Dear Mayor Carvalho, VETO the "TVR DUE PROCESS" Bill-a letter

To:
The Honorable Mayor Bernard Carvalho
From:
The Citizens of Kaua'i
Dear Mr. Mayor

We humbly implore you to veto the current TVR "Due Process" bill before you.

We realize that TVR's that wish to be "grandfathered" into an exempted class may or may not have been legal. There are various legal opinions on this. However, we also stand by the State Attorney General Opinions in which it has been stated that overnight uses shall not be allowed, and this applies to TVR use, which is not considered an accessory to a farm use, because there is no farming occurring on the properties.

We have heard numerous testimonies from TVR owners that they cannot farm their land, which is why they need to have expensive, palatial mansions costing up to 10,000 dollars a week, and in some cases up to 9,000 dollars a night, for rent on the property to "afford" to "support" their families.

We beg to differ, Sir. Local farmers who bought agricultural land, and who have been farming their lands did not put up palatial mansions on them, and are also struggling to support their families. They did not engage in this questionable activity and farmed their lands. It is highly unfair to favor one class of people over another on land zoned exactly the same. Therefore if you give an exemption to the TVR owner over the law abiding farmer what will that do to the character and dare we say it the very fiber and soul of this island?

Further, Mr. Mayor many politicians and public officials have stated over and over again about the importance of "sustainability", and the "promotion" of sustainable practices on our island. How can the practice of TVR accommodations on agricultural lands be seen as sustainable? There is numerous testimony on record from TVR owners, that they landscape and garden their property in one breath, but then the next statements are clearly to the effect that they cannot farm their land because it is unsustainable for food production. We find this to be highly suspect given the fact that Kauai has sustained food production for centuries virtually over its entire surface and the soil is easily amended. If you can grow landscape plants and grass you can also grow crops.

Further these TVR owners claim to be a major source of employing people. However, we submit to you Sir, that these jobs are menial, and unsustainable. No one working for these TVR owners will be able to afford land themselves due to the fact that the owners are driving up land prices on Kauai to astronomical proportions, even in the current down economy.

Further, Mr. Mayor the creation of Visitor Destinations, or VDA were created for just such types of commercial activity that caters to the tourism industry. These types of operations take directly away from Hotels, smaller lodging facilities and other commercial operations that are operating legally out of the VDA.

It is inconsistant, and frankly just bad policy to allow some to obey the law, and others to be exempt from it.
By allowing certain businesses to operate certain types of operations in certain areas where other operations catering to the exact same type of clientelle (IE Transient Visitors) to not have an equitable opportunity to secure those clients is unfair. It hurts all of those businesses and their employees, and shows favoritism.

Also, another point is the issue of the matter of lawsuits against the county should these operators not be allowed their "due process", however we submit to you that not only will operators sue if they are not accepted and allowed to continue to operate, but that there will be numerous counter suits filed.

The best course of action we believe, would be to veto this bill, and go to the state legislature for clarity and a bill that would be far more equitable to all concerned.  This current bill has had to be amended often, and has caused a large rift in our community. We beg you to reconsider picking up the pen that allows this, and refuse to sign this bill into law, then allow for a much better process and bill to proceed in the future.

Sincerely,
The citizens of Kaua'i.

GET THE PETITION HERE

SIGN THE PETITION TO VETO THE KAUAI TVR "DUE PROCESS BILL"http://vetotvrbill.WebStarts.com

http://vetotvrbill.WebStarts.com

Aloha.

Here is the website I have made today.

The petition and letter to the Mayor is all there.

Please download, share, and spread the word on this.

Everyone sign the petitions, email me and I will arrange a pickup.

Signwaving to be announced.



Lets stop feeling frustrated and do something.

ANNE PUNOHU'S FIRST OFFICIAL ENDORSEMENTS FOR COUNTY COUNCIL

There are only three for now. I will be making the last four endorsements next week.

They are:

Derek Kawakami
Kipukai Kuali'i
Nadine Nakamura

Here are the websites of these fine candidates. Please cast your vote in the direction of these Kaua'i residents, who for me, have demonstrated the worthiness to sit on the council.

Why am I endorsing these three candidates? I do not give out my endorsements easily. I have specific criteria. One of them is that they have to have an even personality, a calm demeaner, without appearing cold, and they have to have roots to this island in some way. Another criteria I have is flipping and flopping. I do not like wishy washy candidates, who copy opthers rhetoric, or talk about the great "I am", or have a pompous attitude, or who do not listen to other peoples ideas even though they may make sense, but conflict with their own. I do not like candidates who cause dissension and disharmony and who try to take the credit for everything, and act like spoiled Divas on the council.

For me, Derek, as a freshman Council member has behaved admirably well,. He has not displayed any of the red flag behaviors I have seen others display when on the council that would point to a bad policy maker. He has done excellently well, and he is fair and balanced. He can disagree with you without making you feel like you are beneath him or not as good as he is. Others, sad to say display extrfmely pompous behavior, and think only they have the good ideas, and yours are really worth nothing. That is why DEREK KAWAKAMI is getting my vote.

