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;
Polynesian Wood Carver Miti uses fallen trees and other trees on the property for his wood-carvings.
” 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 itsinvasion 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.
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.
Note: CNN and other network like Fox News have not consistently displayed true journalistic ideals either.
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.
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.
“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.
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.
Honolulu District 2 City Council member Heidi Tsuneyoshi hastily pushed through this Resolution 22-11 on an immigrant family from the Island of Tonga. The property owner Taufa bought their Ag-2 farm of 12.693 acres on November 7, 2019.
The property is along 54-406 Kamehameha Highway, next to the Hau’ula Kai Shopping Center. It also has valuable highway frontage. On the mauka side, it is abutting two other major land owners with thousands of acres – LOCAL 675/UNITED ASSOC and PROPERTY RESERVE INC.
Council member Tsuneyoshi’s Resolution 22-11 is confusing – – with different allegations and accusations that are not under the Honolulu City and County’s jurisdiction of enforcement.
The specific county Department of Planning and Permitting (DPP) violations (with a compounded fines of about $400,000.00) in the Resolution 22-11 to urge eminent domain are:
1) grubbing and grading without a permit,
2) constructing a structure, fence, and utility pole without a permit,
3) storing metal containers without a permit, and
4) operating a base yard for construction vehicles and equipment in an AG-2 District.
According to the private owner Taufa, he was told by DPP to apply for permits to correct his Notices of Violations ( NOVs).
Taufa had questions about DPP giving him violations and fines with the short fences to keep wild pigs from eating his tapioca crops and storing metal containers on his farm. Fences and storing metal containers are allowed on Ag lands. The owner was also asked to remove hundreds of feet of his boundary chain-link fence, of which he did.
Owner removed all the chainlink fences to please DPP. Agriculture-zone properties are allowed fences without a permit.
Taufa also hired an engineer to help with his grubbing and grading violations. The approval permit to cure the grading was cancelled recently. His permit to cure the relocated structure was cancelled. DPP was told to not give him permits that turned this situation into a CATCH 22. All these fines, whether accurate or not, compounded during the past two years to a hefty fine of about $400,000.00
He has started removing his commercial equipment and vehicles from the farm.
Timeline for Tsuneyoshi’s Resolution 22-11
January 20, 2022 Tsuneyoshi authored and introduced Resolution 22-11 for Eminent Domain.
February 8, 2022, she quietly presented her Resolution 22-11 away from the public radar at the Executive Matters and Legal Affairs (EMLA) Committee. There were three (3) eminent domain cases that day. Two Resolutions appeared friendly, with one owner telling the city she hoped the city could take her property.
Taufa’s property was the hostile taking. Interestingly, his property was quickly changed from “Eminent Domain” to “Judicial Foreclosure” during the EMLA Committee Meeting.
February 23, 2022, the Resolution 22-11 was adopted by the full Council. It took the City Council twenty-five (25) working days to introduce and adopt this Resolution.
February 24, 2022, a SEARCH WARRANT, filed on February 18, 2022, from the State Attorney’s Office was conducted at Taufa’s farm. Major television media stations were tipped off about this SEARCH WARRANT action.
What’s going on?
Why this mad rush to target a private property owner and criminalize his violations?
Are there other motives behind this quick taking?
Why is Tsuneyoshi a city county council member taking on the enforcement roles of the State (like Department of Health (DOH), Attorney General’s Office,Hawaii Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs) and Federal (EPA) enforcements? We asked the DOH and were told that they are looking for compliance and not in working to take properties.
A little research brings out a few more details about the city’s agenda.
The public does not seem to know about these State legislative actions. I contacted State Legislators who did not seem to be aware either.
When County Council member Heidi Tsuneyoshi’s Resolution 22-11 was being adopted on February 23, 2022, there was a concurrent Bill HB 1434 being heard at the Hawaii State Legislature to seize private property based on DPP Fines.
This Bill HB 1434 further tightens the noose on a private property owner. Never mind “Eminent Domain” or even “Judicial Foreclosure”. The Honolulu DPP wants “NON-Judicial Foreclosure” – a quicker seizure of property without going to court.
(UPDATED NOTE: March 10, 2022 – the wording of “NON-Judicial Foreclosure” is deleted in the HB 1434 and SB 2110. The wording of “Power of Sale” is now used.) But other statements allude to “NON-JUDICIAL FORECLOSURE”.
This BILL HB 1434 was so away from the public radar that there were no public testimonies. Only three testimonies were received; all from Honolulu Hale. The following is a testimony from the Director of Planning and Permitting:
Here is the testimony from Honolulu City Council Chair of the Zoning and Planning Committee, Brandon Elefante:
Here is the testimony from Honolulu City Council Budget Chair Calvin Say:
What do you think?
Is Private Property Rights under assault?
Should private property owners be afraid of DPP’s ambitions?
Can the public trust DPP to be fair and consistent in its application of punishments?
What could possibly go wrong with giving this much added powers to DPP?
Is the City trying to find a new source of revenue?
Are these actions inching towards a totalitarian system?
I’m going to be following this Resolution 22-11 introduced by District 2 City Councilmember Heidi Tsuneyoshi and sharing my misgivings about this flawed process.
