Frankly we haven't exactly been the President of the Kimo Rosen
Fan Club over the years. We don't think we've even read one of his
columns. Ever since he was virtually the only one on Kaua`i riding
the Superferry bandwagon his markedly wise-ass-settler views have
been widely viewed as insulting to the host culture and local
community.
But all schadenfreude aside it's outrageous that he has not only
been forced
to apologize for an innocuous "joke" on Facebook but
the local newspaper has taken his weekly column away from him after
he wrote that the “(b)est thing we could do is get 1,000 gallons of
gas and burn it down,” referring to the old ruins of the Coco Palms
hotel- a day or so before fire destroyed it.
The paper has announced that "Rosen was a contributing
columnist for The Garden Island. His column has been
suspended in light of recent events."
They say the only sin in crafting a joke is not being funny. We're
sure we've been guilty of that but we can't help thinking "there
but for the grace" of whatever-it-is that bestows grace. Had we
been the one caught in the wheel of unfortunate timing we'd have
probably told the press to shove it and hung out "Psychic For
Hire" shingle.
But then telling the the local paper to shove their column is
something we've never had the distinct pleasure of doing, having been
pen-sona non grata there since the day legendary editor Jean Holmes
retired.
Rosen has apparently chosen to grovel, quoted by the paper as
saying:
“It was coincidence and eerie timing that the Coco Palms would
go up in flames after making the comment,” Rosen wrote in a
statement. “I have learned from my mistake and will not be
commenting anymore on any Facebook pages besides those I know
personally. I am thinking of not commenting and just sticking to the
“Like” button. I am truly sorry, especially to (Coco Palms
care taker) Mr. Bob Jasper. I would never consider such an evil act
as arson. The irony is I hate fireworks and anything that has to do
with fire. I consider myself an honest man and could never live with
myself if I was ever part of anything so destructive...
“I have learned and hope to pass this on to everyone, that words
are powerful and should be measured carefully,” he wrote. “Mahalo
for giving me this space to express myself. Thank you TGI and
my apologies to the Mr. Bob Jasper and the Coco Palms community.”
It's not like he pulled a Donald Sterling... or for that matter a
Ben Cayetano who was chastised
by Dave Shapiro today for using the phrase "let's call a spade a
spade" in referring to President Obama's Syria policy- also on
Facebook.
Rosen simply gave voice to what 99% of Kaua`i residents have
thought on one occasion or another, as he pointed
out the day before in the Honolulu Star-Advertiser.
Having not come across one person who doesn't think it was arson,
that apparently makes everyone just as "guilty" as Rosen
although what it is we're guilty of isn't quite apparent.
The fact is that arson by the owners seems unlikely since the fire
is going to add a huge expense to any dismantling effort since the
asbestos removal phase is going to be that much costlier of a
nightmare... although a Star-Advertiser story
says that Jasper told them that the elements that were destroyed in
the blaze- apparently the lagoons building, offices and breezeway-
were to be preserved in the latest attempt to eventually reopen the
resort... the first time such details have been "revealed."
Many had assumed the place would have been be razed and replaced
but the old original Iniki rebuilding ordinance- which was extended
yet again by the Kaua`i County Council last year just for the current
iteration of the rebuilding effort- would seem to restrict that and
actually pertains to structures that were destroyed "50% or
less."
How that affects the current plans is probably going to take a
team of lawyers to figure out.
We can't say we'll miss Kimo's weekly non-sequitors and banal
banter. But then we wouldn’t miss anything important if today's
"all-the-news about churches, dogs, jogging and the Rotary Club,
all-the-time" from a bunch of misinformed malahini were to
disappear either.
Although, as has been the case with the current iteration of the
local Kaua`i newspaper, less is seemingly more, Kimo might just have
been the most informative and witty thing in the paper.
Sunday, July 6, 2014
Tuesday, July 1, 2014
WAITING FOR THE ELECTION- OR SOMEONE LIKE HIM
There's another joke
of a promotional news
story about the resurrection of the Coco Palms Hotel in today's
local newspaper headlined "Foreign Financing Needed,"
loosely based on last week's "quarterly report" to the
Kaua`i County Council.
Apparently they're Waiting for Go-Dough, the mythical Chinese investor with money burning a hole in his pocket.
Maybe the headline should have said "No Green For Greene" because, come to find out, apparently slick-talking huckster Tyler Greene doesn't have two plug yen to rub together yet. Well, as they say, "put you wishes in one hand and spit in the other and see which one fills up first."
No one mentioned that the dilapidated, tumble-down monstrosity is still sitting there despite last year's promise it would be gone in six months... nothing but an illegal dust fence spurring yet another of those infamous Kaua`i "after-the-fact" permits. And apparently there hasn't even been an application for the required Special Management Area permit for the fence- much less one for the hotel itself. Of course that wasn't in the news story either after being revealed at the meeting by #1 developer-son attorney Mike Belles.
