Yo Mormons, Build The Road, Then Build Your Business.

I love the Mormons. They are all business. I have one piece of advice for them as they put forth their 100% right on plan to do what they want to do.

Get the road built.

Use Obama funds. Use Sen. Dan Dan connections. Use the power you got. Get the road built.

Period.

Here's the why, how and benefit.

http://keepthenorthshoresane.blogspot.com/2006/09/we-need-road-feds-are-buiding-road.html

Shut up and get it done. Then wake me up.

CNN Story, Kauai Residents Fix Their Own Problem, WOW!!!

Island DIY: Kauai residents don't wait for state to repair road

By Mallory Simon CNN

(CNN) -- Their livelihood was being threatened, and they were tired of waiting for government help, so business owners and residents on Hawaii's Kauai island pulled together and completed a $4 million repair job to a state park -- for free.

Polihale State Park has been closed since severe flooding destroyed an access road to the park and damaged facilities in December.

The state Department of Land and Natural Resources had estimated that the damage would cost $4 million to fix, money the agency doesn't have, according to a news release from department Chairwoman Laura Thielen.

"It would not have been open this summer, and it probably wouldn't be open next summer," said Bruce Pleas, a local surfer who helped organize the volunteers. "They said it would probably take two years. And with the way they are cutting funds, we felt like they'd never get the money to fix it."

And if the repairs weren't made, some business owners faced the possibility of having to shut down.

Ivan Slack, co-owner of Napali Kayak, said his company relies solely on revenue from kayak tours and needs the state park to be open to operate. The company jumped in and donated resources because it knew that without the repairs, Napali Kayak would be in financial trouble.

"If the park is not open, it would be extreme for us, to say the least," he said. "Bankruptcy would be imminent. How many years can you be expected to continue operating, owning 15-passenger vans, $2 million in insurance and a staff? For us, it was crucial, and our survival was dependent on it. That park is the key to the sheer survival of the business."

So Slack, other business owners and residents made the decision not to sit on their hands and wait for state money that many expected would never come. Instead, they pulled together machinery and manpower and hit the ground running March 23. Watch the volunteers repairing the road »

And after only eight days, all of the repairs were done, Pleas said. It was a shockingly quick fix to a problem that may have taken much longer if they waited for state money to funnel in.

"We can wait around for the state or federal government to make this move, or we can go out and do our part," Slack said. "Just like everyone's sitting around waiting for a stimulus check, we were waiting for this but decided we couldn't wait anymore."

Thielen has been waiting, too. She wants the legislature to approve her Recreation Renaissance project, a $240 million booster shot to help fix parks across the state. Without it, at least five state parks may be forced to close, and there would be no emergency repair money to fix Polihale State Park.

"We shouldn't have to do this, but when it gets to a state level, it just gets so bureaucratic, something that took us eight days would have taken them years," said Troy Martin of Martin Steel, who donated machinery and steel for the repairs. "So we got together -- the community -- and we got it done." See photos of the volunteers working to repair the road »

The park is a fixture on the west side of the island and a favorite spot for many in the area, but it's also a hub for tourists.

"Tourism is our lifeblood. It's what pays all of our bills," Slack said. "The money that pours in comes from tourism is really an important factor for everyone here in Hawaii, and it's such an important time to encourage tourism."

And it's an important time to keep jobs, which were threatened if the park had to remain closed. In February, Kauai's unemployment rate was at 9.1 percent, up from 2.8 percent during the same time in 2008, according to Hawaii's Department of Labor.

"I think it's crucial to say the doors are open, everyone is ready," Slack said. "So when one of the most important parks in Hawaii is closed, it really changes things."

Now, because of their hard work, volunteers hope they'll be ready to send that positive message -- right in time for the tourist season.

Slack said he likes to have business up and running by April 15, and the season gets busy around May 1.

The business owners and residents are hopeful that their generous contributions in time and resources mean the park should officially open soon. Pleas says they have only to get the new bridge certified and do minor cleanup.

"A lot of people are quietly sitting by, waiting for it to open," Slack said. "This really this is one of the nicest parks in the state and in all of Hawaii, in the entire state parks department. Now, hopefully, those people get their wish."

I've Overdosed On Insanity.

• Pau.
• Aloha.

Aloha SBS Open Turtle Bay Resort, "Another One Bites The Dust"

• The Star Bulletin reports that the SBS Open is going bye bye. They also point out that the Hula Bowl is gone as well, I missed that one.

• So the Serial Protester idiots are getting their way. Hawaii is losing events, losing marketing, losing tourists, losing development jobs and losing their minds.

• But hey, surf's up dude.

Wie off to good start, but will it be enough?

By Dave Reardon POSTED: 01:30 a.m. HST, Feb 13, 2009 Another one bites the dust.

That's the only conclusion we can come to with the news of SBS -- Korea's largest TV network -- ending its sponsorship agreement with the LPGA tour. Simply put, there is no SBS Open at Turtle Bay without SBS.

The LPGA announced a new hookup with JoongAng Broadcasting, which takes SBS out of the picture. Not coincidentally, the tour also gave word of a new event to be sponsored by JBC -- in Southern California.

It's conceivable an event could be added on either side of the Kapalua Classic in October in future years. But don't count on it.

Hawaii has lost all these sports events in just the past few months: Pro Bowl, Hula Bowl, Fields Open and the Turtle Bay Champions event.

The Hula Bowl was on life support the past 10 years, anyway, and just kind of withered away after its significance died with the explosion of mainland all-star games; so a revival in conjunction with the Pro Bowl is intriguing.

Still there really is no reason why a deal shouldn't have been done already for the Pro Bowl. Yes, the NFL plays hardball, but it's an event too fiscally important for the state to mess around with. Get it done already...

