SB2274-Sustainable Living

[Kapohocat]

quote:

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Originally posted by pahoated... the state imports over 90% of its food (Hawaii island still imports 65% of its produce).

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I was just asking Sonia Tastes Hawaii about this # and if it had improved the last few years.

Where did the stats come from and are they current?

Thanks!

[pahoated]

quote:

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Originally posted by Kapohocat
I was just asking Sonia Tastes Hawaii about this # and if it had improved the last few years.

Where did the stats come from and are they current?

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Most recent data is from 2010. There is a goal to decrease food imports by 10%:

http://www.hipaonline.com/project/food_security
The State of Hawaii imports 85-90% of its food

There is a Sustainability Plan there but it is called Sustainability2050, with a *goal* of sustainability, however it's defined, by 2050, which is probably realistic if enough people get together. Until then, Hawaii is very vulnerable, not sustainable, and the reason so many people are concerned is the effort looks like it will take decades and Hawaii may not have decades to become more self sufficient.

"This island Hawaii on this island Earth"

[kalakoa]

*goal* of sustainability, however it's defined, by 2050

Too far away -- effects of climate change will render current "sustainability" efforts moot.

[Seeb]

the definition from Hawaii 2050-
[ A Hawai‘i that achieves the following:
Respects the culture, character, beauty and history of our state’s island communities

Strikes a balance between economic, social and community, and environmental priorities

Meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs]

can anyone pick anything actionable out of that. maybe someone can find something more in the plan but I cant find anything concrete in the whole document

[kalakoa]

without compromising the ability of future generations

Banning sustainability research, or GMOs, would seem to be a fail, then?

[pahoated]

quote:

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Originally posted by Seeb

the definition from Hawaii 2050-
[ A Hawai‘i that achieves the following:
Respects the culture, character, beauty and history of our state’s island communities

Strikes a balance between economic, social and community, and environmental priorities

Meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs]

can anyone pick anything actionable out of that. maybe someone can find something more in the plan but I cant find anything concrete in the whole document

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Actually, right after your quote, there is a list of actions projected for 2020 and they are general fluff. The plan was published in 2008 and they projected by 2020, oil could begin to approach $100 per barrel. That was because 2008 was the depths of the Great Recession and oil dropped below $80 per barrel. Now, in 2014, it has gone over $105 last year and hovers around $100 to $103 because that is what it costs to extract shale oil with a profit.

It will be interesting to see how well all these "sustainability" plans go if K2 covers Hwy 130. Or all this saber rattling has somebody accidentally set off a conventional missile strike, see what that does to a barrel of oil and Hawaii has the life support plug pulled. How long is one "sustainable" if life support is removed? These and many other questions await.

"This island Hawaii on this island Earth"

[JohnDW]

Well, I suppose this is a non-issue now that Senator Solomon has effectively killed the bill. If the bill's forlorn supporters really want to shake it off and move forward, I suggest they carefully examine the situation in New Mexico. New Mexico, with its Earthship colonies, straw-bale, chord-wood, poured paper, and a variety of other unconventional/experimental housing designs in existence, has learned to cooperate.(http://earthship.com/) By that I mean the different political factions -- and they are much more divided I might add -- communicate and compromise. They help each other achieve their goals. Sure its a snake pit of back-biting and betrayal like any other, and yet, the sustainability folks are able to make concessions to appease their detractors. Frankly, I find it childish to publically bemoan a political loss. What did you expect? Factionalized communities spewing divisive rant accomplishes nothing. Where are the adults when you need them?

[kalakoa]

Isn't this the same Solomon currently seeking an exemption for a property subdivision which includes illegal structures?

[Guest]

This is a letter to the editor of the Hawaii Tribune Herald that my neighbor submitted. They may or may not publish it so I thought I would post it here. I thought perhaps this might bring a little more understanding and clarity to this matter. So here it goes...

Thank you for your very interesting article on the illegal and unethical happenings at SPACE and Bellyacres. You have only touched the tip of the iceberg with regards to what has taken place and its methodology. All of the illegal findings that the DLNR report uncovered was done under Graham Ellis's management. To try and hide and bury all of the illegal activities, Mr. Ellis drafted a piece of legislation called the Sustainability Living Research bill and gave it to his good friend, Senator Russell Ruderman who introduced it as Bill 2274. This bill would have allowed the Bellyacres site plus some State lands, to qualify as a "Sustainable Living Research Site" and avoid County regulations for his continued development and lay to rest all the current violations. It was been stated that for the introduction of the bill, Mr. Ellis promised political support and a block of votes for Sen. Ruderman and others. This was truly special legislation to benefit him and, thank goodness, it was defeated at the last minute by numerous people speaking up in opposition.

Another interesting side light is that many of the Ohia trees that were not used on site ended up with a person who milled the wood for commercial use, making good money off the illegal harvesting of the trees. Rumor has it that this individual has also been poaching hardwood trees elsewhere for his commercial operation. This should also be looked in to.

Please continue to pursue this complex story with all its illegal and unethical operations so the people of the Big Island can fully understand all the backhanded, illegal operations that were taking place in their backyards and how underhanded and selfish Mr. Ellis really was, and is, in his desires to turn a profit off of State lands and our natural resources.

[kalakoa]

Congratulations to Sativa and RJ for eliminating the dangerous threat posed by these "sustainability researchers".

Now that the illegal and/or unethical activities at VGS have been brought to the attention of authorities, I fully expect swift decisive action against all perpetrators, including a full restoration of the site to its pristine natural conditions.

Question: what "sustainability" will now be permissible, and what manner of licensure is required to ensure that it remains "ethical"?