2. Help Fight Dwindling Bee Numbers
3. Henry, Day 2 at Filming on Palace Grounds
4. Voices Health/Environment News
5. Staying Open And Fluid
6. Protesters Enter Bear Stearns Building in NY
7. Courageous resistance all over the US
8. OHA Land Deal About The Future
9. Enjoy
10. UN rejects water as basic human right!
11. kaiulani and puakea
12. amazing site - hawaiialive
13. nhea conf starts tomorrow (not today), thursday and ends friday -- two
additional workshops offered by pua burgess 10:15 am and 11:30 am
14. finally read the script...
15. gao rpt criticizes nh ed council 3_08
16. SCR138 SD1 - Requesting a Financial and Management Audit of the Office
of Hawaiian Affairs
17. Keep it simple
18. Kauai's Organic Corn Out Break
19. OHA stirs doubts about its finances
20. Big Island as ground Zero?
21. Army names Apo, Hoe civilian aides
22. Humankind: Be Both
23. OHA Audit called for
24. Ka`iulani and Consultation
25. Written testimony to Maui island Burial Council-March 27, 2008
26. Palani Vaughn on the filming of Last Native Princess (or whatever it's
called)
27. henry on the filming
28. BILL 958 CLICK ON LINK
29. The World According to Monsanto - A documentary that Americans won't
ever see (GMO)
30. mobile lab
31. Black Commentator: Barack Obama: The Empire Strikes Back
32. Army Mar 14 update/ DU at Pohakula
33. OHA Upset Over Proposed Audit
34. Nature 2, Corps 0
1. Change in Oneness Deeksha Blessing Location
Date: Wed, 26 Mar 2008 13:28:18 -1000
From: Oahu Deeksha <ohm.oahu@gmail.com>
Heddy King and Rev. Sue Crane have decided to hold their Friday group
deeksha at Aloha Rainbow Bridge 1040 S. King St Ste 101 from now on
instead of AAUW. The time remains 7-9 pm. We will be beginning to go
deeper with special breathing exercises and some processes.
Seating is limited, please bring a chair or pillows to sit on, as well as
something to lie down on. See you soon!
--
Many Blessings;
the Oahu Oneness Blessing facilitators
www.oahudeeksha.com
Rev. Sue 808-221-6782
Heddy King 808-223-7177
Burdae Irwin 808-286-3808
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
2. Help Fight Dwindling Bee Numbers
Date: Wed, 26 Mar 2008 16:44:20 -0700
From: Kathy Roberts <weerkhr@pacbell.net>
If you're concerned about dwindling bee numbers you can order mason bees
and/or mason bee houses for your garden. They are good pollinators and are
non-aggressive. They do not live in hives. Now is the time to order.
This Bee Is Gentle
The orchard mason bee is non-aggressive and will sting only if handled
roughly or if it should get trapped under clothing. It is less
objectionable than the honey bee as a pollinator in urban areas and should
be encouraged. Efforts are being made experimentally to develop large
populations of these bees to use as a supplement to honey bees for fruit
pollination, much as the alfalfa leafcutting bee was developed for alfalfa
seed pollination.
I just ordered 5 tubes of mason bees to go in the bee house I put up.
Here's where I got them:
http://realcooltoys.stores.yahoo.net/livemasonbees.html And I ordered the
bee house here: http://www.highcountrygardens.com/catalog/product/T0011/.
But here's another site for mason bee houses:
http://www.hedging.co.uk/acatalog/Index_Pollination_Bees_27.html
Here's more about mason bees:
http://gardening.wsu.edu/library/inse006/inse006.htm
Kathy
---------------------------------------------------------------------
3. Henry, Day 2 at Filming on Palace Grounds
Date: Wed, 26 Mar 2008 14:18:38 -1000
From: Kealii Makekau <kealii8@lava.net>
On 3/26/08 10:16 AM, "Lc" <palolo@hawaii.rr.com> wrote:
Henry day 2
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=letKqPGeqb0
This piece shows the mentality of the people around this production, look
at the lady trying to convince Henry that overthrow was a good thing?????
----------------------------------------------------------------------
4. Voices Health/Environment News
Date: Wed, 26 Mar 2008 18:56:51 -0600
From: nimchira <tepaatu@gmail.com>
News from the Health and Environmental Communities.
Published since Nov, 2005
March 26, 2008
In This Issue:
Todays Recalls:
Tropifresh, Inc. Recalls Whole Cantaloupe Products Because of Possible
Health Risk-Tropifresh, Inc. of Los Angeles, CA is recalling Agrolibano's
Produce Brand whole Cantaloupes because they appear to be contaminated
with Salmonella, an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal
infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with
weakened immune systems.
http://www.fda.gov/oc/po/firmrecalls/tropifresh03_08.html
==========
Action needed on Social Security and Medicare
http://money.cnn.com/2008/03/25/pf/soc_sec_trustees_report/index.htm?postversion=2008032515
Did you know that antipsychotic and antidepressant drugs have been found
to cause massive weight gain? A typical person taking the drugs gains over
20 pounds of body fat in just the first year! Worse yet, the drug
companies knew about this fact for years and tried to hide it from the
public. Zyprexa Warnings over Weight Gain, Blood Sugar Elevation
http://www.naturalnews.com/022887.html
Compact Fluorescent Light Bulbs May Be Hazardous to Your Health
http://www.naturalnews.com/022886.html
The National Animal Identification System - Who Wins and Who Loses? The
recall of 143 million pounds of beef processed over the past two years is
the largest meat recall in the history of the world.
http://www.naturalnews.com/022884.html
Dangerous Psych Drugs and Pregnancy: Help Stop the Mothers Act. The Senate
is about to approve legislation Mothers Act - S.1375 which mandates the
indoctrination of pregnant and nursing mothers into the use of extremely
dangerous psychiatric medication. http://www.naturalnews.com/022883.html
Soy Industry Promotes Health Myths to Sell More Soy Products, Says Author.
Author Kaayla T. Daniel is challenging what she calls the myth that soy
prevents breast cancer. "The truth is that soy protein contains dangerous
levels of plant estrogens. http://www.naturalnews.com/022882.html
Toxic Trailers Redux: When Did FEMA Know? Deepa Fernandes, reporting for
Mother Jones, writes, "Newly found documents show OSHA detected dangerous
levels of formaldehyde in trailers used to house Katrina evacuees as early
as 2005 -- but FEMA mass distributed them anyway."
http://www.truthout.org/docs_2006/032608E.shtml
Big Pharma is up in arms about developing countries importing less
expensive generic versions of their drugs.
http://www.alternet.org/healthwellness/80488/
Antarctic shelf 'hangs by thread' A huge chunk of ice starts breaking away
from Antarctica in what scientists say is new proof of a warming climate.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/em/-/1/hi/sci/tech/7313264.stm
Lead found in vinyl diaper bags, changing pads.
http://newsletters.environmentalhealthnews.org/t/10773/3057/13487/0/?u=aHR0cDovL3d3dy5kYWlseWhlcmFsZC5jb20vc3RvcnkvP2lkPTE2MDEwNw%3d%3d&x=c9199877
Chunk of Antarctic ice shelf collapses, putting larger area at risk.
http://newsletters.environmentalhealthnews.org/t/10773/3057/13493/0/?u=aHR0cDovL3d3dy5zdGFydHJpYnVuZS5jb20vc2NpZW5jZS8xNjk4NDI4MS5odG1s&x=7afe5504
Critics say proposed animal farm rule stinks. Big pig and poultry farms
wouldn't have to report air emissions from their animal waste under a
little-known proposed federal rule.
http://newsletters.environmentalhealthnews.org/t/10773/3057/13500/0/?u=aHR0cDovL3d3dy5tbGl2ZS5jb20vZW52aXJvbm1lbnQvaW5kZXguc3NmLzIwMDgvMDMvY3JpdGljc19zYXlfcHJvcG9zZWRfY2Fmb19ydWxlLmh0bWw%3d&x=ee2e5182
FEMA begins testing some of its thousands of mobile homes in Hope.
http://newsletters.environmentalhealthnews.org/t/10773/3057/13501/0/?u=aHR0cDovL3d3dy5ub2xhLmNvbS9uZXdzZmxhc2gvaW5kZXguc3NmPy9iYXNlL25ld3MtMzgvMTIwNjQ4MDI1MDEwMzQwLnhtbCZzdG9yeWxpc3Q9bG91aXNpYW5h&x=dcd87823
Minnesota is preparing to do battle with deadly fish virus.
http://newsletters.environmentalhealthnews.org/t/10773/3057/13508/0/?u=aHR0cDovL3d3dy5zdGFydHJpYnVuZS5jb20vc3BvcnRzL291dGRvb3JzLzE2OTk5NjYxLmh0bWw%3d&x=9015977d
Post-Storm Survival Tips-Midwest faces deadly hazards when flood waters
recede. http://www.consumeraffairs.com/news04/2008/03/storm_folo.html
Fever Named After Blackwater-Blackwater is literally 'the worst type of
parasite.' Iraqi doctors in al-Anbar province warn of a new disease they
call "Blackwater" that threatens the lives of thousands. The disease is
named after Blackwater Worldwide, the U.S. mercenary company operating in
Iraq. "This disease is a severe form of malarial infection caused by the
parasite plasmodium falciparum, which is considered the worst type of
malarial infection," Dr. Ali Hakki from Fallujah told IPS.
http://www.ipsnews.net/news.asp?idnews=41743
To facilitate Bush's quarantines
http://www.legitgov.org/DoD_to_augment_civilian_law.html and to fill KBR's
detention centers
http://www.halliburton.com/default/main/halliburton/eng/news/source_files/news.jsp?newsurl=/default/main/halliburton/eng/news/source_files/press_release/2006/kbrnws_012406.html
STMicroelectronics introduces flu detection laboratory on a chip
http://www.iht.com/articles/2008/03/24/business/stm.php
Indonesia limits sharing of bird flu samples
http://in.reuters.com/article/worldNews/idINIndia-32652520080324
250 sick in Colo. water contamination
http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2008-03-25-colo-water_N.htm
Oldest known human fossil is found in Europe-fossils were found, as
between 1.1 and 1.2 million years old.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/earth/main.jhtml?view=DETAILS&grid=&xml=/earth/2008/03/26/scifossil126.xml
===============
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is advising consumers not to
purchase or use "Blue Steel" or "Hero" products, marketed nationally as
dietary supplements, because these products contain undeclared
ingredients, which may dangerously affect a person's blood pressure level.
They are considered unapproved drugs and have not been proven to be safe
or effective. These products are promoted and sold over the Internet for
the treatment of erectile dysfunction [ED] and for sexual enhancement.
They contain undeclared and unapproved substances similar in chemical
structure to sildenafil, the active ingredient in an FDA-approved
prescription drug for ED. The undeclared ingredients in these products may
interact with nitrates found in some prescription drugs (such as
nitroglycerin), and can lower blood pressure to dangerous levels.
http://www.fda.gov/medwatch/safety/2008/safety08.htm
============
The news that is reported is not necessarily the viewpoint of Voices
Health/Environmental News. Nothing within this message should be construed
as endorsing, promoting or abetting any illegal or unethical activity. The
articles in this newsletter are not necessarily the opinion of the editor.
Material appearing here is distributed without profit or monetary gain to
those who have expressed an interest in receiving the material for
research and educational purposes. This is in accordance with Title 17 U.
S. C. section 107. http://www4.law.cornell.edu/uscode/17/107.html
Articles are reprinted under Fair Use Doctrine of International Copyright
Law. http://www4.law.cornell.edu/uscode/17/107.html
All copyrights belong to original publisher.Under Bill s.1618 TITLE III
passed by the 105th U.S. Congress. This letter cannot be considered spam
as long as we include: Contact information & a Remove Link Reprinted under
the Fair Use Law: Doctrine of international copyright law.
http://www4.law.cornell.edu/uscode/17/107.html
To send news reports, subscribe or unsubscribe send email to:
nimchira@cox.net Specify Voices, the Peoples News, or Voices
Health/Environmental News.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
5. Staying Open And Fluid
Date: Thu, 27 Mar 2008 13:42:44 +1300
From: Clarke <tepaatu@gmail.com>
------ Forwarded Message
From: "Artemis Goldberg" <panthertracker@myself.com>
Staying Open And Fluid Judgment Versus Opinion
Most of us understand that when we judge someone, or someone judges us, it
is a negative emotional experience. As a result, we naturally want to
avoid being judgmental, but this gets confusing when we feel we have to
suppress thoughts that could actually be offering us guidance. For
example, we may meet someone new and suppress a negative feeling about
them, thinking that we don't want to fall into the trap of being
judgmental. Later, though, it may turn out that paying attention to that
thought could have helped us take care of ourselves or someone else.
