your Prozac and Lithium on it.
Showing posts with label 2010 Election. Show all posts
Showing posts with label 2010 Election. Show all posts
Tuesday, April 12, 2011
Friday, January 28, 2011
STRIKING DEEP
STRIKING DEEP: Kaua`i has been called “The Garden Island”, “The Separate Kingdom” and a lot of other things but with the strict controls brought on by Mayor Bernard Carvalho and his insular “team” after last November’s election the name “The Paranoiac Secrecy Island” has become the more appropriate moniker.
Carvalho’s county employees- the same ones who be abused with politcally motivated unnecessary furloughs- are now under a gag edict that forbids them from speaking to the media or anyone likely to repeat what they say in a public way, according to numerous county employees.
But while Carvalho and his PR mastermind Beth Tokioka have the ability to control employees under threat of losing their jobs- despite their civil service employment- there’s a whole other set of county functionaries that have less to lose by acting on their own and actually doing their job competently rather than whatever way the administration directs them to act.
The scores of board and commission (B&C) members are usually a pretty compliant lot having been selected more often for their cronyism than their expertise. But there’s always a few, eh?...
Since their meetings are open to the public and their minutes are either available on-line now or will be very soon, what they say may not be what the administration wants the public to hear.
So it shouldn’t be any surprise that B&C Administrator John Isobe has come up with a plan to make sure that those “few” will receive the proper indoctrination to ensure that any and all things said or done are subject to the proper PR filter.
That’s why Isobe is seeking to procure- albeit in as secretive manner as possible- a “person to provide Public Relations advice and services to the various Boards and Commissions of the County of Kauai” at an estimated Cost of $15,000.00 - $ 30,000.00 a year with the ability to extend the contract.
First of all we have to ask the question, “isn’t that Isobe’s job?” And where exactly is the money coming from? Isn’t it a line item in the county budget?
Those will have to be asked rhetorically for now. The bigger concern is how the PR person will be selected- and controlled.
As the document we obtained this week says in it’s “Description of proposed procurement”:
The Office of Boards and Commissions anticipates the need to select a person or firm qualified to provide Public Relations advice and services to the various Boards and Commissions of the County of Kauai. The objectives of this effort are to:
• Provide general public relations support and assistance to County Boards and Commissions;
• Assist and facilitate public educational efforts as any be required related to specific issues or topics under consideration by the various Boards and Commissions;
• Directly advise board and staff members with tips and talking points needed to enhance communication and relationship skills to factually, diplomatically and courteously address public concerns and issues that are brought before a Board or Commission;
• Develop and implement a public relations program that will improve awareness. Knowledge and perception about the service and value that Boards and Commissions provide to the County;
Interested person or firms should have at least five (5) years of combined experience in public relations on the island of Kaua`i that demonstrate knowledge about the pros & cons of current government and community issues. Desirable qualifications also include previous work experience directly related to the State of County government.
But even with the restrictive way the qualifications are written there are dozens of PR firms out there and if the contract was indeed subject to normal procurement it would have to be widely advertised and the person selected based on the best qualifications and price quote.
Obviously that won’t do- they need someone who will teach them to shut up, not to actually speak to the public and press.
So Isobe has received a waiver from the procurement process because, as Isobe writes in his “Explanation describing how procurement by competitive means is either not practical or not advantageous to the County”:
Public Relations is more an "art" than a "science". The creativity, resourcefulness, background experience, and work ethic/style of an individual or the firm are important in ensuring a good working foundation and relationship.
A negotiated process provides the venue for Q&A to properly evaluate and select the most appropriate and qualified person/firm to meet the objectives and scope for an effective public relations program effort.
But even without proper procurement processes how can Isobe make sure the person selected is a true crony who will do as he or she is told?
In the “Details of the process or procedures to be followed in determining or developing at a list of eligible persons/entities, and in selecting the vendor to ensure maximum fair and open competition” it says:
A solicitation requesting resumes from qualified persons or firms interested in undertaking this work will be advertised in a local newspaper(s) of general circulation and posted on the website (htto://www.spo.hawaii.gov).
Resumes will then be evaluated and ranked by an evaluation committee consisting of three (3) members. Immediately thereafter, a three (3) member committee will negotiate the terms and conditions for a contract with the top ranked respondent.
And who might the three people be?
Why of course Isobe and two other mayoral appointees who work directly out of the office of the mayor and can be fired on the spot by the mayor: ADA Coordinator, Christina Pilkington and Anti-Drug Coordinator, Theresa Koki.
As the wall between the public and Carvalho’s minions gets higher and higher we can expect that this is just the beginning of an era of darkness and obfuscation that few could have imagined could have gotten much more opaque before last November.
For those seeking information from the county it’s going to be a long four years.
Carvalho’s county employees- the same ones who be abused with politcally motivated unnecessary furloughs- are now under a gag edict that forbids them from speaking to the media or anyone likely to repeat what they say in a public way, according to numerous county employees.
But while Carvalho and his PR mastermind Beth Tokioka have the ability to control employees under threat of losing their jobs- despite their civil service employment- there’s a whole other set of county functionaries that have less to lose by acting on their own and actually doing their job competently rather than whatever way the administration directs them to act.
The scores of board and commission (B&C) members are usually a pretty compliant lot having been selected more often for their cronyism than their expertise. But there’s always a few, eh?...
Since their meetings are open to the public and their minutes are either available on-line now or will be very soon, what they say may not be what the administration wants the public to hear.
So it shouldn’t be any surprise that B&C Administrator John Isobe has come up with a plan to make sure that those “few” will receive the proper indoctrination to ensure that any and all things said or done are subject to the proper PR filter.
That’s why Isobe is seeking to procure- albeit in as secretive manner as possible- a “person to provide Public Relations advice and services to the various Boards and Commissions of the County of Kauai” at an estimated Cost of $15,000.00 - $ 30,000.00 a year with the ability to extend the contract.
First of all we have to ask the question, “isn’t that Isobe’s job?” And where exactly is the money coming from? Isn’t it a line item in the county budget?
Those will have to be asked rhetorically for now. The bigger concern is how the PR person will be selected- and controlled.
As the document we obtained this week says in it’s “Description of proposed procurement”:
The Office of Boards and Commissions anticipates the need to select a person or firm qualified to provide Public Relations advice and services to the various Boards and Commissions of the County of Kauai. The objectives of this effort are to:
• Provide general public relations support and assistance to County Boards and Commissions;
• Assist and facilitate public educational efforts as any be required related to specific issues or topics under consideration by the various Boards and Commissions;
• Directly advise board and staff members with tips and talking points needed to enhance communication and relationship skills to factually, diplomatically and courteously address public concerns and issues that are brought before a Board or Commission;
• Develop and implement a public relations program that will improve awareness. Knowledge and perception about the service and value that Boards and Commissions provide to the County;
Interested person or firms should have at least five (5) years of combined experience in public relations on the island of Kaua`i that demonstrate knowledge about the pros & cons of current government and community issues. Desirable qualifications also include previous work experience directly related to the State of County government.
But even with the restrictive way the qualifications are written there are dozens of PR firms out there and if the contract was indeed subject to normal procurement it would have to be widely advertised and the person selected based on the best qualifications and price quote.
Obviously that won’t do- they need someone who will teach them to shut up, not to actually speak to the public and press.
So Isobe has received a waiver from the procurement process because, as Isobe writes in his “Explanation describing how procurement by competitive means is either not practical or not advantageous to the County”:
Public Relations is more an "art" than a "science". The creativity, resourcefulness, background experience, and work ethic/style of an individual or the firm are important in ensuring a good working foundation and relationship.
A negotiated process provides the venue for Q&A to properly evaluate and select the most appropriate and qualified person/firm to meet the objectives and scope for an effective public relations program effort.
But even without proper procurement processes how can Isobe make sure the person selected is a true crony who will do as he or she is told?
In the “Details of the process or procedures to be followed in determining or developing at a list of eligible persons/entities, and in selecting the vendor to ensure maximum fair and open competition” it says:
A solicitation requesting resumes from qualified persons or firms interested in undertaking this work will be advertised in a local newspaper(s) of general circulation and posted on the website (htto://www.spo.hawaii.gov).
Resumes will then be evaluated and ranked by an evaluation committee consisting of three (3) members. Immediately thereafter, a three (3) member committee will negotiate the terms and conditions for a contract with the top ranked respondent.
And who might the three people be?
Why of course Isobe and two other mayoral appointees who work directly out of the office of the mayor and can be fired on the spot by the mayor: ADA Coordinator, Christina Pilkington and Anti-Drug Coordinator, Theresa Koki.
As the wall between the public and Carvalho’s minions gets higher and higher we can expect that this is just the beginning of an era of darkness and obfuscation that few could have imagined could have gotten much more opaque before last November.
For those seeking information from the county it’s going to be a long four years.
Monday, December 20, 2010
AT THE ZOO
AT THE ZOO: Last Wednesday’s meeting was the first time to observe the new council in their habitat giving the zoologically inclined an opportunity to observe and interpret the various grunts and howls for their significance.
But while furloughs and millions in new appropriations caught the attention of many, real sociologic researchers need only to turn to the discussion of a “resolution (#2010-39) to establish a policy for facilitating open governance and internet access to public documents” for a case study.
When the rebellious male Tim Bynum first introduced it five months ago on July 14 it seemed like a no brainer to the untrained eye. It was simply a policy statement supporting the already bought-and-paid-for contract with a third party provider that would web cast council meetings and post on-line all the pertinent documents including agendas with related attachments, the full text of introduced bills and resolutions, updated “draft” versions of bills after amendments, along with committee reports and minutes- all linked, item by item, to the video web casts.
But the majority- which included the alpha male, departed Chair Kaipo Asing and his “enforcer” Darryl Kaneshiro along with the young and ascendant male Derek Kawakami- routed the measure saying that, with county “furloughs” the staff wasn’t going to be able to handle al the “extra work”... and besides, why pass a resolution if we were already doing it?
To the surprise of few, if any, they didn’t.
But now that furloughs are ending and meetings are finally being web cast- although we still couldn’t get them last week despite downloading update versions and performing trouble shooting settings- the time to set the policy seemed ripe.
Or maybe not.
The self described troublemaker had now returned to the tribe and was ready to be true to that moniker by asking why we needed a resolution for something we were doing already... this for a council that has successfully delayed, deferred and defeated attempts to move into the information age for years... and from a council that would probably routinely approve a resolution supporting the policy of using toilet paper if a political ally introduced it.
But the new group had chosen the more experienced dominant elder rather than the latest alpha male as their leader so when Jay Furfaro prepared a 17-page draft memo in collaboration with the county clerk- who together lord over the non-dominant females (council staff)- detailing how it would be done, Kawakami was left with only Rapozo to support his straw-grasping “we’re already doing it so why do we need a reso” obstruction.
And when Dickie Chang- the goofy young male that they keep around for entertainment- sided as he usually does with the elder Furfaro it looked like a majority on the measure was forming.
The returning matriarch JoAnn Yukimura- who has so-far been protective of the rebel Bynum and loves policy resolutions to begin with- had earlier indicated her support.
So that left the new heavily face-painted female from previously unknown realms to assert herself in her first session with the group.
And so Nadine Nakamura finally revealed what kind of councilmember she will be.
The resolution begins with, as they tend to do, a bunch of “Whereas” this and “Whereas” that, the first of which, as you’d expect in a resolution concerning open and transparent government, are identical to the very first words of the state’s sunshine law:
In a democracy, the people are vested with the ultimate decision-making power.
But for some reason these words- which are considered fundamental to the law and are commonly cited in court cases and in studies proclaiming the Hawai`i Sunshine law itself (if not the execution of it) one of the best in the country- offended Nakamura.
She offered an amendment removing those words because “we’re in a representative democracy and the people have elected representatives who are vested with the power to make decisions on their part.”
It hard to even fathom what Nakamura must think in striking at the heart of democracy. Perhaps she’s enamored of substituting a classic small “r” republican argument for a small “d” democratic one.
Even though the sunshine law’s passage is essentially correct in saying that “people are vested with the ULTIMATE decision-making power (emphasis added)” she felt the need to make her presence known and raise a bunch of gorilla dust in asserting that, now that she is a “member” of the clan, SHE has “the power to make decisions on (our) part.”
We suppose it was really attempt to assert herself with the exercise of some power in her first meeting by adding something to something that was going on that day.
Rather than confront a potential ally on this- and possibly prejudice Nakamura’s support in future measures- even though they had the majority for this specific vote already, Bynum and Yukimura made the politically wise decision to sit there silently and "ultimately” vote for Nakamura’s amendment... although you could practically hear their internal shrieking through the TV set.
All in all the observation team came away excited to have observed the new dynamic after the November battle that caused one to be thrown out, one to ascend, two to run away, two to come back, one to join and one to bide his time.
It promises to be a fruitful research year- and a fascinating one to boot.
But while furloughs and millions in new appropriations caught the attention of many, real sociologic researchers need only to turn to the discussion of a “resolution (#2010-39) to establish a policy for facilitating open governance and internet access to public documents” for a case study.
When the rebellious male Tim Bynum first introduced it five months ago on July 14 it seemed like a no brainer to the untrained eye. It was simply a policy statement supporting the already bought-and-paid-for contract with a third party provider that would web cast council meetings and post on-line all the pertinent documents including agendas with related attachments, the full text of introduced bills and resolutions, updated “draft” versions of bills after amendments, along with committee reports and minutes- all linked, item by item, to the video web casts.
But the majority- which included the alpha male, departed Chair Kaipo Asing and his “enforcer” Darryl Kaneshiro along with the young and ascendant male Derek Kawakami- routed the measure saying that, with county “furloughs” the staff wasn’t going to be able to handle al the “extra work”... and besides, why pass a resolution if we were already doing it?
To the surprise of few, if any, they didn’t.
But now that furloughs are ending and meetings are finally being web cast- although we still couldn’t get them last week despite downloading update versions and performing trouble shooting settings- the time to set the policy seemed ripe.
Or maybe not.
The self described troublemaker had now returned to the tribe and was ready to be true to that moniker by asking why we needed a resolution for something we were doing already... this for a council that has successfully delayed, deferred and defeated attempts to move into the information age for years... and from a council that would probably routinely approve a resolution supporting the policy of using toilet paper if a political ally introduced it.
But the new group had chosen the more experienced dominant elder rather than the latest alpha male as their leader so when Jay Furfaro prepared a 17-page draft memo in collaboration with the county clerk- who together lord over the non-dominant females (council staff)- detailing how it would be done, Kawakami was left with only Rapozo to support his straw-grasping “we’re already doing it so why do we need a reso” obstruction.
And when Dickie Chang- the goofy young male that they keep around for entertainment- sided as he usually does with the elder Furfaro it looked like a majority on the measure was forming.