Full article HERE

Events That Have Said Aloha ...

...to Hawaii under Governor Lingle. Here is a list of some of the major events. So as we look to the future do you think having these here would be good for Hawaii? Please let me know if I missed anything else that has left during Lingle's watch.

• NFL Pro Bowl
• PGA Grand Slam
• LPGA Fields
• PGA Tour Turtle Bay Championship
• Youth Soccer Events
• Crater Festival
• etc, etc, etc.

In Danger

• PGA Mercedes Championship
• PGA Sony Open
• LPGA SBS Open Turtle Bay

Hey Gov. let's squash the local tourism and construction business, build windmills and other shabai energy projects while we have black outs, make Taro patches, legalize dope, keep gambling illegal and pay the homeless for... being homeless.

Is Turtle Bay Selling Valium?

So, I clicked on the link on my own website that used to link to the Turtle Bay Development information page - Kuilimainfo.com

I got a "Buy generic Valium" ad.

So has the drug culture of the North Shore taken over Oaktree and Turtle Bay Resort? Has occupancy and the fight agains the Idiot Governor and the Serial Protestors gotten so bad that they now have to deal in Canadian drugs to make a go of it?

Maybe that's what makes Turtle Bay Tim is so mellow and nice after all.

Yo, Turtle Bay, I'm sticking up for you guys, maybe you can do some work on your own?

My Make Believe Debate With Turtle Bay Tim

I read Tim's editorial in the Star-Bulletin this AM. Since the Defend Oahu Coalition and the Keep The North Shore Country in collaboration with Governor Lingle stifle discussion, I thought it would be fun to have a virtual debate with Tim's letter. I'll post his missive below and put my comments about what he said in italics and (parenthesis).

Enjoy.

Speculators do not appreciate rural North Shore's real value. (No, they count on it, if it depreciates, they lose money.) By Tim Vandeveer POSTED: 01:30 a.m. HST, Feb 03, 2009

As far as jobs go, they don't get much better than mine. For the past five years, I've started every workday at sunrise, saddling horses and taking residents and visitors riding along the pristine beaches of Turtle and Kawela bays. To encounter nature on such a grand scale, while riding in the spiritual presence of Hawaiian burial grounds (blatant propaganda to further the idea that there are remains on the property and that should hinder development. This is to throw road blocks to TBR getting permits. I'd give Tim a million bucks if he could personally identify one place where there are human remains. There are probably remains, it is not a burial ground), is a humbling experience (because you are a haole from Texas, Oklahoma or Tennessee or California or whatever), and it has been one of the pleasures of my life to work alongside the tight-knit ohana at Turtle Bay Resort in such a beautiful and awe-inspiring setting. (Such nice words so we'll all think Tim is a cool humble kind of guy as opposed to a grand standing self serving serial protester.)

In recent years the development arm of the resort company proposed a massive construction plan, one that would change forever the face of not only the property, but the North Shore and Windward Oahu. Using an environmental impact statement and permits dating from the 1980s, (Um that is when the project was proposed. If you think there have been a lot of changes on the North Shore since then you are even bigger idiot or liar than I give you credit for) developers would add (up to) five hotels and (up to) a thousand resort condominiums to one of the last remaining rural stretches of this island. (What about the East, North and West Shores and Central Oahu.) Some argue that the expansion is needed for jobs,(Yo, dummy, you think people don't need work?) and some feel that it will accommodate yet-to-be-seen throngs of willing tourists coming to experience part of the "true Hawaii" that the resort advertises. Most, however, feel that such massive development (shabai) would threaten the viability of the existing resort by compromising the very reason that guests come to the country, or as Turtle Bay recently described it, (Tim, if you know anything about marketing, advertising, PR, or business, why don't you actually do some work along those lines?) "(true Hawaii is) pristine, unspoiled North Shore beaches ... unobstructed views of crystalline ocean."

I am not opposed to development. (SHABAI, you are a radical enviroMENTAList) I am opposed to development that is untimely and unsustainable. Last year during her State of the State address, Gov. Linda Lingle (the idiot) responded to an enormous (manufactured, shabai, haole, Union supported, serial protesters) outcry from residents and visitors to "Keep the Country COUNTRY!" with a proposal for the state to facilitate the purchase of the undeveloped land surrounding the hotel at Turtle Bay in preservation for future generations. (The stupidest idea in recent memory and a blatant ploy to advance her creed as an enviroMENTAList as she positions herself for a Senate run) An advisory working group was formed to establish the feasibility of such a plan by working with private entities, nonprofits and governmental agencies to ensure the open space on property would not fall prey to the bulldozer or become covered in concrete (BS or shabai, take your pick. Why would a business destroy their asset?).

Since that time the owner of the resort (mainland speculator (investment company) Oaktree Capital) has defaulted on a series of loans and allowed the property to fall into the limbo of receivership. The banks that currently control the future of the hotel appointed local developer Stanford Carr to oversee the project and squeeze as much money out of the property as is possible (So Tim in your Socialist Nirvana, that's a bad thing?). Not surprisingly, Carr recently described a "silent majority" of residents who support the proposed expansion at Turtle Bay, ostensibly as a job creator (Duh Tim, do you think construction and hotels don't generate jobs? ) (Star-Bulletin, Jan. 8). What he fails to mention is that the vast majority of workers at the existing resort vehemently oppose the development as something that would threaten their quality of life and drive away potential hotel guests.(BS, shabai big time. The workers who are stuck behind other managers know that they will have a much brighter economic future with an expanded resort. Unlike you Tim, they have families and would like to have a place to work for their kids and grand kids on the North Shore.) Traffic, crumbling infrastructure and lack of adequate facilities to accommodate such construction are some of the reasons a vocal (you got that right, mouthy ex pat Californian serial protesters) majority (in noise only) of residents of the North Shore and Koolau Loa balk at such grandiose plans. (they don't want more people at their surf spots.)