The February 23, 2022 Hearing was the second time Mr. Hopoate Taufa had participated at the Honolulu City Council proceedings. Watching the proceedings was quite chilling – an unsophisticated immigrant versus a smooth-talking politician who had no qualms engaging in disinformation.
The public testimony was conducted at the beginning of the council hearing. Local resident Ben Martin of Ko’olauloa of fifty years also opposed the Resolution. He has known Owner Taufa for thirty years. Perhaps his was sharpest rebuke against Tsuneyoshi’s actions:
“Judicial Foreclosure is drastic. It should be the last resort. And it should not be a way to resolve a problem. Miss Heidi Tsuneyoshi is the protagonist representing the complainants. I’m an attorney by profession. And she’s representing the complainants assuming like they are the victims. But also Pate is a victim of the DPP for the long delays of approving and helping him comply. “
Should the council member be objective and fair to all parties involved? She’s holding a public office and supported by all taxpayers of Oahu.
Martin highlighted the strikes against Owner Taufa. Although Tsuneyoshi should represent ALL of her constituents in solving a community problem, her actions showed her intentions to punish him with the biggest stick the city had – eminent domain.
This is not to say that neighbors cannot complain. Neighbors have the right to complain and address their concerns. Owner Taufa needs to fix his violations and be a good neighbor.
But a city council Resolution to seize private property through eminent domain is a drastic measure that requires careful study of over-arching issues and correct data. Based on my observations, there had been insufficient vetting done prior to this action being adopted.
To make this situation worse, Tsuneyoshi just announced that she was running for Republican nomination for Governor. Her platform – “servant leader,” “her love for the people of Hawaii,” “transparency and accountability in government,” contradicts her actions with her Resolution 22-11.
Tsuneyoshi did not think it was important to do an outreach to this immigrant family. Something as drastic as seizing private property requires a basic courtesy outreach to her constituents.
Tsuneyoshi did not even inform Owner Taufa of the Executive Matters and Legal Affairs (EMLA) Committee Meeting on February 8, 2022. It was the EMLA Chair Tupola from another District who offered that courtesy to Owner Taufa.
The video of the EMLA meeting showed Tsuneyoshi asking for a recess when Tupola announced that Owner Taufa would be coming online to explain himself.
Tsuneyoshi called for a quick recess upon hearing that. Why? Insiders said Tsuneyoshi was upset with the EMLA Chair that she was not told this ( getting Taufa online) was going to happen.
So, was Tsuneyoshi’s strategy to push through this Resolution 22-11 for Eminent Domain under the radar? Note there was no testimony at the EMLA Committee on February 8, 2022.
District 2 Honolulu City Council member Heidi Tsuneyoshi’s Resolution 22-11 for Eminent Domain to acquire a private property through the Department and Planning (DPP) Fines was introduced at the Executive Matters and Legal Affairs on February 8, 2022. The Eminent Domain Resolution 20-11 was quickly amended to “Judicial Foreclosure” within half an hour in that EMLA Committee.
The full Honolulu City Council adopted amended the Resolution 22-11 at its Regular Meeting on February 23, 2022. ( Public Testimonies are in the front. Resolution discussion begins around 2:45.)
This Resolution ignited grassroots support for the embattled property owner. Additional efforts came from grassroots who do not follow the city council proceedings. Some do not even have email accounts or access to ZOOM or the likes.
Photo Permission granted by property owner.
On the other hand, we see a full-scale governmental convergence on this small immigrant owner by his District City Council woman Heidi Tsuneyoshi’s quick adoption of this Resolution 22-11.
” BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED that copies of this resolution be transmitted to the Mayor, the Managing Director, the Director of Land Management, the Director of Planning and Permitting, the Corporation Counsel, the Prosecuting Attorney, the State of Hawaii Attorney General, and the State of Hawaii Director of the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs.“
The morning after the adoption of the Judicial Foreclosure Resolution 22-11, a SEARCH WARRANT was executed at the subject property. The SEARCH WARRANT sets this property up a new level of criminalizing the violations through the Hawaii Revised Statutes. This shows the force and the long arm of the government.
Rumors were circulating in the communities of the authorities “searching” for bodies, skeletons, drugs, and other illegal activities.
I asked the property owner Taufa after the Search Warrant was completed. He said that the authorities brought a backhoe to dig some parts of the property. They also searched the containers. He thought that perhaps he was being connected to a recent event where an alleged suspect was found in his property.
The Property Owner said that his worker found a man hiding in his farm one morning. The intruder in his farm was hurt and had blood on him. Taufa said they called 911 to come help this intruder.
I believe the property owner’s act of charity towards this intruder in his open farm by calling for an ambulance may just protect the owner from being accused of being a possible accessory to a crime.
This intruder was recognized by HPD who later arrested him as the alleged criminal who was involved in a fire in Pearl Ridge, that later revealed a body.
The Star Advertiser account helps complete the pieces of this puzzle:
” Police located the white SUV Tuesday morning ditched along Kamehameha Highway in Punaluu. The vehicle was registered to Cox.
That afternoon, police located Deangelo in Laie with burns to his hand and cuts to his arms. Officers also recovered a loaded pistol from Deangelo’s waist and 21 bullets from his pants pocket.
Emergency Medical Services personnel treated him and took Deangelo to a hospital for further treatment.”
(Note: Media reported the alleged criminal was found in Laie. The subject farm property is located in Hau’ula.)