Kipukai for me, is a no brainer to be on the council. Besides carrying one of the most noble names on our island, and being a direct lineal descendents of one of the highest Pio Lines Ali'i Mo'i of our island, (King) by the name of Kuali'i, who in history actually has the credit of being the first to actually unite the islands BEFORE Kamehameha did it, Kipukai has all of the birthright of his famous ancestor, and truly is an ali'i in the old style of the word.

He is highly intelligent, exceptionally even tempered, and listens to others opinions. He actually attends important meetings and has spoken out on the issues and does not have a pompous bone in his body. He treats everyone with respect, and does not mock poeple or raise his voice to people or try to shut them down when they may express an opposing viewpoint. I see Kipukai as someone who truly can work with everyone, and still create legislation that will actually be for the good of Kauais people.

Nadine is a fresh female face for the council which we sorely need with the evacuation of Lani Kawahara on the council. Although the council chambers has had a hard time keeping its female council members inside it, I believe that Nadine is finally the fresh face that can take the heat in the council chambers and keep at it for as long as the voters are willing to keep her there. She has an exemplary history and is even tempered an not pompous or a Diva in any way. She has a vast store of knowledge and is an empathetic person. She is not wishy washy, or a flip flop. She is confident without being stuck up. I support Nadine whole heartedly.

So please, give these fresh and deserving faces an opportunity to truly serve the people of Kauai.

Of TVR's, Farm Worker Housing, and other strange tales of Kaua'i

HERE IS THE ULTIMATE AGRICULTURAL LAND TVR-GOES FOR up to  TEN THOUSAND BUCKS A NIGHT. yep. Should these guys get a permit under the new TVR Bill? Evern if these people are the nicest people in the world, still this isn't right. Honestly. Come on, people. If you have this much money, then you have the money to do farming RIGHT. Big operation. Lots of empolyees, read: FARM WORKERS. NICE accomodations for your farm laborers. big contracts with major food companies. Hydroponics. If your landscape plants work well, then you can grow crops on your land. When they purchased this land, it was zoned ag. No excuses. Lease out the land. Something. Anything. Build yourself a nice home. OK, whatever. BUT NOT THIS!! THIS IS A PLANNED USE, ie they bought it with the intention of using it for THIS, and not ag. That's my problem with it. Plus, the name is absolute GIBBERISH. "Palama Huna Hale?" Huh? No such thing as huna. New age garbage. Palama? As in 

Palama ¹

Definition: A membrane extending between the toes of a bird, and uniting them more or less closely together. , which is NOT a Hawaiian word. Or is a Hindi word of some sort? Or is it named after the district of Palama in Honolulu?  get the picture yet? Gibberish.




And here it is: The luxury vacation rental on the north shore, that goes for 10,500 dollars a WEEK! Oh yeas, we NEED this on Kaua'i! Absolutely! This is the future of Kaua'i! This will make us all propepsrous. Hey don't be hatin cuz I can get a house for vacationin and you can't!! take a look at this abomination, here at:
 http://www.holomakani.com/holomakani, Yeah, here, take our land, and make 10,500 bucks a week off it. Enjoy. Yeah. Sure. Aloha Spirit, brah!

Here is their availability calender. They seem prety booked up. Lets count the money shall we? From now, until November, so far this year looks like they will be making 80 grand. Of course that doesn't include the first part of the year. I would say probably when the bookings are all down and all of the dough has been counted pretty cose to a cool million, since the potential is 40-50 thousand a month.

You might be surprised at what you see on this "availability calender".  Is this property on "ag land". Probably not. BUT is this a TVR outside of the VDA? Forget that. Is it just morally and ethically wrong? My ohana is from this area. They dont charge 10,500 dollars a week to live there. In fact many of my ohana regularly took in people with no place to stay and never charged them anything. Some of them grew up to be real estate agents in Hanalei. Think about that. The surrounding properties in this area actually are inhabited by some very poor and humble poeple, who would offer you the shirt of their backs, a hot meal and a spot on their counches. Just think about that for a second. And then you wonder just why some of us fight against these things. ALoha spirit my a$$


For my take on yesterdays meetings, PLEASE SCROLL DOWN HERE:




Well, it was a very long day, (and night) at the council chambers. If you ever want to know what going through a marathon ride of emotions, ranging from mental exhaustion, elation, fear, anger, indignation, happiness, hopefullness, forgiveness, and every other emotion there is just go to one of these meetings. You will be physically and mentally exhausted afterwards, trust me. I know I was. I wonder why I do this. I must be a glutton for punishment, a complete idiot, or completely insane, or all three. Frankly after waking up this morning with a Council Meeting Hangover, commonly known as a CMH, in council-speak, I think I am all three most definatly.

IT was really Kauai political theatre at its best. In its strange incubatorial world of nether reality we live encased in this bubble of a hub engrossed in influencing each other both on and off camera, a nd as usual, the audience area serves as the hub for the "shadow council", as we cut our deals amung ourselves, try to influence our opponents into common sense and out of their own opinions and self interests, and other strange alternative reality activities.

Our audience area is a strange sea of flotsom and jetsom, punctuated by a few leaky rowboats, and Cruise ships all maneuvering and banging heads in the same salty water of acidic verbal discourse thinly disguised by politeness while gritting your teeth from the inside.