Efforts at obtaining help from Mayor Mufi Hannemann, the City Council or the Department of Planning and Permitting have been met with frustration. (They are not as stupid as the Governor) While the mayor has gone on record (He IS a politician) as being personally opposed to further development at Turtle Bay, his administration remains frozen under the threat of a lawsuit by the developer. (A lawsuit that Oaktree would win to the tune of $500 Million to $1 Billion of Hawaii tax payer money) Meanwhile, the DPP continues to grant permit extensions to a resort company that is itself embroiled in a legal dispute (for a supplemental EIS) and is currently defending its expansion plans before the state Land Use Commission With two failed attempts (low ball offers that were created by the Governor's enactment of a stupid condemnation law) by state and private interests to purchase the property, the developer seems unwilling to compromise the scale of the project simply because it is not acceptable to their bottom line. (This is such BS I am at a loss for words. We do not know how big the project would be, only how big it could be) I am left wondering if the resort developer's promise to "bring all sides together" (Tim, your side is the side of shout downs, insults, intimidation, grafitti, traffic blocking, rude, serial protesting and idiotic behavior) was serious or if this community will be forced to live with the threat of another Waikiki (Biggest Shabai statement yet!!!. TBR at full development would be 5% the size of Waikiki. I covered this in my post "Will Turtle Bay Become Another Waikiki" ) for years to come.

While she did not mention the proposed development at Turtle Bay in her most recent State of the State address, (maybe she regained some of her lost to LSD and Pot brain cells) the governor did note that "(a) better future is one that transitions us from an economy over reliant on land development to one that is innovation-driven and relies on the capacity of our people." Hope can be gleaned from her call for "green-collar jobs" as well as a Land and Ocean-Based Recreation Plan. (Tim, you really are dreaming if you think Hawaii is going to be at the forefront of any technological or intellectual achievements) A failure of imagination as the economic forecast grows increasingly bleak has prompted many (such as the governor) to ask that we not continue "business as usual," but instead live within our means and position ourselves for a brighter future.

From the saddle, I know that a brighter future means not only working hard and doing what is right, but not being afraid to dream. (um Tim, these are utopian pipe dreams not based in reality. If you think you can build a sustained, wide spread tourism economy based on Taro harvesting and horse rides, you are dreaming) Eco-tourism, recreational and cultural-based activities and utilizing areas primed to harness the wind and sun are just some of the ideas residents are eager to explore. In my estimation, the burden ultimately lies with the developer at Turtle Bay to do what is pono for the people, not just what is profitable for their pocketbooks. For we will either have good, sustainable jobs and open space in Hawaii, or eventually we will have neither.

Tim Vandeveer ( union hack, enviromentalist, who would have been fired from any other job that wasn't protected by his Union. He protests so much just so he can be a public figure/potential martyr and can't be fired.) is a stable hand (tour guide) at Turtle Bay Resort. He is currently serving as co-chairman of the Defend Oahu Coalition (Coalition of Idiots).

No Turtle Bay Mention By Governor Linda Lingle In Her "Mess Of A State" Talk Story.

No a single word.

Any chance this disgrace of a politician might be regretting her socialist and fascist purely political move to destroy a law abiding private business?

Gov. Linda, you have hurt us more than helped us.

Please, exit stage LEFT, go to Molokai and retire with the pigs who have no water, no tourists, no income.

I think you would be eligable for unemployment.

Weather Site Correction

Whoever M.L. Dung is, he/she sent me a note telling me that the website changed address. Here is the new weather site, which in my opinion is still the best weather site around. Here you go - hopefully I'll remember how to fix the link on the side bar http://nh6wi.com

How Embarassing Is This Power Outage?

So it is the busiest and best tourism time Oahu has had since last Christmas. The future President of the United States is here. The travelling press has been sending hourly updates from their rooms in Waikiki to the world, who are all watching TV because they are stuck in the snow.

So, what are the reports going to be like when we hear about reporters stuck in elevators, waiting in line for flashlights, food and water.

What a wasted opportunity to show the world something other than incompetence. This is a joke. Of course we can expect the North Shore to get power last, as usual.

Don't Elect The Anti Business, Anti Tourism Idiot

Please elect Michael Magaoay. He's not perfect but he is pragmatic. Unlike the Gil the lunatic. In Gil's world, news like tourism plunging in September is good news.

I warned you tourism would tank. It is and it is going to get worse. Don't elect the dumb politician who will make it even less welcome for people to come to the North Shore and spend their money. Don't elect someone who wants to destroy the North Shore's largest employer - Turtle Bay Resort.

Below from The Star Bulletin, entire story click here

Hotel occupancy dips to lowest since 9/11

The "deterioration" of tourism has gotten worse, a report says. The bottom line for Hawaii hotels is getting significantly smaller.

Hotels throughout the state suffered a more than $37 million loss in September room revenue and a more than $58 million drop in total revenue, including retail and food and beverage operations, as statewide occupancy plunged 11 percentage points to 63.2 percent last month -- the lowest level since the months following the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, according to a report released today by Hospitality Advisors LLC

HOTEL OCCUPANCY - Occupancy rates at Hawaii hotels in September and the same month last year:

2008 2007 Statewide 63.2% 74.2%

By Island

Oahu 69.4% 79.3%

Kauai 68.9% 76.8%

Maui 56.8% 71.6%

Big Island 49.9% 59.4% Source: Hospitality Advisors LLC

My Letter To The Gov Through The Star Bulletin

I saw that the Star Bulletin had an "Ask The Gov". section.