The returning matriarch JoAnn Yukimura- who has so-far been protective of the rebel Bynum and loves policy resolutions to begin with- had earlier indicated her support.
So that left the new heavily face-painted female from previously unknown realms to assert herself in her first session with the group.
And so Nadine Nakamura finally revealed what kind of councilmember she will be.
The resolution begins with, as they tend to do, a bunch of “Whereas” this and “Whereas” that, the first of which, as you’d expect in a resolution concerning open and transparent government, are identical to the very first words of the state’s sunshine law:
In a democracy, the people are vested with the ultimate decision-making power.
But for some reason these words- which are considered fundamental to the law and are commonly cited in court cases and in studies proclaiming the Hawai`i Sunshine law itself (if not the execution of it) one of the best in the country- offended Nakamura.
She offered an amendment removing those words because “we’re in a representative democracy and the people have elected representatives who are vested with the power to make decisions on their part.”
It hard to even fathom what Nakamura must think in striking at the heart of democracy. Perhaps she’s enamored of substituting a classic small “r” republican argument for a small “d” democratic one.
Even though the sunshine law’s passage is essentially correct in saying that “people are vested with the ULTIMATE decision-making power (emphasis added)” she felt the need to make her presence known and raise a bunch of gorilla dust in asserting that, now that she is a “member” of the clan, SHE has “the power to make decisions on (our) part.”
We suppose it was really attempt to assert herself with the exercise of some power in her first meeting by adding something to something that was going on that day.
Rather than confront a potential ally on this- and possibly prejudice Nakamura’s support in future measures- even though they had the majority for this specific vote already, Bynum and Yukimura made the politically wise decision to sit there silently and "ultimately” vote for Nakamura’s amendment... although you could practically hear their internal shrieking through the TV set.
All in all the observation team came away excited to have observed the new dynamic after the November battle that caused one to be thrown out, one to ascend, two to run away, two to come back, one to join and one to bide his time.
It promises to be a fruitful research year- and a fascinating one to boot.
Friday, November 5, 2010
(PNN) BYNUM DENIES REPORT OF ILLEGAL UNIT IN HOME AND BARRING INSPECTION
BYNUM DENIES REPORT OF ILLEGAL UNIT IN HOME AND BARRING INSPECTION
(PNN) -- In the face of a recent “October surprise” report of wrongdoing, recently reelected Kaua`i County Councilperson Tim Bynum denies he ever refused planning inspectors access to his home and says that the whole matter was politically motivated and perpetrated by Kaua`i Prosecutor Shaylene Iseri-Carvalho and her close associate Mel Rapozo.
Bynum and Rapozo ran against each other in last Tuesday’s council election finishing fifth and sixth respectively and were battling to stay in the top seven to win a council seat previous to the election.
In an exclusive interview with PNN Bynum said that he is currently awaiting an inspection of his home after the planning department had mistakenly issued a violation notice based on someone having illegally entered onto his property, looking through the window and seeing a rice cooker in a room that contained a refrigerator and a sink.
For a unit to be “an illegal dwelling unit within his single-family residence”- as Bynum was alleged to have in his home according to a blog post by journalist Joan Conrow six days before the election- it must, according to county code, contain a stove which alone is the determining factor.
The plans for the room had been approved by the planning department and are reflected in Bynum’s building permit, he said.
When Bynum received the violation notice he says he contacted planning officials by phone and they agreed that the violation notice based on the rice cooker complaint was bogus and said they would send him a letter requesting an inspection, which Bynum says he has yet to receive.
Bynum said that the incident began when his son and daughter-in-law, who were at the time living in the room in his residence, were involved in a domestic dispute. The police came and the report wound up on the desk of Prosecutor Iseri. (*- see correction below)
Iseri has been a political enemy of Bynum’s as exhibited by her multiple attacks and personal tirades against him during both of their time on the county council from 2006-08.
Bynum says that the information that he had what might have been considered an illegal second unit was communicated by Iseri to Rapozo who, he says, was directly or indirectly the source of Conrow’s report.
Rapozo and Iseri were well known political allies during their time together on the council and their relationship continued when she hired him as an investigator for the prosecutor’s office after she was elected prosecutor and he was off the council following an unsuccessful run for mayor, both in 2008.
Bynum said that when he constructed his house he carefully cleared the plans with the planning department and obtained a building permit noting the refrigerator and sink and did not include a stove specifically because planning officials told him that it would have made the room an “illegal unit”.
The planning department originally sent Bynum a notice of violation based upon the “trespassing and looking though the window and seeing a rice cooker” incident but, he says, he immediately called and was told that the notice was in error and that a rice cooker did not constitute a stove according to county code. At that point he was told that a notice requesting an inspection would be forthcoming which, he says, he will be happy to comply with when it arrives.
Conrow did not respond to an email seeking more information on the complaint and the complainant but Bynum says that the complaint was officially filed anonymously.
Generally county departments do not accept anonymous complaints.
Bynum declined to say how he knew of Iseri and Rapozo’s involvement.
It is a violation of the Kaua`i Code of Ethics to use one’s position to grant special favors to others, whether material or political.
Both Rapozo and Conrow have been angrily critical of Bynum recently over Bynum’s introduction- and the eventual passage- of a bill that allowed previously-banned transient vacation rentals on agricultural land.
For more background see the Monday, November 1, “got windmills?” post.
* Correction: In an email today Bynum clarified that although the room in question was built for his son, his son’s girlfrind and their child, the domestic dispute involved a family friend and her boyfriend who were confronted by the boyfriends ex while at Bynum’s home. We regret the error.
(PNN) -- In the face of a recent “October surprise” report of wrongdoing, recently reelected Kaua`i County Councilperson Tim Bynum denies he ever refused planning inspectors access to his home and says that the whole matter was politically motivated and perpetrated by Kaua`i Prosecutor Shaylene Iseri-Carvalho and her close associate Mel Rapozo.
Bynum and Rapozo ran against each other in last Tuesday’s council election finishing fifth and sixth respectively and were battling to stay in the top seven to win a council seat previous to the election.
In an exclusive interview with PNN Bynum said that he is currently awaiting an inspection of his home after the planning department had mistakenly issued a violation notice based on someone having illegally entered onto his property, looking through the window and seeing a rice cooker in a room that contained a refrigerator and a sink.
For a unit to be “an illegal dwelling unit within his single-family residence”- as Bynum was alleged to have in his home according to a blog post by journalist Joan Conrow six days before the election- it must, according to county code, contain a stove which alone is the determining factor.
The plans for the room had been approved by the planning department and are reflected in Bynum’s building permit, he said.
When Bynum received the violation notice he says he contacted planning officials by phone and they agreed that the violation notice based on the rice cooker complaint was bogus and said they would send him a letter requesting an inspection, which Bynum says he has yet to receive.
Bynum said that the incident began when his son and daughter-in-law, who were at the time living in the room in his residence, were involved in a domestic dispute. The police came and the report wound up on the desk of Prosecutor Iseri. (*- see correction below)
Iseri has been a political enemy of Bynum’s as exhibited by her multiple attacks and personal tirades against him during both of their time on the county council from 2006-08.
Bynum says that the information that he had what might have been considered an illegal second unit was communicated by Iseri to Rapozo who, he says, was directly or indirectly the source of Conrow’s report.
Rapozo and Iseri were well known political allies during their time together on the council and their relationship continued when she hired him as an investigator for the prosecutor’s office after she was elected prosecutor and he was off the council following an unsuccessful run for mayor, both in 2008.
Bynum said that when he constructed his house he carefully cleared the plans with the planning department and obtained a building permit noting the refrigerator and sink and did not include a stove specifically because planning officials told him that it would have made the room an “illegal unit”.
The planning department originally sent Bynum a notice of violation based upon the “trespassing and looking though the window and seeing a rice cooker” incident but, he says, he immediately called and was told that the notice was in error and that a rice cooker did not constitute a stove according to county code. At that point he was told that a notice requesting an inspection would be forthcoming which, he says, he will be happy to comply with when it arrives.
Conrow did not respond to an email seeking more information on the complaint and the complainant but Bynum says that the complaint was officially filed anonymously.
Generally county departments do not accept anonymous complaints.
Bynum declined to say how he knew of Iseri and Rapozo’s involvement.
It is a violation of the Kaua`i Code of Ethics to use one’s position to grant special favors to others, whether material or political.
Both Rapozo and Conrow have been angrily critical of Bynum recently over Bynum’s introduction- and the eventual passage- of a bill that allowed previously-banned transient vacation rentals on agricultural land.
For more background see the Monday, November 1, “got windmills?” post.
* Correction: In an email today Bynum clarified that although the room in question was built for his son, his son’s girlfrind and their child, the domestic dispute involved a family friend and her boyfriend who were confronted by the boyfriends ex while at Bynum’s home. We regret the error.
Thursday, November 4, 2010
BRINING IN THE SHEAVES
BRINING IN THE SHEAVES: Since our a.m. agenda failed to materialize we had time to read the sum of the Hawai`i punditry trying to analyze why the Republicans failed so miserably here, not just losing both major races in which they ran allegedly viable candidates but in failing to pick up more state house seats and dropping down to one senate member.
We’re not talking abut the devastating loss in contrast to the national insanity but in terms of Hawai`i politics where the huge margins of the Democratic victories belied the polls that had both the governor and first congressional races neck and neck.
So why the difference?
It’s clear to us that it was the over the top religious statements and affiliations of Republican gubernatorial candidate Duke Aiona and, even worse, the way when Aiona tried to play down his ties to some of the worst of the worst of the evangelical nut job organizations, the International Transformation Network, his party’s Chairman Jonah Ka`auwai, chose to up the ante with his infamous “Duke will win because the Church has been behind him the entire time operating in the POWER and the AUTHORITY of the NAME OF JESUS!” essay.
While many look to the way the Aiona campaign and his outside supporters pushed the devilization of Barack Obama or the gravity driven approval ratings of current Republican Governor Linda Lingle those factors might helped but could have been overcome.
We’re not just talking the kind of “my faith is important to me” type of religious mumbo jumbo that can easily slide by but it was the rabid, bible-thumping, nonsensical rantings of the Kaua`i born and bred Ka`auwai that turned what could have been a close race into a runaway for Abercrombie.
With Ka`auwai representing the party in general it not only addled Aiona’s campaign but hurt the party up and down the line with many who might have considered changing over in the current national political climate shying away from supporting the kind of radical Christian agenda represented by the party leadership itself.
Ka`auwai isn’t just one of those “Hawaiian” loyalists who have traditionally been Republicans for a century or even one combined with the 200% Christian element held over from missionary days.
He’s taken that political demographic, which is normally acceptable in the islands, and added the mainland-style, nutcase, religious fanatic element to establish an image in voters’ minds of some kind of Christian Taliban governing though literal interpretations of the bible.
And that’s just too much for multi-cultural Hawai`i voters who just shook their heads and voted Democrat as they have for generations.
Ka`auwai’s time as party boss is over if for no other reason than, when you lose that badly- and do so while the rest of your national party is grabbing power- your welcome is always worn out.
But if the Hawai`i Republican party is smart they’ll run, not walk, away from the brand they’ve been selling this election cycle. Even Eric Ryan might be an improvement.
We’re not talking abut the devastating loss in contrast to the national insanity but in terms of Hawai`i politics where the huge margins of the Democratic victories belied the polls that had both the governor and first congressional races neck and neck.
So why the difference?
It’s clear to us that it was the over the top religious statements and affiliations of Republican gubernatorial candidate Duke Aiona and, even worse, the way when Aiona tried to play down his ties to some of the worst of the worst of the evangelical nut job organizations, the International Transformation Network, his party’s Chairman Jonah Ka`auwai, chose to up the ante with his infamous “Duke will win because the Church has been behind him the entire time operating in the POWER and the AUTHORITY of the NAME OF JESUS!” essay.
While many look to the way the Aiona campaign and his outside supporters pushed the devilization of Barack Obama or the gravity driven approval ratings of current Republican Governor Linda Lingle those factors might helped but could have been overcome.
We’re not just talking the kind of “my faith is important to me” type of religious mumbo jumbo that can easily slide by but it was the rabid, bible-thumping, nonsensical rantings of the Kaua`i born and bred Ka`auwai that turned what could have been a close race into a runaway for Abercrombie.
With Ka`auwai representing the party in general it not only addled Aiona’s campaign but hurt the party up and down the line with many who might have considered changing over in the current national political climate shying away from supporting the kind of radical Christian agenda represented by the party leadership itself.
Ka`auwai isn’t just one of those “Hawaiian” loyalists who have traditionally been Republicans for a century or even one combined with the 200% Christian element held over from missionary days.
He’s taken that political demographic, which is normally acceptable in the islands, and added the mainland-style, nutcase, religious fanatic element to establish an image in voters’ minds of some kind of Christian Taliban governing though literal interpretations of the bible.
And that’s just too much for multi-cultural Hawai`i voters who just shook their heads and voted Democrat as they have for generations.
Ka`auwai’s time as party boss is over if for no other reason than, when you lose that badly- and do so while the rest of your national party is grabbing power- your welcome is always worn out.
But if the Hawai`i Republican party is smart they’ll run, not walk, away from the brand they’ve been selling this election cycle. Even Eric Ryan might be an improvement.
Wednesday, November 3, 2010
BANG V WHIMPER:
BANG V WHIMPER: It’s not without a wave of ambivalence that we greet the news that we won’t have Kaipo Asing to kick around anymore.
We relished the possibility that he would seek another term and actually lose at the polls after announcing earlier that the last term would be his final one, if for no other reason than to send a message that the old days of secrecy and paternalism were over.
But we can’t help but feel sad it came to that. Not only was Kaipo at one time a force for the people- and sometimes the only one- on a council full of self prompting, pro-development corporate shills but was a good friend during the years we spent attending every council meeting.
A few years ago at the first court hearing regarding the infamous ES-177 Kaipo told us privately- and later denied doing so- that he didn’t really care what the Sunshine Law said, he had always done what he thought was best for the people of Kaua`i and would continue to do so no matter no matter what it took or what people said and did.
Though we- and apparently most of the people of Kaua`i- eventually rejected this method of governance he was never the type of corporate shill that has dominated the council over the last few decades.
Looking up and down the list of those who comprise the new council that’s all we see- a new generation that’s all too willing to kow-tow to the mucky-mucks and embrace the old boys machine when it benefits them politically.
Even a political neophyte knows Kaipo’s departure leaves a huge leadership vacuum and the fight for the chair will show a lot about the new and returning councilmembers.
A three-way battle is shaping up between Derek Kawakami, Jay Furfaro and JoAnn Yukimura but the determining factor may not be who cuts the best deals for committee chairs as it usually is when a new chair comes in but whether or not the process plays out in public or behind closed doors.
