Island Breath: Our endorsements for Kauai in 2008

SUBJECT: 2008 KAUAI CANDIDATES

SOURCE LINDA PASCATORE lindapascatore@me.com

POSTED: 30 OCTOBER 2008 - 7:30am HST
Here are our selections for state races

image above: Barack Obama graduates from Punahuo School on Oahu in 1979

Vote! Election Day is Tuesday, November 4th

by Linda Pascatore 26 October 2008

This article identifies our selections for federal/state representatives and state office holders who are in our judgement best suited for the job. We assume, if you are reading this you are voting for Barack Obama, and won't make an aguement for that. Also, as a a plicy we do not recommend individuals who are running unapposed (e.g. Donald Cataluna- OHA trustee for Kauai, Ronald Sagum - State Legislature).

Our State level Picks
U.S. REPRESENTATIVE CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT 2
Island Breath Recommendation: Mazie Hirono
Maize has served us well, and is the best of the field for this office.

STATE SENATOR DISTRICT 7
Island Breath Recommendation: Gary Hoosier
Gary is one of our favorite elected officials, usually on the right side of each issue.

SCHOOL BOARD 7TH DEPTATMENT - KAUAI
Island Breath Recommendation: Maggie Cox
Maggie is a longtime Kauai educator with a good philosophy of education.

OHA TRUSTEE: NO ISLAND RESIDENCY REQUIRED
Island Breath Recommendation: Colin Kippen
Colin wants to reform OHA and use money to provide real help to the Hawaiian people.

OHA TRUSTEE ISLAND OF KAUAI
Donald Cataluna is running unopposed.

WHAT:
2008 Federal, State and County Elections

WHEN:
Tuesday, November 4th is Election Day.
Polls in Hawaii are open from 7:00 am to 6:00 pm HST.

WHERE:
To find your polling place, go to: http://www4.honolulu.gov/vote/

SUBJECT: 2008 KAUAI CANDIDATES

SOURCE JUAN WILSON juanwilson@mac.com

POSTED: 20 OCTOBER 2008 - 3:00pm HST
Here are our selections for local races

image above: front of business card voting reminder now being distributed. Graphics by Juan Wilson

by Juan Wilson on 20 October 2008

The times are radically changing and the old way of doing business-as-usual is quickly disappearing. We need committed public officials with vision and knowledge.

Kauai is lucky because we have candidates for mayor and council who, if elected, could provide enlightened executive leadership and produce a progressive legislative majority.

We should vote only for these four candidates, to concentrate our efforts and increase the likelihood of achieving our goals.

Concentrate your vote for council:

• voting for a common progressive slate can multiply our leverage.

• casting all seven votes for councilmay dilute your effect ( 4 makes a majority)

FOR MAYOR
JoAnn Yukimura

For three decades JoAnn has served as an executive and legislator on Kauai. She has learned from her experience and has the vision we need in these difficult times.
JoAnn listens to the island community and is abreast with social, environmental, and sustainable alternatives. She is the most qualified choice for Mayor of Kauai.

FOR COUNTY COUNCIL
Tim Bynum

Tim supports a General Plan update. He is committed to enhancing access to mountains and beaches. He seeks economic opportunities that allow our children to stay on Kauai. Tim currently serves on the County Council.

and the rear has suggestions on state proposals and county county charter amendments. See below.

Lani Kawhara

Lani’s focus includes preserving pubic access and undeveloped coastline, a sustainable Kauai employing alternative energy sources, and increasing food self-sufficiency. Lani was a legislative aide to Gary Hooser and is head librarian in Kapaa.

Kipukai Kuali`i

Kipukai is a sincere, thoughtful and compassionate community and labor organizer. Kauai born and raised, he understands first-hand the challenges facing our working families and our island. He is committed to sustainability.

Bruce Pleas

Bruce has attended more planning meetings than most career politicians. He has a deep knowledge of Kauai governance and has shown clear and original thinking on solving complex problems. He is a surfer and organic farmer.