Who else remembers when it was "the Japanese" who had "too much money" and were going to invest in everything? Then it was "the Arabs." Now it's "the Chinese"... whose economy is reportedly also on the verge of collapse as happened to "the Japanese" and "the Arabs."
We're sure everyone in the Wailua Homesteads and Houselots just can't wait to add another 10 minutes to the time it takes to make a left onto the highway. And we're just as sure pedestrians waiting to cross the highway to the beach on the Kuamo`o Rd side will be happy to walk the half mile to and fro to the much-talked-about-but-will-never-happen pedestrian overpass "proposed" for the Hale `Ilio intersection.
We were "this" close to the much discussed "Hawaiian Cultural Park" with seed money already appropriated before we let old Harold Hill sweet talk us into another 76 Trombone parade down Rice St.
What are we- a bunch of idiots? Don't bother to answer. The Wells Fargo Wagon ain't coming down the street any time soon no matter how much Larry Rivera and Bob Jasper want it to come.
Apparently they're Waiting for Go-Dough, the mythical Chinese investor with money burning a hole in his pocket.
Maybe the headline should have said "No Green For Greene" because, come to find out, apparently slick-talking huckster Tyler Greene doesn't have two plug yen to rub together yet. Well, as they say, "put you wishes in one hand and spit in the other and see which one fills up first."
No one mentioned that the dilapidated, tumble-down monstrosity is still sitting there despite last year's promise it would be gone in six months... nothing but an illegal dust fence spurring yet another of those infamous Kaua`i "after-the-fact" permits. And apparently there hasn't even been an application for the required Special Management Area permit for the fence- much less one for the hotel itself. Of course that wasn't in the news story either after being revealed at the meeting by #1 developer-son attorney Mike Belles.
Who else remembers when it was "the Japanese" who had "too much money" and were going to invest in everything? Then it was "the Arabs." Now it's "the Chinese"... whose economy is reportedly also on the verge of collapse as happened to "the Japanese" and "the Arabs."
We're sure everyone in the Wailua Homesteads and Houselots just can't wait to add another 10 minutes to the time it takes to make a left onto the highway. And we're just as sure pedestrians waiting to cross the highway to the beach on the Kuamo`o Rd side will be happy to walk the half mile to and fro to the much-talked-about-but-will-never-happen pedestrian overpass "proposed" for the Hale `Ilio intersection.
We were "this" close to the much discussed "Hawaiian Cultural Park" with seed money already appropriated before we let old Harold Hill sweet talk us into another 76 Trombone parade down Rice St.
What are we- a bunch of idiots? Don't bother to answer. The Wells Fargo Wagon ain't coming down the street any time soon no matter how much Larry Rivera and Bob Jasper want it to come.
Monday, June 9, 2014
COUNCIL TO TRY TO GUT CHARTER'S ETHICS PROVISION WITH BALLOT MEASURE
It's a little know fact: Kaua`i does, in fact, have a "Code
of Ethics." But it's not for lack of trying that county
officials have failed to undermine it.
And after many attempts to make a joke of our County Charter provision that simply doesn't allow an "officer or employee of the county" to "(a)ppear on behalf of private interests before any county
The proposed
change would eliminate all that and make the provision apply only to
someone appearing before their own board or commission- or, in the
case of an employee, their own "agency"- by adding "on
which the officer or employee sits or is employed" to the end of
the prohibition.
This means that the "you scratch my back, I'll scratch your" prohibition will be dead except in the narrowest of situations.
Right now if a member of the salary commission is a lawyer for a developer, he or she could represent their client asking to rezone 1000's acres of ag land to build a resort and then turn around and give all the councilmember raises. Or a member of the Civil Service Commission could ask for $100,000 for a pet project their non-profit is pursuing and then make sure the swing vote on the council's uncle got a nice cushy county job. Or a member of the Board of Review could do the same and then rule for a councilmember's- or for that matter her family, friend or business associate- appeal of the assessment value of their home.
We could go on but you get the picture as to why this standard provision is an important part of our charter's code of ethics.
But when the resolution to put the measure on the ballot came before the council two weeks ago many councilmembers sat there nodding their heads as Yukimura decried how her mucky-muck friends were having ethical problems simply because they had a blatant conflict of interest- as if the highest an mightiest of the Kaua`i Good Old Boys and Girls were the only ones who could possibly serve on these boards and commissions.
Apparently Yukimura, the former champion of the little guy has been hanging out with the ruling elite long enough that she sees them as irreplaceable, as they flit from board to commission and back again, round and round the revolving door, while at the same time coming for a handout that they could conceivably repay with their vote the next time they need to rule on something a councilmember might want.