Watch to see if the “open meeting” plays out with genuine intrigue and public horse-trading or whether it appears scripted and pre-determined to give the indication of whether this council will really move in a direction that rejects the back room dealings of Asing’s council or whether the change at the top just means more room for other assorted hacks and self absorbed buffoons.
Asing’s departure could serve as a new opportunity for progressive change but with the current crop of possibilities it will most assuredly serve an opportunity for another power junkie to climb to the top of the dung heap.
We’ve been watching this movie for many years and aren’t expecting much from this group. We’ve been surprised before but no one’s holding their breath.
-------
We’ll be taking tomorrow off.
We relished the possibility that he would seek another term and actually lose at the polls after announcing earlier that the last term would be his final one, if for no other reason than to send a message that the old days of secrecy and paternalism were over.
But we can’t help but feel sad it came to that. Not only was Kaipo at one time a force for the people- and sometimes the only one- on a council full of self prompting, pro-development corporate shills but was a good friend during the years we spent attending every council meeting.
A few years ago at the first court hearing regarding the infamous ES-177 Kaipo told us privately- and later denied doing so- that he didn’t really care what the Sunshine Law said, he had always done what he thought was best for the people of Kaua`i and would continue to do so no matter no matter what it took or what people said and did.
Though we- and apparently most of the people of Kaua`i- eventually rejected this method of governance he was never the type of corporate shill that has dominated the council over the last few decades.
Looking up and down the list of those who comprise the new council that’s all we see- a new generation that’s all too willing to kow-tow to the mucky-mucks and embrace the old boys machine when it benefits them politically.
Even a political neophyte knows Kaipo’s departure leaves a huge leadership vacuum and the fight for the chair will show a lot about the new and returning councilmembers.
A three-way battle is shaping up between Derek Kawakami, Jay Furfaro and JoAnn Yukimura but the determining factor may not be who cuts the best deals for committee chairs as it usually is when a new chair comes in but whether or not the process plays out in public or behind closed doors.
Watch to see if the “open meeting” plays out with genuine intrigue and public horse-trading or whether it appears scripted and pre-determined to give the indication of whether this council will really move in a direction that rejects the back room dealings of Asing’s council or whether the change at the top just means more room for other assorted hacks and self absorbed buffoons.
Asing’s departure could serve as a new opportunity for progressive change but with the current crop of possibilities it will most assuredly serve an opportunity for another power junkie to climb to the top of the dung heap.
We’ve been watching this movie for many years and aren’t expecting much from this group. We’ve been surprised before but no one’s holding their breath.
-------
We’ll be taking tomorrow off.
Tuesday, November 2, 2010
PLACE YOUR BETS
We apologies for the “missing links” in our original post- this is the corrected version
Here’s the first printout results:
KAWAKAMI, Derek S.K. 6,380 9.3%
NAKAMURA, Nadine K. 6,316 9.2%
FURFARO, Jay 5,104 7.4%
YUKIMURA, JoAnn A. 5,031 7.3%
RAPOZO, Mel 4,572 6.6%
BYNUM, Tim 4,542 6.6%
CHANG, Dickie (Walaau) 4,013 5.8%
ASING, Bill (Kaipo) 3,242 4.7%
KUALII, KipuKai Les P. 3,235 4.7%
DALIGDIG, Ted III 2,531 3.7%
JUSTUS, Ed 1,894 2.8%
TAYLOR, Ken 960 1.4%
BIEBER, Rolf H. 923 1.3%
FOWLER, Dennis M. 629 0.9%
Blank Votes: 19,459
Over Votes: 5 0.1%
28.3%
---------
PLACE YOUR BETS: It’s finally over. After months of tortuous clashes and callous remarks we can finally and happily close the books on the 2010 campaign.
But enough about the way the Giants shocked the world with the kind of set ‘em down pitching that the Democrats could have used.
The story of politics this year, if you listen to the news (and how could you miss it?) is that, as usual, the American people are insane and, unlike Faye Dunaway in the famous “she’s my sister, she’s my daughter, she’s my sister, she’s my daughter”, Jack Nicholson face-slapping scene in “Chinatown”, they will never figure out that the Dummocraps and Repugnacan’ts are both “my sister AND my Daughter” and so vote with the persistent delusion they are changing something by selecting one group of corporate shills over the other.
Like the abused spouse we’ll be going back to that old relationship, falling for the old “oh, baby, baby, can’t you see I’ve changed” line and telling our current flame “well after all, (s)he didn’t beat me up as bad as you do.”
And like the lemming we are, we’ll bemoan all the money spent on “negative ads” all the way to the polls where we’ll vote for the one who spent the most money on the worst of them.
There’s so much loose cash floating around Hawai`i that this morning 1st congressional district candidate Colleen Hamabusa was putting spots on the “local insert ads” on CNN here on Kaua`i in the 2nd CD.
As usual the Honolulu TV stations will be ignoring the Kaua`i results tonight, as their reporters breathlessly read the results of the governor’s and 1st CD races off the anachronistically named “first printout” (they stopped “printing out” anything years ago) and withhold the fact that you can get the same thing they are reading from on line.
So if you get tired of waiting, the Kaua`i-only results are easy to find on line by going here. But a warning- during the primaries they had glitches galore and none of the actual results pages would load properly, especially on the second “print out”. If that happens today try going back to the main elections page and click back into the “2010 General Election –Results” banner at the top and then scroll down to either the Statewide Summary or County of Kauai buttons. You may even need to close your browser and try a new one if the “second printout” doesn’t load properly once it’s released.
The only way to make a silk purse out of a sow’s ear tonight is to go to the “victory party” of the candidates with the biggest war chest and eat until you explode.
And don’t forget to “make plate”-you’ll be paying for it many times over for the next few years.
Finally, for those who are handicapping the race- especially for the 7th spot- here are the results of the “primary”.
Kaua`i County Council
1) Derek S.K. Kawakami, 10,284
2) Nadine K. Nakamura, 9,469
3) Joann A. Yukimura, 8,927
4) Jay Furfaro, 8,611
5) Tim Bynum, 7,802
6) Mel Rapozo, 7,527
7) Dickie (Walaau) Chang, 6,583
8) Bill (Kaipo) Asing, 6,433
9) Kipukai Les P. Kualii, 4,992
10) Ted Daligdig, III 4,522
11) Ed Justus, 3,100
12) Rolf H. Bieber, 1,856
13) Ken Taylor, 1,787
14) Dennis M. Fowler, 1,166
Kaua`i Mayor
Bernard P. Carvalho Jr., 13,026
Diana LaBedz, 2,548
Here’s the first printout results:
KAWAKAMI, Derek S.K. 6,380 9.3%
NAKAMURA, Nadine K. 6,316 9.2%
FURFARO, Jay 5,104 7.4%
YUKIMURA, JoAnn A. 5,031 7.3%
RAPOZO, Mel 4,572 6.6%
BYNUM, Tim 4,542 6.6%
CHANG, Dickie (Walaau) 4,013 5.8%
ASING, Bill (Kaipo) 3,242 4.7%
KUALII, KipuKai Les P. 3,235 4.7%
DALIGDIG, Ted III 2,531 3.7%
JUSTUS, Ed 1,894 2.8%
TAYLOR, Ken 960 1.4%
BIEBER, Rolf H. 923 1.3%
FOWLER, Dennis M. 629 0.9%
Blank Votes: 19,459
Over Votes: 5 0.1%
28.3%
---------
PLACE YOUR BETS: It’s finally over. After months of tortuous clashes and callous remarks we can finally and happily close the books on the 2010 campaign.
But enough about the way the Giants shocked the world with the kind of set ‘em down pitching that the Democrats could have used.
The story of politics this year, if you listen to the news (and how could you miss it?) is that, as usual, the American people are insane and, unlike Faye Dunaway in the famous “she’s my sister, she’s my daughter, she’s my sister, she’s my daughter”, Jack Nicholson face-slapping scene in “Chinatown”, they will never figure out that the Dummocraps and Repugnacan’ts are both “my sister AND my Daughter” and so vote with the persistent delusion they are changing something by selecting one group of corporate shills over the other.
Like the abused spouse we’ll be going back to that old relationship, falling for the old “oh, baby, baby, can’t you see I’ve changed” line and telling our current flame “well after all, (s)he didn’t beat me up as bad as you do.”
And like the lemming we are, we’ll bemoan all the money spent on “negative ads” all the way to the polls where we’ll vote for the one who spent the most money on the worst of them.
There’s so much loose cash floating around Hawai`i that this morning 1st congressional district candidate Colleen Hamabusa was putting spots on the “local insert ads” on CNN here on Kaua`i in the 2nd CD.
As usual the Honolulu TV stations will be ignoring the Kaua`i results tonight, as their reporters breathlessly read the results of the governor’s and 1st CD races off the anachronistically named “first printout” (they stopped “printing out” anything years ago) and withhold the fact that you can get the same thing they are reading from on line.
So if you get tired of waiting, the Kaua`i-only results are easy to find on line by going here. But a warning- during the primaries they had glitches galore and none of the actual results pages would load properly, especially on the second “print out”. If that happens today try going back to the main elections page and click back into the “2010 General Election –Results” banner at the top and then scroll down to either the Statewide Summary or County of Kauai buttons. You may even need to close your browser and try a new one if the “second printout” doesn’t load properly once it’s released.
The only way to make a silk purse out of a sow’s ear tonight is to go to the “victory party” of the candidates with the biggest war chest and eat until you explode.
And don’t forget to “make plate”-you’ll be paying for it many times over for the next few years.
Finally, for those who are handicapping the race- especially for the 7th spot- here are the results of the “primary”.
Kaua`i County Council
1) Derek S.K. Kawakami, 10,284
2) Nadine K. Nakamura, 9,469
3) Joann A. Yukimura, 8,927
4) Jay Furfaro, 8,611
5) Tim Bynum, 7,802
6) Mel Rapozo, 7,527
7) Dickie (Walaau) Chang, 6,583
8) Bill (Kaipo) Asing, 6,433
9) Kipukai Les P. Kualii, 4,992
10) Ted Daligdig, III 4,522
11) Ed Justus, 3,100
12) Rolf H. Bieber, 1,856
13) Ken Taylor, 1,787
14) Dennis M. Fowler, 1,166
Kaua`i Mayor
Bernard P. Carvalho Jr., 13,026
Diana LaBedz, 2,548
Monday, November 1, 2010
A FINAL WORD
A FINAL WORD: Kaua`i has never been much of a place for the “October surprise”. While whispering campaigns have been few and far between we can’t even remember a last minute revelation about a candidate in print.
But last week’s excoriation of Tim Bynum by our friend Joan Conrow contained not just her reasons for not voting for Tim- many of which we agreed with- but reported one tidbit about Bynum that we had been trying to find out more about for the last month or so.
Joan starts out by saying
When Tim finally did get elected, in 2006, I was hearing a lot of talk about how we — as in mainland haoles — needed to elect a haole to represent our interests on the Council and fight the “old boy” system. They saw Tim as "the great white hope."
Of course, Tim is actually a product of that very same system, seeing as how he was appointed by the late Mayor Baptiste to run the totally worthless, do-nothing county “outreach” program known as Ka Leo O Kauai — a position Tim lists as Community Response Specialist on his resume.
Though we never saw Tim as such, for just that reason- in addition to his involvement with the bike path as Joan also cites- it’s hard to see how being a crony of Baptiste’s is compatible with being “the great white hope”, as Joan says.
And more than fair criticism was the fact that Bynum extensively talks about the horrors of how our ag land has been subdivided and condominiumized (CPRs) into gentlemen’s estates but built his house on CPRed ag land.
Then of course there’s his transient vacation rental (TVR) bill which weakened the 2008 bill that banned new TVRs on residentially zoned lands and opened up ag lands to TVRs, which were banned under the original bill.
We aren’t the only ones for whom that was the tipping point on whether to give Tim our support tomorrow so no disagreement there.
But then comes the story that we’ve been chasing since Ken Taylor raised it during a council meeting a while back.
What Tim fails to mention is that he himself bought a lot in one of those pretend farm developments, built a house and let someone graze a horse in the yard to further the pretense.
What's more, he is the subject of a formal complaint alleging that he’s been operating an illegal dwelling unit within his single-family residence. However, when a county inspector went to check it out, Tim refused to give him access to the house — even though he had signed a use permit agreeing to periodic inspections. Tim also failed to respond to numerous susequent (sic) written requests for access. As a result, Tim was issued a zoning compliance notice and the county will seek a search warrant to conduct the inspection.
Wow. No wonder Tim wouldn’t answer our emails asking him for clarification. We asked Conrow if she had a copy of what should be a publicly available complaint, especially in light of one comments which said,
The rumor is that Tim was set up by a trespassing planning inspector who was probably there at the request of one of the mean three (K.A., M.R. and S.I.C) and who tried to accuse him of having an illegal kitchen for having a coffee maker plugged in a bedroom or something ridiculous like that. If that is true (I'd like to know before the election) it would seem like a political dirty trick aimed at getting an uninformed media to ruin his election chances.
We certainly would like to know the source of the complaint but haven’t as yet heard back from Joan. We certainly trust Joan’s reporting and would like to hear Bynum’s side of the story. Our question is in the timing of the report and the wisdom of publishing it in the middle of a piece with such obvious animus.
But then Joan says something that baffled us.
This sort of refusal has happened only once before, by a man who had 20 unpermitted houses on his property, and it's certainly surprising to such behavior in someone sworn to uphold the law. Normally, people want to give an inspector access to show they're in compliance. Unless, of course, they're not. Perhaps that's why Tim never replied when I asked him for a comment.
Only once before? Hasn’t Joan followed the stories about people like Jimmy Pflueger and Tom McCloskey as well as other “Friends of Maryanne” Kusaka who refused entry to Department of Public Works (DPW) and Planning inspectors until Kusaka allegedly told them to back off?
This has been a huge issue for both DPW and the Planning Department with both County Engineer Donald Fujimoto (and his predecessors) and Planning Director Ian Costa who have bitterly complained over and over on specific cases- on the record at planning and council meetings- that they have been denied entry to people’s properties and have begged for a law which allows them to gain entry administratively.
But then comes the criticism that makes us think that if Joan had watched the council in action she might have gotten a different impression.
In further supposed support for farming, Tim recently introduced three bills related to agricultural lands. But because he has failed so miserably at consensus-building (another one of his campaign pledges), the Council nixed them immediately. However, his oft-stated quest to reduce density on ag land — which would hit family farms hardest — instilled sufficient fear in some large ag land owners that they moved to lock in their density, including CPRs, while they could. As a result, speculator/developer Tom McCloskey now has 1,000 units all lined up and ready to go in Kealia.
Actually those bills were first introduced by Mayor Bryan Baptiste years ago and McCloskey has had his units “all lined up” for years.
