Jason’s EARLY after 8-8-23 Fire

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Published on 08/28/2023 by Jason Schwartz

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Host: Jason Schwartz
Location: Maui, Hawaii
Platform: 88.5 FM KAKU, Akaku Maui Community Media Channel 55, maui-neutralzone.com

[00:00 → 06:59] Introduction, Context on Maui Wildfires, and Community Response

  • [00:00] Jason Schwartz opens the show with a warm greeting, introduces the Neutral Zone radio program, and highlights its long history, over 150 shows spanning 30 years. He situates the program geographically in Maui, Hawaii, and mentions its availability online and on local media channels.
  • [00:51] The host notes the sensitive timing of the episode, coming 20 days after the devastating wildfires in Lahaina and Kula, West Maui. He emphasizes the complexity of the situation and expresses mixed feelings about tourism given the recent disaster but stresses that only the west side was affected and the rest of Maui is still open and welcoming visitors.
  • [02:20] Jason provides personal context, recalling his own time living and working in Lahaina between 1988-1991, highlighting his deep connection to the area. He mentions upcoming local government meetings focused on disaster resilience and the ongoing risk of wildfires due to dry grass conditions.
  • [03:04] Gratitude and prayers are offered for those lost in the fire and those suffering in its aftermath. Jason stresses Maui’s unity, saying “we are all one” and “Maui strong,” recognizing the combined efforts of locals, volunteers, and emergency responders.
  • [04:21] Despite the efforts of FEMA and others, Jason acknowledges gaps in reaching everyone affected by the disaster. He describes the community’s collective pain, including those directly in Lahaina and others across Maui who are impacted indirectly.
  • [04:57] Reverend Kadar St John from the Temple of Peace in Haiku is introduced as a spiritual leader actively holding prayers and love-based support events for Maui’s people. Another key figure mentioned is Bodhi B, Hawaii’s only green funeral director, who is working to provide burial support for fire victims without financial burden.
  • [06:20] Jason attended a recent prayer gathering led by Reverend Kadar, describing an intimate group united in love and support, focusing on joy and hope despite tragedy. Kadar also coordinates global spiritual broadcasts aligned with Maui’s healing, illustrating the deep spiritual care being extended worldwide.
  • [06:59] Jason reflects on the rich cultural and spiritual heritage of Maui, noting that many on the west side were unaware of Kadar’s work due to past lack of cable access, underscoring the unique and sometimes isolated nature of Maui’s communities.

[07:00 → 16:54] Reflections on Maui’s Community, Culture, and Sustainability

  • [07:32] Jason shares stories of local Maui characters with deep histories, including a former WNYC reporter who witnessed Malcolm X’s assassination and relocated to Maui, highlighting the island’s diverse and rich personal histories.
  • [08:44] He discusses the extensive archives available on the Maui Neutral Zone and Maui Arts and Music Association websites, which document 30 years of Maui’s cultural and political history, including interviews with local leaders and artists.
  • [09:54] Jason comments on Maui’s political landscape, respecting figures like U.S. Senator Brian Schatz and Governor Josh Green, but also acknowledges controversy and calls for transparency regarding the wildfire response and investigations.
  • [10:33] The host reflects on Lahaina’s significance as the historical seat of the Hawaiian Kingdom and stresses the importance of Hawaiian voices in the rebuilding and future planning process. He touches on the broader issues of sovereignty and reparations related to Hawaii’s history.
  • [11:38] Jason cites his friendships with Hawaiian musicians like Lono from Molokai and underscores the importance of integrating traditional Hawaiian culture with modern progress to create a sustainable, self-reliant Maui.
  • [13:00] He envisions a “dream Maui” that balances the old and new, promotes local empowerment, and fosters cooperation between the global community and the islands. He advocates for tourism that respects the distinct areas, especially during recovery—acknowledging West Maui is currently off-limits but encouraging tourism elsewhere.
  • [14:25] Jason questions the failure of emergency alarms during the wildfire, expressing frustration and skepticism about official explanations but urges the community to focus on healing rather than blame.
  • [15:06] He briefly comments on the broader U.S. political climate, noting the lack of clear leadership and the need for local unity and self-sufficiency in Maui.
  • [15:39] Emphasizing Maui’s resilience, Jason highlights the spirit of mutual aid and self-sustainability present in the community, stressing the ability to grow food, convert waste into power and water, and innovate with nature-based technologies.
  • [16:54] He critiques the pharmaceutical industry’s disinterest in natural healing products due to lack of profit, advocating for local, sustainable health and food systems rooted in Hawaiian and indigenous wisdom combined with modern technology.

[17:24 → 25:20] Personal Background, Solar Energy, and Community Vision

  • [17:24] Jason recounts his background in the solar energy business on the U.S. mainland, bringing his expertise to Maui to help address the island’s high utility costs and energy challenges.
  • [18:39] He notes the prevalence of outdated appliances in local senior housing that cause high energy bills, underscoring a need for modernization during rebuilding efforts.
  • [19:14] Jason invites community participation through the show’s call-in line and encourages listeners to engage with the Neutral Zone’s broad platform to share ideas and contribute to Maui’s recovery and future.
  • [20:41] He reminisces about the origins of Akaku Maui Community Television and its role in promoting free speech and community media, emphasizing its global recognition as a model for public access media.
  • [21:20] Jason reflects on aging, his decades living in Maui, and his commitment to neutrality and inclusivity, avoiding divisions based on race or ideology, and aiming to be a voice that brings people together.
  • [22:34] He reiterates Maui’s spiritual significance, referencing indigenous Hawaiian beliefs, Lemuria legends, and the island’s role as the “heart chakra of the world,” encouraging a global awakening to shared unity.
  • [23:54] The host praises Maui’s community spirit and collective effort in the wildfire aftermath, highlighting the importance of first, second, and “80th” responders in healing and rebuilding.
  • [24:37] Jason introduces plans to establish a “Neutral Zone Council” composed of elders and wise community members to foster cooperation and solutions across Maui’s diverse population.
  • [25:20] He discusses the polarization in society but expresses hope that the wildfire disaster will soften hearts and inspire collaborative, accelerated solutions for sustainability and community well-being.