So I sent a sarcastic, negative, false, nasty, capitalist, mean spirited, anti environment, kill the whales, pave paradise, nuke the turtles, type of note. Without any further editorializing I'll paste in below my note and her response that reeks of "Poligotry" (hating someone because of their political affiliation). From my personal email @ yahoo, my question first (evil) her answer next (heavenly). All in italics.

Aloha,

Q:(Toegee) Do you regret destroying Turtle Bay Resort’s business model?

If no, how much money do you think would be fair compensation to Turtle Bay to compensate for decrease in value that the Turtle Bay Purchase / Condemnation law has caused. Be aware that they have an appraisal for $1 billion dollars and a $450 million dollar loan on the property.

A:(Linda) In announcing our plan to acquire the Turtle Bay property and protect its undeveloped lands, the state’s intent continues to include the preservation of the long-term viability of the existing resort.

We understand the importance of the resort to the community and the need to preserve jobs in this area. Also, it should be clarified again that the state is not interested in operating the hotel. Instead, we are working to facilitate the purchase of the property to a buyer that would preserve the rural land surrounding the hotel, mauka of the resort.

The bill passed by the Legislature this session which I signed into law provides the state with additional negotiating tools to use in acquiring and preserving Turtle Bay Property. While the Legislature included language to authorize the use of eminent domain, I believe this is not a preferred option and would only be used as a last resort.

Currently, lenders have recently extended their deadline to find a buyer, based on the situation with the U.S. financial markets and the tightening of the credit market. Please visit www.hawaii.gov/gov/turtlebay for up-to-date information on this issue.

Mahalo,

Office of Governor Linda Lingle

If you would like to be updated on the Lingle-Aiona administration's key initiatives, speak your mind and involve yourself in the exciting process of Hawaii's state government, please subscribe to the Governor's weekly e-Newsletter: http://www.hawaii.gov/gov/news/enewsletters/enewsletters/subscribe_form

So, I guess the Gov has no regrets. I guess the Gov. does not think they destroyed Turtle Bay's business model. I guess the Gov. thinks that someone will buy TBR despite the fact that the only thing they will be allowed to do (by law) is grow weeds (just like Pupukea Paumalu).

I just have to say this. The Gov messed up. The House and Senate messed up. They have destroyed any chance for Turtle Bay. The blood is on their hands, just like the Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac deal.

They have NO idea how bad they have messed up on this one. Mark my words, the taxpayers of Oahu will pay when the GIGANTIC lawsuit rules in favor of Turtle Bay.

IDIOTS!!!!

Some Of You Got It re The "Ding Dong" Carol Post.

Yes, the Wizard of Oz was what I was thinking about.

Yes, that is why Carol's numbers are bigger than others because she was the "Witch" and Gil Was Gil.

No, I can not understand how you would NOT "get" my humor.

No & No - So now it is on to Gil The Serial Protester vs. Mushy Middle Mike.

As in most Hawaii politics, a rotten choice between 2 mediocre, pandering, mealy mouthed, low intellect wimps.

So smart guys, how are you going to replace the jobs at Turtle Bay Resort when they go under?

Ding Dong...

State Representative, Dist 46 - D

MAGAOAY, Michael Y. 1,478 70.81%

LUNASCO, Ollie 331 15.86%

WASSON, Dawn K. 278 13.32%

State Representative, Dist 46 - R

RIVIERE, Gil 647 52.47%

PHILIPS, Carol 586 47.52%

By Request (from a fan) Reposting My Open Letter To Blake and Jack

I got these two comments on the Bathroom Post yesterday. My first request. I have to admit that when I reread this, I am right. The only thing happening over there is a couple of signs in the woods by Sunset Beach Elementary.

Anonymous said... hey toe gge, could you repost the open letter to jack & blake?It was so true. I am now driving my kid to Millilani to swim on a good team. EVERYDAY!Thanks Jack! 9/14/2008 1:57 PM

Anonymous said... Actually we drive to Waipio Central Oahu Regional Park.to think we almost got Northern Oahu Regional YMCA. Makes me very unhappy with those spoiled brats.my father came back here after 20 years away. he asked if this place was gonna ever grow up?Nah, Jus getting worse cuz........... 9/14/2008 2:02 PM

Tuesday, December 05, 2006

Open Letter to Blake and Jack.

I've read the stories about back in the day when you were Groms and your parents dragged you out to wave signs and protest something on the North Shore. As early teens these events shaped you into the sensitive, environmentalists that you are today. Now as adults you are ready to save the Country from all sorts of greedy, seedy, self serving, bulldozer obsessed capitalist developers.

Well, Blake and Jack, the road to hell is paved with good intentions. Your good intentions realized with Pupukea Paumalu will lead to a place that is much less desirable to live in for a majority of our Keiki and Kapuna for generations.

I have the luxury of having time and the ability to afford to find things for my young relatives to do. With the new school schedules - almost 4 weeks off at Christmas, I've been busy looking for programs on the North Shore to let them have fun, blow off some steam, get educated a bit. There is not a lot out there unless you want to commute 30 minutes or more each way.

Blake and Jack, I came to realize this again, you and your group are destroying any chance for the North Shore between Haleiwa and Kahuku to have any meaningful alternative recreation area. Your closed door, closed minded no communication meetings with Obayashi and the Govt. will most likely result in the destruction of the commitment that runs with the land. That commitment would have seen built a brand new YMCA on the North Shore. Swimming pool, gymnasium, indoor basketball and volleyball, recreation floor space for varied children, adult and senior activities. That is just what this area needs and you guys are throwing it away for us.