But to blame the obstructionism of those who are letting some personal revenge factor on the target of their ire is pretty tea-partyish. And, as a matter of fact, talking to more than one other councilperson about a bill before it is introduced is highly illegal.
After justifiably criticizing the thousand dollars in campaign funds from the Transient Vacation Rental Association Conrow then says something that we can’t fathom, especially from a journalist who deals in documents and should know how important access to them as well as transparency and accountability in government is.
All in all, it's pretty hypocritical for someone who wrote, in his response to the previously mentioned questionnaire:
I believe that public participation in government is essential, and helps us make better decisions. For that reason I have tried to improve the public process, specifically by advocating for easy access to public documents, release of county attorney opinions of Law, and public broadcast of all council proceedings — including budget hearings. Frankly, I am dismayed that this has been contentious and difficult.
Perhaps it was contentious and difficult because Tim, who was later joined by Lani, never sat down with the Council Chair or sought support from other Councilmembers to work out such a change. Instead, they turned it into a self-serving and very public crusade of “us against them,” making a mockery of his campaign pledge to “strive for consensus.”
If Joan had actually viewed all the meetings on the topic rather than relying on the notoriously inept reporting in the local newspaper, she would have known that Bynum repeatedly tried to meet with Chair Kaipo Asing’s despite Asing denial- that is until Tim produced the document requesting a meeting and that it was Lani, relying on Tim who was introducing the needed changes- who didn’t meet with Asing.
While we have many reasons to withhold support for Bynum this year- and it was not an easy decision for just this reason- his fight for access to the agenda for councilmembers and the posting of public documents on-line as well as many other instances of abuse of the rules and process by Asing (as we’ve detailed over and over) was the one high points of this council term.
To blame those who fight for positive change in the face of paternalistic intransigence for “not striving for consensus” is the reason why Asing and the three D’s- Derek, Dickie and Darryl- got away with their obstructionism.
And guess what- the subject documents are still not posted on-line.
But the reason why it sticks in our craw is because it’s not just Joan who seems to take this attitude.
Way too often we hear from candidates- and from voters- that we need to “all get along” and “stop all the fighting.”
But those blaming people who fight hindrances and impediments to change thrown up by the forces of the broken status quo seem to have very little understanding of what open governance really means.
Is that what you want?.. politicians “seeking consensus” in back rooms rather than before the public at a meeting, as provided in the sunshine law?
Bynum’s and Kawahara’s crusade for accountability and transparency and access to documents should not be the subject of closed door meetings- the antithesis of the spirit- and letter- of the law.
This type of criticism assures that nothing will ever change except for assuring that, when those who challenge corruption and the old boys’ control over the process are turned out of office, the next politician won’t fail to get the “sit down and shut up” message.
And as long as politically astute progressives buy into this Kumbaya form of governance the Minotaurs and their minions will continue to control access to “our” government.
But last week’s excoriation of Tim Bynum by our friend Joan Conrow contained not just her reasons for not voting for Tim- many of which we agreed with- but reported one tidbit about Bynum that we had been trying to find out more about for the last month or so.
Joan starts out by saying
When Tim finally did get elected, in 2006, I was hearing a lot of talk about how we — as in mainland haoles — needed to elect a haole to represent our interests on the Council and fight the “old boy” system. They saw Tim as "the great white hope."
Of course, Tim is actually a product of that very same system, seeing as how he was appointed by the late Mayor Baptiste to run the totally worthless, do-nothing county “outreach” program known as Ka Leo O Kauai — a position Tim lists as Community Response Specialist on his resume.
Though we never saw Tim as such, for just that reason- in addition to his involvement with the bike path as Joan also cites- it’s hard to see how being a crony of Baptiste’s is compatible with being “the great white hope”, as Joan says.
And more than fair criticism was the fact that Bynum extensively talks about the horrors of how our ag land has been subdivided and condominiumized (CPRs) into gentlemen’s estates but built his house on CPRed ag land.
Then of course there’s his transient vacation rental (TVR) bill which weakened the 2008 bill that banned new TVRs on residentially zoned lands and opened up ag lands to TVRs, which were banned under the original bill.
We aren’t the only ones for whom that was the tipping point on whether to give Tim our support tomorrow so no disagreement there.
But then comes the story that we’ve been chasing since Ken Taylor raised it during a council meeting a while back.
What Tim fails to mention is that he himself bought a lot in one of those pretend farm developments, built a house and let someone graze a horse in the yard to further the pretense.
What's more, he is the subject of a formal complaint alleging that he’s been operating an illegal dwelling unit within his single-family residence. However, when a county inspector went to check it out, Tim refused to give him access to the house — even though he had signed a use permit agreeing to periodic inspections. Tim also failed to respond to numerous susequent (sic) written requests for access. As a result, Tim was issued a zoning compliance notice and the county will seek a search warrant to conduct the inspection.
Wow. No wonder Tim wouldn’t answer our emails asking him for clarification. We asked Conrow if she had a copy of what should be a publicly available complaint, especially in light of one comments which said,
The rumor is that Tim was set up by a trespassing planning inspector who was probably there at the request of one of the mean three (K.A., M.R. and S.I.C) and who tried to accuse him of having an illegal kitchen for having a coffee maker plugged in a bedroom or something ridiculous like that. If that is true (I'd like to know before the election) it would seem like a political dirty trick aimed at getting an uninformed media to ruin his election chances.
We certainly would like to know the source of the complaint but haven’t as yet heard back from Joan. We certainly trust Joan’s reporting and would like to hear Bynum’s side of the story. Our question is in the timing of the report and the wisdom of publishing it in the middle of a piece with such obvious animus.
But then Joan says something that baffled us.
This sort of refusal has happened only once before, by a man who had 20 unpermitted houses on his property, and it's certainly surprising to such behavior in someone sworn to uphold the law. Normally, people want to give an inspector access to show they're in compliance. Unless, of course, they're not. Perhaps that's why Tim never replied when I asked him for a comment.
Only once before? Hasn’t Joan followed the stories about people like Jimmy Pflueger and Tom McCloskey as well as other “Friends of Maryanne” Kusaka who refused entry to Department of Public Works (DPW) and Planning inspectors until Kusaka allegedly told them to back off?
This has been a huge issue for both DPW and the Planning Department with both County Engineer Donald Fujimoto (and his predecessors) and Planning Director Ian Costa who have bitterly complained over and over on specific cases- on the record at planning and council meetings- that they have been denied entry to people’s properties and have begged for a law which allows them to gain entry administratively.
But then comes the criticism that makes us think that if Joan had watched the council in action she might have gotten a different impression.
In further supposed support for farming, Tim recently introduced three bills related to agricultural lands. But because he has failed so miserably at consensus-building (another one of his campaign pledges), the Council nixed them immediately. However, his oft-stated quest to reduce density on ag land — which would hit family farms hardest — instilled sufficient fear in some large ag land owners that they moved to lock in their density, including CPRs, while they could. As a result, speculator/developer Tom McCloskey now has 1,000 units all lined up and ready to go in Kealia.
Actually those bills were first introduced by Mayor Bryan Baptiste years ago and McCloskey has had his units “all lined up” for years.
But to blame the obstructionism of those who are letting some personal revenge factor on the target of their ire is pretty tea-partyish. And, as a matter of fact, talking to more than one other councilperson about a bill before it is introduced is highly illegal.
After justifiably criticizing the thousand dollars in campaign funds from the Transient Vacation Rental Association Conrow then says something that we can’t fathom, especially from a journalist who deals in documents and should know how important access to them as well as transparency and accountability in government is.
All in all, it's pretty hypocritical for someone who wrote, in his response to the previously mentioned questionnaire:
I believe that public participation in government is essential, and helps us make better decisions. For that reason I have tried to improve the public process, specifically by advocating for easy access to public documents, release of county attorney opinions of Law, and public broadcast of all council proceedings — including budget hearings. Frankly, I am dismayed that this has been contentious and difficult.
Perhaps it was contentious and difficult because Tim, who was later joined by Lani, never sat down with the Council Chair or sought support from other Councilmembers to work out such a change. Instead, they turned it into a self-serving and very public crusade of “us against them,” making a mockery of his campaign pledge to “strive for consensus.”
If Joan had actually viewed all the meetings on the topic rather than relying on the notoriously inept reporting in the local newspaper, she would have known that Bynum repeatedly tried to meet with Chair Kaipo Asing’s despite Asing denial- that is until Tim produced the document requesting a meeting and that it was Lani, relying on Tim who was introducing the needed changes- who didn’t meet with Asing.
While we have many reasons to withhold support for Bynum this year- and it was not an easy decision for just this reason- his fight for access to the agenda for councilmembers and the posting of public documents on-line as well as many other instances of abuse of the rules and process by Asing (as we’ve detailed over and over) was the one high points of this council term.
To blame those who fight for positive change in the face of paternalistic intransigence for “not striving for consensus” is the reason why Asing and the three D’s- Derek, Dickie and Darryl- got away with their obstructionism.
And guess what- the subject documents are still not posted on-line.
But the reason why it sticks in our craw is because it’s not just Joan who seems to take this attitude.
Way too often we hear from candidates- and from voters- that we need to “all get along” and “stop all the fighting.”
But those blaming people who fight hindrances and impediments to change thrown up by the forces of the broken status quo seem to have very little understanding of what open governance really means.
Is that what you want?.. politicians “seeking consensus” in back rooms rather than before the public at a meeting, as provided in the sunshine law?
Bynum’s and Kawahara’s crusade for accountability and transparency and access to documents should not be the subject of closed door meetings- the antithesis of the spirit- and letter- of the law.
This type of criticism assures that nothing will ever change except for assuring that, when those who challenge corruption and the old boys’ control over the process are turned out of office, the next politician won’t fail to get the “sit down and shut up” message.
And as long as politically astute progressives buy into this Kumbaya form of governance the Minotaurs and their minions will continue to control access to “our” government.
Wednesday, October 27, 2010
OH I WANT TO BE IN THAT NUMBER
OH I WANT TO BE IN THAT NUMBER...: It’s crunch time for council cash and that’s meant that some have been busy little beavers while others sort of sat on their stack.
But as election day approaches what stands out is that all but two candidate are deep in debt no matter how much they raised.
The lead for total contributions this election cycle has changed hands as former Mayor and long time Councilperson JoAnn Yukimura took in a whopping $29,313.50 just since the last report and now has raised $86,328.34 total this election period. But when expenditures, loans and cash on hand at the beginning of the election cycle are added in, her campaign is $3,070.54 in debt.
The old leader, novice candidate Nadine Nakamura slowed down her torrid fundraising pace a bit taking in a “mere” $3,305.00 this reporting period for a second place total of $54,573.56. But seemingly she’s be a bit more frugal than most and when the other stats (as listed above for Yukimura as well for those listed below) are counted she’s still got $13,480.10.
Also busy making those phone calls has been former councilperson and mayoral candidate Mel Rapozo who took in the second biggest cash stash this reporting period adding $25,212.00 to his coffers for a total of $27,139.20 and a surplus of $2,266.90
Tim Bynum almost doubled his war chest since the last report taking in $16,494.86 for a total of $35,247.85 but has been sending it out as fast as it comes in as a deficit of $6,749.53 attests.
Vice Chair Jay Furfaro upped his hoard taking in $9,650.00 for a total of $32,090.00 although he’s apparently spent almost the double that leaving him with a debt of $29,788.89.
Rookie Derek Kawakami upped his kitty with $8,870.00 in new money for a total this election period of $44,421.31 with an overall deficit of $3,094.01.
Second time aspirant Kipukai Kuali`i brought in $3,156.77 for a total of $13,447.28 and has a deficit of $6,859.85.
“Mr. Wala`au”, Dickie Chang supporters kicked in $4,150.00 to give him $22,385.00 but it hasn’t been enough to take care of his eye-popping $29,102.84 in arrears
First-time candidate Ted Daligdig finally got in the game taking in $8,600.00 although apparently it’s all gone and he has a deficit of $224.98.
Brining up the rear is newbie Ed Justus who gathered $1,110.81 for a total $2,193.00 with a financial obligation of $328.17.
Finally, although he didn’t have to file by law, novice politico Dennis Fowler chose to tell the Campaign Spending Commission someone gave him a hundred bucks.
But as election day approaches what stands out is that all but two candidate are deep in debt no matter how much they raised.
The lead for total contributions this election cycle has changed hands as former Mayor and long time Councilperson JoAnn Yukimura took in a whopping $29,313.50 just since the last report and now has raised $86,328.34 total this election period. But when expenditures, loans and cash on hand at the beginning of the election cycle are added in, her campaign is $3,070.54 in debt.
The old leader, novice candidate Nadine Nakamura slowed down her torrid fundraising pace a bit taking in a “mere” $3,305.00 this reporting period for a second place total of $54,573.56. But seemingly she’s be a bit more frugal than most and when the other stats (as listed above for Yukimura as well for those listed below) are counted she’s still got $13,480.10.
Also busy making those phone calls has been former councilperson and mayoral candidate Mel Rapozo who took in the second biggest cash stash this reporting period adding $25,212.00 to his coffers for a total of $27,139.20 and a surplus of $2,266.90
Tim Bynum almost doubled his war chest since the last report taking in $16,494.86 for a total of $35,247.85 but has been sending it out as fast as it comes in as a deficit of $6,749.53 attests.
Vice Chair Jay Furfaro upped his hoard taking in $9,650.00 for a total of $32,090.00 although he’s apparently spent almost the double that leaving him with a debt of $29,788.89.
Rookie Derek Kawakami upped his kitty with $8,870.00 in new money for a total this election period of $44,421.31 with an overall deficit of $3,094.01.
Second time aspirant Kipukai Kuali`i brought in $3,156.77 for a total of $13,447.28 and has a deficit of $6,859.85.
“Mr. Wala`au”, Dickie Chang supporters kicked in $4,150.00 to give him $22,385.00 but it hasn’t been enough to take care of his eye-popping $29,102.84 in arrears
First-time candidate Ted Daligdig finally got in the game taking in $8,600.00 although apparently it’s all gone and he has a deficit of $224.98.
Brining up the rear is newbie Ed Justus who gathered $1,110.81 for a total $2,193.00 with a financial obligation of $328.17.
Finally, although he didn’t have to file by law, novice politico Dennis Fowler chose to tell the Campaign Spending Commission someone gave him a hundred bucks.
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
TIMES OF THE SIGN
TIMES OF THE SIGN: The words “fight of his political life” have become clichéd lately when the subject of Kaua`i County Council Chair and long time member Kaipo Asing comes up in conversations across the island lately.
So it won’t come as much of a surprise to anyone who has gotten the mailers or seen the yard signs that the notorious “lone wolf” campaigner who had never taken a nickel in campaign contributions reported raising $11,867.04 between September 19 and October 18, 2010.
