Monthly Archives: September 2017

Time To Get Serious About: Carrying Capacity, Affordable Housing & Water  

On October 4th at the Kauai Convention Hall starting at 8:30am, Kauai residents will be testifying on what is potentially the most important agenda item the County Council will be dealing with in the coming decade.  I am hopeful that residents … Continue reading

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Purple Mohawks Need Not Apply

What makes someone a good candidate for public office? I hear this question a lot, and the answer is: It’s complicated. Most voters initially look at the candidate’s character and “world view.” Is the candidate someone of integrity who, if … Continue reading

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Rail, Faux Democracy and Leadership

The debate and actions over Rail has exposed to its ugly core the current status of political leadership in Hawaii. In short, there is none. Yes, the leadership in the Senate and House came together with a funding solution for … Continue reading

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Notes on Industrial Agriculture & Processed Food (for those of you who still don’t get it)

For those of you who still think the answer to “feeding the world” is modern technology provided to us by Monsanto, Syngenta, Dow Chemical, Dupont, BASF, Bayer, Nestles, Pepsico and General Mills – please take just a moment or two … Continue reading

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Public Advocacy 102: More Testimony Dos and Don’ts: “Hooser – Policy & Politics”

As is sometimes the case, a person offering testimony recently on an issue before the County Council bcc’d me a copy.  I was thrilled that this particular person had taken time to participate in the process and had written extensive … Continue reading

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Advocacy 101 – Insults, Threats and Relationships “Hooser-Policy & Politics”

“If you don’t support my issue, then I will never vote for you,” is about the least effective comment you can make to someone in public office when testifying on an issue. The first thought that goes through the mind … Continue reading

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Paternalism, Power and Politics “Hooser-Policy & Politics”

Demonizing “big landowners and developers” is an easy and simple track to fall into, and to a large extent in Hawaii, one that is often but not always deserved. Historically, our “big landowners” are the descendants of missionaries who came … Continue reading

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