Yeah right, your efforts will lead to more open space and rural park. You'll have nature programs. Well WHOOPPPEEE. I'll tell you what, we do not need any more parks and trails here. You can walk to Laie from the top of Pupukea on a great trail. You can go up past Comsat, or the motor cross track. Great Mauka trails behind Waimea, Sunset, V-land, Turtle Bay, Kahuku, Laie, Haula, etc. Knock yourself out every weekend of the year and you'll have plenty of varied terrain, views and conditions.

The youth and nature programs we have here on the North Shore are woefully unattended by local kids. Take a look at the programs they have at Waimea for kids. If it weren't for the haole kids of the environmentalists of the North Shore and townies, there would be a handful or less of kids there.

Jack, the irony of what your doing is going to fall on you when your kids get old enough and you have nothing for them in terms of the kinds of programs the YMCA has. No pool, no gym, no crafts, no senior fitness, no "Mommy and Me" programs, no youth and adult basketball, volleyball leagues. No pool, no swim teams for all ages, no place for youth leadership development.

Jack and Blake, they do not have lanes and starting blocks or swim teams in the ocean. Jack and Blake are to blame, when our children suffer for a lack of recreational diversity. Your closed loop trail and park, after your opening ceremonies, will have what, maybe, on a beautiful perfect day, a hundred people there? The same people who are going to the other Mauka parks and trails on other weekends. In the mean time hundreds of kids, adults and seniors an hour could have been at the YMCA.

If you choose to respond, don't lie to us and tell us you saved us from hundreds of homes being built. I know there was a proposal made to you guys that would have enabled about 30 homes to be built there, not all on the bluff. All the benefits to the community would have stayed intact. But you all said "No. Not one thing shall be built there".

Did you ask us? NO. Are you guilty of closed door negotiations without public discussion - YES. I know you are seeking to destroy the Unilateral Agreement to take away the conditions that would have benefited the community. You have not told anyone that. It is not on your website. You are hiding that very important fact, and that is shameful. You are going to damn generations of residents here. Just wait Jack and Blake, as you start families, you'll see soon enough how much we could have used the facilities you are dooming to oblivion.

So, I Had To Pee Near Haleiwa

Coming back from town, I had to go. I thought, Haleiwa Park, Shark's Cove, Sunset Beach? I decided to go sooner at the bathrooms where all the soccer fields are and the nice playground. How bad could that be? Families go there, lots of kids play sports there, Arts Festival is there.

So I go to the Mauka side of the restroom and there are a half dozen homeless people giving me what I thought was stink eye. Maybe I'm being paranoid here, but I was feeling a bit scared.

Then I go in to the bathroom - GROSS!!!

I'll spare you the details but it is unacceptable that a tourist or a citizen of the state of Hawaii should have to endure that disgusting bathroom.

SHAME, SHAME, SHAME on you people who are responsible for this.

What's Up Carol?

By now the rumors have flown around. Having known and seen Carol for a long time, this is not what I expected her to get arrested for (many of you out there know what I mean). In case you missed it, here is the text from the Honolulu Advertiser article - link here.

If anything, it will make for an even more interesting primary season. I have to say by getting arrested, Carol is finally starting to look like a Republican in Hawaii. I wrote about the Genius of Carol Philips, please don't let me down girl.

PS, Carol, I'll publish any response or statement you'd like to make.

House candidate arrested at home.

State House candidate Carol Philips was arrested Wednesday at her Hale'iwa home and charged with violating a temporary restraining order, a misdemeanor. She posted bail of $1,000 and was released, according to a police report.

Philips yesterday said the situation involves a past acquaintance, whom she declined to identify, who is harassing her. Philips said she and the man had taken out restraining orders on each other.

Philips said the man forged an e-mail to make it appear that she was harassing him, and that she will pursue a complaint to law enforcement agencies regarding the falsified e-mail. "Had the Honolulu Police Department made any attempt to verify the authenticity of the e-mail the arrest would not have taken place," Philips said in a written statement. "I regret that this incident has shifted public attention away from what is most important — creating a sustainable and affordable future for Hawai'i's people. I look forward to these charges being dismissed and continuing my work for the community."

Philips is a Republican running for the 46th District seat (Kahuku, North Shore, Schofield) held by Democrat Michael Magaoay.

It's Good To Be King, Maybe...

In watching the most recent Palace Coupe, I thought of the game "King Of The Hill".

It is perhaps one of the simplest and widespread games in the world. If you watch some keiki play, they will push each other around until one gets to be on top, arms raised to the heavens and proclaim their Kingdom. Then they immediately get pushed off and someone else claims the Kingdom. If one strong, big and more aggressive King stays on top for too long, alliances are formed, peons work together and they inevitably push the King off the hill. The partnerships usually last for 10-20 seconds before they try to push their collaborators off the hill so they can be the solo King.

The real world of monarchies is very similar. You the strongest, you get the crown. But the crown is heavy. As soon as you get the crown, be assured that your brother, sister, cousin, son, daughter, father, mother, nephew, rival prince, forgotten prince, commoner, basically any wannabe King is going to try and knock you off the hill. If they do, they be the new King.

How do you think Kamehameha united the Islands? He did not negotiate, he kicked some serious booty and he killed a bunch of enemies.

That is how the King business works.

So, if you are King, enjoy the ride. As soon as you get to the top, you are a target.

Good luck.

Oahu Women's Golf Tourney Bites The Dust

I don't play golf, but I do volunteer for the Turtle Bay tournaments. I was told by my golf nut nephew that the tournament over at KoOlina - the Fields Open is most likely not going to happen. He sent me an article that I reprinted below.

Why do we care?

