Hawai`i County Resolution 731

[Bob Orts]

Isn't this nothing but the standard federally subsidized job training funding program using a new twist "Green"?

Gee, I should cash in on this by offering training for Bio-Mass/Fuel Maintenance workers (learn to cut grass and be landscapers). Or Bioconversion Energy Technician (learn how to properly flip a compost pile). How about, Bio-Fuel Material Production Technician, (you learn how to cut sugar cane).

[JWFITZ]

You are exactly right, Bob, and it will not serve the local interests in the slightest, nor the ecology of the island.

http://kgmb9.com/main/index.php?option=c...&Itemid=76

Here's the first of what's coming, one of three I'm aware of. Had no idea they were this far ahead of schedule.

[Greg]

Hereis a more detailed piece on the Kauai sugar development.

I must be pretty naive, but I just don't see the harm in converting existing caneland to energy production. The above link to Jan Tenbruggencate's article mentions 20 megawatts of electricity for Kauai. That's about as much as PGV produces here.

I've always thought of "Big Sugar" as a desecrator of the environment, but it seems that here there is at least the opportunity to give something back (non-petrolium energy).

[JWFITZ]

Hawaii imports 90 percent of its foodstuffs, at a highly fuel intensive cost--how is it that we can afford to convert farm land to farming energy?

[Rob Tucker]

Probably has something to do with the fact that we import 90%+ of our energy too.

Finding our way into an actual sustainable reality will not be a straight line smooth path. There are things to try that will succeed and things to try that will fail. There will be attempts that disappoint and there will be attempts that surprise. Our biggest failure will be if we fail to try.

This topic started with mention of a resolution "…encouraging the administration to research the application process to obtain funding for an energy worker-related training program" for grants. Hard to see the harm in researching application processes. It seems very prudent to understand the opportunities that are out there.


Punaweb moderator

[Greg]

While it's true that we import most of our food, the farmland in question was used for EXPORT agriculture. It wasn't ever used to grow our food.

So to me, it's conceivable to use these thousands of fallow acres to produce food AND energy for our consumption.

[JWFITZ]

Hi Rob,

You're right on that score.

Research is important. I wouldn't disagree. Sales pitches masquerading as research should be exposed. You mentioned very that people have various ideas of what sustainability is--I disagree. Sustainability is only one thing--sustainability. There may be various ways of achieving it--but the definition of what sustainability is, well, strictly speaking, is not subject to debate.

Anyone who has their heart in the right place about these ideas is going to be interested in one thing--results. Results are products of engineered policy, and engineered policy is a result of rational scientific analysis, which by nature is critical. It's simply a matter of asking the question--will this work, or not? There needs to be a much higher burden of proof demanded in this arena, and hard questions need to be answered.

Consider this metaphor. Suppose we had a patent, morbidly obese, high-blood pressure, risk of congestive heart failure, T2 diabetes. A responsible doctor will prescribe a very robust and uncomfortable course of action for this patient. A very restrictive diet, change in lifestyle, and exercise, none of which will be fun, will be the course of treatment. The risk is death. It would be considered criminally irresponsible of a physician to suggest that the situation isn't that dire, or that actions of any less effectuality aren't called for.

Suppose our patient wasn't interested, and having a personal interest in an easier way out, went to get a second opinion--looking for "alternative medicine" that prescribed TV watching and Fritos as a miracle cure for T2 diabetes. No doubt the TV and Fritos diet plan would be a best seller, and Dr Quack, Phd. would make millions. Most of us would consider such profiteering to be ethically despicable, at the highest level.

This is exactly the situation we face in the "green" industry as a whole. The issue is clear and singular--over-consumption. Unless this basic problem is addressed as a core concern--which will not be fun--no net results will be made, and the result will be the same as if no attempts were made at all. Some will like to suggest that "green" policies that fall short of the mark are still "steps in the right direction." I disagree. They are slower less bold steps in the WRONG direction, but still in the wrong direction. Most of what we see are "green" attempts to creatively subsidize a lifestyle which is simply untenable.

This issue is important, and a much higher level of scrutiny and integrity needs to be applied.

[Rob Tucker]

Over consumption is the problem for perhaps 20% of the world's people. Ultimately the problem no one (except perhaps the Chinese) wants to address is population.

Punaweb moderator

[JWFITZ]

Certainly.

Overpopulation and consumption are inextricably linked.

[Bob Orts]

quote:

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Originally posted by Hotzcatz

After the County pays to get these workers trained, who then hires the workers and why should the County pay to figure out how to train workers for private enterprises

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Good question. This is just a subsidized job-training program with a “green” label, nothing more. And, nobody has the slightest idea what the heck this “green” and “sustainable” label means. If a sugar cane worker is hired by a sugar as food company, who pays for that person’s training, The company or the government? But, if that sugar cane is no longer food but being grown for bio-fuel, does the “bio” designation suddenly mean someone can open a training class for sugar cane workers and get federal money? Why not every flooring company work to get paid training for their employees. No more OJT or prior skills, get Uncle Sam to foot the bill. Just say you can’t find skilled “Green & sustainable” Bamboo floor installers.

quote:

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Originally posted by Hotzcatz

I suppose the Federal Government is the one providing most of the funding to train these folks, though, huh?

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Yes, the federal government is writing the check, but it’s OUR money paying the tab.

quote:

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Originally posted by Hotzcatz

Generally it seems by the time the political machine has become involved it is no longer a "for the people" sort of thing but a special interest group driving the changes.

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A-MEN!

Think about all the special interest groups that can twist this into their personal gain. Let’s have a Foreign Oil Independence Job Act of 2008. Big oil can set up shell training groups to get federal tax dollars to train their workers. Remember it’s foreign oil independence, not big oil getting more subsides.

Oh, let’s also have the Affordable Housing Job Act of 2009. Developers get federal tax money to set up a training school to teach people to build houses in large-scale tract developments. Who can say no to affordable housing?

Ah, and we have the International/Hawaii Marine Ecology Job Act of 2010. That’s right tour companies get federally subsidized language training to teach people how to show foreign tourist turtles on the beach. And don’t dare say this is wrong, it’s an international marine environmental initiative.

Oh and if anyone is interested, I’ve applied for a green training grant. Because of the vast shortage of experience green and sustainable transport packagers, there is no way Hawaii can meet this potential exploding field. There is an emergency need to train people in the proper identification of commodities to green packaging. The proper placement of mixed use items. The exemptions to hydrogen-oxygen saturated items under the recent initiative. The OSHA safety protocol of green and sustainable packaging. And the need for retraining in packing the metal transport vessels. The government will pay me $5,000 per person to be trained and certified. The training course will include such items as : How to stop saying “paper or plastic” , How to avoid paper cuts when opening the bags. Why wet, leaky meats need to be wrapped in something else. Plus as a bonus, how to place bags in shopping cart to maximize space.

So many people complain about government abuse, but geez, they open yourselves up to being abused by government.