MAUI PONO NETWORK – “We the People”-PLUS – in studio JOEL AGNEW

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Jason Schwartz with PAUL DES LAURIERS, leader of the MAUI PONO NETWORK(MPN), (on phone)  a dedicated political action group in Maui County this election year. MPN has offered up a slate of Ohana candidates they say have   listen 7-30-2018

Summary & Transcript

Local Arts and Music Scene

• The show opens with music and a brief mention of a Rolling Stones concert giveaway on a local radio station, setting a lively, community-oriented tone.
• Jason Schwartz, host of the Neutral Zone, introduces Joel Agnew, a local media personality who covers arts, music, and cultural events around Maui.
• Discussion highlights recent community theater productions such as The Lion King at Seabury and Beauty and the Beast by Maui On Stage, praising the local talent and dedicated teachers.
• The talk shifts to the ongoing production of Singing in the Rain with a recommendation for listeners to attend before the show ends.
• Jason introduces the main guest, Paul Des Lauriers, head of the Maui Pono Network, noting that he will join via phone shortly.

1.      [04:36 → 10:52] Introduction to Maui Pono Network and Its Candidate Vetting Process

• Jason explains the Maui Pono Network as a non-partisan, citizen-driven group focused on vetting political candidates for Maui County.
• The network conducted extensive interviews—about 40 people interviewing candidates—with a comprehensive questionnaire (around 60 questions) focusing on core community issues.
• The group’s goal is to provide voters with a vetted list of candidates (labeled “Ohana candidates”) who align with pono (righteous) values and community needs.
• Paul Viloria joins the call and emphasizes the rigorous vetting process, including background checks for candidates’ histories and voting records.
• The Network’s work aims to elevate candidates who support the land (‘aina), children (‘keiki), and elders (‘kupuna) for long-term community sustainability.
• Jason praises the Maui Pono Network’s thoroughness and data-driven approach, mentioning specific examples like food security and agricultural issues featured on their website.
• Paul stresses the spirit of aloha (love and compassion) and pono (righteousness) as foundational principles for the Network’s approach, highlighting the importance of respectful, non-confrontational political discourse.

1. 1. 1. 1. [10:52 → 20:47] The Role of Community Engagement and Systemic Challenges in Maui Politics

• Discussion on the importance of ongoing community conversations beyond elections to address systemic issues in Maui.
• Jason highlights key data points from the Network’s educational efforts, such as Hawaii’s heavy reliance on imported food and the high cost of housing.
• Paul mentions the shift toward social media outreach and the need for funding to support these grassroots efforts.
• The conversation addresses political roadblocks, including resistance from entrenched officials (“good old boy networks”) to reforms like appointing a professional managing director for the county.
• The Network advocates for greater citizen involvement in governance to promote transparency and accountability.
• Jason and Paul clarify that “good old boy network” refers to systemic resistance rather than conspiracy, focusing on how some officials are resistant to change or community input.
• Paul calls for more public airing of issues and transparency, emphasizing the need to highlight problems like homelessness and affordable housing shortages in a constructive way.

1. 1. 1. 1. [20:47 → 33:39] Defining Pono and Hawaiian Values Within the Political Context

• Paul reflects on the essence of pono as aligning with community spirit, truth, and love.
• Discussion of past community efforts and workshops that focus on healing old patterns and fostering conscious political engagement.
• The interview explores the intersection of Hawaiian cultural values and local governance, noting that Maui Pono Network respects and incorporates these values.
• Jason mentions the importance of bridging communities and encouraging dialogue that includes Native Hawaiian perspectives.
• Paul shares his background in community activism, including work with affordable housing, homeless services, and food security in Massachusetts and Hawaii.
• The conversation stresses the importance of community-driven solutions that transcend political partisanship and focus on shared values and outcomes.

1. 1. 1. 1. [33:39 → 46:52] Collaboration Between Private Sector and Government, and Challenges in Affordable Housing

• Jason raises the potential for private sector entities like A&B and Monsanto to play a more collaborative role in addressing housing and infrastructure challenges.
• Paul acknowledges the potential but points out the hierarchical and power dynamics that complicate collaborative efforts.
• They discuss the tension between grassroots initiatives and established political structures that often hinder progress on critical issues like affordable housing, education, and public health.
• Paul notes that despite voter will, systemic change is difficult because of entrenched interests and legislative roadblocks.
• Jason emphasizes that non-political, pragmatic collaboration among community stakeholders could be a key to breaking stalemates.
• Both agree on the importance of focusing on community needs and shared values rather than political divides.

