GaryHooser's Blog

While those who are aware of the history of Syngenta and the nature of their business might not need further justification, others may be puzzled by my recent decision to vote No on this appointment.

The Kauai Board of Water Supply is governed by a Board of Directors who hire and fire its manager, and who control the budget and key decisions made with regards to the protection and management of Kauai drinking water.

The Mayor appoints and the Council approves 4 members from the community at large to serve on the Board.  3 additional members of the county administration are exofficio members.

An opening occurred on the Board and Mayor Carvalho appointed his former assistant Beth Tokioka who now works for Syngenta to fill the open seat.   Her job at Syngenta is to represent company interests out in the community.

Syngenta is one of the largest chemical companies in the world.  They manufacture, sell and use the Restricted Use Pesticide (RUP) Atrazine (and many other chemicals and pesticides).  Because of its propensity to contaminate drinking water, Atrazine has been banned in the European Union and in Syngenta’s home country of Switzerland.  Syngenta has been sued by countless cities, towns and various Water Boards around the nation for their involvement in the contamination of drinking water systems.  In 2012 Syngenta agreed to pay a $105,000,000 settlement to numerous municipalities including Kauai (which received about $10,000) for their involvement in contaminating drinking water systems.

Syngenta and other agrochemical companies apply large quantities of Atrazine and other pesticides to their fields located primarily on Kauai’s west side.  Though some voluntary disclosure has occurred, to date they have all refused to fully disclose their pesticide use as to type, quantity and location of use.

Syngenta is currently suing Kauai County rather than comply with a local ordinance (#960) that required the company to fully disclose pesticide use and put in place buffer zones around schools, hospitals and homes.  The court ruled in favor of Syngenta and that ruling has been appealed by Kauai County to the U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals.

In the past the State Department of health has discovered Atrazine in Kauai streams.  Government sponsored testing also found traces of the pesticide in Kauai drinking water and in a water fountain at Waimea Canyon Middle School.  At the present time, recent testing of various wells around the County do not show the presence of Atrazine.

The Board of Water Supply is responsible for approving the budget and contracts for all water testing. The board could also increase the level of scrutiny of the water quality if they chose to do so.

On the surface I would think for most people the above evidence is more than sufficient to conclude that a representative from a major global polluter of drinking water systems is not an appropriate person to put on a Board that is responsible for protecting a community’s drinking water.

When adding into the decision making criteria the recent 3 year history of Bill 2491 (Ordinance 960), the subsequent lawsuit, the Joint Fact Finding report, the ongoing community concerns about pesticides and the pervasive distrust of the agrochemical industry in general, it makes it even more difficult to find any rational justification for the appointment.

However given the nominee’s high profile, positive reputation and long history of community involvement some may still not understand or accept the basis of my No vote on this appointment.

It is difficult for some to comprehend that a person may be highly intelligent and of strong character, and still be an inappropriate nominee for various positions.

There are the basic “optics” (given the history of the issue this just looks very bad), there are real conflicts of interest (the Water Board may have to test or investigate past or future contamination by Syngenta), there are perceived conflicts of interest and there is an inherent bias every person carries with them on a daily basis.

Each of us looks at the world through our own “lens” which is formed to a large extent by the work that we do and the people that are around us.

Each of the Board of Water Supply members comes to the table with a different lens from which they view the world and consequently a different inherent bias. Each is most likely a responsible citizen and trying their best to serve their community but each have their own way of looking at things.

Appointed to the water board presently is a banker, a lawyer, the president of the Farm Bureau, and now a representative of the agrochemical industry.

At the risk of over-simplifying a very complex matter here is an example that explores the point I am trying to make.

Given the global history of the issue, the intensity of pesticide use on Kauai and the nature of pesticide drift, it is very likely that at some point in the future Atrazine or other pesticides will again be detected in our drinking water.

One could easily imagine that when such a situation does occur: It is likely that the banker would initially look at the situation in terms of how much it will cost, the lawyer will look at it in terms of potential liability, the Farm Bureau president will say that it’s just part of farming and if you want to eat we have to accept it and the agrochemical representative will say that it’s below federal guidelines.  And they may not be be inclined to dig deeper and do additional testing as it would cost more, and cast negative light on agriculture and pesticides.

However:

If the mayor had appointed a physician to this position the inherent response would be concern for the health of young children and pregnant women.  The natural bias of a physician would be to likely request additional testing.

If an environmentalist had been appointed their natural inclination would likely be to inquire further about impacts on the natural environment.

If a hydrologist was on the Board they would want to know first and foremost if this chemical was in the ground water.  The prospect of additional testing and a deeper investigation would be certain.

Of course this example is an over-simplification but the point is we each have a natural bias and that is inherently applied to our decision making.

The above discussion in its totality (history of the issue, perceived conflicts, actual conflicts and inherent bias) represent my reasoning behind the decision to vote No on this appointment.  My vote is not a judgment on the person so much as it is a judgment on the entire set of circumstances surrounding the appointment, the responsibilities of the position and the need to both protect our water and to restore faith and confidence in government.

Politicians are well known for trying to have “one foot firmly planted on each side of the issue”.   You deserve better.