It is important to learn to distinguish inner guidance, and having an
opinion, from judgment, otherwise we run the risk of not listening to our
intuition and not allowing ourselves to form opinions. Inner guidance and
opinions both help us to interact more intelligently in the world, so we
don't want to throw them out in an effort to avoid being judgmental. Our
intuition usually makes itself known to us in a flash, and often has a
physical component-a flutter in our stomachs, sweaty palms, or a chill.
When we use this information to help us navigate a situation, we always
benefit. Similarly, having an opinion about a person or an idea allows us
to converse about it in a focused way with intention. Listening to our
intuition and forming opinions are both positive outcomes of our ability
to interpret the information that comes our way.
When we make a judgment, on the other hand, we attempt to have a final say
on whether someone or something is inherently good or bad. Judgments close
us down instead of opening us up; opinions have a lighter quality and are
amenable to change. Once a judgment has been made, there is no more
conversation or consideration, whereas opinions invite further debate.
Intuition guides us from moment to moment, but, unlike judgment, never
makes a final decree. In other words, it is only healthy to be open to the
information we receive and to allow ourselves to process that information.
As long as we stay open and fluid, we can trust that we have not fallen
prey to the trap of judgment.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
6. Protesters Enter Bear Stearns Building in NY
Date: Wed, 26 Mar 2008 19:17:43 -0700
From: Kathy Roberts <weerkhr@pacbell.net>
Protesters enter Bear Stearns building in New York
Wed Mar 26, 2008 6:57pm EDT
By Karen Brettell
NEW YORK (Reuters) - About 60 protesters opposed to the U.S. Federal
Reserve's help in bailing out Bear Stearns entered the lobby of the
investment bank's Manhattan headquarters on Wednesday, demanding
assistance for struggling homeowners.
Demonstrators organized by the Neighborhood Assistance Corporation of
America chanted "Help Main Street, not Wall Street" and entered the lobby
without an invitation for around half an hour before being escorted out by
police.
"There are no provisions for homeowners in this deal. There are people out
there struggling who need help," said Detria Austin, an organizer at NACA,
an advocacy group for home ownership.
Bear Stearns employees were amused and perplexed, some taking pictures.
One man in the lobby applauded.
"Homeowners, that's more than $1 trillion (in mortgage debt), you're
crazy," another man in a suit screamed at a protester on the street.
The protesters blamed Bear Stearns and JPMorgan Chase & CoCo employees for
helping fuel the mortgage crisis.
Demand for mortgage debt from investment banks including Bear Stearns
encouraged lenders to drop standards to create new loans. Some lenders
resorted to scams and fraud to initiate loans.
The banks repackaged and resold the debt to investors.
"Blame the mortgage tsunami on Bear Stearns," read one sign. Another read,
"Bear Stearns employees aren't worth $2."
After leaving Bear Stearns, the crowd moved to JPMorgan.
"We will go to their neighborhood, we will educate their children on what
their parents do. They should be ashamed," NACA founder Bruce Marks said
of employees at both banks.
On March 16, JPMorgan Chase & said it would acquire its rival the Bear
Stearns Co Inc. for $2 per share, in a deal brokered by the Federal
Reserve aimed at heading off a bankruptcy and a spreading crisis of
confidence in the global financial system.
On Monday, JPMorgan raised its offer to about $10 a share to appease angry
stockholders who vowed to fight the original deal. Bear Stearns traded at
$11.25 a share at 3:30 p.m. on Wednesday, up 2.8 percent.
As part of the deal, the Fed agreed to guarantee up to $29 billion of Bear
Stearns assets.
The agreement has raised concerns that the U.S. government is prepared to
help rescue a failing Wall Street bank while declining to bail out
millions of home owners facing the possibility of foreclosure.
(Editing by Daniel Trotta and Cynthia Osterman)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
7. Courageous resistance all over the US
Date: Wed, 26 Mar 2008 18:55:05 -1000
From: debrasweet@worldcantwait.org said:
Some remarkable local protests last week targeted miliary recrutiing.
High school students in Portland OR left school and marched on City
Hall, demanding answers from the Mayor. Why are recruiters all over
the high schools?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ocklf1rMt-4
Grandmothers for Peace went to a military recruiting station in
Midtown Mall in Atlanta, trying to sign up. There were arrests,
because they sat in after the recruiters wouldn't take them into the
military, in place of young people. You can see more on
http://www.worldcantwait.org.
What does stopping recruiting do to end the war? All the candidates
project increasing the size of the U.S. military by 100,000. And they
need to replace the exhausted troops who have been in Iraq for several
tours. Where will the soldiers come from for McCain's 100 year war?
Or Cheney's two generation "war on terror?" From those who are 15,
16, 17 years old now. We need to intervene, now.
Last night in Washington, I met some remarkable people who stood up to
the religious right with individual acts of resistance. What You
Always Wanted to Know About the Separation of Church and State, but
Were Afraid to Ask will be simulcast in 25 theaters tonight, and will
live stream
after that.
http://www.firstfreedomfirst.org/simulcast-event/
Bryan and Christy Rehm, science teachers, fought creationism in Dover,
Pa. science classes and forced the state to stop allowing "intelligent
design" to be taught on a par with science. Matthew LaClair
challenged his NJ high school history teacher who was proselytizing in
class.
Melinda "Lindy" Maddox was the only plaintiff who didn't back down in
suing Alabama "10 Commandments" Judge Roy Moore to remove a granite
monument from the AL state house. She won, withstanding death
threats, poisoning of her dog, and all the windows being shot out of her
house.
My friend Dr. Susan Wicklund, author of "This Common Secret: My
Journey as an Abortion Doctor" talked about the battle to defend
reproductive rights for women against the laws and extra-legal threats
of the Christian fundamentalists.
I got to speak with David and Ryan Altoon. David was an Air Force
pilot in Vietnam who is completely against the Iraq war. His son Ryan
wanted to attend the Air Force Academy, but left when he found that
attendance in Christian evangelical prayer meetings was virtually
compulsory. He said that, tough the stated goal of the Air Force
Academy is to train "leaders," the noun constantly used in training is
"warrior," as in Christian warrior. David and Ryan have exposed the
breadth of Christian fundamentalist penetration into the chaplain corps
of the military.
David said on stage last night that the level of indoctrination of
officers is directly linked to the commssion of war crimes by US
forces in the Mid East wars. Read more at
http://www.truthdig.com/report/item/20071107_the_cancer_from_within/CP2/
For an inside look at the Winter Soldier Investigations held ten days
ago--which still have gotten virtually no corporate media notice--read
World Can't Wait leader Elaine Brower's piece on Common Dreams
yesterday.
http://www.commondreams.org/archive/2008/03/24/7868/
Malcolm Shore contributed. I really encourage everyone to do showings
of the hearings, archived at http://ivaw.org/wintersoldier/testimony
Become a more effective communicator and support World Can't Wait by
responding to this Special Offer from One of our Own?Ronnie Moore I am
a speaker, trainer, and author specializing in communication --
spoken and written. I help people avoid the pain and disappointment
that poor communication causes so they can enjoy the benefits
effective communication brings to their lives. Like you, I am also a
dedicated World Can't Wait supporter.
My newest book, Why Did I Say That? Communicating to keep your
credibility, your cool, and your cash! has been called a "lifesaver"
and "a must-have for all your relationships, from your family to your
friends, to the people at work." This book is sold worldwide to men
and women of all ages, from students to seniors. I promise that it's
a great read and a great help in your personal and professional life.
Purchase Ronnie's book/audio CD's Profit will go to World Can't Wait.
http://www.worldcantwait.net/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=4612&Itemid=4
Debra Sweet, Director, The World Can't Wait - Drive Out the Bush
Regime
----------
Vietnam Veterans Against the War Anti-Imperialist VVAWAI has the
following points of unity:
1. VVAWAI is an anti-imperialist organization which is open to veterans of
all eras, reservists, and active duty GIs.
2. VVAWAI has vowed to bring the lessons paid for in blood into direct
opposition to any wars or war preparations by the U.S. and all imperialist
powers, East or West.
3. VVAWAI upholds all resistance to imperialist war by GIs, reservists,
veterans and the anti-war/peace movement.
4. Just as we upheld the righteous struggle of the people of South East
Asia fighting for their liberation, we uphold the just struggles of people
around the world as they fight for their liberation today.
5. As veterans, we know that racism and the subjugation of women are twin
pillars of crimes against humanity. We vow to oppose these and all other
forms of oppression.
VVAWAI
P.O. Box 21604
Seattle, WA 98111-3604
vets@vvawai.org
www.vvawai.org
We Are All Outlaws in the Eyes of Amerikkka!!!
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
8. OHA Land Deal About The Future
Date: Wed, 26 Mar 2008 19:36:59 -1000
From: Lc <palolo@hawaii.rr.com>
amazingly on target...
----- Original Message ----- From: HIAHAWAII@aol.com
Sent: Wednesday, March 26, 2008 6:54 PM
Wednesday, March 26, 2008 Honolulu Advertiser
OHA Land Deal About The Future
By Jerry Burris, Advertiser Columnist
With the kind of money it routinely throws around, you'd think that the
proposal for a $200 million land-and-cash settlement with the Office of
Hawaiian Affairs over disputed past-due payments would be no big thing for
our Legislature.
And, if truly it was only about land and cash, it probably would be no big
thing. After all, the Legislature has long been on record as agreeing that
OHA and its beneficiaries are owed something from the state to support its
operations and good works.
The sticker is that just about everyone recognizes this conversation is
about more than cleaning up a past-due obligation that has clouded the
state's books and bond rating and has hampered OHA operations. Really,
there is no way around it. The conversation is about the long-term
relationship between Hawaiians and the rest of the state, institutionally
and as individual citizens.
Until that conversation clarifies, it's understandable many lawmakers want
to dance away from the issue.
Supporters of the proposal, including OHA chairwoman Haunani Apoliona and
Attorney General Mark Bennett, are vigorous in their insistence that this
plan in no way affects that larger "conversation" about a possible
Hawaiian entity and whether it is or is not entitled to anything, let
alone ceded lands or their revenue. This is simply an effort to settle a
dispute over how much OHA is entitled to under the 1978 Constitution, they
say.
Indeed, the legislation enabling the settlement was rewritten to make this
point abundantly clear, they argue. But suspicions remain.
Those who envision a Hawaiian "nation" or political entity one day have
far more in mind than the few chunks of land and $15 million a year in
direct cash support as envisioned in the current proposed settlement. Some
want a say over what happens to all ceded lands, those 1.2 million acres
or more that are being held in trust by the state.
Others say a settlement might make sense, but they are not sure whether
the current offer is (a) enough or (b) appropriate to the needs of
Hawaiians. That is, might a settlement include more money for Hawaiian
Homes or other such programs rather than putting the cash directly in the
hands of the Office of Hawaiian Affairs?
But here's the bottom line: No matter what the current administration says
and no matter how sincerely it may believe what it is saying, many
Hawaiians do not see this conversation as being simply about cleaning up
the past. They see it as about the future, for themselves and for all
Hawaiians.
Jerry Burris' column appears Wednesdays in this space. See his blog at
blogs.honoluluadvertiser.com/akamaipolitics. Reach him at
jrryburris@yahoo.com.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
9. Enjoy
Date: Wed, 26 Mar 2008 19:42:15 -1000
From: Lc <palolo@hawaii.rr.com>
from pono...
----- Original Message ----- From: Alwayz_Aloha@msn.com
Sent: Wednesday, March 26, 2008 7:04 PM
If you can't see the pictures in this email, click here to see it in a
web browser:
http://olympus.kodakgallery.com/I.jsp?c=fav1yrk.7xg0gbog&x=0&y=3890n1&localeid=en_US
Pono has shared photos with you.