1. 1. 1. 1. [46:52 → 53:07] Voter Engagement and Election Information

• The interview shifts to practical voter information, including same-day voting availability at the Wailuku Community Center (Velma Santos Center), open until August 9.
• Paul encourages voters to explore the Maui Pono Network website to learn about candidates and issues.
• Jason and Paul review the Maui Pono Network’s recommended candidates for mayor, county council, and state legislature.
• Elle Cochran is highlighted as the recommended mayoral candidate due to her consistent voting record and alignment with pono values.
• Tasha Kama, Kahului, and Trinette Furtado are among the recommended county council candidates.
• State legislative candidates like Tina Wildberger, Michael Victorino, and others are also endorsed based on voting histories and issue alignment.
• Jason stresses the importance of voters participating fully in primaries and general elections, noting party-specific voting rules.

1. 1. 1. 1. [53:07 → 54:57] Closing Remarks and Acknowledgments

• Jason thanks Paul DesLauriersa and the Maui Pono Network for their dedication and efforts to bring transparency and pono values to Maui politics.
• Paul expresses gratitude for the platform and emphasizes the importance of ongoing, community-centered political engagement.
• Jason reflects on the balance between being opinionated and maintaining a neutral, respectful dialogue that fosters understanding and progress.
• Joel Agnew, co-host, mentions his own show focused on entertainment and culture, rounding out the community media perspective.
• The show closes warmly with thanks and aloha, encouraging listeners to engage thoughtfully in the political process with the resources provided.

1. 1. 1. Key Insights and Themes

• Community-Driven Political Engagement: Maui Pono Network exemplifies grassroots efforts to educate voters and vet candidates based on shared pono values — integrity, aloha, and care for the land and people.
• Transparency and Accountability: A central challenge is overcoming entrenched political power structures resistant to change and citizen input.
• Intersection of Culture and Politics: Hawaiian values deeply inform the Network’s approach, emphasizing harmony, respect, and stewardship.
• Importance of Facts and Data: The Network uses extensive research and detailed issue analysis to inform voters, moving beyond partisan rhetoric.
• Collaboration Beyond Politics: Both private sector and community stakeholders have roles to play in solving systemic issues like affordable housing and food security.
• Voter Education and Participation: Same-day voting and accessible candidate information are critical tools to increase civic engagement.
• Respectful Discourse: Training volunteers to engage respectfully and non-confrontationally reflects a commitment to aloha in political processes.

1. 1. 1. Recommended Actions for Viewers

• Visit mauipononetwork.org to explore candidate interviews, issue briefs, and voting guides.
• Participate in early and same-day voting at local centers like the Wailuku Community Center.
• Support grassroots organizations with donations or volunteer time to help sustain community-driven political engagement.
• Engage in conversations about systemic issues with respect and openness, fostering community unity.
• Stay informed about local arts and culture as a way to connect with the community and understand the social fabric of Maui.

This comprehensive summary captures the essence of the interview and discussion on the Neutral Zone show, focusing on the Maui Pono Network’s role in empowering Maui voters through pono-centered political education and community activism.

Transcript

00:00

[Music] this is kay-kay yeah with the neutral zone I’m Jason Schwartz your host you certainly are [Music] his hand [Music] [Applause] please [Music] oh I was just gonna say that it was some Rolling Stones music there and and there’s a big contest going over at 107.50 a radio it’s the buzz oh yeah and they’re giving away passage to the concert that’s coming in they’re running now every hour on the hour they got it Rolling Stones – that was me you know that was missing and that was using them

01:32

[Music] [Music] what do they give you tickets to see the show I guess oh good well I have to see the Rolling Stone show well as you’ve guessed this is the neutral zone I’m Jason Schwartz I’m here with Joel Agnew as you are star of screen and stage and radio I want to say Kauai but it’s the buzz also right right and yes that’s right well it’s actually my my appearance is on Friday mornings at 11:00 10:00 11:00 10:00 a.m. oh I say well this is just like your show right now mind 11:10 right well I say what at

02:20

11:00 10:00 every guy doing it well you know Joel I brought in as my I want to say co-host but also a roving correspondent because he’s out in the field covering arts and music and and things going on in the island but he also it does everything you’re really out there I always see you at all kinds of events I did a great illusion of being everywhere all just an illusion mirrors yeah yeah you know there were some great shows this weekend that just clothes were a couple of the children’s