A “primary” election wake-up call has him battling with first time councilmember Dickie Chang and aspirant Kipukai Kuali`i for the seventh and final spot and though Asing at one point said that his current term would be his last, few suspected he might not be stating his ambitions but rather, psychic.
In raising that much in such a small window Asing apparently took a page from the advice most of us give to serious first-time candidates- call up a dozen of your friends and ask them for a thousand dollars.
Other that $175.00 collected in amounts under $100.00 the rest of Asing’s war chest (boy those are three words we never thought we’d hear) came from a dirty dozen of supporters both here and in Honolulu.
They are (by name, date and amount)
1) Alexander & Baldwin Inc HiPac 09/27/2010 $2,000.00
When Alexander and Baldwin apparently rewarded the councilmembers who voted for the Kukui`ula affordable housing reduction bill with a thousand dollar apiece in contributions- as we reported on September 16- the only "yea” vote missing out was Asing’s. Apparently, here it is along with an extra grand for being such a good little boy in recent years.
2) Lynn P McCrory. 09/27/2010 $500.00
A stalwart of the tourism industry, Princeville's Pahio Resorts big-wig McCrory is actually a Republican indicating where Asing’s supporters are at politically these days.
3) Ezra R. Kanoho, 10/04/2010 $500.00
.
Kanoho is actually a long time personal friend of Asing’s since both’s days at the phone company and through Kanoho’s days in the legislature where he was the original “man who never met a hotel he didn’t like”. Kanoho handpicked his successor, as political godfathers are wont to do, then-Republican Jimmy Tokioka who then switched parties.
4) Dee M. Crowell 10/12/2010 $250.00
Former planning director and now developer representative in various tourism endeavors over the years, Crowell has appeared before Asing in council matters over the years, always getting what he wants. It’s apparently time to reciprocate.
5) Jeffrey R Stone 10/12/2010 $250.00
Arguably the biggest developer in the islands Stone is, if nothing else, one of the richest. The fact he supports Asing speaks volumes about Asing. The fact that he’s so cheap that it was only $250 speaks volumes about Stone.
The rest are, with one exception, (as noted) from Honolulu.
6) Arda Roc-Pac 09/27/2010 $250.00
7) Warren H. Haruki, 10/04/2010 $250.00
8) Matsubara-Kotake Attorneys At Law 10/04/2010 $500.00
9) Hawaii Fire Fighters Association Political Action 10/12/2010 $300.00
10) Kendall C. Kim, 10/12/2010 $250.00
11) Kevin M. Showe (Showe Land & Marine, LLC Owner) 10/12/2010 $1,000.00
12 G Scott) McCormack, 10/12/2010 $300.00 (Princeville)
In addition to the contributions Asing loaned his own campaign $5,392.04 to go along with a still outstanding $1,350.00 loan from the November 2007 report, for a total of $6,742.04 in outstanding loans. With $7,554.13 spent and $4,312.91 cash on hand he has a total deficit of $2,429.13.
So it won’t come as much of a surprise to anyone who has gotten the mailers or seen the yard signs that the notorious “lone wolf” campaigner who had never taken a nickel in campaign contributions reported raising $11,867.04 between September 19 and October 18, 2010.
A “primary” election wake-up call has him battling with first time councilmember Dickie Chang and aspirant Kipukai Kuali`i for the seventh and final spot and though Asing at one point said that his current term would be his last, few suspected he might not be stating his ambitions but rather, psychic.
In raising that much in such a small window Asing apparently took a page from the advice most of us give to serious first-time candidates- call up a dozen of your friends and ask them for a thousand dollars.
Other that $175.00 collected in amounts under $100.00 the rest of Asing’s war chest (boy those are three words we never thought we’d hear) came from a dirty dozen of supporters both here and in Honolulu.
They are (by name, date and amount)
1) Alexander & Baldwin Inc HiPac 09/27/2010 $2,000.00
When Alexander and Baldwin apparently rewarded the councilmembers who voted for the Kukui`ula affordable housing reduction bill with a thousand dollar apiece in contributions- as we reported on September 16- the only "yea” vote missing out was Asing’s. Apparently, here it is along with an extra grand for being such a good little boy in recent years.
2) Lynn P McCrory. 09/27/2010 $500.00
A stalwart of the tourism industry, Princeville's Pahio Resorts big-wig McCrory is actually a Republican indicating where Asing’s supporters are at politically these days.
3) Ezra R. Kanoho, 10/04/2010 $500.00
.
Kanoho is actually a long time personal friend of Asing’s since both’s days at the phone company and through Kanoho’s days in the legislature where he was the original “man who never met a hotel he didn’t like”. Kanoho handpicked his successor, as political godfathers are wont to do, then-Republican Jimmy Tokioka who then switched parties.
4) Dee M. Crowell 10/12/2010 $250.00
Former planning director and now developer representative in various tourism endeavors over the years, Crowell has appeared before Asing in council matters over the years, always getting what he wants. It’s apparently time to reciprocate.
5) Jeffrey R Stone 10/12/2010 $250.00
Arguably the biggest developer in the islands Stone is, if nothing else, one of the richest. The fact he supports Asing speaks volumes about Asing. The fact that he’s so cheap that it was only $250 speaks volumes about Stone.
The rest are, with one exception, (as noted) from Honolulu.
6) Arda Roc-Pac 09/27/2010 $250.00
7) Warren H. Haruki, 10/04/2010 $250.00
8) Matsubara-Kotake Attorneys At Law 10/04/2010 $500.00
9) Hawaii Fire Fighters Association Political Action 10/12/2010 $300.00
10) Kendall C. Kim, 10/12/2010 $250.00
11) Kevin M. Showe (Showe Land & Marine, LLC Owner) 10/12/2010 $1,000.00
12 G Scott) McCormack, 10/12/2010 $300.00 (Princeville)
In addition to the contributions Asing loaned his own campaign $5,392.04 to go along with a still outstanding $1,350.00 loan from the November 2007 report, for a total of $6,742.04 in outstanding loans. With $7,554.13 spent and $4,312.91 cash on hand he has a total deficit of $2,429.13.
Thursday, October 21, 2010
VOTE AGAINST “DUKE" AIONA
VOTE AGAINST “DUKE" AIONA
There is little to recommend Neil Abercrombie as the next Hawai`i governor. He has been part of our congressional delegation’s pro-militarism and anti-kanaka maoli (native Hawaiian) support of the US armed forces’ occupation of the islands for many years and his support for thieving Akaka bill alone make him tough to vote for.
But he has one big thing going for him- he is NOT James “Duke” Aiona, the Republican religious yahoo and scion of the Lingle administration.
While we are usually loath to play the “hold-your-nose/lesser-of-two-evils” game, we reluctantly must urge you to assure Aiona will not serve as governor by voting for Abercrombie.
Despite recent lame denials, Aiona has been exposed as a scary zealot and as Dave Shapiro detailed in detail today:
has been neck deep for at least five years in the International Transformation Network and its local offshoot, Transformation Hawai`i, which stated a goal of introducing Christian values into all aspects of Hawai`i society, including government.
If you want to see something really scary watch the video posted by Ian Lind this week.
But even worse, if possible, is the likelihood that an Aiona administration would be like Lingle on steroids with most of the current crop of her incompetent and corrupt, crony department heads remaining on the job.
Or even worse they will likely be replaced by people like Kaua`i born and raised Republican state Chairman Jonah Ka`auwai who, according to Shapiro’s piece, said “Duke will win because the Church has been behind him the entire time operating in the POWER and the AUTHORITY of the NAME OF JESUS!”.
Abercrombie is even opposed to same gender marriage- though he has said he would sign the compromise civil unions bill- and has voted to fund both the Iraq and Afganistan wars.
Though he claims he will govern with more compassion that Lingle by reversing many of her more draconinan budget cuts, he has exhibited behavior that leads us to think he’d be all too ready to throw progressives under the bus should the politcal winds blow that way.
All we can say is you’ll be sorry of you don’t stop “Dookie” by voting for Democrat Neil Abercrombie.
There is little to recommend Neil Abercrombie as the next Hawai`i governor. He has been part of our congressional delegation’s pro-militarism and anti-kanaka maoli (native Hawaiian) support of the US armed forces’ occupation of the islands for many years and his support for thieving Akaka bill alone make him tough to vote for.
But he has one big thing going for him- he is NOT James “Duke” Aiona, the Republican religious yahoo and scion of the Lingle administration.
While we are usually loath to play the “hold-your-nose/lesser-of-two-evils” game, we reluctantly must urge you to assure Aiona will not serve as governor by voting for Abercrombie.
Despite recent lame denials, Aiona has been exposed as a scary zealot and as Dave Shapiro detailed in detail today:
has been neck deep for at least five years in the International Transformation Network and its local offshoot, Transformation Hawai`i, which stated a goal of introducing Christian values into all aspects of Hawai`i society, including government.
If you want to see something really scary watch the video posted by Ian Lind this week.
But even worse, if possible, is the likelihood that an Aiona administration would be like Lingle on steroids with most of the current crop of her incompetent and corrupt, crony department heads remaining on the job.
Or even worse they will likely be replaced by people like Kaua`i born and raised Republican state Chairman Jonah Ka`auwai who, according to Shapiro’s piece, said “Duke will win because the Church has been behind him the entire time operating in the POWER and the AUTHORITY of the NAME OF JESUS!”.
Abercrombie is even opposed to same gender marriage- though he has said he would sign the compromise civil unions bill- and has voted to fund both the Iraq and Afganistan wars.
Though he claims he will govern with more compassion that Lingle by reversing many of her more draconinan budget cuts, he has exhibited behavior that leads us to think he’d be all too ready to throw progressives under the bus should the politcal winds blow that way.
All we can say is you’ll be sorry of you don’t stop “Dookie” by voting for Democrat Neil Abercrombie.
Wednesday, October 20, 2010
KAUA`I CHARTER AMENDMENTS: VOTE “YES” ONLY ON “RELATING TO POST EMPLOYMENT REQUIREMENTS FOR COUNTY CONTRACTS” AND “RELATING TO DISCLOSURES”.
KAUA`I CHARTER AMENDMENTS: VOTE “YES” ONLY ON
“RELATING TO POST EMPLOYMENT REQUIREMENTS FOR COUNTY CONTRACTS” AND “RELATING TO DISCLOSURES”.
VOTE "NO" ON
“RELATING TO COUNTY COUNCIL TERMS”,
“RELATING TO QUALIFICATIONS FOR MANAGING DIRECTOR”,
“RELATING TO FINANCIAL PROCEDURES”,
“RELATING TO BIDDING REQUIREMENTS FOR COUNTY CONTRACTS” AND
“RELATING TO TIME EXTENSION FOR ETHICS ADVISORY OPINIONS”
Only two of the seven Kaua`i Charter Amendments (pdf) on the ballot November 2 deserve a “yes” vote although in both cases the changes are small where major changes should have been made.
The two are the ones entitled “Relating To Post Employment Requirements For County Contracts” and “Relating To Disclosures”
The question “Relating To Post Employment Requirements For County Contracts” reads
“Shall the County extend from six months to one year the timeframe prohibiting the County from entering into a contract with a former County employee or a firm that is represented by a former County employee, for those contracts where the former County employee participated in the subject matter while employed with the County?”
By all rights this should be extended to five years or at least two. But one year is better than the six months that is currently in the charter.
The question “Relating To Disclosures” reads
“Shall any employee delegated to act on behalf of the Director or Deputy Director of Finance be required to file a disclosure statement with the County Board of Ethics?”
This will at least add to those who are required to file financial disclosure statements although why it has to be charter amendment isn’t clear since there’s nothing in the charter that prevents the council from doing it by ordinance. There should be many more in county government filing disclosures that are currently not required to do so but one more is one more.
The other five proposed amendments are a hodge-podge of ill-considered and downright deceptive changes that do nothing to improve our charter and deserve “no” votes.
The question “Relating To County Council Terms” reads
“Shall the term of office for councilmembers be extended from two to four years with a limit of two consecutive four year terms?”
This question indicates the Charter Commission is insane, asking the same question for the umpteenth time and expecting a different answer. Requiring councilmembers to run every two years keeps them more accountable. Whereas it can be said that administrative heads have “agendas” to accomplish that may take four years that’s not true of legislators.
The question “Relating To Qualifications For Managing Director” reads
“Shall the Mayor’s Administrative Assistant, whose title shall be changed to Managing Director, be required to have appropriate job qualifications and perform certain duties?”
This measure needs to go back to the drawing board. First of all it changes little. The list of qualifications is weak and the duties are few. The worst part is that the position remains solely an appointee of the mayor with no council confirmation. This is a problem with most of our department heads and what we really need is to make more positions subject to confirmation so as to add accountability. That would give the council some recourse in their oversight role when administrative officials “decline” an “invitation” to appear before the council. While we’re not a big proponent of the current proposals for a county manager hired solely by the council we sympathize with those who say this is just a poor attempt to placate those proponents.
The question “Relating To Financial Procedures” reads
“Shall the Charter provisions relating to centralized purchasing and disposition of surplus property be changed to conform with State law?”
It’s deja vu all over again with this trick questions about something being “changed to conform with state law”. In 2008 voters were deceived into removing a stricter standard for executive sessions from the charter with the same kind of wording asking if the charter should be “changed to conform with the sunshine law”. That resulted in less sunshine when uncritical readers thought they were voting for forcing the council into “complying” with the state sunshine law- a huge issue then as now.
This change would actually eliminate a charter requirement for what’s called “a standardization committee composed of three members” charged to “classify all materials, supplies, equipment commonly used by the various departments, offices or agencies of the county (who) shall prepare and adopt standards and specifications for such materials, supplies and equipment.” and a long list of other purchasing requirements that are apparently stricter than those in state law. Don’t let ‘em fool ya. Vote “no”
The question “Relating To Bidding Requirements For County Contracts” reads
“Shall the dollar limit without competitive bidding for contracts with County officers, employees or firms in which an officer or employee has a substantial interest, be increased from $500 to $1,000?”
Why in the world would you want increase the limit rather than eliminate it altogether? This provision has been abused in the past by breaking these non-bid contracts for moonlighting county employees with a conflict of interest into $499 chunks. Now they want to make them $999 chunks. Send a message and vote “no”
Finally the question “Relating To Time Extension For Ethics Advisory Opinions” reads
“Shall the time in which the County Board of Ethics has to render advisory opinions be extended from 30 days to 45 days, which opinions shall be binding on the Board, unless changed or revoked by the Board?”
With all the problems with the Board of Ethics THIS is what they pick to change- giving them more time to make decisions that they seem to be incapable of making. Plus they leave in two provisions that say
failure to submit an advisory opinion within said [thirty (30)] forty five (45) days shall be deemed a finding of no breach of the code.
