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Updates and Tidbits

Aloha ia kakou pakahi apau loa aku, here is this weeks update and tidbits,First, mahalo to all for believing in yourselves!!UPDATE:This past Sunday, many po'e came by to pick up palapala koe nae and to pick up audio CD's made to take the place of classes that we could not hold because of the lack of room. The General Classes and Law Literacy classes were cancelled the first two Sundays of Sept. & Oct. However we are having papa molaki available only to those on the list, mahalo. In November, we are back on track with the Big Room - starting on November 9th.On November 2, 2008 we will be on Kauai giving class there.UPDATE:We will have new palapala koe nae in November! Koolau moku will be next, so we can wrap up Haleakala. Make sure that the return comes to the registry for scanning and filing on Cd, we have gotten quitre few back that need a simple adjustment - write Trustee after your names and be consistent on each and every name, please.TIDBIT:We had a terrific Show this morning on 1110 AM KAOI and decided to make copies of it, we will make availlable at classes too. It was on the establishment of original jurisdiction or domain - we all live in it, but do we know it? ko Hawaii pae aina. Love it.UPDATE:There is a new Hui in town, it is called the "Hui Kakoo" and serves as a six person team that will provide necessary guidance to those poe that are in papa molaki, needing extra guidance. Caveat - do not contact to simply avoid kuleana. The lead in the hui is our own Josie Carson, brilliant and awesome!! I have to say here, that she is a maikai example of success and we are fortunate to have her share. The menehune will forward a list of those that need extra ooompph. This hui can also give usggestions on the palapala koe nae.UPDATE:Upcomong classes: HAWAIIIAN KUIKI - QUILTING CLASS open to all interested, please see the website for material list! see you there on Sept. 27, 2008 at 8:30AM - gift is 25 units of energy. See the website for the classes and workshops coming up;-)TIDBIT:The Naomi Campbell opinion letter, sounds like...... but not close and obvious to the reader, off in left field as compared with what we share. Here is my two-cents: As a loan officer, the author may be hearing things about people's processes dealing with the securities fall out (mortgage collapses) and naturally feels threatened because the alternative could make loan, mortgage and real estate industries obsolete some day. Moving on!Finally!!!If you tune in tonight, you can watch Cindy and Jeremiah Naone being interviewed on the EMI - East Maui Irrigation situation affecting stream flow, and I get to share my Check and how EMI was brought to their lilly-livered, quavering, pasty, little girlie- knees!!!! anyway - tune in to watch Channel 53, Akaku at 7PM. tonight!!!We will burn DVD's for those who want to watch the show and don't have cable.ke hoomanao nei ia:me ka haahaa,Ka hale kakau hoike anao ko Hawaii pae ainac/o: 310 Hookahi St. C-206Wailuku, Maui ko Hawaii pae ainawww.kohawaiipaeaina.netkukamalu, by appointment only.
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About a little over a week now, I received the final bill from NHLC on the PAO'O case now closed. If I can recall, I believe it was either 420 or 470 hours of legal fees; include copies, faxes, phone calls; not included but provided: expert witnesses flown from Oahu others traveled from across our island driving, mainland witnesses by phone, meals, lodging, mapping and surveying the property all for a weeks worth of testimonies, etc etc, it was exhausting yet so exhilarating.We didn't get exposure in the local paper and maybe it's because of the big guns we went up against? Media propaganda? Politics? LOL.If you hadn't heard, the owner of the property decided to get a better attorney by the time we went to our hearings - KS Trustee Dougas Ing. Of course, Mr. Ing probably didn't see the information of request from the owner when this case went through his office. If he knew I don't believe he would have taken the case. At least this is my thinking, I'm giving him the better of the doubt because PAO'O is such a sensitive land issue. So sensitive that when I was cross examined, Mr. Ing questioned the value of the property on level of spirit. You know, the ".....if in fact, this place is __________, isn't it protocol to ________?" I said, you are correct but this place is very special and unlike what is the norm, in fact I have all this information (about an inch and a half of documents) to tell you about this place so if you ask I can tell you, but only if you ask, this is why I am here today because it isn't right, NO GOOD....." Mr. Ing understood and of course he didn't want to ask before eebee jeebee chiken skin kine stuff. So, because of this line of questioning and my answer back, And because this is OLD land OLD culture OLD history and not the norm he didn't dare ask. I know he knew what I meant and this was probably an awakening to his na'au, his koko and my mana'o to share because it was to PROTECT