SUBJECT: AMENDMENTS AND PROPOSLAS

SOURCE JUAN WILSON juanwilson@mac.com

POSTED: 20 OCTOBER 2008 - 3:00pm HST
Here is our evaluation of ballot initiatives

image above: rear of business card voting remindernow being distributed. Graphics by Juan Wilson

2008 Amendment Proposals and Our Recommendations
by Juan Wilson on 20 October 2008

It was very difficult to find these amendments. I had no luck online at any government websites. Mahalo to Jonathan Jay, who called the county and had the pdf e-mailed to him. You may find a few errors made in converting the PDF to text. The document states that the order of these amendments will not be the order on the ballot, the amendments will not be numbered, and the title on the top will not be on the ballot. The ballot will show only the ballot question, with no number or announced order. All of these factors seem to add to the confusion.

For more detailed infomation than this article provides about the wording of the ballots choices for state and county amendments click here.

Note that the county has chosen to not number or title its amendments on the ballot. This makes discussing them more difficult. In addition, the county has used verbose and convoluted language to what are really simple proposals. This makes responsible voting quite time consuming.

Sample ballots were only in the last few days available to the public. We hope we have been able to simplify the ballot options for you. Now go out and vote.

State Constitutional Amendments

STATE PROPOSAL NO. 1:
HAWAII CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION
Shall the State of Hawaii conduct a convention to amend and modify its constitution?
Island Breath recommendation-- Vote NO

If we had a progressive government, this could be a good idea. However, with the current administration, much mischief has occurred. They ignored existing law and held a special session to approve the Superferry without the constitutionally mandated environmental law.

STATE PROPOSAL NO. 2:
AGE LIMIT CHANGE FOR LT. GOVERNOR
Shall the limit of 35 years old be reduced to 25 for candidates seeking this office?

Island Breath recommendation-- Vote Yes

The educational level, maturity and judgment of individuals varies greatly. Youth should not be a barrier to office qualification.

County Charter Amendment Proposals

COUNTY PROPOSAL NO. 1:
RELATING TO COUNTY ELECTIONS
Shall charter be amended to require that the two candidates who receive the highest number of votes for mayor run in general election?

Island Breath recommendation-- Vote Yes

Currently, if one mayoral candidate receives a majority in the primary, he or she is automatically elected. Many people do not vote in the primaries. A YES vote ensures they have a choice in the general election.

COUNTY PROPOSAL NO. 2:
RELATING TO COUNTY COUNCIL EXECUTIVE SESSIONS
Shall charter be amended to conform to state sunshine law requiring that only some meetings of the Council be open to public?

Island Breath recommendation-- Vote NO

Kauai’s Sunshine Law currently requires more openness than the State law. A NO vote prevents more closed-door meetings.

COUNTY PROPOSAL NO. 3:
RELATING TO BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS
Amendment to expressly permit county board and commission members to appear on behalf of private interests.

Island Breath recommendation-- Vote NO

County board members are public servants and should not be testifying on behalf of private interests.

COUNTY PROPOSAL NO. 4
RELATING TO DISCLOSURE OF INTEREST
Shall an elected or appointed officer or employee, or member of a board or commission not be allowed to participate in matters pending before them where the member or any member of his immediate family has a personal financial interest?

Island Breath recommendation-- Vote YES

This is a simple conflict of interest issue that has been deceptively worded to require a YES vote to be against conflicts of interest.

COUNTY PROPOSAL NO. 5:
RELATING OFFICE OF COUNTY AUDITOR
Shall there be an Office of the County Auditor, established within the Legislative Branch, to conduct or cause to conduct performance and financial audits of funds, programs, and operations of any agency, department or operation of the County?

Island Breath recommendation-- Vote YES

This ought to foster more accountability for use of public funds on Kauai.

COUNTY PROPOSAL NO. 6:
RELATING TO IMPLEMENTATION OF GENERAL PLAN
The power to process and to issue any zoning, subdivision, or variance for more than one vacation rental unit shall be the exclusive responsibility of the County Council.

Island Breath recommendation-- Vote YES

This incredibly long amendment gives the council power to reject any application for more than one vacation rental and requires a public hearing. It paces the rate of growth to the guidelines of the General Plan.