02:52

shows that were done in the community and one of them was at Seabury yesterday that did the Lion King what you just so happen it’s like two weeks ago I was in New York City watching the lion the lion king so it was kind of cool to have it you know to see it out a national favorably I gotta say that yeah I thought it was a pretty good pretty good version of it you know using you know just kids and stuff and we’re blessed on Maui with amazingly talented teachers and the students that really

03:29

are well that’s it yeah it’s true that there’s some there’s some good schools here and some good stuff that’s coming out of and also you know the Maui on stage and did a show or was in the process of doing a show about Beauty and the Beast and they did a really nice job with that as well plus singing the rain is continuing it’s got one more weekend if you haven’t seen it yet go call them yeah I’ve heard real said we’re getting tickets to four to six nine six nine go

03:59

get it yeah absolutely go get it and and it may be you know you may you may be too late if you don’t take advantage of it today but it’s a great show and I would highly recommend it to everybody well we have a guest that can’t physically be here but we’re gonna see him call in hopefully in a few minutes at eight seven three three four three five so if someone hears the phone ring that’s what it is our guest Paul DeLaurier is the head of the Maui pono network now when I heard Maui pono

04:36

Network I thought what is this a Hawaiian group no it’s a it’s a group of people of all kinds of people that got together and it seems created a set of values of what they thought were important for Maui County and that what would be important as issues that they would like people that they support to be and then they went out and they did interviews of all the candidates there were like 40 people doing interviews of all the candidates and then they came out with their list and I must say I’m

05:13

just rambling here but I must say I’m not someone who likes to see a list and say Oh vote for these P will blindly vote but these people at the Maui pono let network.org for you they did the heavy lifting they went out and talked to these people which is the great thing yeah yeah if you want yeah well there’s nothing like going out and to be one-on-one with people and so they were like votes the seven people in a room I spoke to one candidate who wasn’t chosen for example Kim Coco yumoto and she said well the way it went

05:47

there were four votes for Josh green and three for me and they thought that he had more money to win so you know that’s why I say you look at the candidates and you make your decisions but this group has done a great great job yeah in sifting through I mean I look at some of the candidates out there and because of my experience and time on the island like you look I guess I’ve been up close with many out here some of them don’t have the the doctrines of the people on their lips nor do they seem to be easily receiving

06:25

new data to make things better they seem oh I guess I can pick on him he’s the mayor like our mayor you know he thinks he has all the answers or his team there’s your phone call oh there’s my call watch this now that’s what they call an automatic station everything is like The Flintstones remember in The Flintstones some little bird would come in and they’d hit the thing on the head hey there Paul how are you my friend you’re on the air oh great okay I hope you got a good level very perfect

06:58

Paul the lowering of the Maui pono Network you’re here with Joel Agnew I thought and Jason Schwartz nice be how are you well welcome to our show I was just singing the praises of your group I was telling them that you had a whole lot of people interviewing all these candidates didn’t you oh it was quite an amazing process you know I think that first of all you know with order for us to really feel very confident and excited about the candidates we really had to do our vetting and do our due diligence so we

07:36

had a whole committee Shaun Lester was very integral in helping to lead that committee and we had about 60 questions that we developed that really reflected core issues here on the island when we scheduled our interviews we would also really go into the person’s background and if there’s any police history or anything like that so we asked a lot of very pertinent questions and it really made it clear to us the candidates who really support the INA and the keiki and the kupuna for generations to come

08:24

well and it’s great you could really see the distinction of in terms of the answers and history and voting backgrounds and things and I’m sure many races you saw a couple of candidates that were good so I’m sure that you recognize people use your list as a guideline you’d like them to vote for all of them but for the lazy ones you may have all the votes right there for them to slip hit the buttons but like I spoke to one candidate who said you know she was in the running and you know

08:57

someone else was for whatever reasons chosen so we’ve I think you probably could tell me there are some pretty good candidates out there well well we feel very very excited about the 15 that part of the Ohana candidate card and you know I really do feel that they represent solutions to long-standing issues here in Maui County well you know that’s what I liked about your website your website pointed out issues and that’s what I letting my viewers know would before you came on that you did a lot of homework

09:34

you did the heavy lifting for all us lazy ones we talked about issues but you selected the big issues you discussed it among many people and you had a process to go through and really see if these candidates fit your criteria and that that is a really great thing malee pono network.org is that right yeah maui pono network.org and and there you’ll see a section for hot issues and they’re drop-down descriptions of really the repercussions of what’s happening with the existing issues and what are key