THIS LAND AND OTHERS.I hugged Mr. Ing during this week long testimony because in my opinion, he had the hardest job. The job of not knowing the whole story about the case because he came aboard at the very end. He wasn't there in the beginning when the crooked one was in action - at least he thought he was, he mustn't have been THAT good to be replaced by Mr. Ing's Firm.Our testimonies were wicked man, so right on and I wish more koko were there to see all this unfold. Did we win? I think we did on some level. We really wanted a final ruling but because the owner withdrew without prejudice with the option to file again he was scared on some level maybe or maybe he will wait to justify his development due to new development occurring close by.In any event, the land is safe for now and we kept it safe for all this time. Maybe we will need to regroup when the owner decides to take another stab at it. Maybe he will listen to me and build elsewhere for the sake of his family and their wellbeing. Maybe they don't care I don't know. But I do know that the permit is not happening now and the owner spent BUCKS on the fight till the end. If we had the ruling, we all believed it would have been awesome at least this being our hope differed thinking.So now the next project on the agenda is MAHUKONA....whew, like we all need a vacation after this case. But MAHUKONA is next. We have to set Surety Kohala straight on their a**. We start to the point in facts with a nice but firm letters to the county planning director - we haven't found out yet if the county let the permits expireMy daughter's pa'ina to celebrate her graduaton from KS is this month for it's 1:13am...SMILE. We're celebrating with 300 guests at MAHUKONA. The pavillion can hold only 64, I couldn't reserve all the camping permits to get the entire grounds if I did then I wouldn't have a valid excuse to not invite others who I would love to be there in attendance. So hard to plan a pa'ina when you have to cut your list down yeah? For you koko out there, who like to party you know what I mean...SMILE.So I was thinking this week and I had to TELL my daughter my plans for part of the decoration. She agreed and then LOL about her party being political....LOL. I told her that it was appropriate to do this because of Ephesians 1:3 and the land itself said to belong to Princes Ruth Ke'elikolani. So, I'm providing information about Princess Ruth from what PBS portrayed, Star Bulletin wrote an article. Why trust it? Because then it wouldn't feel so political for I have friends too that can't make up their mind on soverignty issues. I'm not there to offend them, I want them to have a good time, but they should know history of what was then and what is now. I decided to provide information on:1). The clouded title issue 2). Our Princess of the past 3). What Surety Kohala is doing to the landAnd because it will be hot there I will have all this information under a folding hand fan along with other decorations, I wonder if the information will have people talking about how important MAHUKONA is, or maybe they will just sit quiet and not say anything because it's a sensitive issue? Whatever the outcome it is something I feel the need to do in respect of 'Aina.The grounds of the pa'ina will look over the harbor point where the Navigational Heiau is - the crane and dozers were there when my daughter and I went down to check out the grounds again before completing our list of to do things. It saddens me when land owners with clouded titles don't truly do the right thing. They'll pay...heard some rumors that they don't have money or they are looking for investors who thought the project to be pono but could have found out it truly isn't.So, with all the kids going back to school it's hectic around my house. I'm going to picture all 2300+ people on this list and their extended families at my pa'ina - envision we all walking to the Navigational Heiau to pay respect and see how awesome this place is - to know we care what happens down there to give our energy, feel the energy to have the land fight back in all her honor....EXHALE...I have some ideas of what I would like to see happen if my colleagues and I are not able to stop Surety Kohala and their mischeivious deeds and politics but what I see is just entertaining thoughts for now in my head. Protecting Land of Old is not easy these days but we forge ahead and try....it's the "umph" we have to all go through to have that TRIUMPHANT moment.Cherish the ground you walk on today, the same ground some of you may be sleeping on or the home that is placed on it. We wash our feet and body from what she leaves on us each day for she is with us always protecting us through the night in allowing us to lay down our heads. The way she cradles us, the way she cares for us in food and water, the greenery she projects to give us oxygen to breathe. With all that 'Aina gives to us daily, we must stand at her side to protect her for it is only the right thing to do.
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Tia Blankenfeld: A Heart For The Community