[26:01 → 33:10] The Vision for Maui Arts and Music Association and Economic Sustainability

  • [26:01] Jason outlines a vision for Maui as a global leader in integrated arts, culture, renewable energy, and eco-tourism, emphasizing job creation and economic diversification anchored in environmental stewardship.
  • [27:24] He uses the metaphor of “playing chess, not checkers” to describe the need for strategic thinking and cooperation in Maui’s development, reflecting on his early engagement with integrated resource planning and renewable energy in the 1990s.
  • [28:39] Jason recalls pioneering discussions on wind, solar, ocean thermal energy, and co-generation technologies that were ahead of their time but not fully pursued due to cost and political challenges.
  • [29:58] He details his experience as a solar energy broker in Southern California and how he brought those ideas and expertise to Maui, connecting energy innovation with cultural development.
  • [31:15] The Maui Arts and Music Association (MAMA) is described as a cooperative model where art and music sales fund environmental solutions, creating a self-sustaining economy that reinvests in the community.
  • [32:35] Jason recounts organizing the first New Year’s Eve event at the Maui Cultural Center to launch MAMA and garner support from influential figures in the community, illustrating early momentum for combining culture and sustainability.
  • [33:10] Despite some political challenges and competition among community groups, Jason remains committed to building a central cooperative platform that unites diverse stakeholders under one banner for Maui’s sustainable future.

[33:48 → 44:51] Challenges and Opportunities in Building a Unified Community Platform

  • [33:48] Jason reflects on Maui’s deep artistic talent and star power, mentioning famous entertainers who have connections to the island and could potentially help elevate Maui as a global cultural hub.
  • [35:05] He highlights the need to engage wealthy supporters and philanthropists to invest in Maui’s recovery and culture, referencing recent donations like Oprah’s contributions but calling for more comprehensive involvement from influential figures.
  • [35:42] The host reiterates the mission of MAMA: to blend art, music, culture, environmental research, and economic development into a unified, profitable, and sustainable enterprise that benefits Maui and the world.
  • [36:18] Jason stresses inclusivity and fairness, rejecting divisive politics and emphasizing that rebuilding Maui must honor all people, cultures, and perspectives equally.
  • [36:55] He calls for government engagement and responsiveness, noting difficulties in reaching local officials on homelessness and other critical issues, and invites officials to participate in public dialogues through the show.
  • [38:14] Jason shares his personal humility and dedication, living simply and focusing on community service rather than personal gain, illustrating his long-term commitment to Maui’s welfare.
  • [40:05] The program transitions to announcements about other local shows and community media resources on KAKU and Akaku, emphasizing community support and participation.
  • [42:46] Jason underscores Maui’s global visibility as a travel destination and its spiritual significance, noting the potential for Maui to lead by example in sustainability and cultural integration.
  • [43:26] He reads a 1991 quote urging community involvement, leadership, and unity to address Maui’s environmental and cultural challenges through integrated arts and business efforts.
  • [44:51] The quote promotes a marriage of vision combining art, music, culture, renewable energy, and eco-tourism to redirect economic spending toward environmental priorities, a vision that remains relevant 30 years later.

[45:28 → 51:54] Historical Attempts, Persisting Issues, and Future Aspirations

  • [45:28] Jason recounts early efforts to promote these ideas, including outreach to political figures and attempts to unify disparate groups, though political and financial obstacles slowed progress.
  • [46:45] He describes challenges in gaining credibility and cooperation among existing organizations and politicians, which has delayed the formation of a truly central, independent cooperative platform.
  • [47:59] The mission statement of MAMA is reiterated: promoting art, music, culture, environmental research, job creation, economic diversification, and sustainability to inspire global peace and prosperity.
  • [49:59] Jason reflects on a letter to the editor from recent years emphasizing coordinated action and private sector leadership in environmental and economic development without over-reliance on government.
  • [50:38] He envisions raising funds through art and music sales to finance technology development and land acquisition for independent community projects, bypassing bureaucratic delays.
  • [51:15] Jason encourages the community to “get out of our own way” and embrace innovation and cooperation to make Maui a model for the world through sustainable, profitable initiatives that serve all residents and visitors equally.

[51:54 → 56:22] Closing Remarks and Call to Action

  • [51:54] Jason stresses the importance of attracting global attention and resources to Maui beyond mere tourism, focusing on creating real value through culture and sustainability.
  • [53:12] He advocates for removing greed from the equation and fostering a shared paradise where local people and visitors thrive together in harmony.
  • [53:49] Jason acknowledges the long journey of building these ideas and calls on the world to join Maui in pioneering new economic and environmental models.
  • [54:27] He notes current labor movements in Hollywood as an example of broader economic shifts demanding fairer distribution of wealth and resources, linking this with Maui’s aspirations.
  • [55:10] The host emphasizes that Maui is more than just a tourist destination; it is a place with deep cultural and spiritual roots that can offer the world an example of sustainable prosperity and peace.
  • [55:39] He announces plans for future shows focusing on music and culture, inviting all interested parties to participate under the cooperative banner by contacting the show.
  • [56:22] Jason closes with a message of love, unity, and hope, promising upcoming interviews with Reverend Kadar St John and extending blessings to Maui and the world.

