“ Listen earnestly to anything your children want to tell you,
no matter what.
If you don’t listen eagerly to the little stuff when they are little,
they won’t tell you the big stuff when they are big,
because to them all of it has always been big stuff.”
Catherine M. Wallace
What’s up with giving “EXCLUSIVE” interviews? There is something unnerving about Public Officials getting involved in this media game. Is the media network hyping this up or is a Public Official playing favoritism?
I’ve seen this “Exclusive” bit on FOX NEWS and others too. I just so happened to see this on CNN today. I generally don’t watch these networks any more. I like C-SPAN or NPR. But I’m interested in what’s happening in Ukraine so I tune in once in a while.
Ohana Hale Marketplace in Kaka’ako Tenants have to vacate by April 16, 2022. This start-up incubator hub for about 100 small businesses opened in 2018. The tenants supposedly have a 10-year lease from Landlord Howard Hughes. Apparently, there must be a clause that allows the landlord to terminate earlier.
This is just an inkling of what will be happening to small businesses and owners as gentrification continues to encroach on Oahu’s small businesses. Not only are commercial spaces for mom-and-pop businesses hard to find, the leases are becoming too expensive.
These is also another impending landscape change that most residents may not appear to be aware of.
Here is an article that I wrote in CIVIL BEAT on November 12, 2012 about future upheaval and displacement. It will be the small mom-and-pop outfits that will be most affected.
Rail’s Transit-Oriented Development An Assault on Private Property
(Excerpts)
” At each of the proposed 21 rail stations, the city wants TODs “within half a mile radius” vicinity.
At each of the proposed 21 rail stations, the city wants TODs “within half a mile radius” vicinity. The proposed rail stations are located at every mile; this means the whole land area along the entire 21-mile rail corridor is up for grabs. “Half a mile radius” sounds so harmless!
To covet and seize an additional 20 square miles area along this rail corridor on our small island pose a huge economical, social and cultural impact!
It’s not as if private owners can easily relocate down the road. Family inheritances, investments, and businesses built with sweat, equity, and sacrifices will be placed under the mercy of absolute powers of eminent domain. Kama’aina owners and businesses will be pushed out to pave the way for national and international investors.
Here in Hawaii, we observe a similar “revitalization” process has been set in motion. City “experts” are holding “Community Visioning” meetings to discuss “Neighborhood TOD Planning”.
The city wants to “take advantage of rail to its optimal level” and to “concentrate population” along this rail corridor.
The dangerous potential for the city to seize 21 square miles of private properties for transfer to private investors has to be reckoned with, today. The proposed Honolulu Rail is not only ugly, noisy, and a black hole for Oahu’s taxpayers; its accompanied TOD is a direct assault on private property rights.
No Oahu residents should sit idly by and condone such autocratic land-use plans for our island home. It is wrong. It’s dangerous. It’s unAmerican. It goes against the core tenets of our free society.
City planning and developments must conform within the constitutional parameters of private property rights. This should have been a big part of the public deliberations. Any “exemption” laws to skirt this right must be rejected. Too many big decisions have been manipulated and controlled by raw crony capitalism and special interests. Private property owners continue to trampled on and pushed aside by the big boys.
We must take our government back.”
This is a mystery to many. The Roadside stand that allowed Miti Taufa to sell his Polynesian wood carving to support his family of eight was given a Notice of Violation. DPP issued a Notice of Violation on February 17, 2022 to remove his tent canopy and ez corners that he used for sun and rain sheltering.
According to the State of Hawaii Revised Statutes Section 205-12, Ag Zoned properties can also have wind turbines, bio-fuel production, aquaculture, Geothermal resource explorations and so forth.