Occasionally, councilmemebers attempot to swim into our turbulent waters and navigate through our lines of communication often, I am sure regretting their attempt to do so without water wings, or a good inflatable. We, for our part, are like Sirens, calling from the rocks to cajole our helpless victims into the water, to swim the dangerous currents that are the Citizen Gallery while the beleagered staff actually tries to keep everyone happy.

Another great sideshow is the Bull Pen of attornies which is always fun to watch if the rhetoric at the mike on either side of the bar gets a little boring. Whispering, postulating, getting up and down, getting their turns at the mike, which they relish almost as much as we do. We really can't complain, as we are all part of the same theatre group, and everyone has their parts down to a "t". We also do our share of getting up, and down, grabbing mysterious peices of paper scribble down as much as the attornies to, in a beautiful ballet of futility at times. But we have learned the ploys, the plays, the eye contacts, hand signals. When you have been in this Theatre of Fools long enough, you learn well.

It is always facinating as the camera gets turned off, and the breaks go through we exoplode, or implode into a cackling sea of hens where we really spark up the charm, or the ploys, or acts of sheer desperation. When the cameras go on again, at least 7 new alliances have been made, and 126 new deals have been struck. All within a blink of an eye. Its real Twighlight Zone stuff. Facinating to participate in.

So it was yesterday,the play played itself out, with calls for recusals, and the bringing up of infamous blog posts, and a litany of people claiming they can't farm and the only way to save themselves was by having TVR's. Then there were rthe assurances that the issue would be looked at sternly by the planning commission. Then there was the presentation that frankly pissed me the hell off. I do not beleive that anyone who has to so ostentatiousely show off there wealth does not have an emotional compensation problem.

The strangest thing to me was that we were all sort of in a dream trance there. Some internalized among each other. Those of us who were rowing the leaky little row boats in the seas of contention knew that we could not plead our case to change the outcome. It was a done deal. Frankly I was already into the "kill em with kindness " mode, and shook the hands of the ones who were seen as the biggest abusers and problems in the TVR's issue. Why? I wanted to see them as human beings. To look into their eyes.  To dfind out what makes them tick. To see how to work on these poeple. TO get them to see the other side.  Wel,l, I am sure its a pipe dream. But idiots and fools always hope for impossible thijngs. Maybe I don't have the spine of steel I like to think I have. Maybe I like to think that anyone can see reason somehow. THe onwe thing I did get to say is that how can you expect me, from my lowest rung to come here and support you on the highest rung when I myself have no support from you? WHere is my motivation! Is that selfigsh and heartless? Perhaps. But then remember this is a play, theatre, a dance.

ANd then the curtain falls. Reality sets in. There are repercussions to two bnills that passed yesterday. Tvr's on Ag lands. The opportunity for "fairness" and to "plead their case", and to have "due porocess". The problem is the people of Kauai do not feel like they have any of those things. The perception is that there is coprruption, back door deals, all sorts of things going on and that the poeple will always lose. That there is no hope. That it is over for Kauai.

Then, we got the farm worker housing bill. For me, that was a victory. Because it was caused by the housing crunch caused by the very same TVR situations. Those that claimed to be doing ag would now have to prove it. What better way, then to need farm worker housing. What better testament to the fact that all of these rich peoples mansions have caused homelessness, a lack of housing, and the very need to build housing for their help. Look at Kukuiula they have to have housing for their middle management earning a decent living wage because their is no housing. Look at the homeless issue. Neglecting to build housing for the minimum wage earners has caused an absolute nightmare.

What better situatioln for the massahs on the hill. Now they will need to build housing for their slaves as they work the feilds. People who will never be able to afford their own land or own their own house, or aI dare say every have their own TVR, because now there will be no more. Now, these people will have a monopoly on the TVR market. Is that fair? Due Process? Equitable? Becasue local farmers followed the law, weren't greedy, and  didnd't build themselves a ten bedroom mansioin and charge 50 thousand dollars for a one week stay there, we should somehow be sympathetic, empathetic, and helpful to them. Why?  Will they be gifting the little laborers any land? Permanent housing? Nope. Because the farm worker housing bill does not allow for that. All of the housing-is temporary. Therefore showing the confidence in the farmers. Which is pretty much zero. If the council had beleived these were really farmers? They would have made the housing poermanent. But it is temporary in anticipation of the inevitable flipping of properties, or the IAL, which I can assure you will be downgrading almost all of these lands out of ag, thus making all of this a huge moot point.