Key Themes and Insights

  • Community Unity and Healing: The show underscores Maui’s collective strength and compassion in the face of disaster, emphasizing mutual aid, spiritual support, and respect for all affected.
  • Cultural and Spiritual Heritage: Hawaiian traditions and indigenous wisdom are foundational to the vision for Maui’s future, integrating past and present for holistic sustainability.
  • Sustainability and Innovation: Solar energy, renewable resources, waste-to-energy systems, and natural medicine are presented as critical components of Maui’s recovery and long-term resilience.
  • Economic Diversification: The Maui Arts and Music Association serves as a model for blending culture with commerce to fund environmental and social initiatives, striving for a self-sufficient local economy.
  • Political Engagement and Transparency: There is a call for greater government accountability, responsiveness, and inclusion of Native Hawaiian voices in rebuilding efforts.
  • Global Leadership: Maui is positioned as a potential global example of how small island communities can lead in environmental, cultural, and economic innovation.
  • Invitation to Participate: The show encourages local and global listeners to engage actively through calls, donations, collaboration, and cultural participation.

Conclusion

Jason Schwartz’s Neutral Zone broadcast is a heartfelt, wide-ranging exploration of Maui’s current challenges and future possibilities. Rooted in decades of local experience and cultural connection, the program advocates for a unified, sustainable, and culturally rich rebuilding process that honors those lost, uplifts the community, and positions Maui as a beacon for the world. It is both a call to action and a celebration of Maui’s resilience, inviting everyone to join in crafting a shared vision for a better tomorrow.

Transcript

00:00
[Music] good morning everyone Aloha this is Jason Schwartz I’m your host here at the neutral zone hi 88.5 FM Kaku we’re in Maui Hawaii we’re also simulcast on akaku Maui Community media channel 55. and um we also are on the net you’ll find us at maui-neutralzone.com you’ll see all our shows we got a bunch 150 Plus shows plus all the archives that I’ve done over the last 30 years so it’s quite a spot there and we’re happy to have you today today is August 28 2023 um I invited a guest he’s busy doing

 

00:51
prayers and getting together with groups um he’ll be here next week Reverend Kadar St John who’s uh from the Temple of Peace in haiku beautiful brother I’ve known for God 30 years um and it’s a very sensitive time here in Maui the fire was 20 days ago in Lahaina Kula the fire the day of fire eight eight the Lion’s gate in the astrology people but um I’m not sure how I feel I feel like Maui is Ground Zero when the world is looking at us they may say oh let’s not have any

 

01:39
travel to Maui because Maui but Maui needs travel and the only spot that’s affected is the west side so well the west side is a challenge but the rest of Maui’s fine come on tourists I’m happy to have tourists but this is very volatile and personal time as they’re announcing they find that some of the people that have died in the fire I call it a wildfire we’ll see what it how you look at it anyway but um these are when I see faces I got here in 1988 and 88 to 91 I lived in Lahaina and

 

02:20
had my um life lived on Front Street had my business dress on Front Street all the concepts were what to do and why we should we’re there on Front Street when Lahaina the amazing timing there’s a meeting in a couple of days the disaster resilience whatever committee at the council and I happen to look at their agenda and there was a report in July that they’re now going to talk about about the horrible situation going on with the grass and potential for horrible fires so what do you say uh crazy time crazy

 

03:04
situation I want to start by giving gratitude to the powers however we identify God and take it personal how beautiful we were not there in that fire and those that were in the fire that have perished you paid the ultimate price here on Earth and you gave up your physical life and um blessings to you and all the people that are suffering that know there are people they know that are still missing and and the people that made it out that are in all kinds of condition and all kinds of situations prayers and blessings to you you know

 

03:43
there’s two kinds of help there’s help that takes care of the acute and that’s happening the Maui people are incredibly beautiful that isn’t just some arm in Lahaina or a head that we cut off and say the rest of the body can work we are all one here on Maui we are Maui strong line is strong yes but Maui’s strong yes there are people and brigades of people amazing numbers of people preparing food and boats with all kinds of supplies supplementing what has now been developing with FEMA Federal Emergency

 

04:21
Management agency but um I don’t think they’re reaching everyone and I know a lot of people that haven’t seen them it gets to be a blurry line between people that are suffering that were in Lahaina or people that were suffering there weren’t in Lahaina because we’re all involved with Maui that live here and that are here and this pain is very personal and the reason I didn’t have guests these last two weeks they’ve been involved in that very personal loving holding the

 

04:57
love concept um Kadar is a reverend and he’s been getting on all kinds of things he’s got another one today at 1 30. Global alignment putting out love and support in the spiritual realms for people of line of people of Maui people of and beautiful concept then Bodhi B who has show here also I mean Doorway to La into light who does uh funeral stuff he’s the only green funeral director here in Hawaii he’s um I was going to bring him but he’s been busy he’s trying to raise money so that

 

05:38
all the homeless and Fire victims if they need to get buried can have so without worrying about the money part so it’s amazing that we’re all aligned I yesterday went to Temple of Peace and kedar was there and it was a I thought intimate group of about 30 maybe which is low when I’ve gone there and uh the prayer was about love and it was about supporting the people and and how we all are one and how we are the ones to focus on the joy and what can be and what is and as I was listening and

 

06:20
listening to the songs I thought wow uh that’s Kadar should be on the show so I invited him here for today but he’s got this like I say this worldwide broadcast at 1 30 and six o’clock yesterday aligned with people all over the world out at a himsa temple where uh himself sanctuary which is where Blue Mountain may he rest in peace lived with his wife and kids and a beautiful Farm they’ve been creating and doing Hunger Heroes and getting meals to the homeless and getting meals to the people on the

 

06:59
west side just we have but they didn’t even know Kadar when he said I’ll look forward to find out what you’ve been doing you know people don’t know on that side there wasn’t cable available for so many years they don’t really know what I’ve been working on but when I hear the themes I think wow I guess I really am deeply seated in the generation that I was in I’m I’m a hippie or I don’t know if a hippie A hippie I have a neighbor who started the yippies with uh and went to Chicago you

 