Below is a brief summary of exactly where I stand on some of the most pressing issues facing Kauai County.  As you are aware most are complex topics and the devil is in the details.  I have tried to distill my positions into one or two sentence statements however each probably deserves many pages of detail to do them justice.

I encourage you to ask all Council candidates where they stand on these and other issues that are important to you.

Positions/Issues – Brief Summary

*Support limiting new development (except affordable residential) based on adequacy of infrastructure.  Existing traffic conditions must be improved, sewage systems upgraded and drinking water resources protected before any new major developments are approved.

*Support using County borrowing capacity and zoning authority in public/private partnerships to create truly affordable housing for local residents, in alignment with the General Plan and adjacent to existing urban centers to minimize traffic/infrastructure impacts.

*Support increased regulation of agrochemical industry including full disclosure, buffer zones and comprehensive testing of soil, water and air as recommended by State/County Joint Fact Finding Group.

*Support incentivizing locally owned small farms that produce food grown in a sustainable manner.

*Support making traffic relief measures the #1 County roads/transportation priority.  The County cannot just blame the State and must take the lead.

*Oppose dairy proposed for Kauai’s south shore as presently proposed.  Due to the excessive amount of animal waste generated, large Commercial Animal Feeding Operations (CAFOS) operating near aquifers, coastlines or residential areas should be carefully regulated.

*Oppose a County General Excise Tax (GET) and oppose increasing property taxes for local resident homeowners.

Note: Yes I have left out issues that I know are important to you.  I will be covering additional issues/positions in the future such as the County Manager system, cat/dog matters, park planning, expansion and maintenance, youth sports and more.

I welcome your feedback on the above issues and on any other that are important to you.

Best, gary

41 years ago today I fell in love with and married a beautiful young South African girl by the name of Claudette Comrie.  We had met just months before in front of the Moana Surfrider Hotel in Waikiki as she was literally just getting off the bus coming from the airport on her first-ever trip to Hawaii.  My occupation at the time was operating a pedicab in Waikiki, peddling tourists around, showing them the various sites, and in general acting as a local tour guide.  It was early evening and I was waiting in front of the hotel soliciting rides from the arriving travelers when she disembarked from the bus.

While her first response to my pedicab ride solicitation was an emphatic “no”, later in the evening when by chance I ran into her again and asked her a second time, she said, “maybe later.”

As the reader of this missive has by now figured out “later” came soon enough, my lovely South African bride-to-be climbed onto my humble pedicab, I took her on a tour of Waikiki, we had a whirlwind romance, and the rest, as they say, is history.

Neither of us of course knew what the future would hold.  We had known each other for less than 6 months when we were married in Durban’s Old Fort Chapel and then returned to Hawaii and Kauai after spending several months backpacking around Southern Europe and Israel.

The past 40 years have been an exhilarating ride. Though there have been ups and downs and occasionally times of great stress, our life journey has been truly extraordinary.

We have two incredible children, Dylan and Kelli-Rose both of whom have married exceptional partners, Leeona and Justin. And we have two totally awesome grandchildren, Rixon and Isabella.

Together, we have traveled the world and experienced places and events many only read and dream about. My work in public service has been incredibly fulfilling and I know Claudette greatly enjoyed the career she chose with United Airlines (and has recently retired from).

While 41 years may seem to many like a very long time ago, it feels at the moment that it was only yesterday that I was smitten by that beautiful young girl with a funny accent getting off that bus in Waikiki.

If you are interested in reading about the “next chapter” which tells about how we first came to Kauai – read on for Another Hooser Fun Fact (you will catch the pun later)

Aloha Friends,

Just a quick short note on 3 time sensitive items:

1)  “Friends of Gary Hooser” reelection: We are determined to win and finish at or near the top.  No more finishing #7 and winning by only 82 votes.

Early voting in the 2016 primary election starts in approximately 90 days.   There is a key matching funds deadline.

Please donate today if you can, especially before May 15 at http://garyhooser.com/donate-now/

We are voluntarily capping our campaign spending and seeking smaller contributions of $100 or less that will then be matched by the State.  To qualify we need to raise approximately $7,000 in individual contributions of $100 or less and do so by May 15 in order to utilize funds effectively for the upcoming primary.  Can you help?

Individual contributions from Hawaii residents of $10, $25, $50 or $100 will be matched 1:1 by the State of Hawaii. Spouses may each contribute up to $100 but must be on separate checks. Business checks will not be matched. Contributors may still contribute larger amounts (and yes they are needed), but those donations will not be matched and the overall spending of the campaign will remain capped. Your help today especially before May 15 with donations made online at http://garyhooser.com/donate-now/ is much needed and greatly, greatly appreciated.

If you prefer, checks made to Friends of Gary Hooser may be mailed to 5685 Ohelo Road, Kapaa HI  96746.

2) We mailed 21,000 “Important Kauai Issue Surveys” to every registered voting household on Kauai.  Tomorrow May 10th is the deadline to return them in the provided envelope.  Our return rate now is tracking at about 7% and our goal is to achieve a rate of 10%!  Please, please, please – Kauai residents please complete and return your survey asap.  It is important that as many voices as possible be represented in the final tally of responses.  Sorry but all surveys have been disbursed and it is too late to send new copies if for some reason yours was misplaced or did not arrive.