'Iolani Palace 3-25-08
(1 album)
You're invited to view my online photos at the Gallery. Enjoy!
- Pono
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
10. UN rejects water as basic human right!
Date: Wed, 26 Mar 2008 19:43:09 -1000
From: Viviane Lerner <vivlerner@gmail.com>
[www_canada_com]
UN rejects water as basic human right
Mike De Souza , CanWest News Service
Published: Tuesday, March 25, 2008
OTTAWA - The Harper government can declare victory after a United Nations
meeting rejected calls for water to be recognized as a basic human right.
Instead, a special resolution proposed by Germany and Spain at the UN
human rights council was stripped of references that recognized access to
water as a human right. The countries also chose to scrap the idea of
creating an international watchdog to investigate the issue, choosing
instead to appoint a new consultant that would make recommendations over
the next three years.
Federal officials in Canada said last week that the government wanted to
ensure the meeting's outcome reflected the fact that access to water is
not formally recognized as a human right in international law. But a
social advocacy group said that the position was designed to protect the
right to sell water under the North American Free Trade Agreement.
"Clearly (the Harper government is) happy with the status quo: They're
not going to be an agent for change, and they're not going to support the
right to water," said Maude Barlow, chair of the Council of Canadians.
"About every eight seconds, a child somewhere in the world is dying from
dirty water, and it's just shocking that our government has taken this
position."
The opposition Liberals supported the government's position last week,
arguing that the original UN resolution could open the door to bulk water
exports to the U.S. because of NAFTA. Liberal water critic Francis
Scarpaleggia said he planned to introduce a private member's bill to
restrict large transfers of water within Canada to ensure that bulk
exports abroad would also be forbidden.
The UN's high commissioner for human rights, Louise Arbour, said last week
that the position doesn't reflect Canada's traditional role on the
international stage.
"Canada is taking a position that is not the more classic perceived,
Canada as the kind of the bridge builder, peacemaker, consensus maker,"
Arbour told the CBC.
Meantime, Barlow denied that the resolution would require Canada to make
bulk water exports to the U.S.
"The requirement in the United States would be for them to conserve
first," said Barlow. "There's no requirement as a human right for us to
provide water for swimming pools and golf courses and fountains in Las
Vegas."
A spokesperson for the Foreign Affairs Department said in an e-mail that
there was "no consensus among states regarding the existence, scope or
content of such a right."
mdesouza@canwest.com
=====---------------------------------------------------------------------
11. kaiulani and puakea
Date: Wed, 26 Mar 2008 20:12:00 -1000
From: Lc <palolo@hawaii.rr.com>
hmm...
----- Original Message ----- From: Trisha Kehaulani Watson
Sent: Wednesday, March 26, 2008 8:03 PM
Aloha,
From what I know, the director made the rounds a couple years back at UH.
Seems he is now calling this his ^Óconsultation^Ô although my
understanding is that he did no more than sit down with people for a few
meetings. No scripts were reviewed by resident faculty or experts. The
only UH faculty member I know who has been hired is Puakea; it was Puakea
who did protocol when filming began Monday and Puakea who gave the opening
oli. There were no Hawaiians or other consultants present as far as I
could see. How or why Puakea was selected from the numerous Hawaiian
historians we have as faculty is unclear to me. While I have the utmost
respect for his scholarship in his areas of expertise, I question if he
was the most appropriate person to select as what appears to be the paid
lead consultant on this project. The question is simple: can Puakea
represent the interest of the entire Native Hawaiian community on this
project? I would argue no. It would have been more appropriate to have
created an advisory board of consultants for this project, who reviewed
and commented on the script while still in its draft forms. The fact that
we are only learning of all of this ^Ö now that filming is underway ^Ö is
ridiculous, especially when the film company is receiving a 150% tax
credit for the film. It means that our tax dollars are subsidizing the
defamation of our kupuna.
Hope this answers some questions.
malama
kehau
--------
Date sent: Wed, 26 Mar 2008 10:26:23 -0700 (PDT)
From: kihei soli niheu <papakihei@yahoo.com>
Do we know wat Puakea's e mail address is? I'm totally convince that he
does not know his okole from a hole in the ground. The problem with non
koko educated settlers, of which wat he is, he can not understand , i.e.,
truly understand our ways. Being able to olelo makuahine does not make him
an expert on our culture. Shame, shame, shame on him and now we know his
game and his name. Lets fire our cannons into his sails and neva allow him
to interperate our History ---
Lc <palolo@hawaii.rr.com> wrote:
> i asked palani vaughn. he said puakea nogelmeier. palani called him and
> asked about the content of the script. puakea said it was factually
> correct.
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: kihei soli niheu
> Sent: Wednesday, March 26, 2008 3:32 AM
>
> Who are the cultural Advisors? Shame, shame shame on them for allowing
> distorted facts to be used as basis for them. Yes I would like to know
> who these advisors are. Don't we all want to know? ---
"Pono Kealoha Jr." <Alwayz_Aloha@msn.com> wrote:
> >
> > Senators seek overthrow of 'Princess' film tax help
By Richard Borreca, Star Bulletin, March 25, 2008
A movie about the life of Princess Kaiulani is being criticized as
historically inaccurate and culturally insensitive by Democratic and
Republican members of the state Senate.In a letter circulated yesterday by
Sen. Clayton Hee and signed by 16 senators, 'The Last Princess' was
questioned for taking state tax credits.'Many members of the community
wish to be assured that Princess Kaiulani and Iolani Palace will not be
tarnished and exploited,' said the senators' letter, addressed to Donne
Dawson, state film commissioner.In a speech on the Senate floor yesterday,
Hee (D, Kaneohe-Kahuku) said Abigail Kawananakoa is the last princess of
Hawaiian royalty.'Who cares how Hawaiians feel <snip>
_________________________________________________________________________
12. amazing site - hawaiialive
Date: Wed, 26 Mar 2008 21:45:37 -1000
From: Lc <palolo@hawaii.rr.com>
my son said he saw it on the news this evening. it is definitely amazing.
go look: http://hawaiialive.org
documents written by the queen have been scanned in, so are downloadable
and printable. but there's all kinds of other good stuff. lc
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
13. nhea conf starts tomorrow (not today), thursday and ends friday -- two
additional workshops offered by pua burgess 10:15 am and 11:30 am
Date: Wed, 26 Mar 2008 22:41:28 -1000
From: 'imiola young <imiola@hawaii.rr.com>
http://www.nhea.net/convention/html/2008/2008%20Workshop%20Descriptions.pdf
FRIDAY, MARCH 28 | WORKSHOP 3, 10:15-11:15
FRIDAY, MARCH 28 | WORKSHOP 4, 11:30-12:30
Building the Beloved Community
Puanani Burgess ^Ö Pä Lanakila 103
Aunty Puanani Burgess, Poet, Mediator, and Community activist, will
identify helpful techniques used in Community Building and Mediation, to
assist Native Hawaiian educators find "Common Ground," with students.
Intended Audience: Teachers, Adminstrators, Parents, Students,
Kupuna
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
14. finally read the script...
Date: Wed, 26 Mar 2008 22:58:10 -1000
From: Lc <palolo@hawaii.rr.com>
dole is the good cop opposite thurston's bad cop--he saves the day; and
the queen is invisible. the princess is cast as a spoiled brat who
'learns' to behave among the white 'civilized folks' and falls in love
with a haole. the petitions against annexation are nowhere to be seen.
the whole things is cast as 'inevitable'. no wonder palani vaughn
withdrew.
it would appear to me that the greater concern should be for our
queen--who plays her? lc
------------------------------------------------------------------------
15. gao rpt criticizes nh ed council 3_08
Date: Wed, 26 Mar 2008 22:01:25 -1000
From: 'imiola young <imiola@hawaii.rr.com>
http://www.honoluluadvertiser.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080326/NEWS01/803260430/1001
Posted on: Wednesday, March 26, 2008
Hawaiian education goals not reached
By Dennis Camire
Gannett News Service
WASHINGTON ^× The U.S. Department of Education, the Native Hawaiian
Education Council and local councils have failed to fulfill many of their
responsibilities under a federal program to improve the education of
Native Hawaiians, says a report released yesterday.
The Government Accountability Office report said little is known about the
impact of the $30 million-a-year program on Native Hawaiian education.
Colin Kippen, executive director for the Native Hawaiian Education
Council, which oversees the statewide program, said that overall, the
report helps the program. That's because the federal Education Department
has shown little interest in it.
"We really needed to bring some attention to this program," Kippen said.
"I'm really pleased with the results of this report because it identifies
the things that we can do to demonstrate the power and effectiveness of
the program and how we can better manage it."
The report, requested by the council and Sens. Daniel K. Inouye and Daniel
Akaka, both Hawai'i Democrats, said the federal Education Department
hasn't evaluated the Native Hawaiian Education Act because of its
relatively small cost to the federal government.
Akaka said he hoped the report's recommendations can help make the program
better and more accountable "to improve educational opportunities for
Native Hawaiian students."
The program, created in 1988, is designed to develop innovative and
cultural-based educational curriculum for Native Hawaiian students, who as
a group often score below national averages on standardized tests and who
are over-represented in special education.
Under the program, more than 100 grants have been awarded to more than 30
Hawai'i organizations. Those grants have helped pay for early education,
family-based education centers, reading and literacy programs in English
and Hawaiian, and help for disabled and gifted students.
Inouye is proud of the program's accomplishments, said Mike Yuen, the
senator's spokesman.
"He sought the audit because, at a time when competition for federal funds
is tight, he wanted greater transparency to ensure that taxpayer funds are
being used efficiently," Yuen said.
The report found that academic research, while showing educational
improvements among Native Hawaiians, does not say whether the program
contributed to the gains. Those gains include increases in preschool
enrollment and in high school and college graduation rates.
"Some grantees have reported positive outcomes in education and other
areas for Native Hawaiians served by (the program's) grants," the report
said. "However, the extent to which (the program) has contributed to these
outcomes has not been determined."
The report faults the Education Department for not creating a way to
capture basic information on the program's activities.
"Our council has been critical of the fact that the performance measures
used by the department are not well aligned with the purpose of the
(program) and that it has not done a very good job of measuring success
under this grant program," said Namaka Rawlins, chairwoman of the Native
Hawaiian Education Council.
The Education Department has taken limited steps to improve management of
the grants and plans to address remaining weaknesses, the report said.
The report also criticized the Native Hawaiian Education Council, saying
it has not conducted an assessment, provided recommendations to target
grant money or until recently provided annual reports to the Education
Department, the report said.
But Kippen said the Education Department controlled the flow of
information and the council was unable to get access.
"We've never received any data from them," he said. "We've been promised
it in the future, and I think that is one of the positive things that is
going to happen as a result of this report."
The report also faulted six island councils established to provide input,
saying they may not have fulfilled their responsibilities to represent
their communities' interests on the statewide council and help advance the
goals of the education program.
The report noted the Maui council disbanded in 2006 in a dispute over the
use of funds. The report also said the island councils, except Kaua'i,
have not assessed and
rhttp://www.gao.gov/docsearch/abstract.php?rptno=GAO-08-422eported on
community needs and priorities.
Summary http://www.gao.gov/docsearch/abstract.php?rptno=GAO-08-422
Native Hawaiian Education Act: Greater Oversight Would Increase
Accountability and Enable Targeting of Funds to Areas with Greatest Need
GAO-08-422 March 25, 2008
Highlights Page (PDF) Full Report (PDF, 52 pages) Accessible Text
The Native Hawaiian Education Act (NHEA) seeks to develop innovative
educational programs to assist Native Hawaiians. The Department of
Education (Education) administers NHEA and has provided grants for a wide
range of activities. Education is authorized to establish a Native
Hawaiian Education Council and seven island councils to help implement
NHEA. To inform reauthorization, GAO was asked to analyze (1) what is
known about NHEA's impact on Native Hawaiian education, (2) Education's
efforts to oversee NHEA grants, and (3) the extent to which Education and
the Native Hawaiian councils have fulfilled their roles and
responsibilities. To do this, GAO reviewed federal laws and regulations
and departmental documents, and interviewed Education officials, council
members, grantees, and experts in Native Hawaiian education.