07:32
know we have a very rich Community here of people with all kinds of uh Maui names and some of them have their real names like there was a guy on the street everyone who was malca black guy that we saw he painted coconuts and bases beautiful nice man malka one day he came to me and told me his other identity he was uh wmca reporter in New York on radio when Malcolm X was killed he was in the third row he saw exactly what happened and he knew he had to get gone 50 years ago he was coming to me because

 

08:09
somehow CNN found that he was here and they came in to Maui and he wanted to do the show and talk so you’ll see an interview I did with Gene Simpson on either on the website Maui neutralzone.com you can also find it at that mauiartsandmusic.org if you look under video you’ll see that that goes to the Maui neutral zone page which has the place where you can search by name by category of shows that we’ve done and you know there are a lot of people that I didn’t put in by name yet so you’re

 

08:44
going to see 30 years of Maui there’s another brother who passed away Todd Swann who people here at the television station and a radio station and people of Maui on the I want to say on the spiritual side but Todd Swan did just video everywhere he was my idol he was out there covering all kinds of events and um janaki his partner if we can get those videos and integrate them into our site don’t take some money and time but our site mauiartsandmusic.org mauinutralzone.com is an archive of

 

09:24
people and shows of the last 30 years of Maui I was also doing political interviews and I put some of them up there I don’t know maybe a hundred or more but I’ve been doing interviews and watching some of the people that are in our government now and you’d say well that’s not what they said back then that’s what they promised then that’s what they there’s lots of promises not kept and there are lots of Promises Kept there are people that are true to their word you know a guy that I really have

 

09:54
appreciated and respected Brian shots our U.S senator Brian Schatz only met him a couple of times but I really see he’s been a champion for the people here and uh all this controversy now uh Josh Green I like Josh Green he’s a very real guy all these things about cover-up we’ll all see how then where all the dust settles we know that the world is investigating what’s happening here I don’t know that I know of any City town that was wiped out we talk about the paradise fire that’s in the middle of

 

10:33
remote California yeah it definitely is Meaningful and everyone that passed away in that whole Community that’s all meaningful but this is the seat of the Hawaiian Kingdom it may have moved other places but this in my mind that’s what Lahaina was and that’s what Lahaina is and the fact that it’s there and that the Hawaiians want input onto what’s going to happen there I I totally see a seat at the table in fact maybe some people think they should be the one setting the table that the

 

11:06
United States this is a time where they apologize they should be giving back Hawaii they should be giving back pieces or like the Indians we don’t know where that’s going I surely don’t but I do know that the wisdom and the great culture of the Hawaiian people the music and the art and the wisdom I like to bring that up a couple of times because there’s innate wisdom in these islands that hasn’t been explored I’ve had good fortune to be around some nice people but I know that I haven’t really gone

 

11:38
into depth I’ve just met some extraordinary beautiful loving people Hawaiian and my friend now for Wow 30 years Lono who’s over on Molokai lonomusic.com you guys on radio you can’t see me but go to lonomusic.com Lono when I first got to meet him and he was he sold me his uh cassette collection a couple of big apple crate boxes of cassettes because he was switching to DVD here’s a guy that learned so many songs and was out playing on the road here and on the mainland uh Hawaiian and came back here

 

12:21
and settled in started writing songs I was very fortunate got to know him and we we really bonded he wrote a few songs let me sing a few that were you know uh Timely it wouldn’t never really did anything with them I think we’re all waiting for a time when the world checks in with us and now all the archive becomes good food for the growing of this incredible dream this dream Maui that was conceived of 30 years ago on people that were here will tell me way before that the Hawaiians were the dream of Maui well to

 

13:00
integrate the old and the new to use the best of the old with the progress of the new and give our local Maui Community in a global way not not only recognition but give them an opportunity to compete or let’s say co-operate with a world and be the example here in these small islands of what self-sustainability on all levels means it means we don’t take our arm Lahaina and say oh that’s the arm we’re in repent we are in repair we need the tourists here we hope they will honor the fact that West Maui is is right now

 

13:44
off limits and that you know I’d like to see what’s going on and help but I know I’m probably better serving everyone through these kinds of roles than be out there with a shovel or creating excitement and angst over what people have done wrong I have lots of opinions there like we say we’re the neutral zone but we’re anything but neutral I question deeply why no signal was let off well yeah we get it though if they were off Island at some conference and are relating from a distance and knowing by what the books

 

14:25
read and maybe they but I cannot easily accept that there were no alarms sounded beyond my understanding and all the different pieces of on and off switches on Power and who did this and the later laser that and the the people of Maui and the people that were there and the people from our Island and all the people that want to help let’s just give a blessing and move away from here and learn punishment can happen it will happen I mean some of you who appreciate Donald Trump might like not like hearing me say

 

15:06
but you know truth comes out and I don’t know if Donald Trump serving from behind bars makes a lot of sense I don’t think him running makes sense but I don’t see a lot of strength in the Republicans I don’t see a lot of strength in the Democrats I don’t see any Clarity I don’t see any marriage that’s bringing it all together so we have to do that here we have to do that here locally whether we get help from whomever we know that’s why people come running from the east side of Maui

 

15:39
and go to the west side and help because we are one and we are self-sustainable and that’s who and what we are we take care of our self and we give out extra but we are here and we stand for all the people of Maui and if I have food and you need food I’ll give you some of my food because I know we can grow food I know we can take our waste and our green waste and convert it into power we can take and create water do you imagine a system that takes our green waste and only uses 20 percent of the water that you put in

 

16:15
to create it and that you can create water out of the air and that you can have power out of the air out of the green waste and we can grow SuperFood not with any kind of chemicals with the things that are in the growing matter all this stuff is not I guess you could call that expression of it’s not rocket science it is right it’s all the wisdom that all the technology has given us if married up and compared to and co-operated and looking what the natural things that the Hawaiians and other cultures have put

 