FOr me, as for nmmany others we now know that the IAL process will be the biggest loophole possible for these people. It will be willy nilly happily downgrading perfectly salvageable and usable farm lands, by making the ludicruous claim that only plus 4 and 3 land should be considered important. Lesser soils should be downgraded. Don't beleive me? Just wait, until after the next 20 meetings they have. The criteria and rules they are to go by will convuolute the process and confuse those on the board, as it is meant to do. That is the first step. NEver allow complete copmprehensioin of anything. If people do actually start to comprehend these bills, then it needs to be ammended, the rules changed, or something thrown in there to slow down the process. This is what I have learned from the theatre that is Council Chambers. Expect the same with the IAL bill. It will take our of ag those lands where a lot of those mansions are sitting, trust me. Forever. Even if those lands could have been ammended, and planted. Is this sustainable? Is this what is known aws food security? Is this what a beautiful and countrified Kauai looks like? Or am I a bitter old jealous fool, just a ranting old middle aged woman who has failed to be prosperous and should now be seen as the laughingstock pathetic idiot desperately grasping at anything to shoot poisonous venom at those who have done much better then I have? Why don't I bow down? Why don't I aquiesce with some grace and dignity? Why must I parade myself and make a fool of myself defending the rights of the impoverished and diesenfranchised? Why can't I just shut up and resist the urge to attend these meetings, and put in my worthless two cents, while other people fdar more important then me must wait there turn! Why, ideed. WHy indeed.

For the massahs on the hill, the problem has come home to roost and nest, and fester. Now lets see if we can separate the theatre and the reality and come to some pergatory of normalicy and some sense of fairness and justice. Is it or will it ever be possible on this little unique island of Kauai?

And while the homeless can't find a home, and the public housing residents live in fdear that even though they have followed all the rules and paid their rents they may be tossed out onto the street to house the homeless that are currently on the street becasue we have not cared about providing housing for those who need to work for the rich, and the rich and wealthy have won the due process to stay in their homes and continue their american dream, while we struggle to prevent a nightmare form happening, the world continues to turn and Kauai right along with it. Will we spin into each other, and see each other for what we are? Will we be able to look into each others eyes and make a theraputic break through?

I for one am willing to keep trying. I have not put down my armour yet. I wil continue to try. I still have hope.

Do You?

gotta go. Pumpkin crunch is ready.

Mel Rapozo : Blog Just say NO to the TVR bill-TODAY AT COUNTY COUNCIL

Mel Rapozo for Kauai County Council : Blog

I stand with Mel Rapozo, encouraging everyone to please vote no on th TVR ag bill exemption process which has become tainted with the many antics both in the council chambers and out of it. THe latest antics, are what is being called the "beer summit", when county attorneys visited Dickie Chang with beer, and they discussed the TVR bill at his house.

This bill is flawed for many reasons. It allows TVRs that were operating to come foreward for a exemption and to be allowed to continue to operate. It is being proposed out of fear that 77 landowners will sue the county if they can't have thier cake and eat i9t too. Screw us, screw real ag, these guys want the mansions on the hills, and the "gardeners and landscapers", to make it look pretty for the million dollar guests they will be bringing to the property. Forget food production. Forget farming. These are NOT farmers.

ALSO: today is the vote for the "farm worker housing bill". I have told council over and over, there is a Federal law, that says if someone is on your property as a farm laborer you HAVE to provide housing for them. This bill is too restrictive, and prevents some farmers from providing housing. It also gives a HUGE loophole for "woofing", which is actually tourism, and a step down from the luxury accommodations of some TVRs, but its the same thing, different smwell.

In BOITH cases, the county is trying to recreate the wheel. The process for TVR's is already written into chapter 205. The process for farm ag workers is already written into the State, and Federal law. Further, in thye case of the farm worker bill, the structures haver to be temporary, therefor,, true farmers cannot ask for federal help to build the housing, as that has tpo be permanent.

Please come to council today. For more on the beer summit, visit Joan Conrows blog, Kauaieclectic.

Another Public Housing Whitewash Article, and I will be calling up Shaun on Monday!

new ideas for public housing - Hawaii News - Staradvertiser.com

With the flurry of public debate, and my relentless fight to attempt to get someone to listen to the actual housing residents, it has been my biggest problem to find poeple willing to speak out. WHy? From the exact fear, you hear echoed in these and other articles. I for one do not fear speaking out. But many others do. Perhaps it is becasue on Kauai we have a very good management team here that is empathetic, takes calls about repair issues, fixes them promptly as best as they can, and the office staff is kind and considerate.

But in other parts of this state, that is obviousely NOT the case. When it comes to repairs, we, in our housing complex are currently awaiting a new sewer system to fix the one that has been backlogging and causing a horrible stench now for ovwer a year, backflowing into our yards. We have 2an entire building that is boarded up and uninhabitable, as well as another 2 bedroom unit. Since we only have 8 units here, it is very noticeable. We have heard that these units will be getting repaired soon. People have been here, looking at it, and we are hopeful that those units will soon have families in them, since the building has 2 four bedroom units and can accommodate 2 large families.

The plan to evict law abiding, rule following and good tenants is for one thing, more then likely unconstitutional, and as I continue my quest for an attorney to represent us should that happen for a class action lawsuit more then likely very expensive for the state. I plan on contacting Sean Donovan's office, hopefully my last name (maiden) might help since it is the same as his, and we can get some dialogue going on this.

Public housing is currently the ONLY permanent housing solution for Hawaii residents who sincerely cannot afford more then 30 percvent of their incomes. Besides some minimal county projects, this is it. So, if you evict people who have been there for years, because there IS NO OTHER OPTION, not because they are "lazy, and need a wake up call, and need to go back to the beach to wake themselves up", a more or less direct quote from the rogue Democrat Representative Cabanilla. you are asking for the state to potentially be paying out millions of dollars in legal fees and restitution to those possibly slated to be evicted.

