Leadership Team and Committee Chairs for the 28th

[snorkle]

I cannot conceal it, but can carry it openly!![]

[HiloPuna]

Retraction: I erroneously stated that Rep Joy would be Vice Chair Transportation in the House. I was given a rumour as a fact and I passed it on as such. My bad, I apologize to all affected.
I opined how valuable this could be for Puna given long standing deficiencies in infrastructure. I then contrasted this with Sen Russell chairing Agriculture. My concern was that he had apparently used his leverage (gained from becoming part of a new majority) to choose as his committee Agriculture which I had (unstated) issues with.


Actually Rep Joy, shockingly for a freshman, was given VC of Judiciary, one of the two most powerful committees. Good for her and an early influential position bodes well for her district.

Good luck to each of them.

[HiloPuna]

Snorkel

Your attempt at obfuscation warrants a reply.

You originally wrote;
"...I don't know or care much about specific numbers, but it's inarguable that Puna has played a large part in agriculture in the State. Unfortunately most of this activity has been export Ag, and most of that export crop(since Sugar) has been of the ornamental variety. "

I advised the readers you were wrong (again) in your assertions. You were wrong about Punas relative importance in agriculture statewide and you were wrong in your characterization as "unfortunate" that farmers seek cash crops (analogous with export in a small population island). I spent two paragraphs putting Punas ag past in perspective and you attempt, via editing out the first part of your original statement, to remove the context and confuse the reader.
This ".....it's inarguable that Puna has played a large part in agriculture in the State. Unfortunately most of this activity has been export Ag, and most of that export crop(since Sugar) ...."

is not the same as this "and most of that export crop(since Sugar) has been of the ornamental variety. ".
See what you did there, you removed context. Not fair to the casual reader.

The subject was Punas agricultural importance within the state. The discussion began with an absurd statement that "Puna is the "breadbasket" of the state". As silly as that statement is there are some who would accept it if unchallenged, and so it was (challenged). The discussion ensued until we got to your defensive manuveur which I am now calling shenanigans on.

Further, you then write;
"Please let me handle the snark around here."
Well, okay. Since snark is a variant of sarcasm and that is considered by some the lowest form of humour, knock yourself out. I've actually not considered you very snarky on this board. Often wrongheaded but within that at most times witty or facetious, but rarely if ever sarcastic.
My advice? Aspire to Irony.

[snorkle]

I didn't edit anything in my previous post; I copied and pasted it. If I left something out, it was for the brevity thing, not an attempt to obfuscate.

My post also supports your position that while Puna is important agriculturally, it isn't the "breadbasket" of the state. (Irony?)

I am truly sorry that you wasted two paragraphs explaining Puna's agricultural history.

There is, by the way sir, a lower form of humor than snark; It's when you mix it with a pun.

My snark is worse than my bite.

[][]

[snorkle]

Maybe the problem is my inability to accurately express my opinion.

Let me try to summarize with a list;

1. Puna was a player in the States Ag history.
2. In the post sugar era, most of Puna's export crops have been ornamental.
3. Puna is hardly the "breadbasket" of the state.
4. With Russell's help, it could be the "breadbasket" of Hawaii Island.
5. Laundry detergent.
6. Pickles.
7. Corn tortillas.
(oops, sorry, I got some of my shopping list mixed in there).
8. Puna's Agriculture future could (should) employ modern growing methods such as Hydro and Aquaponics.

[kalakoa]

an absurd statement that "Puna is the "breadbasket" of the state".

I believe our elected leadership has been known to refer to the Big Island as the "breadbasket of the state".

They don't, however, actually do anything to facilitate this.

[PauHana]

(I believe our elected leadership has been known to refer to the Big Island as the "breadbasket of the state".)

Well I guess if our elected leadership say it, that must make it true. You read it here on the internet.

[Anxious Messiah]

quote:

---

Originally posted by HiloPuna

...I then contrasted this with Sen Russell chairing Agriculture. My concern was that he had apparently used his leverage (gained from becoming part of a new majority) to choose as his committee Agriculture which I had (unstated) issues with.

Good luck to each of them.

---

Chairs don't get to choose which committee they get. Sometimes they are asked for a top three. The decision is made by the Senate President or Speaker of the House.

Obviously Ruderman has gained some political clout in his getting a Chair, much to the consternation of some who would claim that he had no political capitol out of one side of their keyboard - and then post up that they had proof that Ruderman had the power to have duped the Governor and other high up officials to stop investigations with the other side of their keyboard.

I haven't always been a fan of the Senator, but the fact is, Ruderman has been quite level headed overall in his duties to the district. He has learned well, albeit the hard way on occasion, how to get things done and bring money in for the district. All while having to be subjected to merit-less, made up ethics complaints by folks who later admitted the only reason for them was to try and draw attention to something unrelated to the Senator.

Being the Chair of Ag is a huge win for the district, and the state as a whole. We have someone who is willing to work for the farmers, food security, and give an ear to legislation that former chairs refused to even give a listen to.

To the naysayers, post what you want, but without any credible facts, it just pablum puke.

_________________________________________
Don't speak unless you can improve on the silence.

[HiloPuna]

Kalakoa
I've heard it said that Hawaii Island has "the potential to be the breadbasket..." Never that it is or was.
And no one will ever hear an informed opinion replacing Hawaii Island with Puna. Can't happen due to geology and climate.

Just to be clear, a "breadbasket" is a region that has such an advantage in soil types, climate, water resources, etc that it can produce such a surplus that an entire country or greater economic region can rely on it. Usually grains are the featured crop; rice, corn, wheat. In Hawaii I've only ever heard that perishable crop replacement (of imports) is the planning goal. Suitable areas of Hawaii include central Maui Mauka to Kula, central Oahu Mauka to Wahiawa, and maybe portions of south Kohala Mauka to Waimea or Waikii.

snorkle
You've misstated, again. You wrote;
"My post also supports your position that while Puna is important agriculturally...."
I've been stating the exact opposite. I stated that Puna was a poor producer of sugar relative to the state at large and all the crops grown here have had a difficult time maintaining market share. Just in my lifetime we've lost the Volcano truck crops, the Glenwood greenhouses, and bananas, papayas, ornamentals and cut flowers are now produced at a much lower level than they were even 20 years ago.
It's delusional to believe (any current or historical importance to Puna in a statewide context) otherwise so in the interests of the lurkers I continue to argue this out.
As far as your hope for a Puna "breadbasket" future relying on alternative methods; aquaponics, hydroponics, Korean natural, organic....good luck. I say that sincerely, from experience (in Puna). I started as a Rudolf Steiner influenced biodynamic market gardener in the 70's. I grew truck crops hydroponically in the '80's. I grew ornamentals in the '90's. Im still farming and I support anyone who gets out there and (actually) does it. Not many do.

[snorkle]

Hilo Puna, You seem to interject your own opinions into mine. Are we married?

Important agriculture; Ornamentals, get it? And I also stated that ornamental production has fallen off because of foreign competition. We argue over nothing. I'll bring home some milk, OK dear?

Past Sugar? Maybe not as significant as other districts, but maybe a little significant, yes?

I don't really feel that sugar is a food crop anyway. More of a legal drug crop that also poisons our soil and reefs with toxic runoff.

How about Puna Butta?