Sugar Sugar, Where's the Water?

Pioneer Sugar Plantation

Today’s Maui News had an exciting headline today, “Panel Orders Water Into Streams.” In 2001, a petition was filed by the Native Hawaiian Legal Corporation, on the behalf of Na Moku Aupuni O Koolau Hui, who demanded that the state return water back to the streams in the East Maui Watershed. According to Chris Hamilton, reporter for the Maui News, for more than 125 years, the sugar and pineapple plantations have been “using a series of ditches and diversions to irrigate [Their] fields.
In order to truly understand why this is a big deal on Maui, it must be understood that Hawaiian Commercial and Sugar Co. (HC&S), formerly Alexander & Baldwin, do not own the water that has been diverted. All water in Hawai`i is held in a public trust. HC&S has no claim on fresh water any more than I do. In fact, “Testifiers again and again also said that it is not HC&S' water. It is the Native Hawaiian people's water, they said, and the company should be required to prove that it deserves the water.”

Wailuku Agribusiness Irrigation Ditch


Hundreds of HC&S employees, dressed in red t-shirts greeted me when I arrived at the Haiku Community Center, where the testimony by the community took place. In my opinion, the employees served two functions. One was to show support for their bosses and secondly, to intimidate would-be testifiers. If the amount of water is restricted, the sugar plantations have threatened massive lay-offs. In fact, HC&S officials “reminded commissioners and the public about the 800 jobs and reliable electric energy that they provide to the community.” Although this may be true, it can also be seen as a veiled threat: “If you don’t give us what we want, we will shut down our operation, laying off workers and eliminating the bagasse, the fiber residue of the cane plant, which is used to generate electricity on Maui (HC&S).” In other words, if you don’t give me what we want, we’re gonna take our ball and go home.” However, the community isn’t buying this threat any longer and hundreds testified, demanding that the water is restored to the streams.
I shouldn’t have been surprised by Alexander and Baldwin’s Nelson Chun, senior vice president of A&B, who said “HC&S does not take a position that it had a right to all the water…” but I was. From what I understand, HC&S has done nothing but take the position that they feel they have a right to all the water, otherwise there wouldn’t be miles of diverted water ditches crisscrossing the island. What other way should we look at it?
It remains to be seen whether or not the water will be restored to the streams. There has been a long history of lies and unfulfilled promises to the community in regards to water. Also, it will be interesting to find out whether or not the amount of water released to the streams will be enough to reach the loi’s (Traditional taro farms) at the end of the stream. The loi’s need cool water to flow through the fields. Presently, when a small trickle of water finds its way to the end of the stream, the water is too warm.

East Maui water diversion protested (Star Bulletin)

Fresh water is one of the most important resources on any island throughout the world. An island without fresh water is an island that cannot sustain life. The ocean surrounding the island also needs to have fresh water in order for the fish and reefs to survive. Today’s ruling is very important. I would hate to say that this is a “good start.” I’m afraid that a “good start” would also mean the end of the discussion. If this happens, and we find out that the water released to the streams is not enough, we could find ourselves at the beginning, again.

MAUI NEWS



MORE VIDEOS ON WATER IN HAWAI`I

HC&S

May This Be Love (Waterfalls) Daniel Lanois/Emmylou Harris/Jimi Hendrix



Daniel Lanois "Still Water

Standing on Our Own

SF GATE

Recently, it was reported in the Honolulu Advertiser that the Mayor of Maui, Charmaine Tavares was concerned with the amount of “marine resources that are leaving [Maui].” In the article, Tavares said, “vehicle checks at the Maui and Honolulu ferry terminals are inconsistent and can't be counted on to intercept invasive species and natural resource contraband.” She recommends that the Superferry management should “pay for state conservation and agriculture officers to assist with screening on a permanent, daily basis,” in order to help out with the screening process of Superferry passengers.
None of this is particularly controversial, Charmaine addressed the issues that the people of Maui had concerns about. For example, many of the opponents of the Superferry were concerned about Opihi picking and in fact, Opihi was found in the vehicles of Superferry passengers. Another concern was the finding in the report that many of the vehicles on the Superferry were “excessively muddy.” The Superferry had agreed to the condition that the vehicles would undertake an undercarriage cleaning, and removing the mud from the tires. These conditions were agreed upon by the Superferry. Many businesses, throughout the world have had to agree to certain conditions in order to operate in a County, City or Town. This is not just something made up by the Maui County Council or the Mayor’s office.