This is trul;y the states negligence, the real estate industries greed, and the legislature and the governors short sightedness on the true housing issues in this state.

While they have waxed blossomed cheeked over their apperent "triumphs" of so called "affordable housing", and so called "gap housing" for the middle class, the truly suffering have really had no options. As I have said time and time again, these are single mothers with kids, who just can't make it out there in the housing market who need a roof over their kids heads, so they are following the rules, keeping their hyeads down and trying to be good tenants so they can stay year after year in order to raise their children.

As to any idiotic fools who think that anyone in housing gets a free ride, you have to pay rent to live in public housing, as well as pay utility costs as well. SO what in the heck are you talmking about? The general public seems blind to the fact that the residents of public housing are elderly, disabled, and the WORKING poor, many si9ngle parents. Where would you like them to go? On the streets? As a punishment for WHAT exactly? The crime of being elderly? The crime of being disabled? The crlime of being single, working poor parents of children? This is somehow a crime punishable by eviction? You want top put these people out on the sreet to put in the homeless that are on the street now? So they can liove there another 10 yhears or so, while you still WHINE about the homeless on the street? Does anyone else think this is ludicrous, preposterous, and also might I add unconstitutional and defendable in a court of law, where the outcome is state=0, evicted residents of public housing =one million per ?

Use your heads, and get a grip. Shaun, my freind, I got ya on speed dial. Talk to ya on Monday!!

Video: Watch the Shirley Sherrod Speech in Full | NAACP

Video: Watch the Shirley Sherrod Speech in Full | NAACP

Here is the FULL VIDEO released by the NAACP today. UNEDITED!! Not clipped to show any bias like the one leaked to the press.

FURTHER...the White House did NOT call for her resignation

AND...as we speak, her resignation is being investigated, and RECONSIDERED.

We hope to see Shirley's name CLEARED....

and the Tea Party , Glenn Beck, and others look like the complete idiotic losers that they so obviously are. For evidence of Tea Party racism, I point you to the HUNDREDS of statements, and signage at their rallies, at the commentators on Fox News, and any one else associated with the tea party. The FARCE put on by Bachman...was a complete and total fabrication. It was completely staged, and in my opinion, using very badly paid ACTORS, to portray stereotypes of individuals.

First, a large black woman, (stereotype), holding a black baby (another stereotype), claiming to be a veteran (conservative icon), and claiming that the Tea Party isn't racist. Then, two supposed LEGAL immigrants, both with "spanish sounding" accents, and claiming that they both originally come from war torn communist countries, (stereotype galore).

The womans accent was so so credible, she seems to hyave done her chops well, accept when she lapsed into a sort of Manhatten/Brooklyn style dialect in the end, but the man was the worst. You could here his voice slipping through the whole thing. His speech was so heavily stereotypical what people think "ASouth American COlumbians" sound like it was hilarious. He sounded like a "vato gangster", in my opinion. He also had a voice that was free of inflection, when it slipped.

Then, the white senator gets up and says..."As you cqan see by the diversity of the Tea Party we aren't racist". Only one problem though...apperently, the Tea Party is NOT composed of Asians, Pacific Islanders, Or of European Immigrants, or Haitian Immigrans. THey sort of forgot those. Becasue, according to the racist Tea Party, the only good immigrants are those from communist South America, who will bow to their Agenda, or Military Personel who happen to be black.

This whole thing is such a ridiculous farce, and is so laughable, it belongs in the entertainment section, not the political section

URGENT NEWS FLASH: KUMU ILLEI BENIAMINA PASSED AWAY THIS MORNING HERE ON KAUAI AT APPROX> 10 AM.

Aloha. ALthough I didnt get the call untill late this afternoon, I have just learned that one of the most revered, admired and respected people in the state, on this island, and in many places aropund the world has just passed away on Kauai, and apporximately 10 am this morning.

Kumu Illei was many things to me. I saw her peassing in a dream last week, and called someone close to her, and begged that person to take me to her. SHe had rallied hber spirits, and m,y freind said she was fine. SO I put it out of my mind and determined to visit her in Kekaha, later on. However, true to my dream, she died today. THis has been devastating news for me. Kumu Illei was so many things to me. A beloved "Aunti-Mom_Sis", as we say here, of close hanai that are too old to be our moms, not quite old enough to be our aunties, and are more like older sisters. SHe was a wise, wonderful, kolohe brilliant person and human being.

She was everything  that anyone could have asked for in a Kumu. KNowlegeable, poatient, kind, loving but strict. HSe did so many amazing things in her life. But she tried to be tuff and independent right to the end. SHe instilled a beleive that truth was a heck of a lot better then fiction, thats for sure.

I cant typoe any more right now. Just too upsetting right now. I will right more, becasue I just got this news about an hour ago. P;ease spread the word to all who loved her. Mahalo

Kamehameha admits another non-native Hawaiian student - Hawaii News - Staradvertiser.com

Kamehameha admits another non-native Hawaiian student - Hawaii News - Staradvertiser.com

SHAME AND HEWA!! THIS IS NOT THE PRINCESS WILL!! THIS IS PUNI ALA AND HEWA NUI!!