Tia Blankenfeld: A Heart For The CommunityExcellent READING, I Grew up Knowing the Ohana and went to school with a few.makai-logo.gif

http://www.makaihawaii.com/makai_preview_tiab.html

Tia-in-marina2.jpgTia Blankenfeld: A Heart For The Community

By Alison Stewart

Growing up around the Hokule‘a and the ocean all her life, Tia Blankenfeld has water running through her veins. As a very busy 25-year-old young native Hawaiian woman, she also doesn't waste a moment of her time as she clearly has a heart for the community and helps with countless projects. With everything on her plate, Blankenfeld barely has time for herself, yet still makes it her number one priority to finish law school.

Blankenfeld's curiosity of law was sparked when she was very young because of her family's land ownership.

“I grew up in Niu Valley and my family owns a lot of the land back there,” she says. “The Niu ahupua‘a (land division) was given to my great grandfather by his mother when she passed away.

Over the years some of the land was given away, sold, etc. by him. Then after my great grandmother passed away, we got hit with a huge estate tax (aka the “death” tax) and were forced to sell part of our property and move further up the valley.

"But that's just one of the many legal issues the family faces right now,” she adds. When Blankenfeld was about 15 years old she began attending the family meetings, and all this is what peaked her interest in law. With one year left to go at the William S. Richardson School of Law at the University of Hawai‘i, Blankenfeld keeps herself busy as one of the alaka‘i (student leaders) of the ‘Ahahui o Hawai‘i (The Hui). Its mission is to ‘accept and fulfill our kuleana (responsiblites) by providing a safe and respectful forum to discuss issues from a Hawaiian perspective that is pono (morally correct). The Hui is the oldest student organization of the law school and raises significant issues of concern to native Hawaiians at the school and in the community.

“We do a lot of educational things such as symposiums and other talks,” she says. “We try to educate people on different legal issues that affect native Hawaiians. So far, I've been doing this for a year and a half and it involves a wide array of things,” she adds.

Blankenfeld recently participated in a symposium regarding native Hawaiian tradi-tional gathering rights and was sent on a trip to New Mexico, for the Federal Indian Bar Association's annual law conference. Blankenfeld's edu-cational experience has been enhanced by the Law School's recent receipt of a federal grant from the U.S. Department of Education. The grant helped establish the Center for Excellence in Native Hawaiian Law. It focuses on education, research, community outreach and the preservation of his-torical, legal, traditional and customary materials. It also offers new courses that support native Hawaiian law students. Working as a research assistant for one of the Hawaiian rights professors, Blankenfeld tries to put in at least 10 hours a week.

“Last summer my research partner and I studied a number of Indian tribes, she says. “We compared and con-trasted their government structures, land base, memberships and different laws. That was very interesting,” she adds.

This year Blankenfeld was given the opportunity to help write a new chapter in her professor's book on the Native Hawaiian Healthcare Act. Add this to her heavy 17-credit class load, and she just wants to breathe sometimes.

“I feel sometimes I never get a break between research, reading and studying,” Blankenfeld smiles. “Plus I have one of those writing intensive classes where I have to pick a topic, do all the research and write 30 to 40 page paper by the end of the semester. It's defi-nitely a lot of work and can definitely be overwhelming at times,” she adds.

When Blankenfeld completes law school, she will focus on trusts and estate planning. In addition to her hectic class schedule and school activities, Blankenfeld still manages to make time for her paddling and coaching. She paddles about three or four times a week (usually on one-man runs) and coaches the Novice B Men group two to four times a week. The Novice B group consists of the newbies with no paddling experience, whereas people in the Novice A group have paddled for at least a year.

“Although I usually coach the young girls, this year I decided to coach adults,” she says. “In a way, the adults are a little easier to deal with because they are there because they want to be there, and not because it's something they have to do. I really enjoy coaching brand new people, who don't have any knowledge of paddling. They're very moldable and haven't picked up any bad habits yet. Plus, it's fun teaching them all the different parts of the canoe and protocol,” Blankenfeld adds.