Well the North Shore and Turtle Bay Resort are already losing the Turtle Bay Championship. The SBS Open is signed up through 2009 which is 5 months away. I have not heard about any extensions so, we might lose that one.

If both tournaments go away, the North Shore might lose some of the greatest funding for charities that has ever happened over here.

Every year since 2001, Turtle Bay Resort and Friends of Hawaii have been giving out grants from funds raised by these golf tournaments to local charities. It's gone from $50,000 a year to over $100,000 a year. I think it is over $500,00o to date.

If both of our North Shore tournaments go away, that funding could go away.

I have volunteered for many years, yet I have not seen any of those Haole surfing serial protesters doing anything to help this cause (yup, getting mad again).

So instead of raising money for legal bills for their lawyers and themselves, maybe Defend Oahu, Governor Benito Linda Lingle and Keep The North Shore Country can give something back to the community instead of Fascism, Socialism and the destruction of a great community business:

Fields won’t renew ‘09 title sponsorship The Fields Corporation, title sponsor of the Fields Open in Hawaii, has announced it will not renew its title sponsorship for the LPGA tournament for 2009, leaving an early-season hole on the tour’s schedule for next year.Fields officials said the Japanese entertainment company will concentrate its future marketing efforts primarily in Japan. There had been speculation the event was in trouble and might not return, one of several LPGA tournaments that is having title sponsor issues....

...The Fields Open, which began in 2006 and was held at Ko Olina Golf Club in Kapolei, has been the second tournament on the LPGA schedule the past three years. It was the second stop on a two-event Hawaii swing, following the SBS Open at Turtle Bay, an event that is secured through 2009. ..

... LPGA officials declined to comment about the future of the Ko Olina event.“I think the LPGA will be disappointed because the players like to have two events on Oahu to defray travel expenses,” Greg Nichols, general manager and director of golf at Ko Olina, told The Honolulu Advertiser. “We’re disappointed because the tournament was growing; attendance was growing. We enjoyed being able to put on such a quality event in Hawaii.”Nichols told The Advertiser that it was unlikely the event will be held in 2009."A tournament at this late date is unlikely,” he said. “The timeline is not sufficient to bring in a new sponsor for 2009.”

The North Shore Broke List

Lot's of things are going to get broke and stay broke in the near future as the economy of the North Shore commits suicide, but more about that later.

Right now there is so much broke stuff that I thought it would be fun and easy to build a list. I think the Oahu politicians and bureaucrats really do not like the people that live between Waimea and Kawela because so much is broke there and stays broke:

Here you go:

Playground at Sunset Beach Elementary. 2 years and counting since the first yellow tape went up and equipment has been removed.

Tennis Courts & Basketball courts at Sunset - cracks big enough to break an ankle.

Basketball Courts and (Volleyball?) courts at Pupukea Firehouse - shut down and fenced off

All bathrooms in parks - GROSS, GROSS, GROSS

Skate Park - great idea, everything but the bowls in unfinished and broke

Administration Building at Sunset Beach El - no money to finish the interior of the building. Looks good but broke bad.

Kamehameha Hwy - worst state road in the country??? (USA, not North Shore).

Turtle Bay's Future - Golf tournament - broke. Development - broke. Future jobs - broke. Government involvement - worse than broke ... nuff said.

Add yours to comments or email me hapamother@yahoo.com, I'll update my post

Grafitti On The Rocks At Waimea Bay And Homeless Campers

Two really disturbing things I saw and heard on the North Shore this week.

"NSB" taggers have defaced the jumping rock at Waimea. I really do not have strong enough words for these stupid idiots. Someone knows someone who did this. It is bad enough that the rocks at the beach get hit but to spray paint the rocks that are in the water? Jeez.

Also, in a little known twist of events, the police no longer have the power to stop people from camping on the North Shore beaches. Nice for the occasional family outing, but this covers the increasingly visible homeless and bums. Only vague information but I heard there is some type of moratorium because of the closing of parks and the chasing of the homeless away from some of their favorite haunts.

So, I guess this means that if the homeless want to set up on Sunset Beach or Waimea they can and the police will not have them move along. Perhaps they can get together with the taggers, paint the rocks their own favorite colors, put up curtains and have that be home.

Star Bulletin Says Full Speed Ahead On Buying Turtle Bay

The Star Bulletin had an editorial encouraging the State to Buy Turtle Bay. My response in their comments below. This is a win win for the North Shore Serial Protester Surfers. Townies pay the bill, North Shore stays the same.

Most of what is written about Turtle Bay is very inaccurate. I cover a lot of this in my open letter to Governor Lingle on my blog - My Open Letter to Governor Lingle. The worst is the news and the Serial Protesters always saying Oaktree was going to start building 3,500 units. The truth is they were starting to build on land that is zoned for up to 3,500 units. That is a HUGE difference. The market is over for mega hotels. People want boutique hotels - less expensive and dense. That is what would have been built.

So now what is going to happen? Hawaii's economy is going to be very bad for the next 2-5 years. Oaktree will not be able to sell the property, there will be a massive lawsuit and you SUCKERS over in town will be paying the North Shore surfers somewhere between $600 -$800 million after all the lawyers, accountants, bankers, bureaucrats all get their fees.

Governor Lingle screwed this one royally and will be running for the US Senate by the time you all pay the bill.

Gil Riviera and Carol Philips Are REPUBLICANS?

So the party of Ronald Reagan, George Bushes, Dick Cheney and John McCain is also the party of Gil Riviera and Carol Philips? I saw that Gil is running in the primary for the North Shore Senate seat and we all have to assume the perpetual candidate Carol is going to run (would someone please give this woman a job).

I also heard that Gil worked in Mike Magaoay's office. Was he a Republican then?