Akaka Bill amended to address State administration’s concerns

Akaka Bill amended to address State administration’s concerns

I think that we should have congressional hearings statewide so that poeple can air their concerns and opinions on the Akaka Bill and its changes. Wether you support the bill or not isnt the point. THe point is, will the new changes deserve new debate? SHouldnt swe be able to comment on what we thinK?

The governor's full civil-unions veto statement - Hawaii News - Staradvertiser.com

The governor's full civil-unions veto statement - Hawaii News - Staradvertiser.com

Kaua‘i lawmakers react

Kaua‘i lawmakers react

HEWA I WILL WRITE MORE ON THIS LATER TODAY.

KAUAI INOA RULE AS THE MOI OF PAPA HEE NALU NSSA crowns

Jaquias, Hurst each capture NSSA crowns

A retelling The Wailua Vigil-My Thoughts (From a Participant)

Although this event happened last year, it is as sharp in my memory as yesterday. This summer for some reason I feel the call of hula kahiko, chanting and the mana of the culture strongly. I was remembering this great event yesterday, and so have decided to repost what I wrote very shortly after having experienced it. THis was my personal experience, as one of the participating chanters, cultural practitioners, kumu hula and hula haumana participating in a vigil at Wailua, on the hill just above Hikina A Ka La Heiau. We participated in a very old and acient revival of an all night vigil, and oli, kahiko, olapa, and pule ritial in which every hour on the hour we repeated an entire ritual exactly the same over and over.

This was a momentous event, where the Wailua river suddenly broke its banks in one of the most dramatic flash floods in Kauais history.
AS we were literally feet from the river, during the night another miracle had occured. An absolutely dry night with thunder and lightening the entire night, right above us and over the kai, in perfect timing to the o9li and the pahu and heke If I hadn't been through it myself I never would have beleived it. Deep into the night we all knew something very special had happened.

But the biggest miracle, was the kind of ua nui we may never see again. Rain so thick we coulnt see each other a hand away, and our mouths filling with water as we kept on chanting. IT was absolutely amazing to the onlookers as several cracks of lightening crackled literally feet from us, and then the river opened up. It made many newspaper headlines as well.

WHy were we doing this? To protect the iwi kupuna from being paved over and disturbed by the bike path. I was just there, last week, still protesting this possibility with the heroine Kaiulani Huff, Nani Rodgers, Liko Martin Jimbo Alalem and others. I am reprintg this so none of us forget what we were doing in those two days.




The Wailua Vigil-My Thoughts (From a Participant)

clip of Kawananakoa's controversial speech

Death by stoning imminent for Iranian woman, attorney says - CNN.com

Death by stoning imminent for Iranian woman, attorney says - CNN.com

STAND UP TO THIS ABSOLUTE OUTRAGE AND JOIN WITH PEOPLE FROM ALL OVER THE WORLD TO OPPOSE THE STONING OF THIS WOMAN SHAME AND HEWA

The Heirs Of Hawaii: The Ruling House is Kauai - Maoliworld

The Heirs Of Hawaii: The Ruling House is Kauai - Maoliworld

This is a blogpost I wrote in answer to some stuff on Maoliworld, that I just joined yesterday.
Feel free to coment. Just dont swear or get stupid. ALoha.

With all of the bickering over who is who and what is what, tearing apart geneologies and screaming about who was hanai here and who was hanai there, one fact remains glaringly clear.

That the lines of succession clearly stand with the Mokupuni o Kauaimanokalanipo. I think everyone can pretty much agree on this fact.

My hope of coming to Maoliworld, was to intelligently discuss how we can all come TOGETHER, and pull together all of the threads that keep unraveling among alot of the different groups and claims.

Yet what happens 24 hours after i sign up for Maoliworld? Without even knowing me someone left a foul hewa haole insulting word on my post.

Its pretty aka'aka, considering I have a pic up of me at a "fake state" protest on Kaua'i. Its pretty obvious I am for Hawaii returning toi the people.

It is this sort of bickering and internal warfare that will absolutely kill any chance for cohesion and unity, and really tear apart the movement. In my opinion, there is a kernal of truth to EVERY SINGLE CLAIM of persons, groups and individual "Royal Persons", of which there are many around.

To me, this just proves the facts that the Hawaiian Alii are alive and well, and that no one is gone, erased, or removed from time. That everything is alive, well and kicking and ready to fight.

For me, I find it very disingenuous to put up information, and then silence those who wish to comment and debate. When individuals claiming to be Mois, wether Wahine or Kane, silence debate, and then say "Oh no, those other guys claims are false, hewa. It is only us that rules, and no one else everyone else is a liar", that is where I have some serious problems.

Am I guilty of doing this? Of course i am. I have pride in my own position. Which usually clashes with what others beleive. But it doesn't mean I am not for sovreignty as much as anyone else! I am. It is just that each is loyal to different lines. Is this any different then what has been around for hundreds of years? No. Is this the way of Polynesia? Yes. Will different lineages and geneologies grumble among themselves who is false claim and who is real? Yes. Ae. Ae. Ae. Ae.