However, what really concerns me is the comments portion of the article. The comments in the Honolulu Advertiser and Maui News are often posted by anonymous sources, who use screen names to post angry missives at the subjects of the article. Of course, this is nothing new, before online comments were provided, many letters to the editor were signed by “-Name Withheld.” Nevertheless, I believe the comments pertaining to “Tavares faults ferry screening,” are quite telling. “Raidernation” writes, “…I see I look at all of the islands as HAWAII. One state. One people…” He continues to say that Maui sees itself as isolationists and that anyone who lives in Hawaii should be able to fish anywhere. What “Raidernation” does not address is that there are severe consequences to the reef and to ocean life when people “fish anywhere.” Over-fishing can lead to the loss of adult fish, which will decrease the population of fish. If there are fewer and fewer fish to breed and populate, there will be fewer fish to catch.
OverFishing.org

The comments degenerate from there. Some make bizarre comparisons between certain neighborhoods blocking “outsiders” from shopping at their Wal-Mart. In fact, one commentator wrote, after saying that Maui has made them feel unwelcome, “Go sit in your barren pineapple fields, walk by your closed businesses, and cry at how this could have happened.” I suppose that they have a point. Maui has become dependent on outsiders for help. This has made us completely vulnerable. Whether it is a new infestation of insects or someone over-fishing or harvesting opihi, the Superferry has brought a lot of uncertainty and made a lot of people uncomfortable. And when the Mayor finds out that the Superferry has not held up their end of the bargain, she is ridiculed. It is time for Maui to stand on its own. Clearly, Oahu thinks that Maui is some kind of backwards county and without Oahu, we would be helpless. Xenophobia is not the answer, nor the solution, but the over-harvesting of natural resources is too dangerous to take lightly.

Honolulu Advertiser

Kaua'i protest



Superferry Alert (Free Hawaii TV)

Christmas in September?

My daughter and I had to go to Kmart a couple of weeks ago and we noticed that Kmart has begun putting up their Christmas displays. (I took the picture on Labor Day). However, the display itself raised a few questions. One is, really? In September? I always thought that Christmas displays went up in late November. Secondly, penguins and Faux-snow Christmas trees? Seriously? Who wants a Christmas tree, with some kind of ugly spray paint on it?



Nevertheless, I'm from Michigan, where we have Christmas tree farms all over the place, (at least in West Michigan). When I worked at plant nurseries in California, I unloaded thousands of trees from refrigerated trucks during the Christmas season. When I moved to Maui, I worked at Lowes and sold Christmas trees from refrigerated shipping containers. Why do we celebrate Christmas with dead trees? Why are coniferous trees brought to Hawaii during the Christmas season? I can understand enjoying Christmas, the kids love it, and it's a nice break from work and school. But, isn't it a German or Scandinavian tradition to have a Fir tree in the house? The legend is that the Christmas tree represents the holy trinity. Of course, no-one knows that for sure, and, when in doubt, print the legend! I won't even go into more of the legends or myths about the Christmas tree, except to add my own. I think they brought the Christmas tree inside to repel fleas. During the 7th centuries, houses were riddled with fleas and the coniferous trees were brought inside during the winter to repel these biting, disease carrying bugs. Print that legend, I dare you!