Opinions rendered or deemed rendered shall be binding on the board in any subsequent charges concerning the officer or employee of the county until said opinion is amended or revoked by the board.
With the way the BOE has made these “findings” by flouting the plain charter language if anything each opinion should be reached on a case by case basis. The way it is now, bad decisions are almost impossible to be overturned or even revisited. Not only that but the “automatic no breach of code” section should be removed. Instead they want more time to make the kind of decisions that have taken them six months or more in the past few years. If they can’t do it in 30 days what makes them think they’ll be able to do it in 45? Vote “no” to this nonsense.
For more information go to the Charter Review Commission’s page at the county web site.
“RELATING TO POST EMPLOYMENT REQUIREMENTS FOR COUNTY CONTRACTS” AND “RELATING TO DISCLOSURES”.
VOTE "NO" ON
“RELATING TO COUNTY COUNCIL TERMS”,
“RELATING TO QUALIFICATIONS FOR MANAGING DIRECTOR”,
“RELATING TO FINANCIAL PROCEDURES”,
“RELATING TO BIDDING REQUIREMENTS FOR COUNTY CONTRACTS” AND
“RELATING TO TIME EXTENSION FOR ETHICS ADVISORY OPINIONS”
Only two of the seven Kaua`i Charter Amendments (pdf) on the ballot November 2 deserve a “yes” vote although in both cases the changes are small where major changes should have been made.
The two are the ones entitled “Relating To Post Employment Requirements For County Contracts” and “Relating To Disclosures”
The question “Relating To Post Employment Requirements For County Contracts” reads
“Shall the County extend from six months to one year the timeframe prohibiting the County from entering into a contract with a former County employee or a firm that is represented by a former County employee, for those contracts where the former County employee participated in the subject matter while employed with the County?”
By all rights this should be extended to five years or at least two. But one year is better than the six months that is currently in the charter.
The question “Relating To Disclosures” reads
“Shall any employee delegated to act on behalf of the Director or Deputy Director of Finance be required to file a disclosure statement with the County Board of Ethics?”
This will at least add to those who are required to file financial disclosure statements although why it has to be charter amendment isn’t clear since there’s nothing in the charter that prevents the council from doing it by ordinance. There should be many more in county government filing disclosures that are currently not required to do so but one more is one more.
The other five proposed amendments are a hodge-podge of ill-considered and downright deceptive changes that do nothing to improve our charter and deserve “no” votes.
The question “Relating To County Council Terms” reads
“Shall the term of office for councilmembers be extended from two to four years with a limit of two consecutive four year terms?”
This question indicates the Charter Commission is insane, asking the same question for the umpteenth time and expecting a different answer. Requiring councilmembers to run every two years keeps them more accountable. Whereas it can be said that administrative heads have “agendas” to accomplish that may take four years that’s not true of legislators.
The question “Relating To Qualifications For Managing Director” reads
“Shall the Mayor’s Administrative Assistant, whose title shall be changed to Managing Director, be required to have appropriate job qualifications and perform certain duties?”
This measure needs to go back to the drawing board. First of all it changes little. The list of qualifications is weak and the duties are few. The worst part is that the position remains solely an appointee of the mayor with no council confirmation. This is a problem with most of our department heads and what we really need is to make more positions subject to confirmation so as to add accountability. That would give the council some recourse in their oversight role when administrative officials “decline” an “invitation” to appear before the council. While we’re not a big proponent of the current proposals for a county manager hired solely by the council we sympathize with those who say this is just a poor attempt to placate those proponents.
The question “Relating To Financial Procedures” reads
“Shall the Charter provisions relating to centralized purchasing and disposition of surplus property be changed to conform with State law?”
It’s deja vu all over again with this trick questions about something being “changed to conform with state law”. In 2008 voters were deceived into removing a stricter standard for executive sessions from the charter with the same kind of wording asking if the charter should be “changed to conform with the sunshine law”. That resulted in less sunshine when uncritical readers thought they were voting for forcing the council into “complying” with the state sunshine law- a huge issue then as now.
This change would actually eliminate a charter requirement for what’s called “a standardization committee composed of three members” charged to “classify all materials, supplies, equipment commonly used by the various departments, offices or agencies of the county (who) shall prepare and adopt standards and specifications for such materials, supplies and equipment.” and a long list of other purchasing requirements that are apparently stricter than those in state law. Don’t let ‘em fool ya. Vote “no”
The question “Relating To Bidding Requirements For County Contracts” reads
“Shall the dollar limit without competitive bidding for contracts with County officers, employees or firms in which an officer or employee has a substantial interest, be increased from $500 to $1,000?”
Why in the world would you want increase the limit rather than eliminate it altogether? This provision has been abused in the past by breaking these non-bid contracts for moonlighting county employees with a conflict of interest into $499 chunks. Now they want to make them $999 chunks. Send a message and vote “no”
Finally the question “Relating To Time Extension For Ethics Advisory Opinions” reads
“Shall the time in which the County Board of Ethics has to render advisory opinions be extended from 30 days to 45 days, which opinions shall be binding on the Board, unless changed or revoked by the Board?”
With all the problems with the Board of Ethics THIS is what they pick to change- giving them more time to make decisions that they seem to be incapable of making. Plus they leave in two provisions that say
failure to submit an advisory opinion within said [thirty (30)] forty five (45) days shall be deemed a finding of no breach of the code.
Opinions rendered or deemed rendered shall be binding on the board in any subsequent charges concerning the officer or employee of the county until said opinion is amended or revoked by the board.
With the way the BOE has made these “findings” by flouting the plain charter language if anything each opinion should be reached on a case by case basis. The way it is now, bad decisions are almost impossible to be overturned or even revisited. Not only that but the “automatic no breach of code” section should be removed. Instead they want more time to make the kind of decisions that have taken them six months or more in the past few years. If they can’t do it in 30 days what makes them think they’ll be able to do it in 45? Vote “no” to this nonsense.
For more information go to the Charter Review Commission’s page at the county web site.
Tuesday, October 19, 2010
VOTE “NO” ON CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT TO APPOINT BOE
VOTE “NO” ON CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT TO APPOINT BOE
The overused canard regarding insanity- doing the same thing and expecting different results- notwithstanding it is even more insane to do something different without being reasonable sure it’s change for the better.
That’s why we urge you to vote “no” on the state constitutional amendment to appoint members of the Board of Education (BOE) rather than the current system of voting for them.
Proponents argue that allowing the governor to appoint the BOE will add “accountability” and that currently no one knows who the candidates are so electing them is not working.
But what accountability is there in moving the process from a direct election to a one degree removed from one where accountability comes only every four years- and, in the case of two, four-year term governors, only after the first four years- and is mixed with every other issue with which the governor has dealt.
Gubernatorial appointees tend to be political arrangements and are, more often than not, used to reward cronies and campaign supporters and contributors rather than “the best and the brightest” with expertise on the area of oversight of the board on which they sit.
The answer is to make sure that the BOE races receive the same attention that the more “glamorous” races do. The media has a disgraceful record on this as do community groups who routinely shun invitation for BOE candidates at the various forums they sponsor.
For an excellent treatise on other problems with an appointed BOE please read Larry Geller’s commentary Elected or appointed school board? Better to work on job creation
Just because a system is “broke” doesn’t mean that just changing it will “fix it”. And no one has given any indication that this change will fix anything- and it could make things a lot worse.
Vote “no” to change for the sake of change and defeat the measure to appoint the BOE.
The overused canard regarding insanity- doing the same thing and expecting different results- notwithstanding it is even more insane to do something different without being reasonable sure it’s change for the better.
That’s why we urge you to vote “no” on the state constitutional amendment to appoint members of the Board of Education (BOE) rather than the current system of voting for them.
Proponents argue that allowing the governor to appoint the BOE will add “accountability” and that currently no one knows who the candidates are so electing them is not working.
But what accountability is there in moving the process from a direct election to a one degree removed from one where accountability comes only every four years- and, in the case of two, four-year term governors, only after the first four years- and is mixed with every other issue with which the governor has dealt.
Gubernatorial appointees tend to be political arrangements and are, more often than not, used to reward cronies and campaign supporters and contributors rather than “the best and the brightest” with expertise on the area of oversight of the board on which they sit.
The answer is to make sure that the BOE races receive the same attention that the more “glamorous” races do. The media has a disgraceful record on this as do community groups who routinely shun invitation for BOE candidates at the various forums they sponsor.
For an excellent treatise on other problems with an appointed BOE please read Larry Geller’s commentary Elected or appointed school board? Better to work on job creation
Just because a system is “broke” doesn’t mean that just changing it will “fix it”. And no one has given any indication that this change will fix anything- and it could make things a lot worse.
Vote “no” to change for the sake of change and defeat the measure to appoint the BOE.
Friday, October 15, 2010
“PLUNK” FOR KIPUKAI KUALI`I FOR COUNTY COUNCIL
“PLUNK” FOR KIPUKAI KUALI`I FOR COUNTY COUNCIL: We are supporting only one candidate for Kaua`i County Council- Kipukai Kuali`i, the self described “passionate community organizer with over 20 years experience in Government, Labor and Non-Profit Administration”.
We ask people to “plunk” for Kipukai, a term that means voting for only one or select candidates rather than using all seven votes we’re allotted
Not only is he a thoughtful progressive but he is our best chance to make sure that final council spot is not filled by either Kaipo Asing or Dickie Chang who came in seventh and eighth places- about a thousand votes ahead of Kuali`i- in the September preliminary election.
While the rest of the candidates have varying degrees of objectionability we cannot in good conscience support any of them.
Asing of course has become a caricature of paternalistic, secret governance and petty vindictive leadership since becoming council chair. Once a champion of the people he now champions the corrupt cronyism of the last two administrations in the belief that he must protect Kaua`i from its own people.
Chang, the mindless glad-handing sycophant of the tourism industry, has been a disaster as a councilperson having never met a hotel or development- or developer for that matter- he didn’t like and defending Asing and the status quo against any and all reform. The self aggrandizing Chang even had the nerve to promote his TV program on the ballot by claiming “Wala`au” is his actual name.
Kualii’s detailed plans for implementing things like agricultural sustainability, green energy and using “Max 3R Zero Waste” concepts to deal with our solid waste crisis set him apart from the rest who give lip service but are betrayed by either their record or their lack of a track record of involvement with the issues they espouse.
While, as we said, the rest of the candidates are more and less objectionable to varying degrees, some stand out as downright dangerous.
In no particular order, they are:
- Jay Furfaro- The pompous self-promoting former Republican has apparently been responsible for every popular action of the council and was not involved in any unpopular one, if you believe his rants on every subject. While Asing genuinely comes by his paternalism Furfaro uses it to deceive and distract. His penchant for promising to support transparency while voting for secrecy is notorious as is his fondness for telling members of the public he will explain things “off camera”- and then never doing so.
- Derek Kawakami- Having ingratiating himself with Chair Asing by supporting the chair’s iron-fisted rule and secrecy while giving lip service to transparency and open governance, he is a political climber who bases his votes on the direction of the wind and whatever will promote his political goal of serving in the legislature where his aunt and uncle served. “Mr. Big Save” has consistently voted to water down bills on behalf of his big business cronies when they come into conflict with the good of the people.
- Nadine Nakamura- Anyone who raises over $50,000 in their first bid for office is suspect but when combined with her job as a “planner”- one who works for developers and their investors to obtain permits and zoning for projects- it makes her downright dangerous. Though little is known about how she will vote as a councilperson due to the nebulous nature of her campaign positions but remember- people who are planners are naturals at facilitating development, even those who claim to support the now nebulous term “smart growth”.
Some of the least objectionable include:
- Rolf Bieber who fought for open governance and adherence to high ethical standards as a member of the Board of Ethics before being unceremoniously thrown off the board for “rocking the boat”. Given the state of Kaua`i governance the boat needs rocking now more than ever. We wish he would have concentrated more on running a good campaign rather than talking about "chem trails" and 9/11 conspiracy theories which helped give him less of a chance of election than he went in with.
- Ken Taylor who despite his sometimes offensive views on immigration and same gender equality has diligently fought against much of the county council secrecy and corruption by attending meetings and holding their feet to the fire.
- What can we say about our old friend JoAnn Yukimura to excuse her recent need to seek “win-win” solutions and compromise away her principles? The only thing recommending her election is that she would supplant some of the more reprehensible voices on occasion, albeit at a length that puts people to sleep.
- Tim Bynum’s vote on the TVR bill was inexcusable and showed a distinct lack of understanding of the repercussions of land use legislation and a penchant for being misled by the corrupt county attorneys office- all serious shortcoming. But his quest for open governance and providing the public with public information has been a breath of fresh air. Will he go back to sleep without Lani Kawahara by his side? It’s anybody’s guess.
- While Mel Rapozo should not, by all rights, receive any support from anyone due to his “KPD Blue” past and support for Chair Asing- in exchange for protection from himself during the ES-177 fiasco (just to name one incident)- few can deny he will shake things up and perhaps, if he and his cronies are not involved, go after some of the undeniable corruption in the administration. The fact that he appears on a less objectionable list at all says volumes about the rest of those seeking a council seat.
As to the rest, in voting for councilmembers generally beware of people who promise to “bring people together”, code for someone who will not fight for the people but will be all to willing to sell us down the river.
Beware of those who say they are “business people who will run government like a business”. Government is not business because the bottom line of government is people, not profits. These people have no clue as to what governance is all about and are usually all too willing to be penny-wise and pound-foolish.
Watch out for the “motherhood and apple pie” crowd who promise to support “diversified agriculture” or “green energy” without any apparent understanding, almost as a “me too” afterthought.
Please plunk for Kipukai Kuali`i on Nov. 2 and help elect a good man with good ideas who has a chance to displace Kaipo Asing and/or Dickie Chang on our county council.
We ask people to “plunk” for Kipukai, a term that means voting for only one or select candidates rather than using all seven votes we’re allotted
Not only is he a thoughtful progressive but he is our best chance to make sure that final council spot is not filled by either Kaipo Asing or Dickie Chang who came in seventh and eighth places- about a thousand votes ahead of Kuali`i- in the September preliminary election.
While the rest of the candidates have varying degrees of objectionability we cannot in good conscience support any of them.
Asing of course has become a caricature of paternalistic, secret governance and petty vindictive leadership since becoming council chair. Once a champion of the people he now champions the corrupt cronyism of the last two administrations in the belief that he must protect Kaua`i from its own people.
Chang, the mindless glad-handing sycophant of the tourism industry, has been a disaster as a councilperson having never met a hotel or development- or developer for that matter- he didn’t like and defending Asing and the status quo against any and all reform. The self aggrandizing Chang even had the nerve to promote his TV program on the ballot by claiming “Wala`au” is his actual name.