HOWEVER: In the situation that we are currently in, it is my fervent hope, that all sides can sit down and discuss all of this is a rational manner. I beleive that the first thing everyone must agree, is that there is SO MUCH Alii Moi, and Alii Nui lines still left and around in Hawaii Nei, that everyone has a claim, in some part and portion. I beleive this wholeheartedly.

But when I look at everything together, and the geneologies, of which I have been working on now for well more then 10 years now, I realize that to me, it is Kauai that stands out among all others. The reason for this is historical, geneologically.

All Pio lines only came from Kauai. When u look at the Kookalani lists of Cheifs, which is the one I usually look to for its intense authenticity, and of course the Kalakaua and Liliuokalani Dynastic lines, Kaumualii and Kapule lines, and especially Kamakahelei lines, it just seems blatently clear that any way u slice it, the lines from Kauai predominate.

Therefore, with several claimants to the Throne, Princess Abigail, and Prince Quentin, and then of course Prince Kuhios line, to me, I would be happy with either, although my hanai side supports Princess Abigail, that is becasue Kauai seems split in its allegience. Further, the Kaauwai's are alive and well on Kauai, and the ohana is supported of both Abigail and Kuhio, since both bring Kauai to the forefront.

If truth be told, I would be as happy with a lineal descendent of Prince Kuhios rising to the throne as I would be with Princess Abigail, or Prince Quentin. The difference for me, is that I have actually met Princess Abigail, and her brother when he was still alive. I wonder sometimes if some of you have ever met her, or actually ever seen her., or spoken to her They are both very tall, very stately, very so obviously alii. There is something inherent in the manner of all true alii. Prince Kuhio was also a wonderful example of true alii and conducted himself accordingly. I support all of these claims, including the claims of Kuhios line. What i do not support is the insulting personally of any individual alii, wether you agree that they are the hiers or not, insulting words and claims are just not pono and very hewa to me. Although it is true, sometimes the alii themselves were perhaps at times scathing to each other in their rhetoric, to me, the aliis that took the higher roads, and did not engage back in that rhetoric, had the higher and more cheifly status in my assessment.

If we all think for the truth, we all know that to be an alii by koko is only part of the equation. We must also look at the actions of each alii and how they conduct themselves, and what their deportment is like. TO any of you feel that swearing four letter words is the action of a true alii? Why would a true alii stoop so low as to use such foul and profane words? If you want to insult someone in the old way, then use the proper poetic kaona to do so. Please do not stoop to the foulness of the English language. You cheapen yourself and the alii.

Dress nicely, as befits an alii nui. Conduct yourself with dignity and class. Do not engage yourself in screaming matches or pissing contests. Sit down intelligently with each other and calmly discuss everything in a rational manner. DO you think this is the haole way to do things? By sitting down and discussing things in this way you are somehow doing things the haole way? It is not.

In precontact there was a clear system that was in place. Do you honestly think everyone was running around with war clubs bashing each others heads in, and not discussing matters first>? Most warfare was diverted through partnerships with different lines, through councils of cheifs, rational discussions, alliances and decisions, and hoikes and contests that substituted for warfare., including oli, lua, konane, and hula kahiko and riddling contests. Amazingly enough it was not seen as the best option to conduct warfare, because the idea was to transfer loyal people ALIVE. Our King, Kaumualii, and his mother, Cheifess Kamakahelei beleived in peaceful trading to avoid warfare, and certain alliances through partnerships, thus much warfare on Kauai was diverted for many generations. Well, that and Cheifess Kamakahelei's chanting. That worked pretty good too.

W
hHat good was a dead person, for beefing up your own lands and people? Think people..And the aliis could always use a bunch of kauwas as well, if they did not want to swear loyalty or fealty to that Cheif or Cheifess. You see, loyalty was a very valuable asset, precontact. If u ask me its a pretty valuable asset right now. This is the actions of a high civilization. I have been attempting for over 20 years to put forth the idea, that this culture was one of the highest and most intelligent civilized culture on the face of this earth. All of this infighting is certainly not helping to advance that idea.

And on the subject of hanai. Oh I am so going to get very walaau about this. Most people today have no idea what true hanai was. I remember learning from Gramma Rachel Mahuiki about this. And anyone who disputes her knowlege, is a strauight up idiot, in my book. If you dont know who she was, then you know verty little about anything.

She 0once told me this moolelo, and I have never forgotten it. I was very upset one day, at my hanai status, because I didn't have koko. She took me aside, and had this to tell me, of which she has told to many people since that time, and I remember her telling it to the whole ohana in the backyard once as well.

The mo'olelo goes like this:

In the day, when there was warfare, and many had been killed, when cheifs and cheifesses went on their tours of the mokupuni, they would enter each district. It would become known that a child was wanted and perhaps would be blessed and hanai'd. TO be hana'id, gave exactly equal status to that person as koko. In fact it was a COMMON practice, if your OWN HIERS were not considered suitable, to name the HANAI your heir!! This is seen time and time again in the chants, geneologies, documents ect. This is a fact. This cannot be denied. Such was the importance and level of being hanai before, by the cheifly classes.

This is how it was done, according to Gramma Rachel.