Miti’s farm added value would fall under the (A) category for value-added enterprises:
(A) A roadside stand that is not an enclosed structure, owned and operated by a producer for the display and sale of agricultural products grown in Hawaii and value-added products that were produced using agricultural products grown in Hawaii;
(B) Retail activities in an enclosed structure owned and operated by a producer for the display and sale of agricultural products grown in Hawaii, value-added products that were produced using agricultural products grown in Hawaii, logo items related to the producer’s agricultural operations, and other food items;
(C) A retail food establishment owned and operated by a producer and permitted under chapter 11-50, Hawaii administrative rules, that prepares and serves food at retail using products grown in Hawaii and value-added products that were produced using agricultural products grown in Hawaii;
(D) A farmers’ market, which is an outdoor market limited to producers selling agricultural products grown in Hawaii and value-added products that were produced using agricultural products grown in Hawaii; and
(E) A food hub, which is a facility that may contain a commercial kitchen and provides for the storage, processing, distribution, and sale of agricultural products grown in Hawaii and value-added products that were produced using agricultural products grown in Hawaii. The owner of an agricultural-based commercial operation shall certify, upon request of an officer or agent charged with enforcement of this chapter under section 205-12, that the agricultural products displayed or sold by the operation meet the requirements of this paragraph;
With the illegal invasion of Ukraine by Russian, the Free World turns to the atrocities and evil deeds of government leaders like Putin.
I find comfort and assurance that Good People will always still appear in times of darkness and inhumanity.
What happened to the young German soldier with a good heart? What about the little boy?
Check this link out for more information:
” Despite being given orders by the East German government to let no one pass into East Berlin, the soldier helped the boy sneak through the barbwire. It was reported that the soldier was caught doing this benevolent deed by his superior officer, who removed the soldier from his unit.”
Open letter from Mrs. Olena Zelenska to the Global Media by Olena Zelenska, 8 March 2022
” Recently, an overwhelming number of media outlets from around the world have reached out with requests for interviews. This letter serves as my answer to these requests and is my testimony from Ukraine.
What happened just over a week ago was impossible to believe. Our country was peaceful; our cities, towns, and villages were full of life.
On February 24th, we all woke up to the announcement of a Russian invasion. Tanks crossed the Ukrainian border, planes entered our airspace, missile launchers surrounded our cities.
Despite assurances from Kremlin-backed propaganda outlets, who call this a “special operation” – it is, in fact, the mass murder of Ukrainian civilians.
Perhaps the most terrifying and devastating of this invasion are the child casualties. Eight-year-old Alice who died on the streets of Okhtyrka while her grandfather tried to protect her. Or Polina from Kyiv, who died in the shelling with her parents. 14-year-old Arseniy was hit in the head by wreckage, and could not be saved because an ambulance could not get to him on time because of intense fires.
When Russia says that it is ‘not waging war against civilians,’ I call out the names of these murdered children first.
Our women and children now live in bomb shelters and basements. You have most likely all seen these images from Kyiv and Kharkiv metro stations, where people lie on the floors with their children and pets – trapped beneath. These are just consequences of war for some, for Ukrainians it now a horrific reality. In some cities families cannot get out of the bomb shelters for several days in a row because of the indiscriminate and deliberate bombing and shelling of civilian infrastructure.
The first newborn of the war, saw the concrete ceiling of the basement, their first breath was the acrid air of the underground, and they were greeted by a community trapped and terrorized. At this point, there are several dozen children who have never known peace in their lives.
This war is being waged against the civilian population, and not just through shelling.
Some people require intensive care and continuous treatment, which they cannot receive now. How easy is it to inject insulin in the basement? Or to get asthma medication under heavy fire? Not to mention the thousands of cancer patients whose essential access to chemotherapy and radiation treatment have now been indefinitely delayed.
Local communities on social media are full of despair. Many people, including the elderly, severely ill and those with disabilities, have been debilitatingly cut off, ending up far from their families and without any support. War against these innocent people is a double crime.