This goes for all the board and commission members like the planning commissioner or police commission and, conversely goes for the member's families and even friends.
Oh no" they say "these people would never abuse their positions. Why we resent the implication."
But that isn't the issue. It's the appearance of a conflict of interest that is to be avoided if government is ever to have the confidence of the electorate. It's one reason you don't see much of a turnout at the polls.
You don't need a "quid pro quo" - giving something to get something- to have an apparent or potential conflicts of interest. It's that simple.
If the council approves the resolution tomorrow it would go on the November ballot. You can send testimony to the council at counciltestimony@kauai.gov
For more read PNN's three part series
on the Board of Ethics debacle, Unethical culture- Government service with a personal “touch”
For more on the Board of Ethics click here
For more specifically on Charter Article 20.02(D) click here
And after many attempts to make a joke of our County Charter provision that simply doesn't allow an "officer or employee of the county" to "(a)ppear on behalf of private interests before any county
board,
commission, or agency," Councilmember JoAnn Yukimura wants to
try to gut
the provision at tomorrow’s (6/10) County Council meeting.
The
provision in 20.02(D)
of the charter means that, for instance, the chair of the Board
of Ethics (BOE) which rules on ethical issues, cannot come to the
council and ask for money for the non-profit he chairs and then turn
around and give a councilmember a pass on a questions about their own
ethics that may come before the BOE for a ruling.
And
that's not a hypothetical- it actually happened when BOE Chair Mark
Hubbard came to the council for money for the Kaua`i Action and
Planning Alliance. And when BOE member Judy Lenthall got cash for the
Kaua`i Food Bank of which she was the executive director- and when,
possibly the worst of all, when attorney Lorna Nishimitsu came to
the council representing the Kikia`ola Land Corporation, developers
of the humongous Kukui`ula development in Po`ipu.
Later
Councilmember Mel Rapozo got a pass from the BOE on contracting with
the county even though the amount of those contracts was over the
legally permitted amount. And of course the BOE found nothing wrong
with theie own actions.
This means that the "you scratch my back, I'll scratch your" prohibition will be dead except in the narrowest of situations.
Right now if a member of the salary commission is a lawyer for a developer, he or she could represent their client asking to rezone 1000's acres of ag land to build a resort and then turn around and give all the councilmember raises. Or a member of the Civil Service Commission could ask for $100,000 for a pet project their non-profit is pursuing and then make sure the swing vote on the council's uncle got a nice cushy county job. Or a member of the Board of Review could do the same and then rule for a councilmember's- or for that matter her family, friend or business associate- appeal of the assessment value of their home.
We could go on but you get the picture as to why this standard provision is an important part of our charter's code of ethics.
But when the resolution to put the measure on the ballot came before the council two weeks ago many councilmembers sat there nodding their heads as Yukimura decried how her mucky-muck friends were having ethical problems simply because they had a blatant conflict of interest- as if the highest an mightiest of the Kaua`i Good Old Boys and Girls were the only ones who could possibly serve on these boards and commissions.
Apparently Yukimura, the former champion of the little guy has been hanging out with the ruling elite long enough that she sees them as irreplaceable, as they flit from board to commission and back again, round and round the revolving door, while at the same time coming for a handout that they could conceivably repay with their vote the next time they need to rule on something a councilmember might want.
This goes for all the board and commission members like the planning commissioner or police commission and, conversely goes for the member's families and even friends.
Oh no" they say "these people would never abuse their positions. Why we resent the implication."
But that isn't the issue. It's the appearance of a conflict of interest that is to be avoided if government is ever to have the confidence of the electorate. It's one reason you don't see much of a turnout at the polls.
You don't need a "quid pro quo" - giving something to get something- to have an apparent or potential conflicts of interest. It's that simple.
If the council approves the resolution tomorrow it would go on the November ballot. You can send testimony to the council at counciltestimony@kauai.gov
For more read PNN's three part series
on the Board of Ethics debacle, Unethical culture- Government service with a personal “touch”
For more on the Board of Ethics click here
For more specifically on Charter Article 20.02(D) click here
Tuesday, June 3, 2014
JUST SAY YES TO NEGOTIATION
JUST SAY YES TO NEGOTIATION: Today's newspaper commentary
by Kaua`i Rising regarding
their charter amendment petition (see last week's article at
http://parxnewsdaily.blogspot.com/2014/05/council-may-decide-if-petition-is.html
) is disappointing.
Can and should are two different things.
While any intent to reign in the chemical cartel may be laudable, if past court rulings (2012's Kaua`i Beach Villas vs Kaua`i, to correct a past citation) are any indication this "charter amendment" will be found to be an "initiative"- at least after the election... if it passes.
It would have been good to have seen KR negotiate with the county attorney and separate out what is properly a charter amendment and what is an initiative but they seem intransigent and all their efforts seem doomed to being struck down by the courts.