Call me cynical, OK, really cynical, but do you think they are both running as Republicans because they do not have a prayer of beating Michael in a Democrat primary?

I can not think of any aspiring politicians that are more left than these two "Republicans". I guess I should not be surprised as our "Republican" Gov. Lingle wants to nationalize Turtle Bay Resort.

So strange, so true, so North Shore.

Toot! Toot! That's My Horn Re My Hotel Prediction

On the last day of 2007 I wrote the following in my post "The Golden Age For Hawaii's Serial Protesters"

...When you add these negative impressions and the fact that just about every story I read about tourism is like the recent Pacific Business News article "Hawaii Visitor Spending Flat, Arrivals Down" it makes me wonder about when the "correction" is going to occur to our tourist industry. At some point, lower visitor count is going to really mean lower demand and prices and spending will have to go down. That shoe is going to drop in the first half of 2008 in my opinion. Hotels are holding prices but those vacancy rates are at a tipping point. Someone is going to blink and start dropping room rates. When that happens, the drop will be significant...

The Star Bulletin had this story today:

Hawaii hotels offering summer deals -Promotions design to keep business hot

STORY SUMMARY » The upside of a down visitor market is becoming apparent to Hawaii travelers, as promotions designed to keep business hot in what is normally the peak summer period are on the rise. Astute travelers will find that they can get everything from free food and daily hotel resort credits to discounted rooms and free room nights, typically rare during summer in Hawaii. Hawaii hoteliers also have begun ramping up kamaaina specials, just as they did in the aftermath of 9/11. Making it easier for kamaaina to joining the national "staycation" trend.

For the full story, click here.

Ahem. Cough, cough...Now if I could get people to listen to me about the traffic/crowding solutions and get the Governor out of Turtle Bay Resort, I'll be less cranky.

On the bright side, all the hysterics who say that Waikiki is coming to the North Shore can now go to Waikiki real cheap.

I Will Be Posting Again!

It is amazing what a little trip will do. So, the Post below, where I gave up, is now officially old, moldy news.

Thanks to all of you who emailed me to to keep on truckin. I really appreciate it and I will pay you back with words of wisdom.

Linda Lingle, are you delusional, lying or ignorant? Are you campaigning for the next open US Senate seat? Will you do anything, say anything and protest anything to win?

Stay tuned, this space is getting hot.

I Have Lost My Will To Fight And Write.

I can't come to grips with how disturbing the Governor's Talk Story Meeting about Turtle Bay was to me.

Turtle Bay is now doomed.

I am so ashamed of myself for not speaking out. I am so ashamed of my community for sitting there while our livelihood was diminished and dismissed by the these out of towners. I am stunned that the Governor of our state wants to take over a company that has done so much for our local community. I can't believe Oaktree and Turtle Bay Resort have not sent a single voice of opposition to any meeting, newspaper article, letters to the Editor, public hearing, bill announcement, nothing.

No spark of hope to fight these people who want to Stop Everything, Save Everything, Destroy Everyone who is not "with" them.

I am sick.

I choose to remain anonymous, my only voice this Blog. It is not effective, it is not courageous. I envy those two people who spoke at the meeting and I suffer because I have not.

Good luck with the unemployment and weeds the victors will bring to the North Shore starting with Turtle Bay.

• You are going to need it.

Serial Protestors Win- Molokai Ranch To Shut Down. Next, Turtle Bay?

From The Honolulu Advertiser

HONOLULU — Molokai Ranch said Monday it will shut down its operations on Moloka'i at the end of the month and lay off more than 120 staff over the next 60 days. The company blamed the move on community opposition to its development plans for the island. The company will close Molokai Lodge, the Kaupoa Beach Village, the Kaluakoi Golf Course, the Maunaloa gas station, the Maunaloa Tri-Plex theater, and its cattle-rearing business. ...

Full Story HERE

We are killing ourselves people. When are we going to wake up to the fact that business is tough. This could happen here on the North Shore and all the whackos will rejoice while we lose our jobs.

A Modest Proposal To Keep The North Shore Country

It is time for the residents of the North Shore of Oahu to commit to reversing the changes that are threatening our idyllic lifestyle. While the government take over of Turtle Bay is a step in Keeping The North Shore Country, it is going to take a long time to implement and it is only stopping future impacts to the North Shore. What we need are a series of initiatives that stop the destruction of our environment that can be implemented quickly and would have an immediate impact on mitigating traffic, creating affordable housing and reversing the tidal wave of visitors that swamp our infrastructure.

I propose the following initiatives. Collectively they would change the North Shore. They could be started almost immediately. They would all contribute revenue to the government that could then be used to purchase Turtle Bay and other valuable land. The capital investment in these ideas is minimal; the labor to enforce the changes is already in place. The impact of these changes enormous. I have outlined them below with a brief description of the benefits and how the initiatives can be implemented.

1) Close The Parking Lot Mauka of Laniakea (Turtle Beach) - This would have an immediate impact on the bottleneck that routinely occurs at this spot. There is an ambitious plan to reroute the road there but it is years if not decades away. I suggest shutting down the head in parking on the Mauka side of the road immediately. Make it illegal to park there and you will eliminate the hazardous vehicle and pedestrian traffic that make a mess all the time. Let Kawailoa Ranch charge for parking and put a cross walk there to let people cross in one controlled spot. Ticket the illegally parked tour busses (that spew their noxious gasses), cars, jaywalkers, etc. You won’t eliminate the surf rubber neckers or looky loos, but it will end the bottle neck and all you have to do is put up “No Parking” signs, if they don’t work some put some rocks there.

