Harry Kim and PGV/Geothermal

[ironyak]

As this is a hot topic, figured I try to bring the discussion together in one place.

Former Civil Defense Director and Mayor Harry Kim has been very vocal regarding PGV/Geothermal and is involved in community meetings and government hearings. Some of his more recent statements include:

Feb 2014: On nighttime drilling ban
http://www.bigislandvideonews.com/2015/0...-drilling/

Aug 2014: On PGV H2S release during Iselle
https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=_uW2Dt7lh7s&t=732

Jul 2013: HB 106, Tactics of Community Division, Government responsibility
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EVswNpQF-fY&t=443

Mar 2013: On HB 106 attempting to repeal Act 97
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CBO15hmiNHo&feature=player_detailpage&list=PLA4D75283A139BD2E&t=167

Nov 2012: On County Rule, EIS/EAS requirements, and Acts 55 & 97
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DHGqkYPqGVo&feature=player_detailpage&t=460

Aug 2012: Harry Kim speaks about geothermal in Leilani
https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=4D_T8CK5hWs

Many direct quotes I pulled:
http://www.punaweb.org/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=20454&whichpage=5&SearchTerms=From%20Harry%20Kim

For my part, I find him quite engaging and hope that someone talks story with him for a biography before it's too late. He appears to have lots to say about behind the scenes decisions that affect us all.

While I cannot speak to the veracity of those insights, the technical statements he has made regarding geothermal development have checked out for me. This does not mean that everything he says is true, only that he is open to being challenged on his information which is commendable and worth taking him up on.

He is often criticized using two logical fallacies:

He is a politician so his opinions cannot be trusted.
http://www.logicallyfallacious.com/index...g-the-well
Commonly known as "poisoning the well" this is an attempt to discredit the source of information before actually listening. Politicians can tell the truth, or lie, like anyone else. It's up to the listener to fact check.

He did nothing as Directory of Civil Defense or as Mayor to stop PGV, so his statements now are false given his previous actions.
http://www.logicallyfallacious.com/index...-tu-quoque
This is a "attack on the man - you too" (ad hominem tu quoque) that tries to disprove an argument because the speaker is not acting consistently with their position. As an example, lighting up another cigarette while saying "smoking is bad for your health" doesn't make the words any less true. There are many complicated reasons people make decisions, but their words can still be true or not. Have to find evidence and verify to know for sure.

I hope that those who have known him personally for a long time might add their views, both positive and negative, so that we can all better understand his role and contributions to this issue.

EDIT: Fixed video links

[Punatic007]

He was the man in charge of community safety, head of civil defense. He gave it a go, listened to all the lies about how it was ok to put geothermal in the middle of the largest growing residential area in America, and after years of experience dealing with geothermal in Puna first hand, he came to the conclusion that it simply is a danger to human life, many lives and does not belong here.

He is old now, not running for office, no agenda to be found other than attempting to correct the errors of the past. And to protect the citizens of Puna from the greed of geothermal companies and the recipients of royalties who threaten the well being of all who live within a 10 mile buffer zone of current geothermal heavy industry in Puna. Like any decent human being of noble character would do.

[TomK]

What's the question?

[leilanidude]

He was the man in charge of community safety, head of civil defense.

Is this not an appointed position, in Hawaii County?

[pahoated]

quote:

---

Originally posted by Punatic007
He is old now, not running for office, no agenda to be found other than attempting to correct the errors of the past.

---

You are either new or don't live here. He ran for mayor last election. In fact, that was when he started moving from somewhere up north to a house in Kapoho. He is making all the motions of trying to run for mayor again in 2016. If you aren't familiar with the politician campaigning around here, they make the rounds when they are campaigning, hitting various public gatherings to be seen. Once they get elected, they basically disappear except for an occasional talk story. Don't know Kim at all, watched a few videos where he has joined Puna Porno Alliance, lock, stock and barrel, and not really impressed with his presentation style. Haven't really heard him say anything with any substance. His showing up all over all of a sudden is trademark early local campaigning.

"Mahalo nui Pele, 'ae noho ia moku 'aina" - kakahiaka oli

[Punatic007]

Nope Ted I'v been here forever and I know he ran for mayor which has nothing to do with what I wrote. He's old and claimed that was his last shot for running for political office again. Has he announced he will be running again? That would be great.

When he ran against Billy Kenoi, he divulged his reason as being a great concern for the welfare of the people of Puna and to protect them from the harm of geothermal industry encroaching in an inappropriate area when he would prefer to enjoy his retirement.

This is what I find so interesting, the chasm btwn the pro-residental geothermal crowd(you) and those who have had first hand experience with it, such as Harry Kim who was in charge of public safety and then the mayor, who say it is so dangerous in the present location.

Where's the gray area Ted? It makes you and a few others here look like you have serious agendas that are heartless when you swing that pendulum to the very edge.

[dakine]

You are either new or don't live here. He ran for mayor last election. In fact, that was when he started moving from somewhere up north to a house in Kapoho. He is making all the motions of trying to run for mayor again in 2016...

Wow ted! You regularly make statements that are way off base.. fabricated misconceptions.. and this one's no better.

Harry's been around... been a part of the Lower Puna community for something verging on forever.. btw.

Where's the gray area Ted? It makes you and a few others here look like you have serious agendas that are heartless when you swing that pendulum to the very edge..

ditto

[pahoated]

And your ilk that obsesses with ad hominem attacks with faux empathy guilt projection are noise to me.

It just makes me laugh to start seeing the pattern developing here, who has pit bull convictions, not opinions, several which appear to be third or fourth logon aliases. Same old anti-geothermal, anti-science bunch.

Of course Kim had Puna presence before, he was mayor during the Kalapana flows and part of his legend is how he personally went door to door during some of the events. Where is your reference where he states he is not running in 2016? If his running in 2012 was concern, why are his recent testimonies about further concern not an indicator? He is making all the motions of becoming a candidate in 2016. If it walks like a duck and talks like a duck, it's probably a duck, especially if it was a duck before.

"Mahalo nui Pele, 'ae noho ia moku 'aina" - kakahiaka oli

[dakine]

he was mayor during the Kalapana flows..

Actually ted you're wrong on that point too. The Kalapana flow was in 1990.. Harry didn't become mayor until 2000.

edited to add link: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mayor_of_Hawaii_County

[snorkle]

Harry was Civil Defense Director at the time. He practically lived at the flow in the county's Mobile Command Vehicle. He did a fantastic job, was a daily comfort to residents, received prolific overtime pay, became a household name to the entire state with his frequent announcements, and paved the way to Mayorhood.