Little is known about the NHEA's impact on Native Hawaiian education.
Education has not evaluated NHEA due to its relatively small funding
level, about $30 million annually, and academic research that shows
educational improvements for Native Hawaiians does not indicate whether
NHEA was a contributor to reported gains, such as in preschool enrollment
and high school and college graduation rates. Some grantees have reported
positive outcomes in education and other areas for Native Hawaiians served
by NHEA grants. However, the extent to which NHEA has contributed to these
outcomes has not been determined. Education has made efforts in recent
years to improve NHEA grant management and oversight, and plans to address
other weaknesses in the future. Education has established three
performance measures that grantees are expected to use to assess their
activities, conducted community outreach, and improved reporting
requirements for grantees. However, these performance measures are not
applicable to some of the educational outcomes that could result from
NHEA's many activities. Moreover, Education has yet to establish a method
to track grantee activities, such as how funds have been distributed
across activities or islands, and some grantees said that in the past they
have received little direction or guidance from Education. Education
officials said they plan to address these weaknesses. They plan to
reexamine the performance measures and provide additional guidance and
technical assistance to grantees this year. Officials also stated that
they would like to develop a tracking system to better manage grants
funded by NHEA, but could not say specifically when this would occur. The
parties responsible for administering NHEA--Education, the Education
Council, and the island councils--have not fulfilled many of their
respective roles and responsibilities under the act. Education has not
provided sufficient oversight to ensure that the Education Council carries
out many of its responsibilities under the law, or provided guidance to
the Education Council on how to assist island councils represent local
interests. The Education Council has not fulfilled its primary duty to
collect data on the status of Native Hawaiian education, assess current
needs in the different communities, make recommendations for the future
use of grant funds, or, until recently, provided Education with the
required annual reports on its activities. In regard to the island
councils, some have not ensured the adequate representation of local
interests, or supported the Education Council in efforts to assess and
prioritize local needs and make recommendations to Education. In the
absence of complete information on NHEA activities and local needs,
Education has not targeted grant funds or reported to Congress on NHEA
activities, as required. The overall lack of information about NHEA leaves
participants and policymakers in a knowledge vacuum, unable to make
informed decisions that will help meet and advance NHEA's goals.
-------
Date: Thu, 27 Mar 2008 11:32:28 -0400
From: kaiokauai@aol.com
EXCEPT KAUA`I
Kai`opua
---------------------------------------------------------------------
16. SCR138 SD1 - Requesting a Financial and Management Audit of the Office
of Hawaiian Affairs
Date: Thu, 27 Mar 2008 00:30:45 -1000
From: Kealii Makekau <kealii8@lava.net>
Subject: SCR138 SD1 - Requesting a Financial and Management Audit of the
Office of Hawaiian Affairs
SCR138 SD1 is requesting a Financial and Management Audit of the Office of
Hawaiian Affairs. We have an opportunity to be informed and understand how
OHA is managing trust assets and the office. We deserve no less than being
properly informed about "our trust." Due diligence is a reasonable
request. Send in your testimony to SUPPORT SCR138 SD1 requesting a
Financial and Management Audit of the Office of Hawaiian Affairs.
The Senate Hearing is scheduled for:
Date: Thursday, March 27, 2008
Time: 2:45 pm
Place: Conference Room 224, State Capitol, 415 South Beretania Street
Testimony in SUPPORT of SCR138 SD1 can be submitted, as follows by 11:00
am:
In person: 1 copy of their testimony to the committee clerk, Room 218,
State Capitol.
By fax: Testimony may be faxed if less than 5 pages in length, to the
Senate Sergeant-At-Arms Office at 586-6659 or 1-800-586-6659 (toll free
for neighbor islands), at least 24 hours prior to the hearing. When
faxing, please indicate to which committee the testimony is being
submitted and the date and time of the hearing.
By Email: Testimony may be emailed if less than 5 pages in length, to
testimony@capitol.hawaii.gov. Please indicate to which committee the
testimony is being submitted and the date and time of the hearing. Email
sent to individual offices or any other Senate office will not be
accepted.
Here are examples of Testimonies in Support of SCR138 SD1 for your use.
Please feel free to cut and paste into an email and send to
testimony@capitol.hawaii.gov, senbaker@Capitol.hawaii.gov,
sentsutsui@Capitol.hawaii.gov, sentokuda@Capitol.hawaii.gov,
senenglish@Capitol.hawaii.gov:
Example One
The Senate
Twenty-Fourth Legislature
Regular Session of 2008
State of Hawai`i
March 26, 2008
To Senate Committees:
Agriculture and Hawaiian Affairs
Chair Jill N. Tokuda and Vice Chair J. Kalani English
Ways and Means
Chair Rosalyn H. Baker and Vice Chair Shan S. Tsutsui
Subject: Testimony in Support of to SCR138 SD1 (Financial and Management
Audit of the Office of Hawaiian Affairs)
The Senate deserves applause for introducing SCR138 SD1 requesting a
financial and management audit of the Office of Hawaiian Affairs. The
requested audit is about trust accountability and transparency owed to
the native beneficiaries and the community-at-large.
OHA Trustees and Administration have a fiduciary responsibility and
obligation to act exclusively in the interest of native beneficiaries.
The request of a financial and management audit of the Office of Hawaiian
Affairs will provide native beneficiaries with an open and honest "report
card," pertaining to the trust derived from the public land trust.
Therefore, I submit my testimony in support of SCR138 SD1.
Sincerely,
Name
Address
Example Two
The Senate
Twenty-Fourth Legislature
Regular Session of 2008
State of Hawai`i
March 26, 2008
To Senate Committees:
Agriculture and Hawaiian Affairs
Chair Jill N. Tokuda and Vice Chair J. Kalani English
Ways and Means
Chair Rosalyn H. Baker and Vice Chair Shan S. Tsutsui
Subject: Testimony in Support of to SCR138 SD1 (Financial and Management
Audit of the Office of Hawaiian Affairs)
SCR138 SD1 requesting a financial and management audit of the Office of
Hawaiian Affairs demonstrates the Senate's responsibility to ensure that
Chapter 10 of the Hawai`i Revised Statutes is being administered
appropriately. The audit of the Office of Hawaiian Affairs is about due
diligence. Thus, I support SCR138 SD1.
Sincerely,
Name
Address
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
17. Keep it simple
Date: Thu, 27 Mar 2008 13:40:40 +0000
From: Jenny James <atlantiscol@hotmail.com>
Keep it simple
MICHEL COLLON
What exact rules govern the right to secession and, more generally,
self-determination of peoples? Some tell us these rules are confusing. And
if we believe the corporate media, we might think:
In Asia, Tibetans have that right. Not Iraqis, nor Afghans.
In the Middle East, Israelis have this right. But neither Palestinians nor
Kurds.
In Africa, the gangster Generals of the East Congo have this right. But
not Western Sahara.
In Latin America, wealthy (rightist) provinces of Bolivia and Venezuela
have this right. But not Indigenous peoples of Chile, or of Mexico, etc...
In the Balkans, Albanians of Kosovo have this right. But not Serbs of
Kosovo, nor those of Bosnia.
In Western Europe, the Flemish might have this right, but not the Northern
Irish, nor the Basques.
Complicated, indeed. How can it be simplified? Like this: Only those
people who are "with us" are entitled to self-determination. Noone else.
And as long as we're here, let's replace the word "democratic" by "with
us" and the word "terrorist" by "against us."
That's politics. Simple when you know how!
March 26, 2008 Translated by John Catalinotto
More articles about Tibet, Iraq, Palestine, Congo, Latin America
(in French and soon also in English) : www.michelcollon.info
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
18. Kauai's Organic Corn Out Break
From: Nancy Redfeather [mailto:nancyredfeather@yahoo.com]
Sent: Wednesday, March 26, 2008 10:28 PM
Aloha Know Your Farmer Alliance,
A large group of citizens from Kauai have decided that enough is enough.
Perhaps we could join the "Organic Corn Outbreak" in collaboration with
the community of Kauai. The biotech industry is not going to like all
that "wild" pollen floating in the air.
Likewise, folks want to begin growing more food for their families and
moving toward greater food reliance, and corn is a reliable tropical
grain, both sweet, dried and ground for bread, and popcorn. The air of
Kauai is full of experimental corn pollens and GMO feed corn seed pollens.
It is a concern for them, and they have want to express their displeasure.
Aloha,
Nancy
------
From: DianaLaBedz@aol.com
Date: Wednesday, March 26, 2008, 6:47 PM
Join The Organic Corn Out Break!
Unite to Plant, Grow & Eat Healthy food
There is currently an Organic Corn Out Break happening on the island of
Kauai. Kauai's citizens reject the philosophy that we must poison our
environment and use the radical genetic engineering of plants and animals
to produce enough food for everyone.
Fact: genetic engineering leads to less yield, not more. Concerned and
caring Kaua'i citizens have organized to give away organic GMO free corn
seeds and seedlings for planting island wide. This is a GMO protest.
World citizens have lost the right to know if corn bought to feed families
has been chemically modified (contains the pesticide in the corn). We do
have the right to plant our own. There is a concern that our corn will be
contaminated by the GMO crops that pepper Kaua's Island, next to schools,
rivers and in our neighborhoods. Feel free to pick up your seeds at the
following locations. For your popcorn pleasure we have bags of Organic
GMO free popcorn available.
Organic Corn seeds/plants and popcorn can be found at the following
locations:
Storybook Theatre- Hanappe - Family Movie Night First & Third Saturday
night Family Night
The Lotus Root - Kapaa Free seeds
Kauai Coffee - Kalaheo Pop Corn sales
Small Town Coffee - Kapaa - Popcorn Every Monday night movie night, free
seeds and plant'n pots coming soon.
Vim & Viger - Lihue Popcorn and free seeds
The Far Siyde Tattoo Hanappe, Popcorn sales, free seeds and plant'n pots
coming soon.
Kaloa Natural Foods Kaloa Free seeds and pop-corn.
Papaya's in Kapaa will have them soon, we are presently sold out.
Fact: Hawaii is considered to be a "ground zero" for the open field
testing of genetically modified organisms. Is this happening in your
neighborhood, it is mine.
FACT: Genetic engineered crops threaten organic farming in two ways.
First, the widespread use of Bt, (biotechnology) crops is likely to hasten
insect resistance to microbial Bt, thereby undermining an important
natural insect repellant used by organic farmers. Second, contamination
of organic fields with GE traits threatens the market for organic
products, which consumers expect to be produced without the use of any
genetic modification.
FACT: US farmers have already lost more than $300 million in annual corn
export sales to Europe because of tainted crops and the possibility of GMO
contamination.
Fact: More than fifty countries require the labeling of GE foods. What's
up with the US?
Attached is a flyer for distribution, feel free to print and pass out.
[email for the flyer--too big to attach.]
________________________________________________________________________________
19. OHA stirs doubts about its finances
Date: Thu, 27 Mar 2008 09:51:42 -0700
From: mike reitz <mreitz@pacbell.net>
...broken trust 2 ???
m
-------
OHA stirs doubts about its finances
Legislators will hold a hearing today on a measure that would start a
special audit
By Richard Borreca
rborreca@starbulletin.com
The state Legislature is considering a special audit of the Office of
Hawaiian Affairs because of questions about whether the agency "is
adequately managing its affairs and financial resources."
The Agriculture and Hawaiian Affairs Committee, chaired by Sen. Jill
Tokuda, will hold a hearing today on a new draft Senate Concurrent
Resolution 138, calling for the legislative auditor to study OHA.
Both Republicans and Democrats said OHA is facing more questions because
of its aggressive advertising campaign for Kau Inoa, the native Hawaiian
registration program, and forming limited-liability companies for
projects.
"I have asked questions for years about their expenses for lobbying and
Kau Inoa and have always been stonewalled," complained Sen. Sam Slom (R,
Diamond Head-Hawaii Kai).
"You have former and present trustees who can't find out where the
information is and where the money is going.
"Too many people think they are feathering their own nest and doing well
by doing good for themselves. Let's find out," Slom said.