10:16

solutions and the thing that’s really incredible is that if you look at all the key solutions to these core issues the Ohana candidates are very much in alignment with these solutions I’m gonna play one play a spy call in a smart minute and then I’ll give you a chance to give answers what I think is so amazing about your group is your group is citizens they’re not politicians they don’t have any some of them may have personal interests in candidates but what I saw was a tremendous thing where

10:52

people were coming together from all walks of life and you know they were the I want to say the old dyed-in-the-wool political types and then also people that just really cared about issues you came together now I love your little facts in fact I made something like this here’s listen to this welcome to the neutral zone which was on smart minute did you know that in 2018 85 to 90 percent of food is imported to Hawaii food security is a serious hazard if air transit is disrupted Maui leads the state and vegetable production with

11:34

great capacity to improve did you know that Maui’s most valuable agricultural export is GMO seed from Monsanto your information was so filled with data that I thought man this group I wish that the people of Maui were searching all the time for information about candidates and how they feel and we get a little thing from the Maui News or Maui Times magazine but you got really did a great job you just really want to commend you and you Paul have done a great job in bringing to this whole process a loving gentle side

12:17

that is rarely seen in politics you even had your people trained I went to some of your trainings to find out when you’re speaking to people how to talk in a non confronting non violent way very very important thank you for that that is really very very good yeah absolutely well Jason what one of our core aspects of our mission is in the spirit of Aloha and also our our name is pono okay so if we’re gonna do pono and aloha it’s both an external thing that we do but also an internal process so that we can I think

13:03

vibrate more at that energy and consciousness of love but it takes support its consciousness it takes breaking through subconscious belief systems and patterns and so as community we can support each other in that way well I really fantastic and it made me realize the great work that you’re doing that transcends politics it brings it back to you know the realm where Joell and I are you know we’re interested in art music and the things that we can all be enjoying together and I think that

13:40

after the election hopefully the election will be a bump in the road and we’ll come together and you you really bring that spirit to the whole process thank you you know then season I wanted to comment also on another thing that you brought up in terms of the information that we have on our website yes and what I’ve been really getting in terms of really supporting this whole election process and really resolving these core issues on island it it requires an ongoing community conversation yes and what you did in

14:20

that little clip that you just did on food and food security is a really good example of taking the information that we’ve laid out on the website so that you can get little clips and put it in social media I mean it’s pretty mind-blowing when you think that the average house sale in 2018 is nine hundred and twenty five thousand dollars and you have to have an income of two hundred twenty thousand dollars a year yeah I have one of those I probably put eight or nine of them in here in case I

14:53

had nothing to do while I’m on the air they hit a button and I just think they’re fantastic I mean you know no matter who you think is a good candidate if you go to Maui pono network.org you’re going to see issues brought up in ways that will open your eyes to what’s going on really job well done you have a I mean I could name names of people that have been there in support of I know how hard you’re working right now to get the word out well well you know one thing that can support us especially at this

15:31

time when we’re shifting gears and we’re utilizing more social media and that means paying for posts and boosts to get support to the candidates themselves you know we really could use some funding and the funding that we do get goes a long long way because a grassroots organizing and if people could go to the Maui pono network.org and go to the a button that we have here you know anything would be greatly appreciated you know it can be small kind or for you know we have a maximum that we can hat

16:11

receive from individuals because we’re a pack right with candidates so the Election Commission only allows us to receive a maximum of $1,000 from an individual so yeah it anything though will support us that will be greatly amplified well I’m glad that we can be here and we are very glad to be amplifying your message out there that’s what we’re hoping to be doing with our show well thank you Jason you know and and exactly what you did those little clips I mean this is exactly what we

16:47

were hoping for that it supports this ongoing conversation because I think that as community when we start to be more consciously aware of what we’re truly involved in right now when you understand the patterns of a good ole boy network when you understand you know systemic change like for example Kelly King has been really promoting having a professional manager to oversee all the departments right and and it’s something that the Ohana candidates would really like to see but interestingly the people who are

17:30

in control right now the five county seats and those people who are part of that little boy network do not want to see that house well let me let me see that may really be the case but why don’t I think of good old boy network to me that sounds like a conspiracy and I actually don’t think it’s a conspiracy I think it’s more like these individuals aren’t open to hearing community input and sometimes because they’re being told hey you’re doing it wrong and I think that that’s what this show is about