Kualii’s detailed plans for implementing things like agricultural sustainability, green energy and using “Max 3R Zero Waste” concepts to deal with our solid waste crisis set him apart from the rest who give lip service but are betrayed by either their record or their lack of a track record of involvement with the issues they espouse.
While, as we said, the rest of the candidates are more and less objectionable to varying degrees, some stand out as downright dangerous.
In no particular order, they are:
- Jay Furfaro- The pompous self-promoting former Republican has apparently been responsible for every popular action of the council and was not involved in any unpopular one, if you believe his rants on every subject. While Asing genuinely comes by his paternalism Furfaro uses it to deceive and distract. His penchant for promising to support transparency while voting for secrecy is notorious as is his fondness for telling members of the public he will explain things “off camera”- and then never doing so.
- Derek Kawakami- Having ingratiating himself with Chair Asing by supporting the chair’s iron-fisted rule and secrecy while giving lip service to transparency and open governance, he is a political climber who bases his votes on the direction of the wind and whatever will promote his political goal of serving in the legislature where his aunt and uncle served. “Mr. Big Save” has consistently voted to water down bills on behalf of his big business cronies when they come into conflict with the good of the people.
- Nadine Nakamura- Anyone who raises over $50,000 in their first bid for office is suspect but when combined with her job as a “planner”- one who works for developers and their investors to obtain permits and zoning for projects- it makes her downright dangerous. Though little is known about how she will vote as a councilperson due to the nebulous nature of her campaign positions but remember- people who are planners are naturals at facilitating development, even those who claim to support the now nebulous term “smart growth”.
Some of the least objectionable include:
- Rolf Bieber who fought for open governance and adherence to high ethical standards as a member of the Board of Ethics before being unceremoniously thrown off the board for “rocking the boat”. Given the state of Kaua`i governance the boat needs rocking now more than ever. We wish he would have concentrated more on running a good campaign rather than talking about "chem trails" and 9/11 conspiracy theories which helped give him less of a chance of election than he went in with.
- Ken Taylor who despite his sometimes offensive views on immigration and same gender equality has diligently fought against much of the county council secrecy and corruption by attending meetings and holding their feet to the fire.
- What can we say about our old friend JoAnn Yukimura to excuse her recent need to seek “win-win” solutions and compromise away her principles? The only thing recommending her election is that she would supplant some of the more reprehensible voices on occasion, albeit at a length that puts people to sleep.
- Tim Bynum’s vote on the TVR bill was inexcusable and showed a distinct lack of understanding of the repercussions of land use legislation and a penchant for being misled by the corrupt county attorneys office- all serious shortcoming. But his quest for open governance and providing the public with public information has been a breath of fresh air. Will he go back to sleep without Lani Kawahara by his side? It’s anybody’s guess.
- While Mel Rapozo should not, by all rights, receive any support from anyone due to his “KPD Blue” past and support for Chair Asing- in exchange for protection from himself during the ES-177 fiasco (just to name one incident)- few can deny he will shake things up and perhaps, if he and his cronies are not involved, go after some of the undeniable corruption in the administration. The fact that he appears on a less objectionable list at all says volumes about the rest of those seeking a council seat.
As to the rest, in voting for councilmembers generally beware of people who promise to “bring people together”, code for someone who will not fight for the people but will be all to willing to sell us down the river.
Beware of those who say they are “business people who will run government like a business”. Government is not business because the bottom line of government is people, not profits. These people have no clue as to what governance is all about and are usually all too willing to be penny-wise and pound-foolish.
Watch out for the “motherhood and apple pie” crowd who promise to support “diversified agriculture” or “green energy” without any apparent understanding, almost as a “me too” afterthought.
Please plunk for Kipukai Kuali`i on Nov. 2 and help elect a good man with good ideas who has a chance to displace Kaipo Asing and/or Dickie Chang on our county council.
Thursday, October 14, 2010
VOTE FOR GREEN PARTY’S JIM BREWER FOR US SENATE.
VOTE FOR GREEN PARTY’S JIM BREWER FOR US SENATE
We are proud to enthusiastically and unreservedly support Jim Brewer, Green Party candidate for US Senate.
Brewer has worked for years for single-payer “Medicare for all” type healthcare reform and opposed the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and, as with all Green candidates, his views generally reflect the Green Party’s platform and 10 Key Values.
He not just provides an alternative to war-criminal and leader of the genocide against the Kanaka Maoli (native Hawaiians), Senator Dan Inouye, but if elected would actually bring to fruition the true progressive values to which many Democrats give lip service but rarely if ever “walk the talk”.
Inouye has long been a key cog in the U.S. war machine by funding the military industrial complex and, through his support for the Akaka bill and theft of Kanaka lands for the country’s military dirty work, seeks to steal what’s left of Hawaiian lands “one last time fair and square”.
While we have few illusions that Brewer will break though the duopolistic hold on electoral politics he provides us all a chance to vote ‘for” someone rather than just “against” the greater of two evils as many feel forced to do in just about every election this year.
Please join us in voting to send Jim Brewer to Washington D.C. this November 2.
We are proud to enthusiastically and unreservedly support Jim Brewer, Green Party candidate for US Senate.
Brewer has worked for years for single-payer “Medicare for all” type healthcare reform and opposed the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and, as with all Green candidates, his views generally reflect the Green Party’s platform and 10 Key Values.
He not just provides an alternative to war-criminal and leader of the genocide against the Kanaka Maoli (native Hawaiians), Senator Dan Inouye, but if elected would actually bring to fruition the true progressive values to which many Democrats give lip service but rarely if ever “walk the talk”.
Inouye has long been a key cog in the U.S. war machine by funding the military industrial complex and, through his support for the Akaka bill and theft of Kanaka lands for the country’s military dirty work, seeks to steal what’s left of Hawaiian lands “one last time fair and square”.
While we have few illusions that Brewer will break though the duopolistic hold on electoral politics he provides us all a chance to vote ‘for” someone rather than just “against” the greater of two evils as many feel forced to do in just about every election this year.
Please join us in voting to send Jim Brewer to Washington D.C. this November 2.
Friday, October 8, 2010
VOTE FOR MINA MORITA FOR 14TH HOUSE DISTRICT REPRESENTATIVE
VOTE FOR MINA MORITA FOR 14TH HOUSE DISTRICT REPRESENTATIVE: It’s our extreme honor and pleasure to enthusiastically support Mina Morita’s bid for a 8th term representing the 14th District in the Hawai`i House of Representatives.
Mina is not only the greatest officeholders anywhere but one of the finest and smartest people we’ve ever met.
As long time Chair of the House Energy & Environmental Protection Committee she has been instrumental in setting the most progressive renewable energy portfolio in the nation, with results that match the vision.
She has led the way in fighting off efforts to weaken our environmental laws and despoil our environment, protecting agricultural lands, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and promoting hydrogen technology.
We are grateful and humbled that she has chosen to serve our home district again and can’t imagine that anyone exists whom we would rather vote for.
Please give Mina Morita your vote on November 2.
Mina is not only the greatest officeholders anywhere but one of the finest and smartest people we’ve ever met.
As long time Chair of the House Energy & Environmental Protection Committee she has been instrumental in setting the most progressive renewable energy portfolio in the nation, with results that match the vision.
She has led the way in fighting off efforts to weaken our environmental laws and despoil our environment, protecting agricultural lands, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and promoting hydrogen technology.
We are grateful and humbled that she has chosen to serve our home district again and can’t imagine that anyone exists whom we would rather vote for.
Please give Mina Morita your vote on November 2.
Thursday, September 30, 2010
THE DAMAGE DONE
THE DAMAGE DONE: We often feel a wave of ambivalence come over us when a true buffoon runs for office. On one hand we’re terrified that this moron might actually get elected but on the other it would provide us endless material.
Republican gubernatorial candidate Duke Aiona is the kind of twit that, if the prospect of his incumbency weren’t so scary, we’d love to have to kick around.
Last night we’re watching KITV’s six o’clock news and there’s the big Dookie on the screen and Denby Fawcett is reporting that despite the fact that Aiona has spent eight years promoting flu vaccines he himself doesn’t get them.
After running down his numerous “get your shots” PR efforts over the years the on air story had this quote in explanation from Aiona.
"I have never really been vaccinated in the past and I guess I am a creature of habit and I seem to take care of myself fairly well, exercising and dieting and I do brag about that," said Aiona on Tuesday.
But for some reason Fawcett leaves out a quote that appears only in the print version of the story at KITV’s web site.
Aiona said he is neutral about the information about flu shots.
"I have read the literature on it, I have read the science on it and I say it has some merit to it and I am not convinced that vaccines are more beneficial that harmful. But I don't think in any way my personal views hamper our efforts to get people to get vaccinated. I encourage people to get vaccinated," said Aiona.
Are you freakin’ kidding us? It’s downright scary to think this dim-witted church-addict might just be deciding issues based on Leviticus instead of Lister.
Not everyone needs a flu shot- not everyone comes into contact with a lot of people. But Aiona is currently crisscrossing the state shaking every hand, kissing every baby and hugging every tutu he can get his hands on, spreading germs with a paint roller.
You never know with these bible thumpers- maybe when it comes to infectious disease transmission he eschews the germ “theory” in favor of demonic possession.
But think of the fun in four years of ridicule. We couldn’t ask for more.
Republican gubernatorial candidate Duke Aiona is the kind of twit that, if the prospect of his incumbency weren’t so scary, we’d love to have to kick around.
Last night we’re watching KITV’s six o’clock news and there’s the big Dookie on the screen and Denby Fawcett is reporting that despite the fact that Aiona has spent eight years promoting flu vaccines he himself doesn’t get them.
After running down his numerous “get your shots” PR efforts over the years the on air story had this quote in explanation from Aiona.
"I have never really been vaccinated in the past and I guess I am a creature of habit and I seem to take care of myself fairly well, exercising and dieting and I do brag about that," said Aiona on Tuesday.
But for some reason Fawcett leaves out a quote that appears only in the print version of the story at KITV’s web site.
Aiona said he is neutral about the information about flu shots.
"I have read the literature on it, I have read the science on it and I say it has some merit to it and I am not convinced that vaccines are more beneficial that harmful. But I don't think in any way my personal views hamper our efforts to get people to get vaccinated. I encourage people to get vaccinated," said Aiona.
Are you freakin’ kidding us? It’s downright scary to think this dim-witted church-addict might just be deciding issues based on Leviticus instead of Lister.
Not everyone needs a flu shot- not everyone comes into contact with a lot of people. But Aiona is currently crisscrossing the state shaking every hand, kissing every baby and hugging every tutu he can get his hands on, spreading germs with a paint roller.
You never know with these bible thumpers- maybe when it comes to infectious disease transmission he eschews the germ “theory” in favor of demonic possession.
But think of the fun in four years of ridicule. We couldn’t ask for more.
Monday, September 27, 2010
WAAAIT FOR IT.....
WAAAIT FOR IT.....: The Hawai`i Government Employee’s Association (HGEA) endorsements are out (thanks to Ian Lind for posting them) and they say more about Kaua`i in who and what doesn’t appear in them than what does.
Glaringly absent is any endorsement in the 15th House district where incumbent “Democrat” Jimmy Tokioka is facing off against Republican Larry Fillhart, the quotes around Democrat possibly explaining the endorsement.
Tokioka was a Republican before switching when he ran for Ezra Kanoho’s old seat and voted like one during his days on the Kaua`i County Council.
While Dee Morikawa in the 16th and Mina Morita in the 14th got the nods apparently Tokioka didn’t even get the “just because you’re a Democrat now” pick.
In the council race only four of the five incumbents running were deemed acceptable with buffoonish business shill Dickie Chang failing to make the grade for obvious reasons.
Less obvious was why former Mayor and Councilperson JoAnn Yukimura didn’t make the list while everybody’s darling- including the usual big-bucks special-interests- newcomer Nadine Nakamura along with former Councilperson Mel Rapozo getting a checkmark.
Is it a long standing grudge from her mayoral days when she tried to shake the county workers out of their slumbers or her more recent attempts to make everybody happy and so pleasing no one?
But the one thing missing from the Kaua`i endorsements- something that’s listed for all the other islands- is their recommendations for county charter amendments.
The reasons apparently is, incredibly enough, in an election that is five weeks from tomorrow the county has not finalize and announced the changes proposed by the Charter Review Commission.
A check of the CRC’s web page finds nothing, as does a check of the county’s elections page. To find the proposed amendments that will have apparently gotten final approval at today’s CRC meeting, one has to look at the agenda for the meeting since the last meeting minutes posted are those of July 26th.
It’s usually confusing enough to figure out what the charter amendments say and mean, as evidenced by last election’s trick question that removed the county’s “stricter than the state’s” sunshine guidelines under the guise of “conforming to the state sunshine law” (wmphasis added).
If this year’s questions don’t appear soon in the “newspaper of record” soon we’ll be doing their job for them again later this week- notwithstanding the way they hilariously and inappropriately editorialized this weekend about how they:
continue to utilize our resources to the best of our ability in our ongoing effort to hold our elected officials and other powerful players accountable (and) recognize the wide-ranging role the local newspaper plays in the community and we consider this responsibility of utmost importance.
Between the county and the local newspaper it’s apparently a race to the bottom to see who can best keep us un and ill-informed.
Glaringly absent is any endorsement in the 15th House district where incumbent “Democrat” Jimmy Tokioka is facing off against Republican Larry Fillhart, the quotes around Democrat possibly explaining the endorsement.
Tokioka was a Republican before switching when he ran for Ezra Kanoho’s old seat and voted like one during his days on the Kaua`i County Council.
While Dee Morikawa in the 16th and Mina Morita in the 14th got the nods apparently Tokioka didn’t even get the “just because you’re a Democrat now” pick.
In the council race only four of the five incumbents running were deemed acceptable with buffoonish business shill Dickie Chang failing to make the grade for obvious reasons.
Less obvious was why former Mayor and Councilperson JoAnn Yukimura didn’t make the list while everybody’s darling- including the usual big-bucks special-interests- newcomer Nadine Nakamura along with former Councilperson Mel Rapozo getting a checkmark.
Is it a long standing grudge from her mayoral days when she tried to shake the county workers out of their slumbers or her more recent attempts to make everybody happy and so pleasing no one?
But the one thing missing from the Kaua`i endorsements- something that’s listed for all the other islands- is their recommendations for county charter amendments.
The reasons apparently is, incredibly enough, in an election that is five weeks from tomorrow the county has not finalize and announced the changes proposed by the Charter Review Commission.
A check of the CRC’s web page finds nothing, as does a check of the county’s elections page. To find the proposed amendments that will have apparently gotten final approval at today’s CRC meeting, one has to look at the agenda for the meeting since the last meeting minutes posted are those of July 26th.