Blankenfeld has been paddling for 15 years, since she was about 10. Both her parents were coaches, so both her and her older brother got into it. When she made it to her fresh-man year in high school, she joined the Hawai‘i Canoe & Kayak Team, and competed in K1 competitions. Her team made it to various national competitions and traveled all over the mainland to compete. Blankenfeld and her partners were literally a tenth of a second away from making it into the Jr. World Championship competi-tion one year.

“Around my junior or senior year in high school I came in second and was ranked second in the nation,” she says. “We were training with the Olympic kayaking coaches from New York and highly encouraged to continue and try out for the Olympics. But, I decided to go to college instead. I wanted to have a normal life, and this would have been a huge commitment,” she added.

Though Blankenfeld paddles one-man, she prefers paddling with her six-man team. “The whole fun of paddling for me is you get to be in the water with your friends,” she says. “We always laugh and have a good time. But something I'd like to do eventually on my own is kayak the Moloka‘i Race. I've always wanted to do it when I was younger but I since I went to college on the mainland, I never ended up doing it,” she adds. “I'm just a total water person,” Blankenfeld smiles “I just love the ocean in general and all water sports, or any-thing that has to do with the ocean. When it comes to land, I'm very uncoordinated. I grew up surfing, bodysurfing, fishing and diving. I basically did everything my dad (Bruce Blankenfeld) did while I was growing up. While I was in high school, I'd go on the Hokule‘a for day sails and go with my dad to any long distance canoe races he was escort-ing,” she adds.

Blankenfeld is also the niece of Nainoa Thompson, the executive director of the Polynesian Voyaging Society, and a Hokule‘a pioneer. She is extremely fortunate to be able to take advantage of what her family's legacy has to offer her. “I dabble in a little of everything,” Blankenfeld laughs. “I'm involved with everything that has to do with the Polynesian Voyaging Society and Hokule‘a. I especially help my mom (Lita Blankenfeld) since she is in charge of all the food that goes on the Hokule'a voyages and does a lot of the legwork for Uncle Nainoa. If it weren't for her, Hokule‘a would probably never leave Hawai‘i. My mom is always in the back-ground doing something. She's also an amazing paddler, a good athlete, and the best steersman in the family,” she chuckles.

Traveling is also a big part of Blankenfeld's life. Especially with Hokule‘a in her family, she has been given the opportunity to go all over the world. “My brother and I have been to a lot of places while we were growing up because my dad, uncle and basically the whole family was involved with the Polynesian Voyaging Society,” she says. “When we were little, my mom would take us to all the different places H¯ok¯ule‘a went.” Blankenfeld has been to New Zealand, Tahiti, Cooke Islands, The Marquesas Islands and Samoa to mention a few.

One of her most memorable experiences was going to the north side of Moloka‘i, paddling to different beaches and hiking around different valleys. However, her favorite by far was her adventure in Europe with her high school best friend. Together they spent a semester in Italy, had four-day weekends every week, and visited just about every country in Europe. Blankenfeld is a graduate of Kamehameha Schools, went to Pepperdine University in California, transferred to George Washington University in Washington D.C., then earned her bachelor's degree there in environmental sci-ences. She ended up staying in Washington D.C. for two years when she received the opportunity to work in the U.S. Senate.

“I worked for the Chief of Staff, and I started off as a secretary, then worked my way up doing a lot more,” Blankenfeld says. “I worked on native Hawaiian health and education legislation with him since that was his focus. Unfortunately, I didn't get to go sit through hearings like a lot of the interns did, but I did go to different cancer research centers around the country to see which one Hawai‘i should model after,” she added.

Blankenfeld came home about two years ago when she was accepted by the UH Law School. Since her return home, Blankenfeld has enjoyed Hawai‘i's refreshing tight-knit community and open arms from her family and friends. When she fi nishes law school soon, she will continue to spread her warm aloha throughout the community.

