01-17-2013, 05:01 AM
Opinion: watering down PCDP was a strategic move to keep the Puna infighting going strong. Again, I could care less about laying "fault and blame" for the participants; it's a safe bet that some (or all) of them don't realize they've been played for pawns.
Reality check: We "as a people" don't have time for this, and the best possible outcome would be economic collapse *before* Puna is built out.
By way of example: driving to Hilo to stand in a line and file paper forms with a government agency. If only we had some kind of high-speed data network that could transmit the information without burning $10 worth of gas (and, thereby, paying taxes for roads that aren't).
Insult-to-injury: listening to Government blather on about "sustainability" and "local food production" while they enact corporate-friendly standards that are impossible for small producers.
Bottom line: instead of finding places to put extra roads so that more people can drive to Hilo for everything, how about figuring out ways to reduce the number of "necessary" trips?
Best example is probably the SPACE market in Seaview: it was created to serve the needs of the community, many of whom do not have a personal automobile. Rather than help reduce the carbon footprint, County looks to shut it down. (I realize there's lots of controversy, but this actually makes for a better example, especially for purposes of comparison with PMAR.)
Google's fiber project in Kansas City is attracting tech startups -- proving that "if you build it, they will come". Imagine what kind of interisland fiber network $5B would buy; it would reduce congestion far more than a 20-mile rail line to nowhere.
Reality check: We "as a people" don't have time for this, and the best possible outcome would be economic collapse *before* Puna is built out.
By way of example: driving to Hilo to stand in a line and file paper forms with a government agency. If only we had some kind of high-speed data network that could transmit the information without burning $10 worth of gas (and, thereby, paying taxes for roads that aren't).
Insult-to-injury: listening to Government blather on about "sustainability" and "local food production" while they enact corporate-friendly standards that are impossible for small producers.
Bottom line: instead of finding places to put extra roads so that more people can drive to Hilo for everything, how about figuring out ways to reduce the number of "necessary" trips?
Best example is probably the SPACE market in Seaview: it was created to serve the needs of the community, many of whom do not have a personal automobile. Rather than help reduce the carbon footprint, County looks to shut it down. (I realize there's lots of controversy, but this actually makes for a better example, especially for purposes of comparison with PMAR.)
Google's fiber project in Kansas City is attracting tech startups -- proving that "if you build it, they will come". Imagine what kind of interisland fiber network $5B would buy; it would reduce congestion far more than a 20-mile rail line to nowhere.