While the council, county clerk and county attorney seem to have no choice but to put the petition on the ballot if it has sufficient signatures it would behoove KR to listen to the county attorney and negotiate a petition that would withstand court scrutiny.
Watch what the council decides to do live tomorrow at 1:30 p.m.
Can and should are two different things.
While any intent to reign in the chemical cartel may be laudable, if past court rulings (2012's Kaua`i Beach Villas vs Kaua`i, to correct a past citation) are any indication this "charter amendment" will be found to be an "initiative"- at least after the election... if it passes.
It would have been good to have seen KR negotiate with the county attorney and separate out what is properly a charter amendment and what is an initiative but they seem intransigent and all their efforts seem doomed to being struck down by the courts.
While the council, county clerk and county attorney seem to have no choice but to put the petition on the ballot if it has sufficient signatures it would behoove KR to listen to the county attorney and negotiate a petition that would withstand court scrutiny.
Watch what the council decides to do live tomorrow at 1:30 p.m.
Wednesday, May 28, 2014
COUNCIL MAY DECIDE IF PETITION IS REALLY AN INITIATIVE OR A CHARTER AMENDMENT; CHAIR ASKS 'IS IT A CAT OR A DOG?'
(PNN)-- Deputy County Attorney Mona Clark told the Kaua`i County
Council today (Wed 5/28) that the county clerk does not have to put a
proposed
charter amendment on the ballot even if it has sufficient
signatures if it is determined that the "substance" of the
amendment really makes it an initiative.
The amendment, being submitted by the group "Kaua`i Rising" seeks to "Protect From Hazards of GMO Agriculture, Toxins and Testing (and) Establish an Administrator of Environmental Health, and Provide for Enforcement"
Though the Kaua`i County Charter (Article XXIV) apparently denies the council the power to refuse access to the ballot if sufficient signatures are obtained for a charter amendment, a count ruling on the last petition-submitted charter amendment, Nakazawa v Baptiste, said that even if a petition claims to be a charter amendment the county should look at the substance, not the form, in determining if indeed it is a charter amendment or an initiative.
An initiative puts an ordinance or law into effect as opposed to a charter amendment which changes the overall governing document of the county, similar to changing a state or federal constitution.
Clark said she will formally address the matter in writing and the council will meet again next Wednesday to review her opinion and determine where to go from here after the council voted to receive the matter.
The number of signatures for a charter amendment is 5% of the number of registered voters while the amount for an initiative is 20%- a four-fold discrepancy the current charter commission is considering addressing with a charter amendment of their own to either raise one threshold or lower the other.
If it is determined the Kaua`i Rising petition is an initiative it would change the number of signatures required from a little over 2,000 to over 8,000.
The attorney for the petitioners submitting the charter amendment petition told the council that certainly at least some of the document qualifies as a charter amendment such as the creation of a new Department of the Environmental Health but that he wanted to wait until the signatures so far are verified so he knows how many more he might need for an intuitive or whether to modify the petition.
On the matter of sufficiency of and any changes to the petition, the charter says:
"Upon filing of such petition with the council, the county clerk shall examine it to see whether it contains a sufficient number of valid signatures of registered voters...
By petition presented to the council, signed by registered voters comprising not less than five percent (5%) of the number of voters registered in the last general election, setting forth the proposed amendments. Such petitions shall designate and authorize not less than three nor more than five of the signers thereto to approve any alteration or change in the form or language or any restatement of the text of the proposed amendments which may be made by the county attorney."
The provision does not give the county attorney, the county clerk or the council the right to unilaterally change or determine anything about the petition, notwithstanding the count ruling in Nakazawa.
The case was originally infamous because it had the county suing the county with the County Attorney, Lani Nakazawa, suing then-Mayor, Bryan Baptiste.
The amendment "is to be filed "(b)y petition presented to the council" though it does not define what that means, if anything, beyond having the county clerk verify that it has a sufficient number of signatures. The court ruling does not say how to determine what to do if the the content is that of an initiative nor who should determine that.
The attorney for the group said he is not representing the group as far as election law, just for purposes of drawing up the petition. He did say that based on today's proceedings "there will be" an attorney to represent the group. He said he welcomes advice from CA Clark as to how to address the matter in the interim between now and a special council meeting tentatively scheduled for June 4. At that time the council will meet in executive session and consider the opinion and what to do with it.
Clark said that it is up to the council to determine sufficiency but Councilmember JoAnn Yukimura, an attorney, disagreed saying all the council can do is accept it and send it to the clerk- where it should go no matter what the council says, as has been done in the past.
Council Chair Jay Furfaro repeatedly told the council that they had to determine "if it's a cat or a dog" referring to whether it's a charter amendment or an initiative. Clark says that determination should be made by the county attorney.