2) Institute A 5 Year Moratorium On All Professional Surf Contests - If this were California, there is no way that any local surfers or residents would allow all of these contests and the subsequent professional dominance of the surf season to occur in the entire State, none the less just 7 miles. No community in their right mind would tolerate a Super Bowl, Kentucky Derby, Indy 500 for 3 continuous months a year, EVERY YEAR. Instead of the annual catfight over the beach access I suggest they all get shut down (keep amatuer contests only). Put them on the West Side where they really could use the money and infusion of tourism, but do not allow this continue on the North Shore. This coupled with the next two suggestions will eliminate the hyper inflated rental charges, the crowding that occurs from the surf media, surf companies, surf fans and surf tourists who all contribute to the degradation of our surfing lifestyle. This will leave the waves open to those who deserve them, the locals who live here.

3) Tax The Corporate Surf Houses At A Commercial Rate - If Halliburton, Blackstone and Exxon owned houses on the beach of the North Shore and gave all of their executives free rent, food, booze and threw lavish nightly parties for them, the entire State of Hawaii would be in an uproar. But under the guise of being a “cool” company, the surf industry is doing the same thing. These multi billion dollar companies are buying up precious beachfront houses here on the North Shore and are using those houses to promote their brands and sponsored athletes. These companies are exploiting our environment and ruining our neighborhood for their profit. These houses are 100% commercial entities. I contend that as such, this is an illegal usage in residential neighborhoods. While it would be problematic to ban them, at the very least they should be taxed at a commercial rate for the business houses they own. Every house they buy is off the market and drives up the prices for all the other homes in the area. They have a real impact on property tax values because the homes are zoned residential. Use the increased property taxes to buy Turtle Bay

4) Issue 1099’s To The Professional Surfers For Their North Shore Perks - Most lavish perks are now taxed. The gift packages that the actors and musicians get at the Oscars and Grammy’s are taxed. I suggest that the IRS and the State of Hawaii require that the surf companies be required to issue 1099s for the perks that professional surfers receive when they are visiting the North Shore. These professionals are working here. Just look at the lineup of photographers on the beach, in the water, the writers who are staking out spots in Foodland to cover these people. When a surfer gets his air fare, luggage charges, free rent, free food, free car, free parties all supplied so the surf companies can promote their brands through their surfing on our waves on the North Shore, than this is commercial taxable income. These people are not coming here for love, they are getting paid and getting free stuff that should qualify as pay. How much would the tsunami of surfers be diminished if they had to pay their own way to get here? That along with taxing the houses would eliminate the myth of the "free" spirited surfer. They are corporate tools and should pay income taxes the same way you and I do, then use the extra money to buy Turtle Bay.

5) Crack Down On Illegal Vacation Rentals – Illegal vacation rentals are rampant on the North Shore, they are all over the place. These illegal businesses keep houses out of inventory that would go to residents. They illegally inflate property values and the income keeps houses from getting to an affordable level. They are bad neighbors. Change the law or enforce the law, fine the heck out of them and use the money to buy Turtle Bay Resort.

6) Crack Down On Illegal Rental Units – There are tons of houses on the North Shore that have illegal rental units that are against zoning laws. I would estimate that 50 % of houses have an illegal unit. Homeowners are not declaring the rental income; the extra cars and people are swamping our roads and infrastructure. If you could enforce the law and fine these illegal units and make the owners eliminate them you might wind up diminishing the population here by 15 to 30%. Think about how much that would do for clearing up traffic, taking people off the beach and opening up the surf spots. By taking away this illegal income, people would no longer be able to subsidize their homes with this illegal money and they would have to sell their houses at reasonable prices to residents.

Turtle Bay Is Doomed

I went to the Fascist* Rally last night, that the Gov. labeled a "Talk Story". What a shameful meeting that was. First it was advertised as a dialogue. It was nothing of the sort. The entire room was draped with banners from groups opposing Turtle Bay. Tables full of anti Turtle Bay crap. The "program" was a procession of leaders from the protesters and their willing Fascist leader. The "open mike" was a parade of the leaders of the protest movement. It took all my will power not to stand up and shout "LIARS, HYPOCRITES, FASCISTS!!!" I so wanted to say something but I did like the other sheep led to slaughter and sat on my hands and my brain.

2 people very politely did not follow the orders of the Fascist Gov and dared question the Gov's intentions. They were both lectured. This meeting was a farce, a rubber stamp from a lying group of legislators and their willing green shirted henchmen and women.

Turtle Bay did themselves no favors by not doing or saying anything. If they don't fight for themselves, why should I? I left before the end because it made me sick to see the work Kahuku did maligned, dismissed and ultimately destroyed. The State of Hawaii will destroy Turtle Bay.

Mark my words 5 years from now, less jobs, junk hotel and property, money down the drain and Lingle no where to be found. These people want weeds, they will get weeds.

*Fascist - noun

1. often capitalized : a political philosophy, movement, or regime (as that of the Fascisti) that exalts nation and often race above the individual and that stands for a centralized autocratic government headed by a dictatorial leader, severe economic and social regimentation, and forcible suppression of opposition

2: a tendency toward or actual exercise of strong autocratic or dictatorial control

Turtle Bay exec says buyout idea hurting

This was from The Honolulu Advertiser. The Serial Protestor morons are out to ruin Turte Bay Resort. Stop this madness before it too late. Go to the Talk Story and let the Governor know that you will not stand for a Socialist Coupe to get rid of Turtle Bay on the North Shore.

• Posted on: Saturday, March 1, 2008
• Advertiser Staff
• The general manager of the Turtle Bay Resort said a proposal by the state to purchase the North Shore resort has already "severely impacted" business and has placed the "primary economic engine on the North Shore in a potentially perilous position."...
• For the Full Story Click here.