18:10

I’m hoping we can bring up values before election after election before the election after the primary we’re gonna have interviews we’re gonna have candidates with candidates and hopefully with the help of some of the media we’re gonna get the questions and from you guys to it I want to be able to get questions to ask candidates that are on the lips of people and I’m not real good at taking my sword out I’m not interested in crucifying people that are in the seats because if you called me a

18:43

good old boy and I’m looking and thinking I’m not a good old boy I saw I embrace what you’re saying but I appreciate that I understand I understand you’re you’re you’re you’re calling me on categorizing well I’m concerned that what I mean what clear and because I some of the people there might be wouldn’t it be interesting if you put all the different questions and all the different legislation together and maybe you’ve done that that’s the kind of stuff that

19:17

I’m hoping you do and you can help our voters understand why you’ve made the decisions then I am I’m game on your your list of candidate I’m just trying to bring up yeah let me let me clarify though what I meant by that by Network I mean it’s a systemic issue and there is a pattern that happened here on-island of the way things off so if you look for example at having that professional kind of it’s like the CEO for this corporation that’s approaching a billion dollars and the way it is right now that

20:07

the mayor can they would choose who they want and there’s not a real vetting process but this bill is really about this amendment is really about have a process that involves the citizens that subjective that helps us get the very very best person and likewise also with the different committees now or that make it I understood there were some deadlines and that we might not see it in this November’s election do you know we’re not no no no it didn’t make it it didn’t make but the reason why I

20:47

didn’t make it is because of the five existing votes Council members who are on the same page who network together on some of these issues and do you think if they were on my show and I asked them straight out look that’s what I mean well so that’s why I say about this neutral zone that’s why we’re here I hope to say okay let’s get some straight questions like we have this idea of having a managing director why are you holding it up why can’t we decide and figure it out later just like we had a

21:27

GMO bill that we’d found out later that we didn’t have jurisdiction but we sure were able to get a sense of public opinion why are we not seeing that happen because of you say votes that exist I’m not letting Joell talk here I’m so that’s okay we just brought him on to be another pretty face exactly pretty face radio TV listen I was wondering if you don’t mind me asking how would you define what pono means hello yeah I would I would reflect on an answer that I got from Aleta a kind and I asked him

22:09

what is the essence of pono and he just said spirits will align them and to me that’s what it really is is she going to take a sari did you check lining to the vibration of love of community of connectivity of making things right of putting out the truth so that’s why you know we did our website so we’re we’re doing because we’re trying to really extend that truth and clarity out as best we can right okay thank you very much well you know it’s interesting you had another

22:45

group Ono group Raymond and Bella and that was a very love I love infested that was a wonderful thing you have I just you know you brought was it wasn’t that what Bella and Ray were just wonderful and I think that again as community as we keep on supporting each other in merely opening up our hearts and being in that vibration of love and really what what the workshop that fell on ray did was was really looking at our old patterns and our old projections and those that don’t vibrate and love

23:26

letting them go well you know yes they’re a powerful exercise I really enjoy this whole process of the election season because I get to step in the middle of two people that are firing at each other and I realize that the goal is to stand in the middle and stop the bullets and start to look at issues as issues and let the truth rise and you know I guess the word is public embarrassment would our mayor be embarrassed if we showed all the pictures of all the homeless people no I mean I would the council people be

24:05

embarrassed if we talked about their record of what they vote that to me is the only maybe that’s a rather harsh thing but I think that’s what it needs I think we have to be really publicly airing things in a nice way to say where is truth here how are we going to solve these problems so we have the problem solved how are we gonna get past the fact that we’re 20 years behind providing affordable housing solution how we going to inject solutions that don’t ask the government to fund things

24:39

can we get the private sector to do things have you explored any of these issues outside of government solutions I imagine in some of your answers in your your website is great you’ve explored some really good things and your point about community being involved after the election and through this whole process is very well taken yeah and I think that you know certainly it’s community and working together on a grassroot level to really be more consciously aware of the challenges we face is to intervene and

25:19

how we can resolve these issues the resolution that some of those things that you that are listed there were part up also a four and a half hour workshop that Kelly team and Ellie Cochran gave to all of our kind of green not only green candidates but I mean our freshmen ohana candidates well they’re over my shoulder here for all about I think the way the County Council works and issues and being on the same page and it was a very powerful workshop that included also canvassers will cook we’re gonna

25:57

talk about that we get back there they’re jumping on me to go to commercial break you’d think this is a regular station now we’ll be back you hang on there Paul okay hang on we’re gonna go to you make sure his toys don’t have any sharp edges you taught her what to do when the smoke alarm goes off and to wear a helmet when she rides her bicycle you do so much to keep your child safe but are you using the right car seat for your child car crashes are a leading killer of children ages 1 to