Tokuda said there have been questions about the staffing of OHA and how
employees are hired. "There have been concerns about the number of
employees leaving or being released by OHA," Tokuda (D, Kaneohe-Kailua)
said.
OHA trustee Walter Heen, a retired state appellate judge, said OHA will
recommend that the audit be killed because it is not needed. He said OHA
has an annual financial audit, and no irregularities have been uncovered.
The real reason for the audit, Heen said, is because the Legislature wants
to be more involved in the policy decisions of the organization formed by
the 1978 Constitutional Convention, to represent the interests of native
Hawaiians.
"I think this is a case of the Legislature being pushed into overstepping
its bounds," Heen said.
Tokuda said, however, the audit will provide OHA "an opportunity to show
what it is doing, and gives us the opportunity to make sure that OHA is
living up to its obligations to the beneficiaries."
--~--~---------~--~----~------------~-------~--~----~---------------------
20. Big Island as ground Zero?
Date: Thu, 27 Mar 2008 10:11:15 -0700
From: mike reitz <mreitz@pacbell.net>
This is so bizarre I don't know what to say. Spending hundreds of
thousands on WMD disaster training in Kawaihae harbor while real disasters
are happening elsewhere on the island and training for the kinds of
disasters we can be assured will hit the island get no attention at all.
Guess if you can't use guns and wear cool biohazard suits it isn't really
a disaster...
m
------
Members of the Hawaii County Police Special Response Team approach and
prepare to board a boat docked at Kailua Pier Tuesday afternoon. SRT
officers checked the boat for combatants during a training exercise that
started in Kawaihae, then moved to Kailua-Kona. - Photos By Aaron Nagata |
West Hawaii Today
Preparing for disaster
Real incidents hamper WMD training efforts
by Erin Miller
West Hawaii Today
emiller@westhawaiitoday.com
Wednesday, March 26, 2008 8:41 AM HST
"Real world" incidents had an impact on training simulations Tuesday.
The Hawaii National Guard's 93rd Civil Support Team was set to practice
responding to a weapons of mass destruction threat at Kawaihae Harbor and
Kailua Pier. But on Monday, a change in the emissions at Halemaumau Crater
pulled some of the unit's personnel to a mission there, measuring sulfur
dioxide levels and mapping the gas plume.
Then, Tuesday morning, a fatal collision in South Kona prevented some of
the Fire Department's first responders from participating in the drill.
But even halfway through the portion of the drill at Kailua Pier, lessons
were being noted, Capt. Bill Flynn said.
"(Hawaii County's Police Special Response Team) did a good job, more than
what was anticipated," Flynn said, while two Department of Health workers
and one member of the civil support team continued to document findings on
the boat. "They did a majority of the reconnaissance, allowing 93rd and
Department of Health to focus on finishing up reconnaissance, and to focus
more on getting specifics on the samples."
At about 12:15 p.m., members of the SRT crept through a fence opening,
advancing toward a Body Glove boat tied to Kailua Pier. The SRT officers
wore bright green and orange boots, the tops of which were sealed shut
with tape, white, disposable, protective suits tucked into the top of the
footwear. Masks were taped, too, and SRT officers used their black,
armored vehicle as a shield between them and the boat as they approached.
Under the terms of the scenario planned for Tuesday's exercise, SRT had
been called to the pier to investigate information received from
investigators at Kawaihae Harbor, where the first "bad guys" had been
captured with possibly radioactive samples, Flynn said. Information from
Kawaihae was relayed to Flynn, requesting police, fire, National Guard and
the health department to respond to the pier, where the informant said
more chemicals might be located.
In case of an actual emergency, the National Guard would need about 90
minutes to be ready to fly from Oahu to West Hawaii, Flynn said.
Hawaii National Guard's 93rd Civil Support Team Capt. Bill Flynn reviews a
map showing how mustard gas, if released at Kawaihae Harbor and Kailua
Bay, would spread. Flynn was operations commander at a training exercise
at Kailua Pier Tuesday.
"Harbors are our most vulnerable (areas)," Lt. Col. Trey Johnson said. "If
you have a threat that's onshore, that's one thing."
Offshore, multiple jurisdictions might need to be coordinated, he said.
The civil support team has offered the training for first responders for
several years.
As the SRT officers filed off the boat, having made sure no one was aboard
to present a threat to the scientists, they were directed to a
decontamination area. The hoses weren't running Tuesday, but officers
still needed to go through the motions that were required in the event of
a real hazard.
Last to board the boat are the health department and National Guard
members, who on Tuesday donned the Level A hazard suits to protect against
biological and chemical hazards. The suits have a self-contained breathing
apparatus, or SCBA, to keep the air being breathed pure.
Samples taken from the mock lab on the boat went to an Analytical
Laboratory System, or ALS, a mobile lab with a secured "glove box," with
which a technician can isolate a smaller portion of the unknown sample and
then begin work to identify it. The mobile lab parked on the pier cost
about $2 million. Flynn said all of the equipment inside was commercially
available, and similar to what other municipal labs might purchase.
Sgt. Emilio Maldanado sits in the sophisticated ALS vehicle, which stands
for Analytical Laboratory System, used to identify unknown substances used
during terrorist attacks. - Aaron Nagata | Special To West Hawaii Today
Sgt. Emilio Maldonado waited inside the lab, ready to begin the process on
the substances found on the boat. The first step is deciding whether to
follow the steps to identify a biological or chemical sample, because
different equipment and steps are needed for the different sample types.
Say the sample was believed to be anthrax. Maldonado or other similarly
trained officers would first determine the sample was a biological one,
then get a DNA sample. A machine would use a process called polymerase
chain reaction to split the DNA strand then copy it, he said.
"It makes a copy of each strand up to a level where it can be compared to
the standard," he said. "It lets us know what it matches and doesn't
match."
The sample is then viewed on a microscope to confirm the analysis.
Depending on the sample and what it is, a preliminary identification might
be available in as little as minutes, but following all the preparation
and identification processes might mean 90 minutes to two hours before
identification is complete, Maldonado said.
A meeting was planned for later Tuesday afternoon, at which different
participants could offer feedback about what they thought worked or failed
during the exercise. Police officers told Flynn before the training was
over that they were having a hard time communicating and that information
provided in advance left them confused about what role they were to play
in the scenario.
The labs and situation were planned by the Center for National Response, a
West Virginia-based company that contracts with the federal government to
plan and set up training scenarios. The company handles between 80 and 90
exercises annually, with about half happening on their property, and the
other half happening in the home turf of the agencies practicing the
exercises, said Matthew Smith, principal analyst and exercise planner for
the firm.
"The main thing that we like to see is that the civil support team and
first responders get to meet each other and get to know each other in a
lower stress environment," he added.
----------
Date: Thu, 27 Mar 2008 17:24:07 -0400 (EDT)
From: HIAHAWAII@aol.com
They did this type of training prior to Dec 7, 1941. When the Attacked
first happen, many including the military thought the Attack was a
Training.............. this is why you'll read them sending out the
message during the Attack, This Is Not Drill, This is
REAL.................. So it's just history being repeated...............
Why not use Hawaii as they did on Dec 7, 1941, again? o Po
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
21. Army names Apo, Hoe civilian aides
Date: Thu, 27 Mar 2008 10:39:04 -0700
From: mike reitz <mreitz@pacbell.net>
Posted on: Thursday, March 27, 2008
Army names Apo, Hoe civilian aides
By William Cole
Advertiser Military Writer
The Army is reaching out to the Hawaiian community as it increases its
roster of civilian aides to the secretary of the Army and as the military
continues to face legal resistance to training here.
At 5:30 p.m. today at Fort DeRussy, five community leaders from Hawai'i,
Alaska, Guam and American Samoa will be sworn in as civilian aides by Lt.
Gen. Benjamin R. Mixon, commander of U.S. Army Pacific at Fort Shafter.
Peter Apo will become the civilian aide for West O'ahu and Kaua'i, and
Allen Hoe will have responsibility for East O'ahu, Moloka'i, Lana'i, Maui
and Kaho'olawe.
Civilian aides to the secretary of the Army were formally recognized in
1922 and have become important in fostering good relations between the
Army and public as spokespersons for and advisers to the secretary, the
top civilian for the service.
Hoe is a Vietnam veteran and lawyer whose son, 1st Lt. Nainoa Hoe, a
Kamehameha Schools graduate, was killed in Iraq in 2005. Apo is a former
state lawmaker and spokesman for Hawaiian values and culture.
"With Peter Apo and Allen Hoe, you have two individuals who are close to
the Hawaiian community, and many of the Army issues today are involved
with concerns expressed by the Hawaiian community," said Bill Paty, a
Hawai'i resident, World War II veteran and civilian aide emeritus for the
Pacific.
The Army has faced lawsuits over the use of Makua Military Reservation on
O'ahu for live-fire training and the basing of the Stryker brigade here.
Increasing pressure also is being felt by the Army in its use of Pohakuloa
Training Area on the Big Island, which is ranked among the top three Army
training areas in the nation.
The Army is investing millions of dollars in the further development of
Pohakuloa, in particular for the Stryker brigade.
With the new appointments as civilian aides, the Army is increasing its
community outreach.
Paty said it's a good decision by the Army.
"When you look at what the concerns are, relative to land usage, relative
to the environmental picture, the Hawaiian community and the activists in
that Hawaiian community play a key role," Paty said, "and it's important
to stay engaged with them with people who are close to the roots."
Paula Helfrich, a businesswoman and civic leader, was named a civilian
aide to the secretary of the Army for the Big Island last July.
Christina Kemmer, executive vice president of Communications Pacific,
eight years ago was named a civilian aide for Hawai'i to the secretary of
the Army. Kemmer joins Paty as a civilian aide emeritus for the Pacific
region.
The unpaid civilian aides are appointed for each state and the territories
of Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands and American Samoa.
A change to the program in 2004 limited the total number of civilian aides
to 100, and emeritus aides to 20.
Reach William Cole at wcole@honoluluadvertiser.com.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
22. Humankind: Be Both
Date: Thu, 27 Mar 2008 10:50:39 -0700 (PDT)
From: patricia blair <cris6369@yahoo.com>
Mazin Qumsiyeh <qumsi001@hotmail.com> wrote:
I passed by a car on the road today with the bumper sticker
^ÓHumankind: Be Both^Ô and I thought of the pop song with the
lyrics ^ÓIn the end only kindness matters.^Ô I am very
optimistic despite all the bad things that are happening in
the world precisely because of that "kindness". I recall all
the kind things that people have done. I recall that for all
of us, if we think deep we will note that the best feelings
we had are those when we were kind and helpful to others. For
me personally, I enjoyed teaching at Middle and High Schools
and later at colleges. I also note how satisfying it was to
write and to speak on human rights at hundreds of events
around the world in the past few years. Losing a job or
getting gassed and beaten are small tokens and pale compared
to the joys of kindness. I recall the elation at the success
of medical treatments to the injured Palestinian children
brought to CT....
Sometimes we do not think of the wide range of selfless, kind
acts. Sometimes we do not appreciate sacrifices done by
others to be kind. Rachel Corrie paid the ultimate price for
an act that can only be described as an act of kindness. A
Palestinian kid or adult who participates in a demonstration
is engaging in an act of kindness to fellow human beings
(some do sacrifice their lives by being in such demonstration
knowing that they would be hurt or killed). A US or Israeli
Citizen who engages in civil disobedience to end the war on
Iraq is engaged in an act of kindness. Dr. Sami AlArian
refusing to be interrogated further and engaged in a hunger
strike that is nearly ending his life in a federal prison is
engaged in an act of kindness because he is not willing to
give information that may subject others to the same inhumane
and unjust incarceration he had been subjected to. But the
simplest acts that do not subject us to risks are also acts
of kindness: donating a little money to a needy person or a
charity, signing a petition, participating in a legally
sanctioned demonstration, writing a letter to the editor. The
opposite of kindness is available to all to see, defending
state terrorism and ethnic cleansing as "self defense",
attacking those who speak out for justice as "anti-semites"
or "self-hating Jews", war mongers and war practitioners etc.
But perhaps the Buddhist statements about the ying and the
yang and the unity of good and evil in our hearts is correct.
