Monthly Archives: August 2026

“We hand out subsidies, tax exemptions, no-bid contracts, loan guarantees, land concessions, and regulatory favors — and we ask for almost nothing back. No enforceable promises. No penalty when the promises break. No accounting anyone can follow.” Richard Bodien Blog … Continue reading →

My blood pressure’s elevated, the quality of my sleep has deteriorated, my general “mood index” has tanked, and overall I feel like crap. The trauma and stress from “Lala”, is weighing heavy on me. And apparently, another storm is only … Continue reading →

Pardon me while I go on a bit of a rant, but I’m sick and tired of legislative leaders who refuse to lead, preferring instead to just keep their heads down and look the other way. 70% of our friends … Continue reading →

To friends and fellow advocates. Apologies for not posting sooner my “post primary” thoughts. Honestly, I’ve been stuck, going around in circles, thankful for the many candidates who gave it their best shot, hugely disappointed in the many who lost, … Continue reading →

What’s it all mean for the residents of Kaua‘i County? To summarize and speculate a bit, the next Mayor of Kaua‘i will be either Council Chair Mel Rapozo who received 7,580 votes in the Primary, or former Kaua‘i Mayor now … Continue reading →

I’ve been there. I’ve served a total of 16 years in public office, 8 years on the Kauaʻi County Council and 8 years in the Hawai‘i State Senate. For a short period, I served as State Director of the Office … Continue reading →

Big money is a corrupting influence on our democracy, on our elected leaders, and on the legislative and government decision making process at all levels – County, State, and Federal. The actions of Pacific Resource Partnership (PRP) and related SuperPacs … Continue reading →

My mother turned 94 on July 30th and yes, that’s where Claudette and I have been for the past week – celebrating this beautiful woman, talking story nonstop, revisiting family memories, and eating way too much southern cooking. Mrs. Loretta … Continue reading →