• Bullyism vs. Sustainability Bullyism vs. Sustainability In response to Don Heacock’s “Open letter to Councilwoman Kawahara” concerning the effort of turning into a sustainable island, I can only admire his vision and his passion for I too have been attempting
• Bullyism vs. Sustainability
Bullyism vs. Sustainability
In response to Don Heacock’s “Open letter to Councilwoman Kawahara” concerning the effort of turning into a sustainable island, I can only admire his vision and his passion for I too have been attempting to do my small share in turning this concept into a reality over these past years.
There’s no reason Kaua‘i cannot be a “thriving community, economically prosperous … with well educated citizens … not one that is dependent upon imports … whether those imports be food, fiber, energy or visitors.” And we don’t have to wait until 2015, 2020 or 2030. We can begin immediately.
There is no reason for this not to happen except for protectionism, patronage and favoritism ruling out our politically elected officials and appointed department heads. This combination creates a “bully-type” mentality too often found in our elementary schoolyard playgrounds and kills any chances for “sustainability” ever reaching Kaua‘i.
This type of bully economics creates greed and greed is a cancer to sustainability. Heacock continues, “We need to adopt the ‘build it and they will come’ (automatically) attitude and policy of building a thriving, vibrant and sustainable island community” and he is absolutely correct. However, in my mind, we need to begin with small steps, not a continuous search for a “magic bullet,” be it “pristine” or not.
Example of steps:
— In the summer of 2007 Paradise Bloom Landscaping, a local contractor, working with Western Renewable Energy and Carbon Tech, won a county Solid Waste Invitation For Bid. The job was completed and WRE/CT/PBL saved you the taxpayers some $200,000 to $250,000 on that one job.
— Asked to bid another one-year contract, we agreed and our bids again saved the taxpayers some $120,000 and $150,000 but we were “technically” denied. That same contract was bid three times, each time scrutinized for “technicalities” that could be used not to award the contract. Bullyism? Whatever those reasons were, they were not in the best interest of the county or you the taxpayer.
— In September 2007, I hand delivered to the entire County Council and the Mayor’s Office a proposal for a “Carbon Tech landfill Waste Re Mediation Program.” Not one response from the Mayor’s Office.
Examples of larger steps:
— Last fall, a bigger step was taken during the election campaign. WRE/CT/PBL offered $100 million to be used for the purpose of solving Kaua‘i’s solid waste dilemma at no cost to you, the taxpayer. These funds were to be used for the building of a brand new biomass facility at the Kekaha landfill area that would include a much needed “green alternative energy fuel pellet” process that has the capacity of burning hotter and cleaner than coal as well as a value-added process for the commercialization of our solid waste into building blocks, pavers, retaining walls, etc. to be sold in the private sector. Plus hundreds of jobs would have been created islandwide.
— An additional process of recycling our plastics, categories 1-7, back into crude oil would be included. From this crude oil diesel, gasoline, jet fuel, asphalt, bunker oil could be made on island thus lessening our dependency on imported oil products.
— Added to this facility was a new slaughter and rendering plant, the first in the state, for livestock along with agricultural programs.
— Again, the creation of jobs.
Response to these offers? Zero! Not one contact of interest from any sector of county elected officials or any department heads. Does this type of leadership not scare you, the readers and voters, as to the capabilities of those people you have put into office?
WRE/CTPBL tried building a sustainable Garden Island, putting locals first, to focus on island interdependence first not imports, to protect and enhance our precious natural and cultural resources, to recognize the intent and implied meaning of our state motto. All of which would be at no cost to you the taxpayer. There would be no bonds to float, no mortgages to acquire, nor any reason to be in debt for many millions of dollars for decades. Our children would not have to pay for our generations mistakes with their future earnings.
Unfortunately, Kaua‘i is a very hard “hoe to row” for investors who “come to this island as a friend only to go home with a bloody nose.” As Councilman Furfaro mentioned at the April 1 council meeting, having money offered to Kaua‘i in this present economic market is nothing less than amazing. I thank him for his observation.
Can those dollars be retrieved? There is a possibility if our community displays a genuine attitude of openness and willingness to work with these investors to begin attaining sustainability within the next three to four years. Until our government’s “bully mindset” ceases, do not hold your breath for sustainability.
• John Hoff, Lawa‘i