Perhaps it is essential for us to play the role of having
joyful and positive participation in the sorrows of this
world. That joy does emanate and is rooted in kindness. We
should all be grateful for that kind of pure joy.
I want to share with you in this week's message two
thoughtful and kind letters: one from Mark Turner who is a
speaker on the wheels of justice bus tour and one from an
Israeli father who lost his daughter to a Palestinian suicide
bomber (Rami Elhanan vs the Israeli Ambassader in Warsaw!)
followed by a few other relevant articles.
But first, please take 2 minutes to kindly sign this petition
to Barack Obama on the issue of Palestine
http://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/Obama-peace-for-Palestine
Letter from Mark Turner (see his excellent initiative
http://www.researchjournalisminitiative.net/ ):
I talk about Palestine a lot. Sometimes I worry that might be
all I talk about. I fear I'm going to become that old guy in
the back of the room at a presentation like this one, filled
with anger, disillusion pouring through, poetry long since
waxed and in its place the vitriol of apartness. I watch
Salam. His strength and stature belie the soft humanity
beneath. I've told my stories. They've lost their connection
to the soul that collected them. They are facts. Smeared
newsprint on my fingers, nothing more.
In front of me, a generation of men who learned the meaning
of war. They killed. For honor, for god, for country, they
killed. My breath is suddenly unable to escape. In but not
out. Building. Preparing. I look up from shaking hands to the
eyes of the men in front of me. I turn away. They are too
ready to hear this, too ready to understand. Unlike my
closest friends, they never mistake Palestine for Pakistan.
I start to speak and choke. Where did these tears come from?
Were they not long dried by the wind and burning sun of that
refugee camp, what's it called? Did my trauma find its way
home, was it searching me out all along? I cannot speak. My
voice is hoarse from endless speaking but tonight is the
night it fails. I turn in my chair, pivot, scramble for the
walls that protected me so long. They, like so much else, are
gone. I reach for the glass of water on the table and bring
it to my lips in utter disbelief that feeling has returned
after so many months. The water falls into my lap, the
embarrassment of men crying mercifully abated by a more
practical kind.
These veterans get it. Bill gets it. We share something
bought with lives. I know how blood pooling in a gutter
smells. I know what the barrel of an M16 tastes like. The
faces of those who died never leave you. Not for a day, not
for an hour. They are there when you fall asleep and they
will greet you again if you wake. This universal truth
bridges the divide of generations, of patriots and rebels.
This bus and I are the same age. 1979. A life ago and a life
to go still. In Idaho Falls, two eighteen-year-old boys spray
paint 'war' on stop signs and become convicted felons. A
student in Salt Lake learns for the first time how to find
Iraq on a map. In Portland, the parents of a murdered friend
read their daughter's journal to strangers. A congressional
aide in Boise admits he was doing covert reconnaissance in
preparation for war two years before September eleventh.
This tour taught me a simple fact. That which connects us is
infinitely stronger than that which separates. From Iraq to
Palestine, Vietnam to Salt Lake, we will discover ourselves
in each other, and we will continue.
mark t., Wheels of Justice
------------
Letter from Rami Elhanan
"Ladies and Gentlemen: His Excellency the Ambassador of
Israel in Warsaw"
Last Thursday evening, the Elhanan family was hosted at the
home of the Aramin family, in Anata. A twenty minute ride
from Motza, twenty light years away from Jerusalem.
We ate a mountain of Maqloube with almonds and yogurt. Bassam
told us about his meeting with the actor Shlomo Wizcinski who
is slated to play Bassam in a new play. And Nurit gave Salwa
a gift: a silver pendant with the name of her daughter Abir,
may she rest in peace, made by a Jerusalem silversmith.
We laughed. It was fun. It was emotional.
And then we saw the images of the attack on the Jerusalem
Merkaz Harav yeshiva on the television screen. And again a
cold hand seizes your heart, and again the blood freezes in
your veins^×you know that the sword that twists inside you
shall know no rest until the cauldron of blood is filled and
revenge is taken. On the side of the screen, a news-ticker of
stark updates from Gaza: eight dead in one hour.
And beside the television, Salwa is bitter with tears for the
mothers of the dead.
It was hard. Truly hard. "Alright," said Bassam when we
parted. "At least we'll see each other in Warsaw on Sunday^Å"
The two of us were invited by Warsaw television and HBO for
the premier of a new documentary about the
Israeli-Palestinian bereaved families organization Parents
Circle-Families Forum. I was glad. I knew that together we
would be able to pass on a message of hope to people who
mostly had not the faintest idea about the reality of the
conflict. I knew that by virtue of our shared grief people
would listen to us^×and perhaps even talk about peace.
I was naïve. I forgot completely that the average Palestinian
cannot just get up one morning, like every free man, and
travel to wherever he pleases, when he pleases. Despite a sea
of telephone calls, scores of angry emails, pleas and shouts,
Bassam stayed at home without a visa.
And thus I found myself Monday evening at the Polish National
Theater in Warsaw, alone, in front of a curious Polish
audience, two ambassadors, Israeli and Palestinian, and an
empty chair^×Bassam's chair.
The film began. Deathly silence. Heartbreaking stories of
unbearable human suffering, without political demands,
without attempts to quantify suffering. Stories of
bereavement and futile attempts to give even a little meaning
to the incredible, needless loss each family experienced. And
an unsure outreaching of a hand to the other side, and a hug,
and reconciliation, and the shade of a smile, a bud of hope.
Men and women with faces lined with suffering in extreme
close-up, telling and telling. And from time to time a sigh
can be heard from the audience in the dark hall, and perhaps
tears falling^×the atmosphere is heavy and onerous.
As the screening ends, His Excellency the Israeli ambassador
shifts in annoyance in
his seat, in between his bodyguards, his body language
communicating impatience and blatant aggression. "Count to
ten!" shouts an Israeli from the audience, but it's already
too late. He stands and conquers the single microphone, and
everyone, including the Palestinian ambassador, sits
admonished like disobedient children, listening to the words
of his Lordship. And he explains, his Honor, that he had had
misgivings and hesitancies about appearing at the evening's
event after what happened in Jerusalem on Thursday, but out
of respect for the bereaved families he had decided to come.
And he went on to say that Israel would be resolute in its
fight against terror, without compromise. And that there is
no comparing the pain of someone who was hurt by terror with
that of someone who was hurt as a result of others acting in
self-defense^Åand that Israeli children don't go blow
themselves up in the market in Gaza, and^Å
And then someone from the audience yells at him that Israel
sends tanks and fighter planes to Gaza, that the Israeli
occupation is also a form of terrorism. Immediately the same
ugly argument begins again, and his Honor says that everyone
has a right to their opinion, and his press agent has no idea
where to bury himself from embarrassment, in front of his
astonished Polish hosts. We too, myself and my son Guy who is
with me, cast our eyes downwards in shame at this strange
behavior of our representative in Warsaw.
That same morning, across from the remains of the Warsaw
ghetto wall, I talked with myself asking how I, as a Jew, as
an Israeli and as a person, could express my feelings about
Bassam's loss. And I was not able to come to any conclusion.
And now, in a split-second decision, I said to those
assembled at the screening, "I^×am Bassam Aramin! I represent
here the missing character of this brave and noble combatant
for peace." I told them that the fact that the place of
Palestinians is empty in nearly every international forum
that speaks about the conflict is a source of embarrassment
for all of us! I said that the absence of this bereaved
father, this ex-prisoner who chose the path of reconciliation
and peace is a great shout against the glaring lack of
justice that continues, that tries to prove that there is no
one to talk with and there is nothing to talk about and thus
we should give up talking^Å
At that point, the ambassador assembled his bodyguards and
left in a suitably royal rage. The head Rabbi said to me that
"there is no pain like my pain" and the panel nodded in
agreement from Polish politeness.
We went together to be photographed, and afterwards to drink
and then to eat, and I was there in my body but in my soul
and in my heart I was in Anata. I could not for an instant
stop thinking about Bassam and Salwa Aramin. I though to
myself that only Bassam, with his nobility and his endless
smiles, only he could have made the ambassador embarrassed
and lower his glare in shame, only he could have helped him
to understand that Gaza preceded Jerusalem, and Sderot
preceded Gaza, and that the Occupation preceded Jenin and ad
infinitum, a long and endless line of bodies.
But Bassam was not there with me. And I went from that place
with a bowed head, wounded and shamed and hurting.
And that is all there is, and with this we must move
forward^Åor not.
Rami Elhanan, Jerusalem, March 13th, 2008
Translated by Miriam Asnes
--------------------
More articles and news
(Must read) Shattering a National Mythology, By Ofri Ilani,
Haaretz Newspaper
http://www.palestineremembered.com/Articles/General/Story9097.html
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/966952.html
(in English and French) 60 years of smokescreens: A series of
articles on the 60th year of the Nakba
http://www.europalestine.com/spip.php?rubrique75&var_mode=calcul
Free documentary on the Israel lobby
http://www.freedocumentaries.org/film.php?id=173
Untold stories of the Nakba
http://imeu.net/news/article001238.shtml
US Citizens of Palestinian Origin second class citizens
http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3521403,00.html
(Jewish forward touts) Dozens of Jewish Super-Delegates May
Hold Key to Democratic Race: Campaign Marks a Communal Coming
of Age in Party Politics
http://www.forward.com/articles/dozens-of-jewish-super-delegates-may-hold-key-to-01527/
(Worth reading) Obama^Òs Israel Test: Is the lobby losing its
grip? by Scott McConnell, The American Conservative
http://amconmag.com/2008/2008_03_10/article.html
=============================
Mazin Qumsiyeh
http://qumsiyeh.org
________________________________________________________________________________
23. OHA Audit called for
Date: Thu, 27 Mar 2008 08:04:47 -1000
From: Kealii Makekau <kealii8@lava.net>
OFFICE OF HAWAIIAN AFFAIRS AUDIT CALLED FOR BY HAWAI`I SENATE
Posted by Free Hawai`i on March 26, 2008 at 7:06pm
Hearing Scheduled For Today - Show Your Support!
Why Would OHA Oppose Unless They're Hiding Something?
We Deserve To Know -
* How much money from the Trust has been spent on the Akaka Bill?
* How much money from the Trust has been spent on Kau Inoa?
* How much money from the Trust has been transferred to the LLCs?
* How much money from the Trust has been spent on the Ceded Land Settlement
propaganda?
This is our opportunity to expose OHA's financial mismanagement.
A Hearing Is Scheduled For Today On Bill SCR138 SD1 -
Thursday, March 27, 2008
TIME - 2:45 P.M.
PLACE - Conference Room 224 State Capitol 415 South Beretania Street In
Honolulu
------------------------------------------------------------------------
24. Ka`iulani and Consultation
From: Jonathan Kamakawiwo'ole Osorio
Sent: Thursday, March 27, 2008 5:44 AM
Aloha mai kakou
I met with this producer Marc Forby about two years ago when he was doing
historical research on the chiefess and her family. I did not discourage
Mr. Forby from making this film, but I did spend several days describing
the social and political turbulence of the time, and acknowledged that a
good movie about her life would probably be greatly appreciated by
Hawaiian nationalists. I have not read his script because I did not wish
to be a paid consultant on a feature film. But I do believe that my
"expertise" should be available to such individuals as a part of my work
for the university. Mr. Forby has tried to contact me several times since
then, but I have been too busy to respond. You all might want to consider
these facts when evaluating Mr. Forby's behavior. Perhaps if I had read
his script I could have warned him of the response he was likely to
obtain. Perhaps he might have even listened.
However, I still haven't read his script and wonder what it is that we
want to do. Do we want to create a cultural properties committee and begin
vetting these kinds of things? Who would serve? Whose criteria would guide
this? One part of me thinks that I have no time to waste on Hollywood
nonsense. On the other hand I still hear Americans asking me--to this
day--how accurate Michener's "Hawaii" is.
Jon Osorio
------------------------------------------------------------------------
25. Written testimony to Maui island Burial Council-March 27, 2008
Date: Thu, 27 Mar 2008 11:16:17 -0700 (PDT)
From: Kekahuna Keaweiwi <kekahunakeaweiwi@yahoo.com>
March 27, 2008
To: Maui Island Burial Council
From: Living being in the HuMan function with the attached name,
Foster Ampong
Ahupua`a O Kahoma/Kanaha, Moku O Lahaina, Mokupuni O
Piilani
Email: kekahunakeaweiwi@yahoo.com
Phone: (808) 281-3894
Subject: Lands Lahaina Bypass, Phase 1A to be built on.