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I was going to barbecue at the beach to celebrate the 1839 Constitution by King Kamehameha III but instead spent the day preparing koe nae documents for the class on Sunday. A much more satisfying way to celebrate. What better way to celebrate than by assisting Kanaka with koe nae and giving energy to all that King Kamehameha III wished for his people. Ownership and use of aina being one of the wishes.At class on Sunday we had koe nae papers for Haleakala to Kahoolawe (includes Molokini), Ukumehame, Hamakualoa, Keanae, Nuu/Kaupo, Honuaula, Ka'u, Kohanaiki, and Kaluakoi.Kanaka were most concerned with Haleakala, Ukumehame, and Honuaula.Haleakala because of the 14 story telescope that the military is funding with our money from the interest in the Hawaiian Treasury.Ukumehame because of the big development and the water.Honuaula because of the big development.We moved close to 200 koe nae documents yesterday.Not only do Kanaka get koe nae papers for political reasons, they also get koe nae papers because this is their opportunity now to secure land for their children 7+ generations from now.Koe nae is the way that the development in Molokai and the Hale Mua development (Sterling Kim) was halted.Just last month, Mahealani, John, Pili, and Kainoa went to Hawaii and at that class 100 people picked up their koe nae papers to stop the Hokulia development that they didn't want. They only took 100 docs so they had to send another 100 to Hawaii when they got back to Maui. But with just the 100 docs processed through the occupied Bureau of Conveyances (BOC) they were able to halt the development.The newspapers will report to the public that the development was halted but it will never reveal the truth of how it was stopped. When have they ever told us the truth? They think by withholding the information it will buy them time to continue the deceit. I don't think so.When Kanaka process their koe nae documents through the occupied BOC, in numbers, it raises red flags all over the ownership of the land. The red flags cause investor's to back off until the red flags are cleared. The red flags will never be cleared because lawfully it is our aina and they know it.And, we didn't have to step into any Hawaiian Postal Savings Bank (Circuit Court) to plead our case to a bank teller in a black robe asking if we "understand."Koe nae papers are made available through Ko Hawaii Pae Aina.
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Aloha Kākou,Just read on Google that there is going to be an interesting event to promote awareness about global warming and electricity use all around the world tomorrow, March 29th. The event, sponsored by the World Wildlife Foundation, is actually starting in certain parts of the world already, and there are whole cities who are on board for this event, as well as Honolulu (what that means I donʻt know). They are asking people to turn off all their lights and electricity between the hours of 8:00 and 9:00 in homes and work spaces. ONLY ONE HOUR PEOPLE!! So everyone bust out your candles or go outside with the family to look at the lani...Sounds fun and good for our ʻāina.Check it out. Go to Google.com and youʻll find the page is black. Thereʻs a link on that page to go there, or you can just click on the link below. Thereʻs also helpful tips for your household/work to help conserve energy.http://www11.earthhourus.org/K-denMahalo!
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Duke2.gifCALL TO ACTION: SAVE HALOA, NO GMO KALO HEARING ON MARCH 19, 2008.
MAJOR MILESTONE: WE GOT A HEARING!! Because of your dedication to protecting Haloa, Legislators felt the pressure to hear SB 958. Your words of aloha for Haloa are needed now to pass a 10-year moratorium on the genetic modification and patenting of all taro.
Here's how you can help for the March 19th hearing:
1. Submit Testimony Now: click here to go to KAHEA's virtual testimony table.
Your testimony should be in your own words, if can (legislators don't seem swayed by form letters).
Even better, if you are part of an organization or business that supports Kalo, then put your testimony on letterhead.

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2. Call Rep. Clift Tsuji and the Agriculture Committee members (click here for phone numbers), tell them:
- thank you for holding a hearing on SB 958
- please do not delay decision-making on the bill
- the bill should protect all varieties of Kalo, not just Hawaiian varieties
- the moratorium must be at least 10 years or longer

3. Write a Letter to the Editor of your local paper or click here to send a letter to the two islands-wide daily papers.

....click here to learn more about how you can help!

book_sm.jpg A MUST READ: "Uncertain Peril" is a powerful reminder that what’s at stake right now is nothing less than the nature of the future.

“If we want to save places, people, or plants, we have to remember their stories. In their stories are the details of their natural and social history and, most importantly, the meaning they have for our lives...The reason traditional cultures are so important to the world right now is that they still know how to remember their stories. ” - C.H. Cummings, chapter 10.


Airing all month long on Hawai‘i's public access cable networks:
"Islands at Risk: Genetic Engineering in Hawai‘i", a new film by the filmmakers who brought us Mauna Kea: Temple Under Siege. To learn more, visit Na Maka ‘o ka ‘Aina.