Our roads are flooded with refugees. Look into the eyes of these tired women and children who carry with them the pain and heartache of leaving loved ones and life as they knew it behind. The men bringing them to the borders shedding tears to break apart their families, but bravely returning to fight for our freedom. After all, despite all this horror, Ukrainians do not give up.
The aggressor, Putin, thought that he would unleash blitzkrieg on Ukraine. But he underestimated our country, our people, and their patriotism. Ukrainians, regardless of political views, native language, beliefs, and nationalities, stand in unparalleled unity.
While Kremlin propagandists bragged that Ukrainians would welcome them with flowers as saviors, they have been shunned with Molotov cocktails.
I thank the citizens of the attacked cities, who have coordinated to help those in need. Those that keep working – in pharmacies, stores, public transportation, and social services – showing that in Ukraine, life wins.
I acknowledge those that have provided humanitarian aid to our citizens and thank you for your continued support. And to our neighbors who have generously opened their borders to provide shelter for our women and children, thank you for keeping them safe, when the aggressor has rendered us unable to do so.
To all the people around the world who are rallying to support Ukraine. We see you! We’re here watching and appreciate your support.
Ukraine wants peace. But Ukraine will defend its borders. Defend its identity. These it will never yield.
In cities where shelling persists, where people find themselves under debris, unable to get out of basements for days, we need safe corridors for humanitarian aid and evacuation of civilians to safety. We need those in power to close our sky!
Close the sky, and we will manage the war on the ground ourselves.
I appeal to you, dear media: keep showing what is happening here and keep showing the truth. In the information war waged by the Russian Federation, every piece of evidence is crucial.
And with this letter, I testify and tell the world: the war in Ukraine is not a war “somewhere out there.” This is a war in Europe, close to the EU borders. Ukraine is stopping the force that may aggressively enter your cities tomorrow under the pretext of saving civilians.
Last week to me and my people, this would have seemed like an exaggeration, but it is the reality we’re living in today. And we do not know how long it will last.
If we don’t stop Putin, who threatens to start a nuclear war, there will be no safe place in the world for any of us.
We will win. Because of our unity. Unity towards love for Ukraine.
Glory to Ukraine! ”
-End-
Note: It’s been frustrating to watch the Super Powers manage this illegal invasion. But as individuals of the Free World, we can do our part. Share on the social media to support the people of Ukraine however you know best. Curse Putin if you must. I’ve also chosen to donate to frontline organizations like the Catholic Charities.
What’s happening in Russia is more reason why we as individuals of the Free World must fiercely protect the First Amendment – including Free Press and Free Speech.
Russia began its invasion of Ukraine on 24 February 2022. Most of the world witnessed the illegal invasion on the sovereign nation of Ukraine on different media sources. Some informed Russian protested against the invasion on their homeland but were quickly arrested.
However, parts of Russian populace were in total oblivion to Putin’s atrocities on neighboring Ukraine.
There have been increased chattering about the “Russian Propaganda Machine” on its own people. Communist Russia’s stronghold against Free Press on its people is obvious.
This is a significant report from CNN.
Listen to Ukraine-based restaurateur Misha Katsurin’s personal experience about the response of his father who is living in Russia. Although Misha told his father on the phone that he woke up to bombing in Ukraine, his father insisted that Russia was in a peace mission. His father started to argue that Russia was trying to save them from the Nazi regime. His father was sure that soldiers were giving local people in Ukraine food and warm clothes, based on their in-country media reports.
Misha Katsurin has since started a website to encourage others to call their families inside Russia. The hope is to try to circumvent the Russian propaganda machine and bring the real truth to Russia.
In 1864 group of Samurai went on a tourist tour in Egypt and took a photo in front of Sphinx.
This is from the Historic Photographs group. Check it out.
OAHU: Once in a while, the Stars and the Moon and the Sun line up and right decisions happen. Add to that, the tipping point of an epic disaster, election time, and public demand for accountability of this very neglected and ignored issue. Environmental Groups and the public have been raising concerns about this for years!