Re: Lands are part of the so-called ^Óceded lands^Ô held in trust for
native Hawaiians.
Aloha Ka Kou,
My name is Foster Ampong. I am a Lineal Descendant of Ahupua`a O Kahoma
and Kanaha, Moku O Lahaina. I formal submit to the Maui Island Burial
Council the following facts that have recently come to light and are
necessary to make sound legal recommendations regarding the subject
matter.
On January 31, 2008 the Hawaii Supreme Court ruled in case 25570, Office
of Hawaiian Affairs v. Housing and Community Development Corporation of
Hawaii (HCDCH).
"For the reasons discussed infra, we vacate the January 31, 2003 judgment
and remand this case to the circuit court with instructions to issue an
order granting the plaintiffs' request for an injunction against the
defendants from selling or otherwise transferring to third parties (1) the
parcel of ceded land on Maui and (2) any ceded lands from the public lands
trust until the claims of the native Hawaiians to the ceded lands has been
resolved. "
This ruling specifically refers to lands the Lahaina Bypass is planned to
be built on and immediately affects this project and the connecting phases
thereafter.
At a February 13th (2008) meeting in Lahaina, when asked, Archeology
Consultant, Tanya Lee-Greig of Cultural Surveys Hawaii did confirm that
part of the lands the Lahaina Bypass is to be built on are the so-called
^Óceded lands^Ô the Hawaii Supreme Court makes specific reference to.
In addition, the subsequent phases of the project is slated to be built
over the lands at Lei ali`i, mauka of the recently opened Hawaiian Homes
Community at Waihikuli, Lahaina.
Presently, the issue of the so-called ^Óceded lands^Ô claim by ^Ónative
Hawaiians^Ô has yet to be settled. The State Administration and the State
Agency of the Office of Hawaiian Affairs are engaged in negotiations to
settle these claims without the ^Ónative Hawaiians^Ô, such as myself,
therefore making any agreement amongst them null and void.
With all due respect and sincere aloha to each Burial Council member, I
demand the Maui Island Burial Council support the ^Ónative Hawaiians^Ô and
strongly recommend the Department of Transportation abandon building the
much needed Bypass over their planned corridor; and instead relocate the
Bypass to be built over the existing Haul-Cane Road that presently extends
from the old Pioneer Mill Yard to Kapalua.
Note: To build the Bypass over so-called ^Óceded lands^Ò will be
violating a Supreme Court Order and make the responsible parties liable.
By using the existing Haul-Cane Road, the State avoids the so-called
^Óceded land^Ô issue (in this instance) presently unresolved and frankly,
will not be for some time; at least not until the State Administration is
prepared to deal with the issue directly with the ^Ónative Hawaiians^Ô and
not their abstract and unlawful ^ÓNative Hawaiians^Ô known as the Office
of Hawaiian Affairs
In ending, I would like to reiterate my sincere purpose for taking the
position I have regarding the Lahaina Bypass and utilizing the existing
haul-cane roadway. It gives the people of Lahaina a remedy for their daily
traffic woes, and it address the many concerns of the native Hawaiians and
the families of these lands in a much fairer and balanced way.
Mahalo nui loa ka kou
Living Being in the HuMan function with the attached name
Foster Robin Ampong
Email: kekahunakeaweiwi@yahoo.com
Phone; (808) 281-3894
________________________________________________________________________________
26. Palani Vaughn on the filming of Last Native Princess (or whatever it's
called)
Date: Thu, 27 Mar 2008 08:26:17 -1000
From: Lc <palolo@hawaii.rr.com>
Part 1
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uBRUcChhYlY
Part 2
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ssMqZoAMGUM
Part 3
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gubVK_Si-Y4
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
27. henry on the filming
Date: Thu, 27 Mar 2008 08:29:29 -1000
From: Lc <palolo@hawaii.rr.com>
mahalo, pono.
----- Original Message ----- From: Pono Kealoha Jr.
Sent: Thursday, March 27, 2008 12:54 AM
Subject: Click on the Link
alwayz aloha ,
Pono
________________________________________________________________________________
28. BILL 958 CLICK ON LINK
Date: Thu, 27 Mar 2008 08:31:23 -1000
From: Lc <palolo@hawaii.rr.com>
haloa hearing.
----- Original Message ----- From: Pono Kealoha Jr.
Sent: Thursday, March 27, 2008 1:15 AM
http://s17.photobucket.com/albums/b83/ponosize/Video/?action=view¤t=Haloa3-19-08.flv
alwayz aloha ,
Pono
________________________________________________________________________________
29. The World According to Monsanto - A documentary that Americans won't
ever see (GMO)
Date: Thu, 27 Mar 2008 08:55:32 -1000
From: Lc <palolo@hawaii.rr.com>
watch the documentary...
----- Original Message -----
From: "jeff garland" <digitaleye@hi808.net>
Sent: Thursday, March 27, 2008 6:56 AM
> excellent....
http://www.inteldaily.com/?c=172&a=5653
>
> http://dandelionsalad.vodpod.com/video/1015284-world-according-to-monsanto-video
>
> jg
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
30. mobile lab
Date: Thu, 27 Mar 2008 09:22:39 -1000
From: "Cory (Martha) Harden" <mh@interpac.net>
wonder if this could be used for DU...from article on Kawaihawe harbor
drill...
Samples taken from the mock lab on the boat went to an Analytical
Laboratory System, or ALS, a mobile lab with a secured "glove box," with
which a technician can isolate a smaller portion of the unknown sample and
then begin work to identify it. The mobile lab parked on the pier cost
about $2 million. Flynn said all of the equipment inside was commercially
available, and similar to what other municipal labs might purchase.Sgt.
Emilio Maldonado waited inside the lab, ready to begin the process on the
substances found on the boat. ... Depending on the sample and what it is,
a preliminary identification might be available in as little as minutes,
but following all the preparation and identification processes might mean
90 minutes to two hours before identification is complete, Maldonado said.
--------
Date: Thu, 27 Mar 2008 12:29:44 -0700
From: mike reitz <mreitz@pacbell.net>
Don't think they're doing these drills everyday. They may leave it parked
idle somewhere much of the time.
________________________________________________________________________________
31. Black Commentator: Barack Obama: The Empire Strikes Back
Date: Thu, 27 Mar 2008 13:34:07 -0700
From: Albert Krauss <alkrauss2331@att.net>
Here's someone not afraid to mince words in this time of "hero adulation",
which Americans are quite talented at performing. The Obama team is
extremely good at finding perfect photoops, with great smiles. And, this
candidate is absolutely honest. He doesn't really try to give an
impression not consistent with his beliefs, unlike Hillary. Nonetheless,
the language of this message strikes right at the core that Chris Hedges'
"A Conscientious Objection" references. Only here, spiced with a little
anger.
Begin forwarded message:
From: Morton Skorodin <mortonskorodin@sbcglobal.net>
Date: March 27, 2008 10:07:22 AM PDT
I agree 100% and I think he covered all the points. I would have liked to
write this myself. Am forwarding.
Note: forwarded message attached.
From: "Bob Nichols" <bob.bobnichols@gmail.com>
Date: March 27, 2008 9:27:49 AM PDT
All,
Here's a wonderful OpEd by Larry Pinkney.
Bob Nichols
Writer
--------
http://blackcommentator.com/270/270_kir_empire_strikes_back_printer_friendly.html
Barack Obama: The Empire Strikes Back
Keeping It Real
By Larry Pinkney
BlackCommentator.com Editorial Board
The Bush, Cheney, Rove, and Rice clique has so brutalized this nation over
the past eight years that, at this point, even a double-talking, Ronald
Reagan-praising, pro-Zionist, "unilateral" militarist, colored-imperialist
opportunist - in the person of Barack Obama - seems palatable, if not
downright appealing, to a significant portion of U.S. citizenry.
This is how the Democratic and Republican parties actually work together
hand-in-glove to play the "American" people for fools on a fiddle,
ensuring that the nation's populace is in a punch-drunk, manipulated state
of fear and exhaustion, devoid of in-depth critical thinking. This is how
the corporate, military, prison apparatus of the U.S. Empire utilizes the
twin demons known as the Democratic and Republican parties to use the
American people, and the peoples of the world, as a perpetual ping pong
ball in an unceasing state of manipulation.
Observant, informed, clear and critically thinking persons know that the
U.S. is an empire, and that empires are about the business of economic,
political, and social exploitation and domination [i.e. hegemony]. Empires
by their very nature are not cuddly, caring, or comforting entities; and
when their spokespersons appear to be such, it is tantamount to the
foreplay of a Black Widow Spider just prior to disabling, killing and
utterly devouring its mate. Unfortunately, it is for the peoples of
America and the world, who are once more in the role of being
euphemistically devoured by the U.S. corporate, military, apparatus of the
representatives of the Democratic and Republican parties.
Principles are not subservient to opportunism or political expediency, nor
should they be. However, principles are the one thing that Barack Obama
and his Democratic and Republican colleagues overwhelmingly lack.
The words of the late Chicano writer and activist Ruben Salazar, aptly
apply to all of us irrespective of color or gender. He said in 1963, "A
very practical teaching of mental hygiene is that one cannot run away from
himself, or what he is. To do so is to invite disaster. Somewhere along
the way the Mexican-American must make a stand and recognize the fact that
if there is to be progress against those barriers which prevent and
obstruct a more functional citizenship, he must above all retrieve his
dignity and work as a person with a specific ethnic antecedent, having a
positive contribution to make to civilization. No man can find a true
expression for living who is ashamed of himself or his people." Indeed.
In this vein it should be borne in mind that the recent deliberate
corporate media diversion pertaining to a so-called "inflammatory" quoted
sermon by Reverend Jeremiah Wright was and remains a red herring, meant to
divert Black, Brown, Red, Yellow, and White people from the pressing
issues of substance, such as specifically how Barack Obama, and the other
candidates of the Democratic and Republican parties propose to address:
* a failing U.S. economy,
* the loss of jobs,
* the ongoing bloody and unacceptable wars in Iraq and
Afghanistan,
* universal health care,
* corporate greed,
* the ongoing thievery of and encroachment upon indigenous
native peoples lands and rights,
* increasing homelessness in America,
* a dwindling middle class,
* a burgeoning U.S. prison population,
* increasingly shrinking opportunities for college / university
education,
* global warming and
* an infrastructure of bridges and highways that are in serious
decay throughout this nation.
These are the concerns and issues that need to be substantively addressed;
and these are the very ones that the Democratic and Republican parties
have little of substance to offer. The most inflammatory thing about the
entire Reverend Jeremiah Wright matter was the cynical and manipulative
manner that his words were taken out of context and distorted by a U.S.
corporate media complicity intent upon diverting peoples' attention away
from the above-described pressing economic, social, and political
concerns. Sadly, but quite predictably, many of us Black, Brown, Red, and
White folks allowed ourselves to 'go for the ghost;' or as brother Malcolm
X warned us, to be "hoodwinked" and "bamboozled."
The fact is that racism is an undeniable, pervasive, and wholly
unacceptable reality in the United States, and contrary to the recent
assertion of U.S. Presidential candidate, Barack Obama, things have not
gotten better for the overwhelming majority of people in this nation. In
fact more often than not, in many respects, they've grown much worse.
Moreover, Barack Obama surely must know that racism and racial distrust
and/or intolerance are fueled by not substantively and definitively
addressing the very economic, political, and social concerns / issues
delineated above. No amount of "hope," "change," or other feel-good
rhetoric will address and reverse these realities. Nothing short of
radical [i.e. root] / systemic change will ever reverse these realities,
and Barack Obama and his colleagues in the Democratic and Republican
parties are well aware of this; which is precisely why the Democratic and
Republican parties will never push for systemic change.