26:28

13 protect your child’s future at every stage of life for information on the right seat for your child visit safercar.gov/therightseat a message from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and the Ad Council listening to the voice of Maui Community Supported radio and we’re the motherhood where we tackle everything from to graduation with a little thumbs up you don’t forget to tune in to our show on Thursdays at 2 o’clock that’s okay you can tune in for our replay of Saturday

26:59

at 1:00 p.m. on Kak you 88.5 FM hi I’m Shaggy Jenkins program director for K aku FM the voice of Maui we are a listener-supported station and as such we depend on your donations and the support of local businesses to keep our broadcasts going if you would like to help kak u 88.5 please go to our website at Kate you F film org slash give to make a donation today thanks for your support have you or someone you know been diagnosed with cancer according to American Cancer Society an average of 19 people a day are diagnosed

27:48

with cancer in Hawaii Pacific Cancer Foundation is a nonprofit organization that provides free support services for Maui’s cancer community visit our website for a list of programs or to make a donation we are all in this together call today – 4 – 7 6 6 1 or visit our website Pacific cancer foundation org [Music] well we also have sponsors for the neutral zone the Maui miracle dot org is a great website the Maui miracle dot org give it a see all things about issues up there and then of course comma I know

28:25

loan cash-for-gold we’re very happy to have them as sponsors while you’re still with us in case you were doing things on your end well I was just asking Joell Joell if you need to run you’re welcome to it you’re welcome to stay oh I’m fine I’ll just stick around and see you through to the end and Apollo I want you to know from the silent part of our side that we we are very supportive of what your plans are and the fact that you’re opening an avenue for communication with

29:00

everyone yes absolutely Thank You Joell we’re just putting praise where praise is your topic it’s I just want to just mention with Joell thank you for that and it really is about providing kind of a hub of information so that we can really continue this ongoing conversation within the community about exposing truth and really looking at real nitty gritty solutions so so thank you for that yes a lot what we’re trying to do Joel and I’m trying to do it and not be politics and I mean honestly been

29:39

sitting on this secret I hear i’ve invited monsanto and whatever form and company name they are and i haven’t talked to people about things that you know may not always agree and i hope that we can be that forum with communication and open place to put ideas up on the table and look at them and the stuff that you’ve done I know there are other groups out there supporting all kinds of candidates some of the stuff that bothers me is and again this isn’t the spot to talk about it much the

30:13

thing about these political action committees like when I heard something that I mean I hear the Dow Chemical is backing Elly Cochrane but what kind of thing who knows what that’s going on or Don Guzman has a special pact well of all these things and or that you hear some of the Ellie Cochrane or there are all kinds of accusations I’m is just I don’t care about that I want to see what are the issues what are we gonna do about them what are we gonna do in the private sector and how are we going to

30:47

come and agree on values in the private sector and find candidates in the private sector who can play roles like this guy has the land this one is the financing this one does the construction creates the jobs we don’t have to change anything and then we ask the government they shouldn’t have to ask they’re there to make what we are doing better we should be able to bring issues to people and not do a bunch of politicians who somehow think that they’re going to be the ones to make sure they set us on the

31:21

right path for example and again I guess I like Alan Arakawa but King our cow would be the only word that’s appropriate why he wants to be on council again and then run for mayor again and have his hand in projects I like him I would love him as a private citizen to be coming before a group of people and bringing up his ideas and the people that are running for council that look like Alan Arakawa clones creates this illusion even if it isn’t real of being a good old boy network how’s that

31:56

ball is that about right well certainly I think that maybe you know when you look at for example the collaborative approach that has happened that has stifled affordable housing from moving forward that if spiteful our schools from well really it there’s only Alabama it’s worse in terms of in terms of being rated right now and and so you know a family look at how long these systemic issues have been going on and why they’ve been that way you have to look at the voting history and you know we in the way that has been

32:40

controlled so I think you know you have to look at the people who are holding the power that we’ve given them and I think that’s why we’ve had such long ongoing issues I think so that our community well you’re certainly like people and I think is crucial you want to have our our college homes for people along that same mindset and also having that same type of support from Monsanto and bear and ambien so you can look at it you know and say there’s a different approach and consciousness to the future