16:54
into the mix and we see what they are and how they affect their body we understand that what hasn’t happened is the things that don’t make the biggest money haven’t been shown and that the Western formal pharmacological industry pharmaceutical industry doesn’t want natural things to be shown because there’s no profit in it and we’re heavily invested in trying to figure out how to feed all these people well we’re going to figure out how to do it here and many people say they know

 

17:24
well I rather do trial and error in a self-sustained community model like Maui and that’s why I came here years ago I looked and my ex-wife was here but I was looking because I was in the Solar business I was in the Solar business on the mainland we were the solar exchange and then the energy exchange as things got we’ve we used to sell solar and also sell other electrical Appliance reducing usage devices and many times we could reduce the bill even if it hadn’t been solar we reduced

 

18:01
the bill 30 35 percent through conserving the power on other appliances way back when now appliances are built in and yet we see old appliances in our olus and some of these uh senior places they still have high priced utility why they have the old refrigerators because it’s no more expense for the guys they have to put in new refrigerators that’s new expense but the old ones the utilities are paid for by the tenant some of this stuff has got to be integrated I hope some of this stuff will all get washed out in our

 

18:39
rebuilding of Maui and you know that I don’t know who and where all this rebuilding powwow is but I think our audience all around the world but our audience here in Maui would like to have input you know here at the show we have call-in show that means sometimes we have guests you may want to call in about what they’re talking about or something I’m talking about or maybe you have just something you want to talk about and want to bring it to our attention 808-873-3435 if you’re watching TV and

 

19:14
simulcast you’ll see 808 873-3435 in the bottom right I think it is on the screen and remember ka-k-u 88.5 you can get it on those radio apps and catch it all over the world there’s lots of uh sound apps all over the world so people here in Maui might say oh that’s Public Access Radio yes it is but we’re also sometimes we have Pacifica Radio so wow we but we are a local Maui the voice of Maui 88.5 FM I’m very happy to say that we are Maui akaku Maui Community television I was here and went in their

 

19:59
first class I remember the the teachers were Don couch and um Bob who was a videographer on the island and uh chivo Ching Johnson who’s still here and some great people that are still here Jay April was here too you know this is a great place for freedom of speech and all around the world they should take the example I think akaku has been celebrated all around the world in video and audio but um we’re here and around the world we want you to get to know k-a-k-u-f-a-f FM 88.5 FM the voice of

 

20:41
Maui um I’m going to take a break here in a few minutes I’m just looking when you can’t see very well I looked at the clock and I said oh what time is it now okay I can’t see the third column over I have a challenge seeing have challenge hearing when I started doing this I was wow got here in 88 I was 37 years old so now I’m 72 so virtually half my life I’ve been here and the people that I see dying and they’re accounting for each day are my family my Maui family and

 

21:20
I don’t see racial lines I feel that we are all one and I don’t ever honor people that want to separate and that’s why you don’t see me joining environmental groups or joining groups about different other areas that because I like to stay the neutral zone as media I like to think that people coming and seeing me realize I have opinions but someone once said I’m sort of like the Larry King of Maui I’ve done hundreds and hundreds of interviews and shows with all kinds of people and we hope the

 

21:58
world will grow up too and join us at the Maui neutral zone and be part of what we do because in this rebuilding we’re going to be linking interlinking with video and audio and motion picture and radio from all over the world now that the world if you didn’t know who Maui was which is pretty extraordinary Maui has been the number one travel destination or sometimes maybe it’s slipped to two or three and their beaches in the world and all the travel magazines that we see but also we who

 

22:34
live here know this is the heart chakra of the world if you dig through straight down who do you get Israel what how does that Middle East I’m not as much in touch as many are but uh we are in a very special place and those from here know it and they know about the land of lemuria and they know about the there’s all kinds of stuff we know about and some people say oh that’s woo-woo you know what we discover we discover that the ancient stories many times have bases in fact we just haven’t uncovered that yet

 

23:13
we haven’t discovered what we already know what we already knew you’ve heard that expression we have to wake up and realize who we are we have to really come to understand that we are all together I’m so proud of the people of Maui for jumping into this situation and helping the people there on the west side and helping the people that made it out that are here on on the rest of Maui blessings to all the people that are involved First Responders second responders 80th responders everybody

 

23:54
that helps maybe that will be the new way for the world through seeing what we do through sharing what we do and who and what we are We Are One right we are one I’m gonna take a break oh I think I’m probably still a little early for a break but I want to read you some things because I think they they share my ideas sometimes when I look at my website and things I find that I’m so wordy and when I’m talking to you guys and I’m alone I could go on and on and on but I want to go and give you an

 

24:37
overview and then get into a specific area and I’m going to be tying together with shows I’ve done about different of these areas and bringing them current and looking for new guests who want to give new input or work with me and us toward implementing some of these things here we’re putting together a central neutral Zone Council if you will a council of what Elders wisdom everyone wants to be wisdom and elders but we want input to see what we can do to be the best to let everyone live their life and help each

 

25:20
other I just keep going back to that I see such polarization happening in our country I see it happening in many ways and some of the people and different things here but this event these catastrophic events with fire and the horror that it has created maybe we’ll we’ll soften the hearts of some like I say I’m not focusing on any of the who did what wrong I’m focusing more on the souls that have moved to another Realm and the people that are here that want to bring the wisdom to the world that want to be able to

 

26:01
take Giant Steps on accelerating solutions that can make this world livable for the human race to for as long as we can envision and I know that no one expects the whole world to follow in quick pursuit of these dreams that we set but we’re going to make them profitable we’re going to make them so that the people of this island all stand up and cheer and that the people that come here stand up and cheer and that people all over the world cheer because wouldn’t it be a smart idea if we who are this travel

 

26:43
destination and this place that’s being looked at wouldn’t it be a good idea if our art and our music could have a platform for the world to come to to be able to explore the visual Arc The Healing Art the music the host culture other cultures here on Maui it’s people it’s love it’s sharing all the different pockets of wisdom that come together the amazing environmental leaders that we have here who have done things and have been trying to bring things forward to be able to share so you know that thing