The argument, for example, that the stance of U.S. Presidential candidate
Barack Obama as pro-Zionist, pro-expanding the military budget, and
pro-"unilateral" U.S. military actions inside the borders of other nations
is one taken primarily in order to become President of the United States
fundamentally begs a more important question. Is the only way to become
President of the United States, to be a de facto unprincipled, war
mongering imperialist bent upon U.S. world hegemony? And if the answer to
that question is in the affirmative, isn't the principled course of action
for people of good will, those on the Left, and so-called progressives -
to set out to fundamentally and systemically change the political,
economic, and social structure of this nation to one based upon human care
and not deceit, economic exploitation, and perpetual warfare?
U.S. Presidential candidate Barack Obama is absolutely not anywhere near
being the representative or the fulfillment of, the stated vision of Dr.
Martin Luther King, Jr., who stood stalwartly opposed to militarism and
imperialism of any kind, including that of the United States. And
certainly Brother Malcolm X repeatedly emphasized his opposition to U.S.
imperialism / empire.
Another argument made by some who urge support for U.S. Presidential
candidate, Barack Obama, is the call to supposedly "make history."
However, the question is: precisely what kind of history is to be made by
supporting the imperialistic, corporate-backed candidacy of Barack Obama?
Indeed, of what value is "making history" if it is one of deceit,
imperialism, perpetual warfare, and ultimate annihilation? Is this the
history that critically thinking people of good will want to be
responsible for having helped foster? I think not.
Black, Brown, Red, Yellow, and White peoples in this nation do have a real
choice. This choice will never be presented to us by the corporate,
ever-consolidating media, who are cronies of the U.S. corporate, military
apparatus. We do have a viable radical alternative to the insane cycle of
the inextricably linked Democratic and Republican parties.
We must critically think and organize outside of the systemic box. We must
call upon ourselves and each other to creatively organize different and
independent political so-called third parties which are not beholden to
the corporate, military, prison apparatus.
This is not about false hope. This is about a future of hard work and
organizing. We must either utilize these choices and make them real or run
the very real risk of losing them forever.
BlackCommentator.com Editorial Board member, Larry Pinkney, is a veteran
of the Black Panther Party, the former Minister of Interior of the
Republic of New Africa, a former political prisoner and the only American
to have successfully self-authored his civil/political rights case to the
United Nations under the International Covenant on Civil and Political
Rights. For more about Larry Pinkney see the book,Saying No to Power:
Autobiography of a 20th Century Activist and Thinker, by William Mandel
[Introduction by Howard Zinn]
**************----------------------------------------------------------
32. Army Mar 14 update/ DU at Pohakula
Date: Thu, 27 Mar 2008 11:47:36 -1000
From: "Cory (Martha) Harden" <mh@interpac.net>
Just found this, from someone who lives near Pohakuloa, in my overloaded
inbox--Cory [got to write to cory for the pdf]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
33. OHA Upset Over Proposed Audit
From: HIAHAWAII@aol.com
Sent: Thursday, March 27, 2008 11:59 AM
Thursday, March 27, 2008 Honolulu Advertiser
OHA Upset Over Proposed Audit
By Gordon Y.K. Pang, Advertiser Staff Writer
HEARING TODAY OVER OHA AUDIT
What: A hearing on a proposal requiring the Office of Hawaiian Affairs to
undergo a financial and management audit before next year's legislative
session
When: 2:45 p.m. today
Who: The Senate Agriculture and Hawaiian Affairs Committee
Where: Room 224 of the state Capitol.
To see the actual language of the proposal, go to: www.capitol.hawaii.gov
KAPOLEI â^À^Ô State senators will consider a measure today calling for a
financial and management audit of the Office of Hawaiian Affairs.
The audit would come on the heels of the Senate's rejection last week of
an agreement between the state and OHA to settle a 30-year dispute over
revenue from land formerly owned by the Hawaiian government.
The settlement would give OHA $200 million in land and cash plus an annual
$15.1 million payment. In exchange, OHA would relinquish any claims to
revenues from the so-called "ceded lands."
Senate President Colleen Hanabusa said an audit of OHA would give everyone
a chance to review the settlement.
"What the (OHA) beneficiaries are asking for, which we in the Senate do
not find to be unreasonable, is to say, 'Slow it down a little bit. Let us
participate in this. Talk to us.' And so the audit, to me, is an extension
of that," said Hanabusa, D-21st (Nanakuli, Makaha).
Opponents of settlement have said it asks Hawaiians to give up too much
for too little in return. Many Native Hawaiian leaders also complained
they were not consulted on the settlement.
OHA trustees are unhappy with the proposed audit and question why
lawmakers are asking for an audit now when the agency is mandated by law
to undergo one every four years and is due one next year.
Meanwhile, Gov. Linda Lingle used the occasion of the dedication of the
new Department of Hawaiian Home Lands headquarters in Kapolei yesterday to
urge Hanabusa and other senators to allow the settlement agreement to go
to a vote on the Senate floor.
Three Senate committees voted March 17 to shelve the proposal, telling the
parties to come back next year after taking into consideration the
concerns of constituents.
Lingle criticized senators for rejecting the proposal before they received
a report they had sought detailing a series of public hearings held by OHA
on the proposed settlement. The report was due yesterday and was received
by House and Senate leaders yesterday afternoon.
The House has already approved the settlement and the Senate is all that
stands in the way of its passage.
BENEFICIARY CONCERNS
Opponents of the plan said OHA should have done a better job informing its
constituents, particularly Hawaiian homesteaders, about the plan.
Hanabusa said she is calling for a financial audit because of those
concerns. Hanabusa noted that state Auditor Marion Higa is required by
statute to conduct an audit next year.
However, some OHA beneficiaries have asked for an audit to be done
immediately. "In light of the settlement issues, we're just looking to
expedite it one year," Hanabusa said.
She said beneficiaries have been ignored throughout the negotiation
process. Some beneficiaries have raised questions about how OHA spends
ceded land monies. "Whether or not those (concerns) are valid, we'll see,"
Hanabusa said.
OHA trustee John Waihe'e IV suggested the call for an audit was punitive.
"It does seem like an attempt to rile us up for whatever reason," he said.
"To the average person, it makes them look petty and bad. They weren't
getting positive feedback for holding the bill (to approve the settlement)
and now they're doing this."
Lingle said she is equally puzzled by the request for an audit.
"It's irrelevant to the issue at hand," she said. "The issue is about an
obligation that the state has to the Hawaiian people, with OHA as the
recipient to it, as (mandated) by our Constitution. So, to me, the idea of
an audit doesn't make any sense."
During her remarks at the dedication of DHHL's Kapolei headquarters,
Lingle criticized senators for not approving the settlement.
"They didn't ask any questions of those who attended the meetings and they
didn't offer any alternative plan for resolution to this situation,"
Lingle said.
The governor said she couldn't understand why senators opposed the
settlement when they had not yet received an OHA report they had requested
documenting a series of more than 40 community meetings statewide held by
the agency and the attorney general's office on the plan.
"The senators didn't want to read what was in the report," Lingle said.
Lingle received applause from about half the crowd of about 1,000 people,
mostly Hawaiians, as she said "It's up to the senators to take another
look ... to try our best to make certain that 30 years doesn't turn into
35, or 40, or 50 years."
ONGOING DISPUTE
The dispute over revenue from the 1.4 million-acre ceded lands â^À^Ô which
include the Honolulu International Airport, Honolulu Harbor, Sand Island
and Kahului Harbor â^À^Ô has been going on for three decades.
That 36-page report, handed to Senate and House leaders late yesterday,
concluded that "there is clearly both support for and opposition to the
settlement agreement and proposed legislation in the community."
The report acknowledged that a majority of those who spoke at the
community meetings "were critical of the settlement."
However, the report said, most of the concerns raised were "from or about
broad perspectives and concerns (rather) than what OHA's share of income
and proceeds from the ceded lands ought to be."
The report also said a majority of those attending the meetings did not
offer suggestions on how to improve the settlement and pointed to an
OHA-paid poll that showed a majority of Hawaiians and non-Hawaiians
support the settlement.
OHA trustee Walter Heen said an audit of OHA at this time has no
relationship to the ceded lands issue.
Heen said OHA hires an outside auditor to conduct an independent audit
annually and reports have come back with no problems.
As to the lack of prior consultation on the settlement, Heen noted that
the Senate last year passed a resolution urging OHA to inform the Senate
president and House speaker if a potential settlement is reached
"recognizing the confidential nature of ongoing negotiations."
Kamaki Kanahele, president of the Sovereign Councils of the Hawaiian
Homelands Assembly, applauded Hanabusa's call for an immediate audit of
OHA.
Kanahele said homesteaders were not properly consulted on the settlement
agreement, even though OHA has a fiduciary responsibility to them.
Further, Kanahele said, OHA has been negligent in giving priority to
beneficiaries of the ceded land trust. "And this audit will factually
prove it."
Reach Gordon Y.K. Pang at gpang@honoluluadvertiser.com.
________________________________________________________________________________
34. Nature 2, Corps 0
Date: Thu, 27 Mar 2008 18:00:00 -0700
From: mike reitz <mreitz@pacbell.net>
"The peoples of the Towns of Nottingham and Barnstead have acted in the
best tradition of liberty and freedom, and confronted injustice in the
form of a state-permitted corporate assault against the consent of the
sovereign people..."
From: The Community Environmental Legal Defense Fund, Mar. 21, 2008
TWO N.H. COMMUNITIES ENACT LAWS RECOGNIZING RIGHTS OF NATURE
Two towns in New Hampshire this month passed local laws recognizing the
rights of nature and specifically restricting the rights of corporations.
Nottingham, N.H. passed The Nottingham Water Rights and Local Self -
Government Ordinance at a town meeting March 15th. The ordinance
establishes strict liability for culpable corporations and government
entities that permit and facilitate the privatization and corporatization
of water within the town.
The ordinance also strips corporations of constitutional protections
within the town. The Town of Nottingham thus becomes the 11th municipality
in the nation to refuse to recognize corporate constitutional "rights,"
and to prohibit corporate rights from being used to override the rights of
human and natural communities.
The vote in Nottingham was 175 to 111 for the ordinance.
When a few people at the end of the meeting, attempted to use an obscure
local law to recall the vote in seven days, after over 75% of the voters
had left, the action was defeated by over 60% of the people remaining.
These two significant votes proclaim Democracy is alive and well in
Nottingham.
At Town Meeting on the same day in Barnstead, voters amended their Water
Rights Ordinance; which was passed almost unanimously at their Town
Meeting two years ago; to include the Rights of Nature.
Barnstead, NH , became the 12th municipality in the nation to recognize
the Rights of Nature. Barnstead voted overwhelmingly on Saturday, March
15th, to add the Rights of Nature to their ordinance which has been in
place since March 2006, when they became the first municipality to deny
corporate assumed privileges to corporate entities withdrawing water for
resale, within the town.
The Community Environmental Legal Defense Fund (CELDF) of Chamberburg,
Pennsylvania has been spearheading efforts by local communities to assert
control over corporations.
Ben Price, Projects Director for the Legal Defense Fund, had this to say,
"The people have asserted their right and their duty to protect their
families, environment, and future generations. In enacting this law, the
community has gone on record as rejecting the legal theory behind Dillon's
Rule, which erroneously asserts that there is no inherent right to local
self-government. The American Revolution was about nothing less than the
fundamental right of the people to be the decision-makers on issues
directly affecting the communities in which they live. They understood
that a central government, at some distance removed from those affected,
acts beyond its authority in empowering a few powerful men -- privileged
with chartered immunities and rights superior to the people in the
community -- to deny citizens' rights, impose harm, and refuse local
self-determination.
"The peoples of the Towns of Nottingham and Barnstead have acted in the
best tradition of liberty and freedom, and confronted injustice in the
form of a state-permitted corporate assault against the consent of the
sovereign people," he said.
CELDF's New Hampshire organizer, Gail Darrell, spoke to the success of the
amendments on Monday.
"The People of Barnstead have agreed to acknowledge that the natural world
needs an advocate -- that advocate is us. The water which we all share is
now protected by all of us who live here. We have decided that protecting
the essence of all life is a good way to protect the health, safety and
wellbeing of the community."
--~--~---------~--~----~------------~-------~--~----~--------------------
Gabrielle Welford, Ph.D.
freelance writer, editor, teacher
welford@hawaii.edu
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