09-05-2008, 03:54 AM
This was a very interesting affair. The method of having several tables of 10-12 people at which the candidates would, one by one, visit each table for 15 minutes was enjoyable and informative. The fifteen minutes went by fast. There was a tendency for various candidates to take the first question and give it a ten minute answer. While I have full praise for the organizers of the session the table moderators could have been more aggressive in making sure more questions got heard.
I wanted to ask Lorraine why my impression of the Democratic majority in Honolulu seems solely intent on status quo and the consumption of money might be wrong. I am not too impressed with her record as Senator. She will cite a number of very, very expensive government pork projects but makes zero mention of the roles she might have played in improving the track records of DLNR, DHHL, DOE, DOT Etc. With all the talk about trying to get our electric utilities to get off the oil gouge she seems oblivious to the fact that she was in a position to do something about that... and did not.
My impression of Stacy Higa improved some but not a a mayoral candidate. He has been too entrenched in Hilo life support for me to consider him. OTher council members, notaqbly Pilago, Hoffman, Yagong, Jacobson and Ford have shown an ability to think beyond their districts - something a mayor would need - no history of that with Stacy that I can see.
Jasper Moore has perfected the role of mayoral gadfly. Some, but not all, of his ideas and opinions ring with me. No sense of administrative qualifications but I believe he is pursuing a path of issues and being successful at that. I have hear the mantra of "the world as we know it is about to end" in the 1970's and 1980's... not in the 1990's... but again here in 2008. I think change is indeed coming and in serious ways, I also think we need to approach the challenges with optimism not pessimism.
Randy Riley was amiable and did not stray from his "what you see is what you get".
I enjoyed Billy Kenoi's talk time... he grabs issues and waves them about.... but I have not been able to overcome the simple fact that, as likable as he is, he is a lawyer with a bucket of money. That seems soooo familiar doesn't it?
Angel Pilago spoke clearly and openly about the need for self determination and home rule. That our communities are the center of our well being and future and government needs to trust the people. He has long demonstrated his belief in this and he maintains my support. Angel looks to our citizens and leaders to function cooperatively for the common good. His point regarding the new telescope centers on his faith in community and home rule... They do not ask us to have their telescope. This our home and we will have the say. Mahalo Angel. IF they ask us we might even say yes. But they have to ask first.
I wanted to ask Lorraine why my impression of the Democratic majority in Honolulu seems solely intent on status quo and the consumption of money might be wrong. I am not too impressed with her record as Senator. She will cite a number of very, very expensive government pork projects but makes zero mention of the roles she might have played in improving the track records of DLNR, DHHL, DOE, DOT Etc. With all the talk about trying to get our electric utilities to get off the oil gouge she seems oblivious to the fact that she was in a position to do something about that... and did not.
My impression of Stacy Higa improved some but not a a mayoral candidate. He has been too entrenched in Hilo life support for me to consider him. OTher council members, notaqbly Pilago, Hoffman, Yagong, Jacobson and Ford have shown an ability to think beyond their districts - something a mayor would need - no history of that with Stacy that I can see.
Jasper Moore has perfected the role of mayoral gadfly. Some, but not all, of his ideas and opinions ring with me. No sense of administrative qualifications but I believe he is pursuing a path of issues and being successful at that. I have hear the mantra of "the world as we know it is about to end" in the 1970's and 1980's... not in the 1990's... but again here in 2008. I think change is indeed coming and in serious ways, I also think we need to approach the challenges with optimism not pessimism.
Randy Riley was amiable and did not stray from his "what you see is what you get".
I enjoyed Billy Kenoi's talk time... he grabs issues and waves them about.... but I have not been able to overcome the simple fact that, as likable as he is, he is a lawyer with a bucket of money. That seems soooo familiar doesn't it?
Angel Pilago spoke clearly and openly about the need for self determination and home rule. That our communities are the center of our well being and future and government needs to trust the people. He has long demonstrated his belief in this and he maintains my support. Angel looks to our citizens and leaders to function cooperatively for the common good. His point regarding the new telescope centers on his faith in community and home rule... They do not ask us to have their telescope. This our home and we will have the say. Mahalo Angel. IF they ask us we might even say yes. But they have to ask first.
Assume the best and ask questions.
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Punaweb moderator