 

27:24
about you either in the game or you’re above the game you’re either playing checkers or you’re playing chess a lot around here happens because they play checkers we’re all in this game and we’re a moving piece but that’s what coming here like it did did for me those first early years when I spent in Lahaina and looked at what was going on here I saw that the things that I could bring to Maui in wisdom that’s why I got involved with the integrated resource planning Advisory Board in 1992 I think it was

 

28:00
might have been before but 92 and I found it really intriguing they had an in-depth report and that we learned as a group both the utility company and different agencies and the citizens that were involved and interested I was sitting next to a guy I remember he may be dead now but if zoned energy when these people were here talking about wind it wasn’t here yet we talked about ocean thermal energy conversion we talked about solar we talked about co-generation I brought ideas there about solar and light and code

 

28:39
but these things really never got pursued it wasn’t steady power it wasn’t this it wasn’t that we had receptive people at some of the companies in those days Tom jazerni at Maui Electric Company very very open interested but obviously he we don’t know why he left but I can tell you he was a progressive guy and I can almost guess that certain things that he wanted were too expensive burying utilities we talk about burying utilities so he wouldn’t have a possibility of a poll coming down like

 

29:17
we see happening in fires and holy 30 years ago we’ve been talking about this stuff so long but the question has always been it’s costs money it costs money well that’s again why I came here I came here because of the energy component because I know that the highest utility rates in this country we’re in Maui Hawaii Maui and Molokai and the second was New York what yeah Con Edison New York where I had been from before I’m a refugee from Brooklyn New York in New York New Jersey

 

29:58
area and came to California 15 years that doing that loved being in the Solar business I had a really unique situation going on there was a contractor that was putting in solar energy systems both residential and Commercial for many of the solar companies there because they were very efficient and very skilled and their guys were really good they’re Israeli guys very nice guys I got to meet them they tried to set up their own division as all Sun Soul or blah blah blah but over time they gave me the ability

 

30:34
to use their Contracting license to be a broker so I could offer any of those companies and be able to find the best bid so I became the largest but no one knows largest solar energy broker in Southern California but my Notions warrant to take the glory or the money from these other companies I took that idea and brought that here with me you see because the core of the Maui Arts and Music Association at the time when I was living in Lahaina Sherry Cardin was the president of the Lahaina arts society

 

31:15
and she said we got to do something special for the art Society we’re here at the at the of the art Society under the Banyan tree and it’s 25 years and so I presented an idea with her about art and music coming together and but that kind of idea that I spoke about is the core of the Maui Arts and Music Association and the charter that we developed was developed with the core of a guy named CT Ryder who was developing a television station that became the Spanish-speaking station in Oahu but why Incorporated

 

31:55
different pieces and created this unique thing that when we sell art and music and our products that we take a percentage of that as much as we choose and reinvest it back in and create you sell art and music and put money back in and create an economy and give major money to Environmental Solutions and be at The Cutting Edge to implement Solutions before some of the world so that we might showcase these amazing things right from here and I heard like I said president amount of electric he heard me

 

32:35
and uh pundy I booked the cultural Center’s first New Year’s Eve inside outside all around the town and and then I got a call from pandiyokochi I thought wow he’s the big man he’s the one that’s been helping raise money to build this Cultural Center why is he calling me he called me because he recognized the significance I booked the whole place for the first new year’s new we were going to be globally announcing the Maui Arts and Music Association and wanted to have which we may now be pursuing now so

 

33:10
I hope everyone out there will help me convey these stories to the right people shows at the major hotels every month that would get the best of and deliver them to our Maui Arts and Cultural Center for an annual show with a product that had booklets way back before there were CDs they were cassette booklets and it’s a CD booklets and DVD booklets and now it’s online so it’s all grown up before there was an American Idol there could have been a brown bags for stardom or Mama presents Mama presenting to the

 

33:48
world well World we’re coming back and we’re coming strong because some of the people that you’ve seen here in Maui are amazing some of them are were kids then are now stars now there are people that have been here I remember seeing when I first got here early on Eric Gilliam was doing a show and lots of others in The Rocky Horror Picture Show and early shows and there was this guy that was really good also named Jamie Foxx um wow and we’ve had people here that are fantastic and we have

 

34:24
tremendous depth of stars here people that have not only star power but a lot of money that could be supportive in different ways if they chose to you know where did Jeff Bezos 100 million go um and thank you Oprah for the blankets and pillows and whatever you did there at the shelter but I want to see and speak to some of these guys because I see many ways that we can integrate a plan they’re only some of the money the money will come from the sales throughout the world of our art and music product our

 

35:05
art and music business now doesn’t have a physical art presence they may be slow to wanna get involved with us unless they see what we’re going to be doing is going to give them a platform that’s easy for the world to Remember Mama Maui Arts and Music Association mama and papa are the Dream Makers Foundation you take an idea you add some action you become a maker of a dream and that’s what we hope dream Maui is what’s your part in making Maui better than it was well it’s hard to

 

35:42
replace what’s gone only we can do is bring the spirit and as much knowledge as we’ve recorded or can have re-emerged you’ve heard me say the things again and again because they’re that important take the best of the old and the best of the new and marry them together and let the local people decide what they want but the natural things that will come out of this somehow when things are right they can be right for everyone isn’t that what right really means it’s right always

 

36:18
right not a right but those people are left out or those people are left out or now these guys they haven’t this that’s not the way I think and you can see by the actions of the Maui people that’s not the way that we think this is still a hot and burning issue and it’s hard to really exactly for me move forward as we’re coming through this very sensitive time which needs to be honored all the people that have passed all the people that are in mourning all the cleanup all the things

 