If it is determined that it is an initiative the matter of "sufficiency" would be referred to Charter Article XXII on Initiative and Referendum which envisions a much more complex scheme for determining content with a back and forth between the petitioners and the county's attorneys.
Councilmember Gary Hooser questioned whether the opinion would be made public to which Clark responded that it is the decision of the council what to do with it.
County Clerk Rick Watenabe said he has been meeting with the petitioners thus far solely to work on the sufficiency of the signatures as the charter commands. He said he never held up the petition for any other reason. He said that a delay today would delay the process of verifying signature.
Hooser said he would prefer the signature verification process for a charter amendment proceed while the CA opinion is drawn up. He said it could always be changed to an initiative at a later date.
The amendment, being submitted by the group "Kaua`i Rising" seeks to "Protect From Hazards of GMO Agriculture, Toxins and Testing (and) Establish an Administrator of Environmental Health, and Provide for Enforcement"
Though the Kaua`i County Charter (Article XXIV) apparently denies the council the power to refuse access to the ballot if sufficient signatures are obtained for a charter amendment, a count ruling on the last petition-submitted charter amendment, Nakazawa v Baptiste, said that even if a petition claims to be a charter amendment the county should look at the substance, not the form, in determining if indeed it is a charter amendment or an initiative.
An initiative puts an ordinance or law into effect as opposed to a charter amendment which changes the overall governing document of the county, similar to changing a state or federal constitution.
Clark said she will formally address the matter in writing and the council will meet again next Wednesday to review her opinion and determine where to go from here after the council voted to receive the matter.
The number of signatures for a charter amendment is 5% of the number of registered voters while the amount for an initiative is 20%- a four-fold discrepancy the current charter commission is considering addressing with a charter amendment of their own to either raise one threshold or lower the other.
If it is determined the Kaua`i Rising petition is an initiative it would change the number of signatures required from a little over 2,000 to over 8,000.
The attorney for the petitioners submitting the charter amendment petition told the council that certainly at least some of the document qualifies as a charter amendment such as the creation of a new Department of the Environmental Health but that he wanted to wait until the signatures so far are verified so he knows how many more he might need for an intuitive or whether to modify the petition.
On the matter of sufficiency of and any changes to the petition, the charter says:
"Upon filing of such petition with the council, the county clerk shall examine it to see whether it contains a sufficient number of valid signatures of registered voters...
By petition presented to the council, signed by registered voters comprising not less than five percent (5%) of the number of voters registered in the last general election, setting forth the proposed amendments. Such petitions shall designate and authorize not less than three nor more than five of the signers thereto to approve any alteration or change in the form or language or any restatement of the text of the proposed amendments which may be made by the county attorney."
The provision does not give the county attorney, the county clerk or the council the right to unilaterally change or determine anything about the petition, notwithstanding the count ruling in Nakazawa.
The case was originally infamous because it had the county suing the county with the County Attorney, Lani Nakazawa, suing then-Mayor, Bryan Baptiste.
The amendment "is to be filed "(b)y petition presented to the council" though it does not define what that means, if anything, beyond having the county clerk verify that it has a sufficient number of signatures. The court ruling does not say how to determine what to do if the the content is that of an initiative nor who should determine that.
The attorney for the group said he is not representing the group as far as election law, just for purposes of drawing up the petition. He did say that based on today's proceedings "there will be" an attorney to represent the group. He said he welcomes advice from CA Clark as to how to address the matter in the interim between now and a special council meeting tentatively scheduled for June 4. At that time the council will meet in executive session and consider the opinion and what to do with it.
Clark said that it is up to the council to determine sufficiency but Councilmember JoAnn Yukimura, an attorney, disagreed saying all the council can do is accept it and send it to the clerk- where it should go no matter what the council says, as has been done in the past.
Council Chair Jay Furfaro repeatedly told the council that they had to determine "if it's a cat or a dog" referring to whether it's a charter amendment or an initiative. Clark says that determination should be made by the county attorney.
If it is determined that it is an initiative the matter of "sufficiency" would be referred to Charter Article XXII on Initiative and Referendum which envisions a much more complex scheme for determining content with a back and forth between the petitioners and the county's attorneys.
Councilmember Gary Hooser questioned whether the opinion would be made public to which Clark responded that it is the decision of the council what to do with it.
County Clerk Rick Watenabe said he has been meeting with the petitioners thus far solely to work on the sufficiency of the signatures as the charter commands. He said he never held up the petition for any other reason. He said that a delay today would delay the process of verifying signature.
Hooser said he would prefer the signature verification process for a charter amendment proceed while the CA opinion is drawn up. He said it could always be changed to an initiative at a later date.