But, why are there reindeer, penguins, and little Chinese-made "snow villages" in Hawaii? Can't we come up with our own images of Christmas? Can't Santa wear board shorts and ride a magical surf-board to deliver presents? Instead of fake Christmas trees, can't we have Christmas Ti bushes, Coconut trees or Breadfruit? Breadfruit already supplies it's own ornaments! Instead of poinsettias, we can have dry taro in pots.



Every time we import more and more plastic trees, and dead, frozen Christmas trees, we import more and more garbage. I personally have seen yellow jackets in the Christmas tree containers, which are so tightly packed, there is no way that the inspectors could find them, unless they unloaded all the trees. Any time that we import dead trees, we open ourselves up to new infestations of insects. And that is a Christmas "gift" we do not want (see Bee Mite in Hawaii article).

Christmas Archives
Christmas Tree Shipping Regulations
Wasps in Christmas Trees
Bee Mite in Hawaii
Rob Report/Vince Mina on Bees

Don't forget to go to the "Bee Talks," two more are scheduled, 6-8 on Thursday, Sept. 25: Kihei Charter School auditorium and
Wednesday, Oct. 1: The Studio, Haiku Cannery.

Perry Como in Hawaii:

Exotica and the Representation of Hawaii

How is Hawaii perceived in music, television and in books? In the fifties, sixties and seventies, the tiki lounge came to represent the exoticism of Hawaii. Grass shacks, hula girls, tiki torches and a new form of music emerged. Lounge music, or “exotica,” (Which was derived from the Martin Denny record of the same name) is a mixture of orchestral music and tribal rhythms. The record covers of exotica often depicted lush foliage and a beautiful woman (or women) on the cover. When coupled with images of a faraway paradise, exotica music attempts to transcend the droll of a “mainland” life. (I use quotes around mainland because it isn’t the main land. instead, it could be called the continental US, because it isn’t the only land where the inhabitants of Hawaii immigrated from). Exotica music promises warmth, sexuality and comfort. However, this does not represent the reality of living in Hawaii.


I must admit that I am a huge fan of exotica music. The music of Les Baxter, Martin Denny and Arthur Lyman fascinates me. However, the representation of Hawaii in exotica music has often depicted Hawaiian culture and the Hawaiian people as “savages.” In fact, Les Baxter’s “Ritual of the Savage,” featured songs like “Jungle River Boat.” Perhaps Mr. Baxter confused Hawaii with Africa, (especially with the sounds of screaming monkeys), but fusing these indigenous cultures together is a disservice to both. The Hawaiians were not, and are not, “savages.” It wasn’t the Hawaiian people who brought disease to Hawaii, instead, it was the filthy European sailors who believed that bathing caused disease, it was the European sailors who were riddled with venereal diseases and through their promiscuity, the Hawaiian people were infected. So the question is, who is the real savage?
In our current political climate, we often hear the clarion call to return to the “good old days” of the fifties. In fact, it was in this post World War II atmosphere that the exotica music genre was created. James Michener, a naval reservist stationed in the Pacific, and the author of “Tales from the South Pacific,” wrote of a idealized island culture, which then became a Broadway musical entitled “South Pacific” (American Heritage). Martin Denny famously played at Don the Beachcomber’s “Bora Bora Lounge” for over nine months in the heart of Waikiki and was a huge tourist attraction. With the release of Denny’s “Exotica,” tourists were able to “own” a piece of Hawaii (Exotica). For many in the Continental US, a trip to Hawaii was a promise of leisure-filled days and exotic, adventure-filled nights.
However, these “good old days” were a time of strife in Hawaii. In 1959, after years of pressure from a variety of sources, Hawaii was asked to vote to become either the State of Hawaii, or remain a territory of the United States. Notice that the choice to return to the sovereign nation of Hawaii was not offered. For many Hawaiians (Kanaka Maoli), the 1950’s are not the “good old days” (Aloha-Hawaii).