33:39

of the island well you know the questions I think that really come up is that really serve the residents I agree with you but I also want to bring up and in what you just said even when I hear the word a and B I think what tremendous potential to have these groups like a and B put Monsanto in that group who have so much money and power if they if we started talking about issues and we put politics aside and we come up with a plan here in community plan but it’s always the government making this plan if we could show someone who

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owned some land the value in them being the bank and owning the land tamara paltin put it out talked about bond issues but one of the owners themselves decided they have all that it takes to do this and the builders decide that and the good fellows and the andes and you know what would happen i think what would happen is we would all be finding out we all agree with all these things it’s just a matter of politics you know I think that somehow your group has become I don’t know what come on how

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it’s on to that Jason yes bond for that comment yeah I just want to be sure I think that that dad good I understand the intention of and having that so that we all collaborate and work together on the same page but what we’re dealing with are hierarchical structures and of hierarchies those who have and utilized the most power Authority and influence really structure the decisions and how resources are utilized so we do have you know the will of the people like you did with the moratorium but that was

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overturned so you know there’s different intentions that were dealing it well I’m just saying right now I’ll give you right now I’m jumping in because I want to hear what you had to say but I think that it’s important somehow I it’s an adversarial thing it seems like you you say there’s different intentions I think that in a non-political year I mean Grant Chun just became ahead of Holly Mahalo that what’s that that’s a bunch of housing for seniors well if AMD

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owns land and there’s a whole group that has done many house projects they could do a boilerplate and we talked to no government and do with what they already have and make a lot of things happen I don’t think of them as a of a you know a different mindset I’m trying to see where that they could become our heroes why wouldn’t that be a good answer because they can fast track things that we’re waiting for the government to decide forever and we’re watching these people wanting to sit in their seat for

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20 years by the way you can see I have no opinions that’s why it’s a little room but I keep having this vision well III think that that that you know I think there’s a conversation to have along that line because there has been efforts to collaborate and to try to work together and to try to have resolution but look at how many years you said yourself it’s 20 years behind in terms of affordable housing right I’m not defending I’m defending these old systems I’m just bringing up the the

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power of the people with or without an election and you’re you know I’m gonna stand down here in a second but I really feel that I mean I’ve been talking about these issues for 20 years and haven’t been a can’t deny watching the killing Honda by the way I think he’s a candidate for your consideration after the primary but I watched Nikhil Ananda standing up and people say why is he still running well he’s still running because he still believes in what he had to say and he believes others are gonna

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pick up and you know put wind in his sail at some point you know that’s why but I’ve been doing it without running I keep thinking that if we don’t take sides we just come together on issues that we’re gonna be further and that’s why I keep going back to the issues part and the solutions part of your website because whatever I hope that people read what you’ve done and look at the candidates I mean Tasha kama has been involved for a long time in thing and then I go down your list of

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candidates and I think what a group of committed people when people write letters in the paper that say oh they’re coming in from outside there are people that are not coming in from outside these people are the fabric our community and in fact I looked at it and I thought look at all that they sure look like a lot of women in the primary it looks like the women’s March took over but these are just people that resonate with your you had a big group of people when I see the people that looked at these candidates they were far

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and wide of all kinds of different perspectives I wouldn’t have thought of them as a special interest group except the common values that’s it that’s what we’re talking about you know that’s what we call Maori values really especially for the Ohana candidates who really share that and really share the evolution and development of the island and the balance wave pono when you say Ohana can yes why do what do you mean by that is that just a different group or as you call them the Ohana candidates

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well the Ohana candidates you know those those were the people that we selected after our interview process I saw and you know and like I said we had well over 40 that we interviewed and it was a real really good our due diligence it gets confusing sometimes and you said the Ohana candidates I think of as the Maui pono candidates but okay Johanna can that’s what I meant about well we’re using we’re using a term that actually Shawn Westar has started back in 2004 and they use the Ohana candidates as

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part of a coalition that is first started and then it has continued over the years as candidates who really represent the aina and the keiki yeah that’s really a that’s why and that’s why I felt so good when we got a sponsor the Maui miracle org he’s keeping his name out but he’s you know just a regular civilian who’s passionate about values and wants to bring people together across political line so we’re happy to have him we’re really happy to have you you you’ve been

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really I remember when I first saw you and the Maui pono Network I didn’t kind of spot you but you seem like someone you what were you doing before because you were on Maui I know before many years right yep before I left Molly I was here twelve years ago and I helped start in Mohali Oh Molly that was the first Community Land Trust I so – it was a real issue his real attempt to really start to adjust the affordable housing issue and then I get involved with activism on on the name and I was in Massachusetts and