These underground tanks were built around 1940. These underground tanks were used to store fuel for use at Joint Base Pearl Harbor Hickam to refuel ships, aircrafts and assisting in the Pacific-Indo areas.
Building the Red Hill Underground Fuel Storage Tanks Was a Good Idea Then
“Conceived in the early years of World War II as a plan to bury four fuel containers horizontally in a hillside at the U.S. Navy facility at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, the Red Hill Underground Fuel Storage Facility ultimately encompassed the design and construction of 20 vertical storage tanks – each large enough to contain a 20-story building – buried in the volcanic hillside and connected by tunnels to a harbor-side pumping station more than two-and-a-half miles away.
Using existing rock as a construction shell, the project made use of innovative mining and construction methods that included building each tank from a central vertical shaft drilled 30 feet in diameter and removing all excavated rock through an elaborate system of conveyor belts specially made by the Goodrich Tire Company. Protecting more than 250 million gallons of fuel used by Navy fleets around the world, the Red Hill facility has operated virtually unchanged since its completion.“
The Red Hill Fuel Tanks Have Expired Useful Life Span
For every project, there is a Useful Shelf Life attached to it. These underground fuel tanks are beyond its life-span. Their deteriorating metal tanks through the years and other factors are leakiing contaminations into the drinking water in the area. Military families and children and civilians are suffering the consequences of disruptions, including health problems.
For many years, Mr. Ernie Lau, the Board of Water Chief Engineer, has been voicing serious concerns about the potential contamination of Oahu’s drinking water. He was the voice in the wilderness. Environmental groups like Sierra Club have also raised concerns. But their advocacy fell on deaf ears till the tipping point happened recently.
The Pentagon and Navy Needs Support as Well
The military made the right decision with this direction. We must also support the military in its efforts to protect national security by exploring alternatives. Whether we like it or not, we have enemies in this world. Being prepared is part of national security. Peace comes from strength. And being prepared.
Honolulu Council Woman Tsuneyoshi complained about her constituents exercising their Free Speech at the Honolulu City Council Hearing on February 23, 2022.
About a hundred community members and high school students were protesting on February 19, 2022 in Hau’ula. They were against her flawed and quick Resolution 22-11 to seize private property through the Department of Planning and Permitting’s fines.
Based on her record and behavior on this issue, this city council woman IS bullying her constituent, an immigrant owner from Tonga.
This is not to say that neighbors cannot complain about their concerns and be heard. This is about treating all constituents the same with the same Due Process.
However, it was ok for Tsuneyoshi to malign her own constituent in the Honolulu Star Advertiser, with a readership of about 162,287 on Oahu, that the owner has been in violations with DPP for 5 years. The public record shows Owner Taufa has been the owner for 2.5 years!
Tsuneyoshi forgets she’s paid by taxpayers in her position with good benefits at the Honolulu City Council. Residents have the right to question and protest her actions. Basic First Amendment is a constitutional right – – The Public has the right to assemble and to exercise their Free Speech.
Democracy thrives when residents are not afraid to protest and question politicians on any issue.
Her public complaints against the residents’ protests reveal narcissism in this politician. Most property owners are not born with a silver spoon in their mouth. They work, sacrifice, and toil very hard to be a property owner. Seizing a private property, without proper vetting and due process, through eminent domain or judicial foreclosure in this case is very hostile and severe.
Tsuneyoshi herself is championing this very harsh seizure of a family property but she’s complaining about signs against her as a public official? This is a major disconnect in her logic.
What are the behaviors of a narcissist?
Narcissistic personality disorder involves a pattern of self-centered, arrogant thinking and behavior, a lack of empathy and consideration for other people, and an excessive need for admiration. Others often describe people with NPD as manipulative, selfish, patronizing, and demanding.
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NOTE: Because this is such a severe assault on private property rights, I will be following this issue. I will post different segments on this site, for easier reading.