36:55
that are going on have to be honored and the ideas that need to be honored about what we want to see not only for West Maui but all of Maui I don’t know if a new election now is is appropriate but I sure know that I’d like to see the mayor’s office and the economic development people reach out I don’t know how many times I’ve had to call that office talk about homelessness and I don’t get the mayor I can speak to them during campaign time well yep he’s busy I hope he’ll find the diamonds or

 

37:30
his people will find the time to come and be in our show to call into our show 808-873-3435 we are Maui and the people that listen to this show the people who put on this show we are Maui and we want to know that you our government is with us and people think oh Public Access TV well what Public Access we’re not paid for by the great media we have to have donations so please feel comfortable to give donations we and akaku and k-a-ku all live on your donations some of us I don’t I’m living incredibly

 

38:14
humbly you’d be people on the mainland that hear my situation are always amazed how are you able to do that you’ve given away all your resources and here you are I don’t require very much and somehow everything seems to be working out thank you God you know I’m going to take a break let me see how the timing is got to put glasses on that says 28 13. we got plenty of time I’m going to take a break and then we’ll see we’re gonna do maybe some music next um I just um I think it’s really important that I

 

38:55
decompress and that we all decompress but it’s hard to decompress when the situation is right here right now but we’re going to try to do that let’s go to some of our donors and sponsors whatever we’re supposed to call them here we go 88.5 FM okay here we go Louis the voice of Maui you can see that I don’t know how to hit these buttons right but someday I will have someone doing this for me [Music] 88.5 FM Aloha today on the Maui daily we get the latest updates on the Maui wildfires we made a local restaurant

 

40:05
owner who opened up his home to fire victims and kumu maile teaches us new phrases in olelo Hawaii see it live on the Maui daily at 5 PM with replays at 7 10 and midnight on akaku Blue Channel 55 live streaming at akaku.org or download the free Maui Stream app that was Kathy Collins all Maui all the time anywhere you go Maui stream from Maui lovers an all-new mobile app for your phone watch Maui’s Community channels live in HD find your favorite programs with custom playlists submit your own videos listen to Kaku 88.5

 

40:48
available now on the App Store and Google Play Maui stream three islands one stream Aloha folks this is Hamish Burgess and I host the Maui Celtic radio show on Sundays on Kaku 88.5 the voice of Maori two hours of great Celtic music from fun Jigs and Reels to lovely ballads to Funky Celtic Rock that’s Sunday morning 8 to 10 a.m and repeats in the afternoon five to seven p.m there you go a bit of Celtic music for you on Maui tune in Sunday talk to you then cheers Medeiros how’s it I’m brother Tony from the local

 

41:27
show keku is one listener supported station that means that all the cane shows you here like me are sponsored by you of The Listener as well as our Underwriters if you would like to help keep a voice of Maui loud and clear out of that go to kkufm.org donate and give today and don’t miss the local show Monday through Thursdays live at 1pm on 88.5 FM the voice of Maui wow someday I’ll be able to read this thing here but like I said I’m going to have a an engineer in the room here with me you

 

42:07
know it’s funny as I’m getting older I used to do a lot of this stuff by myself but my eyesight isn’t what it used to be silly haven’t been relying on it but um anyway we have a a lineup of shows here on Kaku that will always be expanding but there are some great people here and if you check in at 11 o’clock on days of the week you’re going to see different hosts with different kinds of shows I um I know that Thursday amanon is doing a show and Friday is Amora but uh you’ll watch and see these shows and

 

42:46
say wow now he’s a a big place you know sometimes people think that we’re a small town we’re a small town but we know we are very visible to the world the world comes to Maui and now with Maui being in everyone’s crosshairs and we all know what Maui is we’re going to find that to be a thing to help our economy from people that don’t even come here let me let me read you something this is written in and it was in a it was in a viewpoint that was um gonna be in a quarterly

 

43:26
newsletter when we started it but we we just did a sample of that it reads like that one thing it says is now is the time it could always say that we must get involved this means you if we are to succeed in the mission of providing leadership in affecting possible solutions to the needs of this community we as individuals might make our voices heard and our efforts felt this is 1991 and two people we can be the Hub of an integrated Arts Council encouraging supporters of the Arts as well as business interests all

 

44:06
over the islands to unite and restore Paradise yet Maui’s other organizations need not discontinue programs they offer or lose their identities as Mama’s intent is to consolidate many splintered interests under one Cooperative Banner since government budgets are already pressed and failed to address our specific environmental needs this community needs our help consider this art music shows products sales and Leisure spending occur in good times and bad times many will buy a painting poster activity ride music CD or video

 

44:51
they have videos anymore before they will contribute to the funding of a playground or a recycling program it’s clear we must reevaluate our priorities and create a marriage of Vision Art music culture renewable energy and eco-tourism then if we redirect some of the dollars generated by these combined efforts to actualize environmental concerns all benefit wait a minute this was 30 years ago you wrote this yes 30 years ago but I then didn’t what’d you do with them well I tried to put it out the green

 

45:28
party was just starting and I got involved there and tried to share it with Linda lingle and Goro hakama that’s Ricky Hill comma’s dad and um they like these ideas but obviously didn’t really closely and quickly embrace them here we are 30 years later we still got these issues that create massive problems like you see but anyway uh the next paragraph We have a perfect opportunity to more than just talk and the perfect reasons knowing that our very survival demands attention to these

 

46:04
matters now because tomorrow is too late huh let’s lead by example let’s get involved your voice can be strong your voice can matter just as a choir is formed from many Little voices singing together in harmony there is great power in unity let us unite in a meaningful purpose and embrace a refreshing Direction well that’s nice but again it was an opinion I know what happened from that well we tried I tried to get Roger Dubin to be the head of our company but he got hired by The Visitors Bureau recognized

 

46:45
our good idea wait a minute didn’t you also say that you had the cultural center first New Jersey yeah but there was a group that was out already talking to the hotels that hadn’t paid their deposit now they were doing first night an alcohol-free event and they were out at the hotels and they undercut my credibility when I went out there the hotel said wait a minute who are you we had a group here that said they were and then it just became muddy and so that’s why we’ve been waiting and it hasn’t been a priority to