Tuesday, May 27, 2014
PARENTS OUTRAGED AS MONSANTO-FUNDED, UH-DISTRIBUTED "COMIC BOOKS" TEACH KAPA`A ELEMENTARY STUDENTS THE JOYS OF GMOS
(PNN) Kapa`a (May 27)- Outrage is going viral today on Kaua`i as
parents and community members perused pro-biotech, propaganda-filled
comic books that were distributed to Kapa`a Elementary School
kids as part of a Monsanto Foundation-funded, "GENE-ius Day"
program "taught" by the "Biotechnology Outreach
Program" in the College of Tropical Agriculture and Human
Resources (CTAHR) at the University of Hawai`i at Manoa.
Although details are still coming in the personalized "comic book" pamphlets were given to kids who were apparently took part in CTAHR Associate Professor Dr. Ania Wieczorek's, eight-year-old indoctrination program. A newer “Saturday Gene-ius” program began about two years ago, and according to an April 24 UH Professional Assembly release "(e)ach Saturday Gene-ius class has about 24 students and their parents come to the UH-Manoa campus for two hours of exciting, thought-provoking activities. The classes are also held at Kauai Community College.
According to the CTAHR/"GENE-ius Day" web site "(t)hese GENE-ius Day field trips are aligned to teach science standards and its implications in genetics, agriculture, and forensic sciences in a fun and memorable way."
The pamphlet/comic books include images of children dismayed to look in their cupboards only to find there were no more "chips" and "cookies" because there were no more farmers to grow the ingredients since apparently their job was too hard- a job now miraculously made virtually effort-free through use of GMOs and pesticides, presumably courtesy of the good folks at Monsanto.
According to the CTAHR web site "(o)ur Gene-ius Day Program is funded by various grants, organizations, and private donations. Without the generous support from our sponsors, the GENE-ius Day Program could not be possible."
So who are these generous supporters? According to a November 4, 2010 UH Foundation press release
"Monsanto Supports "Gene-ius Day" at UH Mānoa College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources
(Honolulu, Hawaiʻi) — The College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources (CTAHR), at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa has received $20,000 from the Monsanto Fund, a private foundation and the philanthropic arm of Monsanto Company, to support salaries and materials for "Gene-ius Day." Gene-ius Day is a special program that introduces students from grade 4 through 12 to basic genetics and the function of DNA.
"CTAHR is pleased to team up with the Monsanto Fund to build a shared learning experience about basic genetics," said Dr. Ania Wieczorek, founder and director of Gene-ius Day and associate specialist in Biotechnology, Biotechnology Outreach Program (CTAHR). "A primary goal of the Gene-ius Day Program is to build a strong understanding of basic genetics at the elementary school level so that teachers are able to present increasingly complex biotechnology topics in the upper grades."
"We're thrilled the Monsanto Fund is able to support Gene-ius Day, which not only teaches science, but encourages students to imagine themselves as scientists," said Dr. Fred Perlak, vice president of research and business operations for Monsanto Hawaii, and an award-winning microbiologist. "Monsanto is proud to employ thousands of scientists and other talented employees who use science and technology in their daily work. I hope many of the students who participate in Gene-ius Day will go on to pursue great careers in the sciences."
Pages of the personalized comic books with different names on the covers began to surface on social media yesterday and elicited outrage, especially among parents and community members who have tried to tech their children about the dangers of pesticides, the lack of actual data on and chemical company false claims of the safety of generically modified foods and the benefits of eating healthy, sustainably grown, chemical-free foods.
The program is headed up by "Dr. Ania" as she is "affectionately called" using a team of graduate and undergraduate students as well as "volunteers" who are listed at the web site. None are listed as geneticists or students of genetics.
The UHPA press release says:
Wieczorek's love for molecular ecology and biotechnology is clearly evident in the way she serves the community. She may even tell you it’s part her DNA. She has led the UH Biotechnology Outreach Program since it began in 2002, sharing her expertise in numerous venues across the state, on the Mainland, and in Taiwan.
"She saw a need in the community for greater awareness and appreciation for genetics, and filled it. Dr. Wieczorek felt more individuals, both adults and children, could make sound decisions about biotechnology issues if they were informed about scientific facts. That desire led to her launch of a new field trip program for elementary school students seven years ago called “Gene-ius Day.” Dr. Wieczorek’s goal is to use DNA to inspire students...
"To date, more than 5,000 young students have participated in hands-on activities on topics such as human and plant genetic traits, forensic science, agriculture and DNA research... The Gene-ius Day became so popular that Dr. Wieczorek started another program called “Saturday Gene-ius” about two years ago. Each Saturday Gene-ius class has about 24 students and their parents come to the UH-Manoa campus for two hours of exciting, thought-provoking activities. The classes are also held at Kauai Community College.
"Dr. Wieczorek added that in the near future, the Saturday Gene-ius program will be expanded to middle school students, which will greatly expand the reach of this outreach program.
The Saturday Gene-ius classes fill up quickly."