It’s usually confusing enough to figure out what the charter amendments say and mean, as evidenced by last election’s trick question that removed the county’s “stricter than the state’s” sunshine guidelines under the guise of “conforming to the state sunshine law” (wmphasis added).
If this year’s questions don’t appear soon in the “newspaper of record” soon we’ll be doing their job for them again later this week- notwithstanding the way they hilariously and inappropriately editorialized this weekend about how they:
continue to utilize our resources to the best of our ability in our ongoing effort to hold our elected officials and other powerful players accountable (and) recognize the wide-ranging role the local newspaper plays in the community and we consider this responsibility of utmost importance.
Between the county and the local newspaper it’s apparently a race to the bottom to see who can best keep us un and ill-informed.
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
GREAT EXPECTORATIONS:
GREAT EXPECTORATIONS: By Sunday morning it had become “conventional wisdom” that Mufi Hannemann’s negative campaigning blew up in his face, some of the later praises of Democratic gubernatorial primary winner Neil Abercrombie’s campaign style notwithstanding.
Those who followed the campaign- and even those who didn’t- couldn’t help but hear about Mufi’s fiascos starting with the “Atomic Money” parody cartoon web site pegged to Hannemann aide and campaign volunteer Keith Rollman which attempted to ridicule Abercrombie... the key word being attempted.
Then Mufi’s widely reported “I look like you” speech- a thinly veiled reference to Mufi’s and Neil’s comparative skin colors- led right into the “Compare and Decide” flyer which compounded the “local vs. haole” storyline.
That was followed by Hannemann’s “Island Values” flyer which was an Atomic Monkey redux later found to be the work of another Hannemann campaign member Ken Wong whose name magically disappeared from Mufi’s web site after he was linked to the flyer.
Though much the information first appeared in blogs like Ian Lind’s and Dave Shapiro’s it didn’t stay there for long with TV news and newspaper stories focusing on Mufi’s “dirty campaigning”.
So if most pundits agree that “going negative” works, why didn’t it work for Hannemann?
The story was written even before Abercrombie resigned his congressional seat to come “home” to run. The media, almost as a group, were publicly asking the question as to when, not if, Hannemann would be going negative.
And for good reason. His political history was one of pulling victory from the jaws of defeat through last minute, usually “underground”, stink-talk and rumor campaigns run, it was later found, by the Hannemann campaign’s “dirty tricks” division.
But each time the revelations of these dirty tricks came only after the election or at best a day or two before the election when it was too late to do anything to lessen their effects.
It’s not as if this run for governor was unexpected- all but the malahini knew six years ago that this was coming.
And that gave people like Rollman and Wong and the rest of the “Mufiosi” as they’ve been called during the campaign, to come up with enough negative stuff to get an early jump and plan them to spread throughout the campaign.
So what was different in 2010? The expectations. And the influence of the on-line media.
Everyone in the mainstream media was champing at the bit, ready, willing and able to spread the word of Mufi’s latest negative campaigning and dirty tricks. So when the blogs began to question and investigate each move from the Hannemann camp what was the underground nature of these tactics in past campaigns was plastered all over the front page of the paper and on the 6 and 10 o’clock news programs.
Whereas in the past there was little above board comprehension of the Hannemann campaign “rumor and ridicule” machine, this time, as each new revelation was exposed, they began to snowball with the media directing the storyline of the campaign which became a ‘there he goes again“... a fulfillment of their- and so the public’s- earlier expectations.
Recently Jon Stewart of the Daily Show has created a running joke comparing to the media- specifically Fox News- to the talking dog in the movie “Up” who carries on intelligent conversations until he suddenly looks around and screams “Squirrel” and takes off after it.
So when the previously imprinted “squirrel” of negative campaigning surfaced it was impossible for them to curtail the instinct to dash off after it.
Many criticize the media for “following the horse race” instead of the issues in political campaigns. But of course in reality they couldn’t do that unless they had already set up the gates and packed the racetrack and of course “handicapped” the favorites.
In this case despite the fact that it was obvious to all that Hannemann was being set up like a bowling pin by the media, he and his campaign braintrust was so enthralled by past successes and had planned their underhanded tactics for so long that avoiding becoming their own bowling ball was the one trick they apparently couldn’t perform.
Those who followed the campaign- and even those who didn’t- couldn’t help but hear about Mufi’s fiascos starting with the “Atomic Money” parody cartoon web site pegged to Hannemann aide and campaign volunteer Keith Rollman which attempted to ridicule Abercrombie... the key word being attempted.
Then Mufi’s widely reported “I look like you” speech- a thinly veiled reference to Mufi’s and Neil’s comparative skin colors- led right into the “Compare and Decide” flyer which compounded the “local vs. haole” storyline.
That was followed by Hannemann’s “Island Values” flyer which was an Atomic Monkey redux later found to be the work of another Hannemann campaign member Ken Wong whose name magically disappeared from Mufi’s web site after he was linked to the flyer.
Though much the information first appeared in blogs like Ian Lind’s and Dave Shapiro’s it didn’t stay there for long with TV news and newspaper stories focusing on Mufi’s “dirty campaigning”.
So if most pundits agree that “going negative” works, why didn’t it work for Hannemann?
The story was written even before Abercrombie resigned his congressional seat to come “home” to run. The media, almost as a group, were publicly asking the question as to when, not if, Hannemann would be going negative.
And for good reason. His political history was one of pulling victory from the jaws of defeat through last minute, usually “underground”, stink-talk and rumor campaigns run, it was later found, by the Hannemann campaign’s “dirty tricks” division.
But each time the revelations of these dirty tricks came only after the election or at best a day or two before the election when it was too late to do anything to lessen their effects.
It’s not as if this run for governor was unexpected- all but the malahini knew six years ago that this was coming.
And that gave people like Rollman and Wong and the rest of the “Mufiosi” as they’ve been called during the campaign, to come up with enough negative stuff to get an early jump and plan them to spread throughout the campaign.
So what was different in 2010? The expectations. And the influence of the on-line media.
Everyone in the mainstream media was champing at the bit, ready, willing and able to spread the word of Mufi’s latest negative campaigning and dirty tricks. So when the blogs began to question and investigate each move from the Hannemann camp what was the underground nature of these tactics in past campaigns was plastered all over the front page of the paper and on the 6 and 10 o’clock news programs.
Whereas in the past there was little above board comprehension of the Hannemann campaign “rumor and ridicule” machine, this time, as each new revelation was exposed, they began to snowball with the media directing the storyline of the campaign which became a ‘there he goes again“... a fulfillment of their- and so the public’s- earlier expectations.
Recently Jon Stewart of the Daily Show has created a running joke comparing to the media- specifically Fox News- to the talking dog in the movie “Up” who carries on intelligent conversations until he suddenly looks around and screams “Squirrel” and takes off after it.
So when the previously imprinted “squirrel” of negative campaigning surfaced it was impossible for them to curtail the instinct to dash off after it.
Many criticize the media for “following the horse race” instead of the issues in political campaigns. But of course in reality they couldn’t do that unless they had already set up the gates and packed the racetrack and of course “handicapped” the favorites.
In this case despite the fact that it was obvious to all that Hannemann was being set up like a bowling pin by the media, he and his campaign braintrust was so enthralled by past successes and had planned their underhanded tactics for so long that avoiding becoming their own bowling ball was the one trick they apparently couldn’t perform.
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
GOING FOR THE GUSTO
GOING FOR THE GUSTO: To hear the talk from the churchies last May there was fire and brimstone a’comin’ at the polls for those legislators who voted to make gays and lesbians first class citizens– albeit with a “civil union” asterisk- when it comes to the rights bestowed in marriage.
But a look at the results of Saturday’s elections shows that not only was the bigot community’s empty threat to “remember those who voted yes to Bill 444 in election day” given way too much credence by the media, but also by the legislators themselves- most of whom, if you’ll remember, had conniption fits to keep from voting on the record until being forced to do so on the last day of the session.
But a few key races show that not only were some who voted “aye” not punished but those who voted “no” were.
Of course on Kaua`i one of those “no” votes, Roland Sagum, was not just ousted by an unknown, Dee Morikawa, but lost in a landslide. Morikawa won with 55.2% of the vote to Sagum’s 37.8% and another 7.0% left their vote blank, always an indication of dissatisfaction with the incumbent.
The funny thing there is that, in talking to westsiders over the past few days, we haven’t really been able to find any other reasons for Sagum’s dismissal other than that he just “did do anything”- that and, to some extent and for those who even knew about it, his recent representation of an unpopular projects by a North Shore developer before the planning commission.
Even though Sagum’s 16th district of the south and west sides of Kaua`i is known to be more conservative than the north and east sides the talk last May of the vote on 444 being a key to proponents’ votes was apparently indicative of the result.
Perhaps THE key race was between the openly gay introducer of HB 444, Representative Blake Oshiro and the leader of the religious homophobes, former Honolulu Councilpersons Gary Okino who specifically ran against Oshiro over the civil unions bill.
Oshiro similarly trounced Okino 53.3% to 42.0% with 10 0.2% blank.
Both statewide races also went the way of HB 444 proponents.
Former Congressperson Neil Abercrombie, who said he’s sign it in a minute, crushed Mufi Hannemann who, although he hemmed and hawed, was seen as opposing civil unions. The last minute push- or punch as it turned out- to get Republicans to crossover to the more “righteous” Mufi coming from the head of the Hawai`i Republican Party, nutso bible thumper and Kaua`i boy, Jonah Ka`auwai, is seen by many as cinching Hannemann’s rout.
Finally there was the lieutenant governor’s race where Brian Schatz, a civil rights proponent who said unequivocally that he supported 444, trounced the two biggest anti-civil rights members of the state senate, former Senators Bobby Bunda- who successfully blocked the bill in committee only to see it “ripped” to the floor- and Norman Sakamoto who made opposition to civil rights his signature issue.
Not only did Schatz win in what can be considered a landslide in a plurality vote with 34.8% of the vote to Bunda’s 19.2% and Sakamoto’s 18.5% but former Senator Gary Hooser- who made his support of the bill his top issue in ads- led the pack of also-rans pulling in 9.5% of the vote.
With the other candidates for lt. governor also supportive of civil unions, the anti civil rights voters accounted for only 37 .7% of the vote.
But let’s not forget that while “civil unions” was adopted by the progressive community as the fight du jour at last year’s legislative session it is still just another way to treat gays and lesbians as second-class citizens. And it may well be a moot issue as the “Prop 8” case recently decided in federal district court wends it’s way to the 9th Circuit appellate court where a decision upholding full same gender marriage would be binding on Hawai`i.
If we learned one thing this year it’s that these religion-addled bigots will see that any attempt to secure people’s right to love anyone they want is turned into some idiotic “sanctity of marriage” argument. Despite common wisdom of the past decade there are apparently few, if any, that are for civil unions but against same gender marriage.
The court’s decision may or may not come before next May but it’s time to decide whether to fight for full civil rights in this year’s legislature based on the results last Saturday and presumably in November where a landslide Abercrombie victory over religious nutcase Duke Aiona is likely.
That decision is, well, way above our paygrade. But those who are planning strategy for the ’11 legislative session would do well to take the legislative and election results to heart, stop pushing an incremental, fear-based agenda and reach for the brass ring.
But a look at the results of Saturday’s elections shows that not only was the bigot community’s empty threat to “remember those who voted yes to Bill 444 in election day” given way too much credence by the media, but also by the legislators themselves- most of whom, if you’ll remember, had conniption fits to keep from voting on the record until being forced to do so on the last day of the session.
But a few key races show that not only were some who voted “aye” not punished but those who voted “no” were.
Of course on Kaua`i one of those “no” votes, Roland Sagum, was not just ousted by an unknown, Dee Morikawa, but lost in a landslide. Morikawa won with 55.2% of the vote to Sagum’s 37.8% and another 7.0% left their vote blank, always an indication of dissatisfaction with the incumbent.
The funny thing there is that, in talking to westsiders over the past few days, we haven’t really been able to find any other reasons for Sagum’s dismissal other than that he just “did do anything”- that and, to some extent and for those who even knew about it, his recent representation of an unpopular projects by a North Shore developer before the planning commission.
Even though Sagum’s 16th district of the south and west sides of Kaua`i is known to be more conservative than the north and east sides the talk last May of the vote on 444 being a key to proponents’ votes was apparently indicative of the result.
Perhaps THE key race was between the openly gay introducer of HB 444, Representative Blake Oshiro and the leader of the religious homophobes, former Honolulu Councilpersons Gary Okino who specifically ran against Oshiro over the civil unions bill.
Oshiro similarly trounced Okino 53.3% to 42.0% with 10 0.2% blank.
Both statewide races also went the way of HB 444 proponents.
Former Congressperson Neil Abercrombie, who said he’s sign it in a minute, crushed Mufi Hannemann who, although he hemmed and hawed, was seen as opposing civil unions. The last minute push- or punch as it turned out- to get Republicans to crossover to the more “righteous” Mufi coming from the head of the Hawai`i Republican Party, nutso bible thumper and Kaua`i boy, Jonah Ka`auwai, is seen by many as cinching Hannemann’s rout.
Finally there was the lieutenant governor’s race where Brian Schatz, a civil rights proponent who said unequivocally that he supported 444, trounced the two biggest anti-civil rights members of the state senate, former Senators Bobby Bunda- who successfully blocked the bill in committee only to see it “ripped” to the floor- and Norman Sakamoto who made opposition to civil rights his signature issue.
Not only did Schatz win in what can be considered a landslide in a plurality vote with 34.8% of the vote to Bunda’s 19.2% and Sakamoto’s 18.5% but former Senator Gary Hooser- who made his support of the bill his top issue in ads- led the pack of also-rans pulling in 9.5% of the vote.
With the other candidates for lt. governor also supportive of civil unions, the anti civil rights voters accounted for only 37 .7% of the vote.
But let’s not forget that while “civil unions” was adopted by the progressive community as the fight du jour at last year’s legislative session it is still just another way to treat gays and lesbians as second-class citizens. And it may well be a moot issue as the “Prop 8” case recently decided in federal district court wends it’s way to the 9th Circuit appellate court where a decision upholding full same gender marriage would be binding on Hawai`i.
If we learned one thing this year it’s that these religion-addled bigots will see that any attempt to secure people’s right to love anyone they want is turned into some idiotic “sanctity of marriage” argument. Despite common wisdom of the past decade there are apparently few, if any, that are for civil unions but against same gender marriage.
The court’s decision may or may not come before next May but it’s time to decide whether to fight for full civil rights in this year’s legislature based on the results last Saturday and presumably in November where a landslide Abercrombie victory over religious nutcase Duke Aiona is likely.
That decision is, well, way above our paygrade. But those who are planning strategy for the ’11 legislative session would do well to take the legislative and election results to heart, stop pushing an incremental, fear-based agenda and reach for the brass ring.
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