Yet Another Victory Hawai‘i’s Fragile Environment!
Federal Court ruled in favor of KAHEA’s challenge to USDA’s failure to protect the environment from impacts of open field-testing of plants genetically engineered to produce pharmaceuticals.

On Aug. 10, 2006, Federal Court Judge Seabright held that the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) violated both NEPA and the ESA by authorizing Monsanto, ProdiGene, Hawai'i Agriculture Research Center, and Garst Seed to field test crops genetically engineered to produce pharmaceuticals. Read the Court's Decision, get an overview of the case, and learn more: visit the Union of Concerned Scientists, read the executive summary to "A Growing Concern."

Appellants include KAHEA, Center for Food Safety, Friends of the Earth, and Pesticide Action Network North America.

Earthjustice senior attorney, Paul Achitoff argued the case. The judge will hold a hearing on August 22nd to determine further restrictions and conditions. Please attend and show support for strong protection.

News Coverage:

More Information on the Lawsuit Against the USDA
KAHEA is party to a lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Agriculture seeking comprehensive regulations and protection from the field testing of genetically modified organisms.

Facing Hawai‘i’s Future: Harvesting Essential Information About GMO’s gives a uniquely Hawaiian perspective on the debate over genetically modified foods. To receive a copy of the book, please contact Hawai‘i SEED.

Fact Sheet: Genetic Engineering in the Garden of Eden (60k PDF) Basic information about agricultural biotechnology for Hawai‘i by Claire Cummings.

Fact Sheet: Risks of Genetic Engineering (20k PDF)

Fact Sheet: What's wrong with Genetic Engineering? (11k PDF) Organic Consumers Assocation.

Fact Sheet: Biotechnology Policy Statement (12k PDF) Union of Concerned Scientist.

The Union of Concerned Scientists Urges the USDA and FDA to Implement a Zero Contamination Initiative on Bio-Pharm Crops Feb. 5, 2003

Manufacturing Drugs and Chemicals In Crops: Biopharming Poses New Threats to Consumers, Farmers, Food Companies and the Environment(1.3MB PDF) Friends of the Earth. Executive Summary (324k PDF)

TRESPASS A new comprehensive article on GMO's by Claire Cummings.

Paoakalani Declaration: a statement of self-determination issued by Kanaka Maoli cultural experts in response to the commercialization and misappropriation of traditional Hawaiian knowledge (SIZE) October 2003.

Bioprospecting /BioPiracy and Indigenous People (64k PDF) May 20, 2002.

Biotech_and Indigenous Peoples Occasional Papers (36k PDF) May 8, 2002.

Maori Point of View on Genetic Modification (25k PDF)

The Violence of Globalization (12k PDF) by Vandana Shiva

News

Genetic Traits Spread to Non-Engineered Papayas in Hawai'i September 10, 2004 (ENS) coverage of Hawai'i Genetic Engineering Action Network Press Conference on threats to papaya markets from GMO papayas.

Plenty Papaya Problems Scientists square off over how safe Hawaii's genetically modified papaya is for consumers by Alan D. McNarie, Hawai'i Island Journal

Fears grow with genetic crop secrecy Honolulu Advertiser, October 19, 2003

Both sides lose in genetic crop wars

Are there Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO's) in your lunch? Haleakala Times, October 15 - November 4, 2003

What's Wrong with Biotechnology in Hawai'i? (60k PDF) Op-Ed by Dr. Hector Valenzuela, UH Manoa Tropical Agriculture Hawaii Island Journal September 2003.

No paradise for pharming The Scientist, July 30, 2003

Diversa Will Mine Biodiversity in Hawai‘i (3k PDF) Environmental News Service June 11, 2002PLEASE CLICK
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Something To Bite On!

