http://hunterbishop.com/journal/Puna Hawaii news opinion and informationhunterbishop.comen-USSquarespace Site Server v5.0.0 (http://www.squarespace.com/)Hunter BishopFri, 25 Jul 2008 17:19:40 +0000http://hunterbishop.com/journal/2008/7/25/cdp-showdown-friday-in-puna.html#comments77088:661603:comment/1654631Jonathan Cole - HamakuaFri, 25 Jul 2008 16:48:07 +0000http://hunterbishop.com/journal/2008/7/24/the-mayoral-horses-are-out-of-the-gate.html#comments77088:661603:comment/1654573James WeatherfordFri, 25 Jul 2008 15:39:38 +0000http://hunterbishop.com/journal/2008/7/24/the-mayoral-horses-are-out-of-the-gate.html#comments77088:661603:comment/1654442Not what I'd call a progressive Mayor with new ideas and grassroots support.]]>Big MikeFri, 25 Jul 2008 14:20:58 +0000http://hunterbishop.com/journal/2008/7/24/the-mayoral-horses-are-out-of-the-gate.html#comments77088:661603:comment/1654270
It is unfortunate that you feel Mr. Higa’s chance is rather minimal. I feel he has been an effective Council member. If people had a better understanding of the EEO process, they would know that this quasi-federal tribunal has strange rules and policies to follow and Mr. Higa is improperly and unjustifiably implicated with wrongdoing when that was not even an issue in the case that has received so much press.

I agree with you that Ms. Inoyue has yet to establish an effective campaign. She seems to be relying on name recognition but her base is a blast to the past. Her presentation of accomplishments seems to focus on her career at the state level and her attachment back to the County level has yet to be presented in detail.

Mr. Kenoi makes his link to the Kim years and as you point out he has great backing and diverse support. We see that the current administration that Mr. Kenoi chooses to emulate was very comfortable to let things drift along. A major earthquake two years ago still does not have in place the refinements promised in civil defense. It is unknown if all the warning sirens are functioning, if they could operate during a power failure, if the radio stations have functioning back-up generators, and so forth. One can host community sessions and committee meetings for all sorts of issues, such as health care, and the system still collapses. The next major natural event is likely to impact Hilo very hard and one should be concerned that the last 8 years have not improved the ability to respond well to the needs of the biggest population center of the Island.

You give points to Mr. Kenoi for having an adventurous youth and I support that. Those events are learning experiences for which there can be no substitute. An analysis of candidate Pilago’s personal biography would reveal that he had a youth as adventurous as Mr. Kenoi’s.

It is true that Mr. Pilago’s campaign is one of seeking the grass root support and a strong tie to fundamental character values. But his great care and concern of upholding the history and cultural values should not be a negative. It shows his willingness to have an open administration, one that genuinely seeks input by the citizenry and involves all levels of government, not sequestering itself from the Council as the current administration does. This Island State will observe its 50th anniversary of Statehood next year and it is not improper to maintain respect for the culture of the Island Nation that came before.

During the past years when Mr. Pilago was a Council Member, his district had the greatest economic development of any on the Island. Although Mr. Pilago gives the impression of being soft spoken, he carries a big stick in getting things resolved. He has the ability to organize, compromise when necessary, and gather consensus. He is certainly qualified to deal with the myriad of technical issues challenging the next mayor, from energy, health, education, and infrastructure. While careful not to micromanage he demonstrates his control and wise selection of important issues. When needed, he has shown he can make the hard decisions that may not always be popular but will serve the people best.

Leadership is defined best as successful response in time of crisis. The crisis for the Big Island is already in the making and the current administration has not poised the Island well to meet this challenge.

When voters go to the poles they have a choice of an administration of the past, the status quo, or one that has presented and clearly represents a chance for leadership during the times of crisis. They may agonize over their selection as it is a hard and perhaps an emotional choice.

How great this race for mayor will be will depend on voter turnout. It may be that people are turned off and burned out by politics being immersed in boring Democratic and Republic conventions where there is no choice and speeches are simply party rhetoric and the press tries to create stories where none exist.

But there yet may be a horserace for mayor of the Big Island with candidates registering somewhat differently than your ranking! Stay tuned!]]>BrianFri, 25 Jul 2008 14:07:31 +0000http://hunterbishop.com/journal/2008/7/24/hey-pete-cmon-down-take-a-look.html#comments77088:661603:comment/165424730 cleaning roadsides in lieu of the fine.]]>pohaikalaniFri, 25 Jul 2008 09:34:59 +0000http://hunterbishop.com/journal/2008/7/24/the-mayoral-horses-are-out-of-the-gate.html#comments77088:661603:comment/1653931damonFri, 25 Jul 2008 08:18:15 +0000http://hunterbishop.com/journal/2008/7/25/cdp-showdown-friday-in-puna.html#comments77088:661603:comment/1653888
I've heard that word used before.... I don't like it. I just like to speak my mind so.... please Mr. IRS. Take My Name Off The List.

Why is it when someone speaks their mind now a days they are considered an activist?]]>DDKONAFri, 25 Jul 2008 08:16:26 +0000http://hunterbishop.com/journal/2008/7/24/the-mayoral-horses-are-out-of-the-gate.html#comments77088:661603:comment/1653886Jesse EbersoleFri, 25 Jul 2008 07:30:15 +0000http://hunterbishop.com/journal/2008/7/24/the-mayoral-horses-are-out-of-the-gate.html#comments77088:661603:comment/1653865Not me this time, I prefer to use my given name. Must be others out there with a similar viewpoint.]]>KekepaniaFri, 25 Jul 2008 06:46:30 +0000http://hunterbishop.com/journal/2008/7/24/the-mayoral-horses-are-out-of-the-gate.html#comments77088:661603:comment/1653835