3)  Tonight and this coming week:  Sponsored by Friends of Maha’ulepu – Learn about corporate outsiders, their plans for Kaua‘i and the risks they may pose to our water, ‘aina and way of life.  Hear Paul Cienfuegos, nationally renowned ‘Community Rights’ educator and organizer, who has successfully helped communities from California to Iowa. He will share information on what we can do now to protect our precious Kaua‘i from harmful industrial operations. You are invited to attend an island wide community meeting with Q&A:

At 6pm on each evening – Monday May 9 at the Kapaa Library,  Tuesday May 10, 6pm at the Kilauea Cafeteria, Wednesday May 11th Kalaheo Neighborhood Center, Thursday May 12 Koloa Neighborhood Center and May 16 Chiefess Kamakahelei Middle School Cafeteria. For more info contact http://www.friendsofmahaulepu.org

Closing note: If you have not already watched it – My remarks delivered to 900 Syngenta shareholders during their annual international shareholders meeting (4 minutes) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e0zz7cV_Qe8

A friend asked a few weeks ago about “my vision for the future”.  At our March 1 campaign launch and “fun-raiser” (see video/report below) I spoke briefly about that vision and about the rewards and roadblocks involved in its pursuit.  In short, my vision is of Kauai being a global leader and of each of us as individuals and as the collective community being leaders who strive to make our home and our planet a better place.

My personal goal is that we are bold in our actions and that we model the value of kuleana, of community stewardship and of responsible civic engagement.

Kauai can lead on food self sufficiency while enhancing the health of our community and environment.  We have the land, the water, the market and a motivated citizenry needed to achieve this goal.  We also have a core base of small successful farmers, a community college poised to support the training of more and numerous individuals and organizations committed to the fundamental values of food self sufficiency and environmental stewardship.

If our community could coalesce around this fundamental goal and if our community and  political leaders were committed to guiding our County away from the status quo of industrial chemical intensive agriculture that literally produces no food whatsoever for our island, we could accomplish this incredible feat and set an example for the world.

It is a tough road to go down but we must say no to industrial dairies and to large scale pesticide intensive research crops that provide zero food for local consumption while polluting our environment and damaging our health.  We must put feeding ourselves and protecting our communities health and environment first.

If our County focused its energy and resources on supporting operations that grow real food for local consumption, we could be food self sufficient and have a booming food export based economy.  While the local market may be relatively small, the visitor industry brings in over a million visitors every year and they all have to eat.  The global market for organic clean foods is booming with no end in sight and small scale food processing facilities supporting high value niche markets could provide the added value products necessary to ensure profits.

What better place to make this vision a reality than on the garden island of Kauai.

Kauai could also lead on the fundamentals of how governments are supposed to work, and we can lead on fundamentals of individual civic engagement.  We should have the highest voter turnout, the most public forums for political candidates and the highest level of community participation in the public policy process.

Affordable housing is often seen as an oxymoron but we can lead in this area as well.  The only thing standing between us and dramatically increasing and maintaining a large inventory of affordable housing is the lack of political will to take bold action.  The County of Kauai holds tremendous power in the area of land use and we have the ability to borrow large sums of money at the very lowest rates.

The County could and should immediately identify large tracts of land located in or adjecent to existing urban areas and use our zoning authority and our borrowing capacity in partnership with the landowner to develop quality communities that are affordable for local families.  This of course should be done thoughtfully and in alignment with our General Plan, but we must treat this issue with the urgency that it deserves.

There are many other issues that need urgent attention including of course the extreme traffic congestion that exists in many areas but especially in the Kapaa-Wailua corridor.

The answer is a mix of highway improvements and the expansion of public transportation options.  We must push the State to take immediate action on improving our State highways and we must look to the visitor industry to help fund shuttles and public transportation options desperately needed to offset that industries impact on our public roadways.

There is no shortage of ideas and solutions, but it is the political will and the courage to take bold action that is lacking.

Collectively as a community I know we can overcome this weakness that is limiting our success and together we can do this.

2016 is the year in which we can make great strides.

Imua!
Gary Hooser
http://www.garyhooser.com

PS – I would like to offer my sincerest mahalo to all who helped make our March 1 campaign kick-off “fun-raiser” a huge success.  While we planned for about 150 people, we had over 200 walk through the door!

And for those that are asking…yes we are still accepting contributions and still need your help and support.  Contributions may be made via PayPal here: http://garyhooser.com/donate-now/ Or mailed to Friends of Gary Hooser, 5685 Ohelo Road, Kapaa HI 96746.

Mahalo to The Greenery Cafe http://www.thegreenerycafe.com for the excellent food and to Norman “Kaawa” Solomon for the beautiful music. There are so many to thank and you know who you are, all who helped with the set up, decorations, sign-in, name tags, voter registration and more.

Here is a 30 minute video review of the event by Robert Zelkovsky you might enjoy.  My remarks and an extensive Q & A start at about the 8 minute mark.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4qpF9o9KvbI