Something to Bite On!By Hale MawaeDo people still need to depend on the land and the sea for the food that they put on the table?Or are people starting to be consumers and dependent on the store out of commodity and easy living?Are people just afraid to get their hands dirty, afraid to get some dirt under their fingernails and poke a few seeds in the ground? Are people too impatient to wait and watch something grow, pick it, and have the satisfaction of eating it? Are we so out of touch with the environment, and being on top of the world that we have to chastise environmentalists for thinking outside of the box and laugh at people for riding their bikes around town or driving a silly looking energy efficient car that only goes 30 miles per hour?I'm curious about these kind of things, because here on our islands, Hawaii is still 90 percent dependent on imported oil to fuel its transportation and electricity systems, and despite soon-to-come dramatically rising costs associated with Peak Oil and carbon taxes, our lawmakers refuse to adopt meaningful efficiency and renewable energy programs. (http://starbulletin.com/2007/05/06/editorial/special.html)That means a majority of the people on our island's do not fish, farm, or even raise livestock on the food that's on our plates, its pretty much all imported. That means for three meals a day, you are not only paying for the price of that meal, but you are paying for it to be slaughtered or picked somewhere outside of our state or country. You are paying for that person's wages to get them to work, you are paying them to turn that work into a product, that then gets put in a truck full of gas and and burns hundreds of miles of dirty environmentally unsafe diesel fuel to its next destination at some Western U.S. port.Are the fumes tickling your nose yet?The goods are then moved into the cargo of a ship, where hundreds of gallons of bottom of the barrel fuel are then burned and thrown into our atmosphere and ocean ecosystem to haul the heavy load thousands of miles into the middle of the pacific ocean. After porting at its new harbor the cargo is then distributed even further and loaded up to be shipped off to stores on O'ahu and then continuing cargo moves on to neighbor islands dumping even more emissions and garbage into our ocean, land and air as it moves along on its destructive path of consumer affairs.Can you smell the gas burning?Upon reaching its neighbor island destination the product then gets distributed throughout the grocery stores, restaurants and retail stores. Where, after already filling up your tank for $55 dollars at $3.36 per gallon, after driving 5 miles to the store burning what seems to be a quarter tank of gas after sitting in almost 45 minutes of ridiculous bumper to bumper traffic.Are you choking on carbon monoxide?You finally mosey on into the store with your modest grocery list. You know, stuff like milk $6 dollars, eggs $2.99, bread $4.99, and the rest of the bare neccessities to cook a simple meal with. The look on your face as you are checking out with the cashier when you wind up throwing down $110 for a grocery cart that's neither half empty nor half full, priceless. You drive home, sitting in more traffic, a half tank of gas gone once you're home, and that same feeling alien abductees have when they've just had a probe shoved up their ass. All of that wonderful individually packaged plastic rubbish from your processed goodies going straight into a trash can a week later on its way to the landfill that's already overflowing into the streets.Cough, cough.At a time, especially here on our island of Kaua'i, we had hundreds of thousands of people living here who had worked themselves up to be self-sustainable. Meaning they had reasonable amounts of agricultural product for all the people, there was always enough water, there was enough fish and sea food to help sustain those living on the land, and there was enough land for everyone to be able to live alongside peacefully to the 'aina.It seems to me people forget this part of history, but Hawaiian's here were able to support themselves freely without the need of stores or markets, and they always had enough even during times of hardship. Now with the amount of infrastructure and hotels being built. With people buying huge amounts of agricultural land, growing coconut trees calling it agriculture and building a 4 million dollar second-home on a piece of property agriculturally zoned, I don't see a bright future ahead for the way of a self-sustainable future.I don't think people realize that just because they have million's of dollars now, they better be able to have a billion dollars in 40-50 years when they have to buy their own boat and ship in their own private goods, when airports and sea ports can no longer run because of natural gas being a hard commodity to find. I wonder what it will be like then. I wonder if people will have gotten smart by then and have themselves their own farms, raising their own food and crops to eat, and slowly begin tearing down the buildings to make way for reforestation of native trees so that there is more average rainfall, or demolishing a portion of a highway to let that rainfall restore a natural flow to an ahupua'a's stream.It really starts there...but it's just a dream I have one day. Kamehameha the 3rd after almost being overthrown by the british government returned victoriously to the people after having reestablished himself as a monarch and thwarting the british who tried to overtake him.He told the people, "Ua Mau Ke Ea O ka 'Aina I ka Pono!" The life of the land is perpetuated through righteousness. How does one perpetuate the life of the land through righteousness? When there are people willing to throw everything western away to make way for a future dedicated to the 'aina. Dedicated to the preservation and protection at any cost for that 'aina. To live for it and die for it! To really know in your na'au, your gut what it means, and what the kuleana is to perpetuate and serve it. That is the only way.
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