 

47:20
the politicians of this island or there is no Central group that holds an independent place so that all the groups in the island might feel like it’s not divisive well that’s what I’ve been trying to hold all these years that’s what I was talking about earlier the central thing where we all come and cooperate together and we’re all going to benefit you know I look at this and then I see the mission statement from from us I’ll play music but I I like repeating this because you never know when someone on

 

47:59
the mainland who says hey we want to be involved with that on a big level we see what you’re doing we want to be a big sponsor we recognize that this is something for the whole world to benefit we’re in Maui Arts and Music Association is to promote art music and the cultures of the world to fuel research and development into Environmental Solutions thereby creating jobs and creating an effectively diversifying our economy we seek to inspire individuals and organizations to join and take action to

 

48:36
create a better world at peace that is economically stable environmentally sustainable and full of Hope we seek to encourage and promote renewable energy and Environmental Solutions and through income derived from art music and culture projects create and social responsible solutions that deliver environmentally and economic prosperity and peace worldwide God I talk about peace a lot I talk about this thing it sounds woo-woo to me wait wait a minute with profit profit what is profit we’ll see we offered a share a vision of

 

49:14
beautiful future consciously creating and implementing an economic and environmental integrated action plan Papa and Mama Maui Arts and Music and then there’s a thing to a um a letter to the editor who was actually published this year as well as in 93 called hold the vision but also on this website in nineteen I think it was 19. oh boy it wasn’t it was 2000 2017. 18. right in there 19. I wrote Somewhere was maybe covert was starting in 20. so it was right before as I was designing it was the beginning of 20. here we are at

 

49:59
the dawn of a new day that was already 20 years later right or 30 years like God we’re aligned in a direction and purpose to coordination of the same ideas participation an action plan we agree and we work together in many things in the private sector not the government we don’t need the government it’s nice to get help from the government but if we can raise money by selling art and music and culture to the world and be able to raise money to supplement important development Technologies here

 

50:38
then we don’t have to wait until Mahi Pono decides to give us land we don’t have to wait to get a piece of land from the county we can buy the land and if we want we can do this and that and be independent and create something that can just like a utility company in different islands are owned by the people some of this stuff is kind of formulating now with all the problems who knows what the future of the utilities will look like here in Maui or in Hawaii for that matter so these ideas are not to be considered

 

51:15
unattainable you’ve heard me say it before and it’s not unique get out of our own way we get out of our own way to do great things when people say to me you should be singing well I plan on singing I plan on doing all the things that I’ve planned on doing all these years and I didn’t want to just jump in and take I want to be able to come here and give create the motion that creates a cash flow outside of this island that’s independent it’s not we’re getting visitors to come here

 

51:54
and pay the hotel so that they can be alive and keep these little Jobs alive it’s what we’re going to bring to make it better here bring money in to make the conditions here better and we’ll decide on what better means but usually like I say better is usually better for everyone and those kind of things don’t have to be political discussions especially if there’s money to be able to do them and share with the people the wisdom in the why that can really be a great way to go at

 

52:31
these things I’m just looking at the it’s amazing that I can’t see well I can’t see how many minutes are left that one says 11 52 that was is it possible I only have four minutes left it is possible for you know I never know what we’re gonna have to get a guy with a gong or a gal with a Gong whatever the appropriate terms are the because I don’t know where my time is I just keep talking and talking bottom line tourism can match with local people and all these things that feel like they’re against each

 

53:12
other if you take the greed piece out of it best we can take the greed piece out of it and do what we need to do we can have paradise and we can share it with the world and if if the world will do these things we’ll get closer than we could be without them toward saving mankind or being the kind of mankind that we would like to be and again I’m looking at you getting involved is a personal experience I’ve been doing this people said well you’ve been doing it a long time and you haven’t made me

 

53:49
we’ve been doing this as a trial run until the world is ready for the next step and takes it to the next step I can stand on stage without John and Bruce Springsteen and and Lady Gaga and Mitch Mick Flynn all these guys could have then still can now let them come here let them be part of a global solution that generates from Maui I don’t see how that’s anything but irresistible to any star in all the industries of the world why do you think the Actors Guild and the writer’s Guild

 

54:27
are suddenly exploding because they want more money things have to be different the the exchange of money has to be understood differently I don’t want to take away democracy I’m not looking to redesign the world’s platform unless through what we do in the example that we create here on little Maui and in Hawaii are the example to the world that the world can emulate and that’s really what I know is really a great thing we do it we live in it we prosper from it and that is how we share who and what we are

 

55:10
we’re not just some hotels and some beaches on a getting more and more crowded bases and nowhere for anyone to park and you know we’re becoming like a Mainland Place well we don’t have to be and we can do things right and there’s so many things we’re going to explore we’ve explored some up to now in time and we’re going to be exploring them over the weeks to come on here show on here on this show on the TV side I’ve been talking to some musicians we’re going to

 

55:39
be doing more shows and getting under this Cooperative Banner if you’re out there and you’re in any category you can call me you can call anybody 874-5900-808-874-5900 that’s Mama here at the studio when show’s on you see 808-873-3435 it’s funny when I’m sitting here I don’t know if I’m television or radio but I know one thing you can find us at that website mauinutralzone.com Maui arts and music.org dream maui.org that’s us well we only have maybe 30 seconds to go

 

56:22
before the bell rings and we’re out of here we love you we’re happy to have you next week I’ll have Kate R St John wonderful beautiful man you’re going to really appreciate him having him here we love you blessings to the people of Maui blessings to the people of all the world and thank you all for being part of what we do we know that without you we’re nothing but with you we are the world thank you for joining us today it’s been a pleasure from the neutral zone blessings and alone
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