Kaua`i has nationally been called "ground zero" in the fight against the chemical companies- Syngenta, Dow and BASF after Monsanto pulled out of Kaua`i a few years back- who conduct pesticide experiments in the Westside town of Waimea.
It has been revealed through a lawsuit in federal court (Waimea vs, Pioneer et. al.), that corn, soy and other commodity foodstuffs are routinely doused 240 days a year (with multiple different pesticides routinely used on those days) with up to 18 tons a year of extra-toxic "restricted use pesticides" that have been implicated in a plethora of illnesses by local doctors and nurse practitioners as well as an unusually high number of a specific type of heart anomaly in newborns.
The state Department of Health stopped compiling data on illnesses in 2006 claiming a lack of funding.
Recently citizens recently engaged with paid biotech workers as the local county council passed a bill requiring that the companies disclose exactly what, where and when they are spraying and created buffer zones around the testing fields after years of data-request stonewalling by the chemical companies and state flouting of regulations.
A recent DOH study found pesticides present in streams and their sediment near and around the chemical testing fields but does not plan to retest.
After public outrage threatened his November reelection Governor Neil Abercrombie instituted a "voluntary" partial disclose program while the bill was being debated. Activists called the "Good Neighbor Program" too little, too late and the bill passed after an override of a veto by Mayor Bernard Carvalho Jr.
Carvalho also faces reelection this year and is being challenged by local surfer Dustin Barca, one of the leaders of the "Pass The Bill" movement and an organizer of a 4000-strong march on the county building. The population on Kaua`i is 61,000.
Although details are still coming in the personalized "comic book" pamphlets were given to kids who were apparently took part in CTAHR Associate Professor Dr. Ania Wieczorek's, eight-year-old indoctrination program. A newer “Saturday Gene-ius” program began about two years ago, and according to an April 24 UH Professional Assembly release "(e)ach Saturday Gene-ius class has about 24 students and their parents come to the UH-Manoa campus for two hours of exciting, thought-provoking activities. The classes are also held at Kauai Community College.
According to the CTAHR/"GENE-ius Day" web site "(t)hese GENE-ius Day field trips are aligned to teach science standards and its implications in genetics, agriculture, and forensic sciences in a fun and memorable way."
The pamphlet/comic books include images of children dismayed to look in their cupboards only to find there were no more "chips" and "cookies" because there were no more farmers to grow the ingredients since apparently their job was too hard- a job now miraculously made virtually effort-free through use of GMOs and pesticides, presumably courtesy of the good folks at Monsanto.
According to the CTAHR web site "(o)ur Gene-ius Day Program is funded by various grants, organizations, and private donations. Without the generous support from our sponsors, the GENE-ius Day Program could not be possible."
So who are these generous supporters? According to a November 4, 2010 UH Foundation press release
"Monsanto Supports "Gene-ius Day" at UH Mānoa College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources
(Honolulu, Hawaiʻi) — The College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources (CTAHR), at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa has received $20,000 from the Monsanto Fund, a private foundation and the philanthropic arm of Monsanto Company, to support salaries and materials for "Gene-ius Day." Gene-ius Day is a special program that introduces students from grade 4 through 12 to basic genetics and the function of DNA.
"CTAHR is pleased to team up with the Monsanto Fund to build a shared learning experience about basic genetics," said Dr. Ania Wieczorek, founder and director of Gene-ius Day and associate specialist in Biotechnology, Biotechnology Outreach Program (CTAHR). "A primary goal of the Gene-ius Day Program is to build a strong understanding of basic genetics at the elementary school level so that teachers are able to present increasingly complex biotechnology topics in the upper grades."
"We're thrilled the Monsanto Fund is able to support Gene-ius Day, which not only teaches science, but encourages students to imagine themselves as scientists," said Dr. Fred Perlak, vice president of research and business operations for Monsanto Hawaii, and an award-winning microbiologist. "Monsanto is proud to employ thousands of scientists and other talented employees who use science and technology in their daily work. I hope many of the students who participate in Gene-ius Day will go on to pursue great careers in the sciences."
Pages of the personalized comic books with different names on the covers began to surface on social media yesterday and elicited outrage, especially among parents and community members who have tried to tech their children about the dangers of pesticides, the lack of actual data on and chemical company false claims of the safety of generically modified foods and the benefits of eating healthy, sustainably grown, chemical-free foods.
The program is headed up by "Dr. Ania" as she is "affectionately called" using a team of graduate and undergraduate students as well as "volunteers" who are listed at the web site. None are listed as geneticists or students of genetics.
The UHPA press release says:
Wieczorek's love for molecular ecology and biotechnology is clearly evident in the way she serves the community. She may even tell you it’s part her DNA. She has led the UH Biotechnology Outreach Program since it began in 2002, sharing her expertise in numerous venues across the state, on the Mainland, and in Taiwan.