I continue to enjoy exotica music, and it is not my intention to “wreck” the pleasure of enjoying lounge music. However, it is important to note that through this music and its accompanying images, Hawaii became a place for visitors to live out their “savage-ness.” The promise of sex, (although not stated as such) with an exotic local man or woman is still featured in many of the brochures from the Hawaii Tourist Bureau. Easy living, where a tourist can be waited on hand and foot is also promoted. While the tiki lounges of a past era have lost their luster and have become “tacky” or “kitschy” by some, the images still remain, in fact it is difficult to imagine Hawaii without conjuring up the picturesque image of sitting on the beach, watching the sun set, with pounding surf and a rum-filled drink. This, like exotica music, sounds great, but it is not the reality of most of the people who live in Hawaii.





Hawaii/Statehood

American Heritage/Tiki

Exotica

A Really Great Essay on Politics and Hawaiian Music entitled, "The Politics of Meaning

Ironically, White Rose will be playing at Don Ho's on September 27th

Sustainability in Hawaii, A Guitarist's Perspective

Sustainability

I attended the Sierra Club’s “Red, White and Blue Candidates' Picnic” on Saturday. Many of the candidates that spoke used the word, “sustainability,” in many of their short speeches. But what is sustainability? Why is this word so often used by politicians and environmentalists? According to the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) website, the definition of sustainability is, “meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs (EPA).” However, is this how the people of Hawaii would define sustainability?
As a musician, I’ve spent the last few weeks thinking about the words, “sustain” and “sustainability” and how I could find a metaphor for sustainability in Hawaii. What I discovered is, sustainability requires action and energy. For example, in order for a guitar player to achieve sustain, the guitarist will have to do something. Sustain means action. For instance, the great blues guitarist, B.B. King is known for his sustaining notes. With close inspection of B.B.’s left hand, you can see his hand wiggle back and forth. This action causes his notes to sustain. It creates more vibration, which causes the strings to vibrate even longer. There are other ways for guitarists to create sustain, but again, this means that there is action involved. A guitar player can use effects that work with the natural harmonics of the guitar to create a sustainable note. Similarly, Hawaii will have to use “effects” to create a sustainable community. The implementation of solar and wind farms would be like a guitar effect. It is an outside source being used to create a longer usable energy. A guitar player cannot depend on plucking a string and hoping that it will sustain forever, instead they must work at it, providing it with energy. This is what we need to do in Hawaii.
We often hear that in order to be completely self-sustaining, we will have to either reduce or eliminate the importing of food and oil. Our power supply would depend on wind, solar or wave technology. However, this doesn’t address importing gasoline for automobiles or trucks. I live in Haiku and it costs a lot of money to drive into town everyday for school. For Maui to wean itself off of gas-fueled transportation, we will have to rethink what our needs are. The new bus system is one possible solution. Not only could this reduce the amount of fuel needed, but it could also contribute to lessening the amount of traffic on the roads. All of these solutions are very difficult to implement. It is political suicide for politicians to honestly say what needs to be done in Hawaii. The cure is a bitter pill to swallow.
Sustainability is possible in Hawaii but it will require a lot of work. Reducing our needs for import demands a commitment and a possible paradigm shift from packaged foods and consumerism. This would also change our economy drastically. The big box stores, along with many other businesses would be in jeopardy. If we are wholly dependent on imports, we are at the mercy of outside forces, whether it is by nature or a man-made disaster. Sustainability requires action and a constant commitment. Hopefully, we can work towards a solution instead of waiting for a disaster to happen.

EPA “Sustainability” EPA



Dusty Erosion, not Sustainable Agriculture:

Weirdo Music

I guess it has been awhile since my last podcast, so here's a new one. At first I thought that it was a group of songs that were kind of weird, but when I started putting it together, it seems that I'm the weird one. So, this podcast is pretty eclectic. There are new wave songs, metal songs, and a whole bunch of other craziness. There is some rare stuff along with some fairly easy to find gems.





more info on the Cobra Show

Weirdo Podcast