The alii would come into the district, and all of the people would bring their hokupu. Many children were brought to the alii. The child, if chosen, and selected, was placed on the aliis lap, until it mimi'd. (shi shi, or urinated) on the aliis lap. Then, a great cry was heard, and this child was taken into the household, and hanai'd, and given high status. So all of this bickering over who is who and who is hanai, as you can see in the documents, and the palapala, many hanai were given status sometimes over the eigitimate koko hiers due to ATTITUDE and DEPORTMENT.

According to Gramma Rachel, alii looked for certain signs, and certain attitudes, intelligence and deportment in hanai children. They as aliis were wise, and chose well. Many times children would try to usurp their own parents rule. A hanai was considered to be more loyal to the Chief/cheifess because of the fact that they were elevated by them. Therefore they would defend the cheifs claims, sometimes far better then their own issue.

So, Gramma Rachel concluded by saying that is why, in Haena, the old way is to hema the diaper, and let the children mimi on you. Was this done with my own keiki? absolutely. And it was always a moment for great joy, lots of laughter, and it is always the tradition there. No one gets upset when the children mimi on you. That is yours, you can claim them, have a special bond, hanai. True Hanai has nothing to do with the English version of hanai.

Why do I speak so strongly of Hanai, and this old way> Because that is my situation., I was hanai in the old way, for what Gramma said is the same reason the cheifs gave. Because of loyalty, support and defense of the lines and the ohana. That is what I have done my whole life. As a hanai i am grateful and loyal and defend. I know what it means. It is a heavy and enduring responsibility and never to be taken lightly. I have inherited much and been given much, and have tried, I beleive to honor my hanai status as best as I can with my whole heart and soul. So enough about hanai. I do not want to see any more of this arguing about who the alii hanaid, and how they cannot have claims over legitimate koko. I have explained this to you now, directly from the mouth of Gramma Rachel Illalaole O Kamehameha Mahuiki (her true inoa). DO not dispute my hanai's words. Hewa.

Why do I support Kauais claim to the throne? Well, first of all, Pricess Abigail was supported by my hanai ohana. SO I support Princess Abigail. That is logical, if it happened to you, you would support as well. But there is another reason. My hanai Uncle, Palu Hanohano Pa, the last documented person to leave Kalalau was adamant about the situation between Kamehamehas lines, and Kauai Lines. His grandmother was alive when all this was going on and he got it directly from his own parents, regarding the loyalty of Kauai's people to Kauai's alii. He clearly told me, weeping, in tears one day, that he was not under any circumstances of Kamehamehas lines. That the people of Kauai, here in the valleys of Na Pali and of the North Shore, were all Kaumualiis people, and the children of Manokalanipo. He made me swear, grabbing my hands in a vise grip that I would always defend that. Do you think I would say of course Uncle, and then turn around and betray that? Never. How hewa would that be? Uncle Palu gave me so much of his knowlege, and he expected me to follow his wishes on this to the letter. SO I do, to this day on. SO how can I support anything other then the claims of Kauais lines? I cant!!

On Royalty or being a Monarchist versus a constututional government without a monarchial head, I have a lot to say about this. I am a monarchist, but I also beleive in the Kalakaua constitution, which Queen Liliuokalani perpetuated. I beleive in a monarchial, head, the system of ALiis, and cheifs as frameworked by them, and I also beleive in a House of Nobles, a House of Commons, and in free elections to the house of commons. I beleive in the council of Cheifs/alii as the only body that can proclaim an Alii Moi of ka moku pae aina o Hawaii nei. I beleive in a true country and kingdom that has citizens of all races and nationalities within it as Kingdom Nationals. I beleive in all rightful land claims being restored. I beleive in equality for the citizens of Hawaii nei. These are the things I beleive in.

Is this wrong? Is this hewa? No one will ever convince me that it is.

Please, feel free to comment. I am happy to debate, discuss and learn. But if u leave haole swear words on my comment section, I will remove your comment. If you want to swear and cuss at me, do it in the old poetic way. Or not at all. I will not suffer that kind of pilau stuff here. So please, say what you feel. Aole pilikia.
Aloha
Anne Punohu .

HEWA Waimanalo homeless await rumored sweep - Hawaii News - Staradvertiser.com

SO Much for the "Homeless are all mainland good for nothings argument". How many times can I say this ad nauseum? How long can I keep saying shame, and hewa!! When will anyone listen?!?

So, all of you know how extensively I have been trying to educate people on the fact that the state has plans to EVICT LAW ABIDING HOUSING RESIDENTS, to put in the homeless there are now, to just replace these homeless with others who have done NOTHING TO DESERVE IT!!

The HAWAIIANS ALL DESERVE A PEICE OF LAND AND A HOUSE. Period. End of conversation. FOr everyone else, there needs to be LOW INCOME AND VERY LOW INCOME HOUSING BUILD IMMEDIATELY!!

The Red Cross should step in. Guess why they can't? The REd Cross can only come in if government officials ask them too.

This entire state should be declared a state of disaster. This needs to end. The people have had it. This is the most inhumane thing I have ever seen. It is beyond comprehension!! I can't even type anymore. I am just too disgusted.

Waimanalo homeless await rumored sweep - Hawaii News - Staradvertiser.com