"She saw a need in the community for greater awareness and appreciation for genetics, and filled it. Dr. Wieczorek felt more individuals, both adults and children, could make sound decisions about biotechnology issues if they were informed about scientific facts. That desire led to her launch of a new field trip program for elementary school students seven years ago called “Gene-ius Day.” Dr. Wieczorek’s goal is to use DNA to inspire students...
"To date, more than 5,000 young students have participated in hands-on activities on topics such as human and plant genetic traits, forensic science, agriculture and DNA research... The Gene-ius Day became so popular that Dr. Wieczorek started another program called “Saturday Gene-ius” about two years ago. Each Saturday Gene-ius class has about 24 students and their parents come to the UH-Manoa campus for two hours of exciting, thought-provoking activities. The classes are also held at Kauai Community College.
"Dr. Wieczorek added that in the near future, the Saturday Gene-ius program will be expanded to middle school students, which will greatly expand the reach of this outreach program.
The Saturday Gene-ius classes fill up quickly."
Kaua`i has nationally been called "ground zero" in the fight against the chemical companies- Syngenta, Dow and BASF after Monsanto pulled out of Kaua`i a few years back- who conduct pesticide experiments in the Westside town of Waimea.
It has been revealed through a lawsuit in federal court (Waimea vs, Pioneer et. al.), that corn, soy and other commodity foodstuffs are routinely doused 240 days a year (with multiple different pesticides routinely used on those days) with up to 18 tons a year of extra-toxic "restricted use pesticides" that have been implicated in a plethora of illnesses by local doctors and nurse practitioners as well as an unusually high number of a specific type of heart anomaly in newborns.
The state Department of Health stopped compiling data on illnesses in 2006 claiming a lack of funding.
Recently citizens recently engaged with paid biotech workers as the local county council passed a bill requiring that the companies disclose exactly what, where and when they are spraying and created buffer zones around the testing fields after years of data-request stonewalling by the chemical companies and state flouting of regulations.
A recent DOH study found pesticides present in streams and their sediment near and around the chemical testing fields but does not plan to retest.
After public outrage threatened his November reelection Governor Neil Abercrombie instituted a "voluntary" partial disclose program while the bill was being debated. Activists called the "Good Neighbor Program" too little, too late and the bill passed after an override of a veto by Mayor Bernard Carvalho Jr.
Carvalho also faces reelection this year and is being challenged by local surfer Dustin Barca, one of the leaders of the "Pass The Bill" movement and an organizer of a 4000-strong march on the county building. The population on Kaua`i is 61,000.
Monday, May 26, 2014
COUNCIL TO HOLD VOTE OF "NO CONFIDENCE" IN COUNTY ATTORNEY AL CASTILLO; SEEKS RESIGNATION OR DISMISSAL
(PNN) A Resolution (2014035) on Wednesday's Kauai County Council agenda from Councilmembers Gary Hooser and Mel Rapozo seeks a council vote of "no confidence" in County Attorney Al Castillo and requests his resignation.
If Castillo does not resign within 30 days of it's passage the resolution requests that Mayor Bernard Carvalho Jr. fire him.
The resolution says that the council "has become increasingly dissatisfied with the performance of the County Attorney and the advice provided to the Council" and "is concerned about the significantly higher legal costs that have been incurred for special counsel."
The document "requests his resignation" going on to say that "(i)f no resignation that is effective is submitted in thirty (30) days, it is hereby requested that Mayor Bernard P. Carvalho, Jr., seek his immediate dismissal."
Here is the full resolution
COUNTY COUNCIL
COUNTY OF KAUA’I
RESOLUTION EXPRESSING NO CONFIDENCE IN AND REQUESTING THE RESIGNATION OF THE COUNTY ATTORNEY
WHEREAS, Alfred B. Castillo, Jr., County Attorney, is the chief legal adviser and legal representative of all agencies, including the Council, and of all officers and employees in matters relating to their official powers and duties; and
WHEREAS, the Kaua’i County Council (“Council”) has become increasingly dissatisfied with the performance of the County Attorney and the advice provided to the Council; and
WHEREAS, the Council is concerned about the significantly higher legal costs that have been incurred for special counsel, now therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE COUNTY OF KAUA’I, STATE OF HAWAI’I, THAT:
The Kaua’i County Council hereby declares a vote of no confidence in the County Attorney and requests his resignation. If no resignation that is effective is submitted in thirty (30) days, it is hereby requested that Mayor Bernard P. Carvalho, Jr., seek his immediate dismissal
BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED that certified copies of this Resolution be transmitted to Mayor Bernard P. Carvalho, Jr., and Alfred B. Castillo, Jr., County Attorney.
Introduced by:
GARY L. HOOSER
MEL RAPOZO
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