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one of the things we did to start a non-profit small community restart and really started the first day Center for the homeless another boy in our region we had over 60 people a day come through our door and we had showers and you know provide computers and a lot of support we also had a cot shelter we’re expecting about people winter cot shelter and we had over 130 one we had 131 people utilized the facility he diabeetus was a real big issue in our community so we started six gardens in Pittsfield and we started the food net

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and we networked so we were delivering about 20,000 pounds of produce to 14 years right so you were a divided houses that we’ve got so needed and we were doing helping people with opioid addiction recovery so you are a community activist and the greatest way of using the word you are active in the affecting solutions that’s fantastic Paul well thank you and your your commitment to that now with what you’re doing with the Maui pono Network I hope that after the election like you said you guys are

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looking for donations I guess even though you have a lot of volunteers you also have expenses just trying to get those cards printed I’m sure there’s a some work up keeping the website up and all that so so money support along that line would be would be very beneficial and I would really encourage all of your listeners to go to the Maui pono network org and really start to utilize the information that we have there and help spread the word about systemic change and really that’s what this is about

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we’re looking at a deeper system change in our governance and ask together by community you can really make that happen so so Jason thank you for what you’re doing I think it’s really important to have kind of a neutral place where really when you’re in a neutral place it just reflects truth and balance and the pono yeah and that’s and so I really appreciate the intention and focus of your show thank you and I think that I brought you on you know some people would say why are you bringing on

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somebody who is a political activist group well are you really a citizen’s active group and your political intentions are to elect people but you’re going about it in a very loving community way and I’m I’m very happy and I notice also that you have opened up to the Hawaiian community so you’re seem to have interest in candidates and they in you from all sides I’m seeing a really I’ve spoken to people at the Kingdom of Hawaii who very much respected what you guys have been

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doing in some ways setting the groundwork for potential future transfer of pow have you guys done anything much with the Hawaiian group specifically I have on a personal level but as the Maui pono network our focus has really been with the process here in Maui County is this one time well your values are very very in common with with Hawaiian culture I’m very happy to see the honoring of the land and the way you’re caring for people and caring about the process is very refreshing do you mind if we go

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through location I just want to say this one thing on that to me what it boils down to is when we had our opening meeting and Alisa acai gave the blessing and he opened up all the doors and windows of the facility and asked the ancestors to come and be part of this and support it I really felt that presence and in that presence I feel it still is an integral part of how we’re evolving so anyway because it just touched me so deeply with what Aleta brought in why I Lika Lika I also like Alice Lee nice person but I Lika Lika I

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think what he has brought to Council and our island is hopefully a bridge where the whole community of Hawaiians who see that they can stand in two worlds he’s done a really good job of being involved yet being Hawaiian right from the cooler and being a supporter of the kingdom when it comes if it comes all that but he’s standing up now because of his values and that and that we can bring especially in this time when we now have same-day voting Thank You Connie yelling you know the same day voting means if

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people rally to these ideas that we’re all sharing there’s still time to be part of this process so just a great time and Anna can I can I just say a little something on that yeah at the Wailuku Community Center actually starting today through August 9th you can register and vote or if you’re already registered you can vote right there at the Wailuku community center from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. wow that’s exciting so in this in this election cycle the state races are crucial because really it’s kind of

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their final in many ways if they’re because you know the key races Democrat so if you could go in and vote and check out our website you can get the download of the Johanna candidates or there’s a lot of cards consensus passed around we passed out over 40,000 and that’s really great to know so now until the 9th of August at the why Lou community center which one is the wild local community center is that now down from the post office that area that used to be yeah well we named it after discovering who’s

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gonna tell me who someone will call and tell me that’s Velma Santos Center I think it is in fact that’s right that’s another name Court yeah it was a great time part of Maui County’s past and that’s a great spot to do it well that’s very important stuff now we have a probably five minutes left Paul less but I want to do something that we haven’t done yet and that is quickly go through the races can we do that I mean for mayor I know that you had lots of candidates and you guys chose

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Ellie Cochrane what was that well again I think if you go to grade Maui council Lord you can look at where Ellie is rated in terms of her voting history okay versus the voting history of the other candidate okay let’s go any other reasons because I’m just gonna go through them quickly and just sort of name the names because you know we can’t have candidates on this show until after when I send certified letters but I want your voice to be heard so it’s cause of the grading of important issues that you guys kind of

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picked Ellie so would you say yes absolutely in terms of her of her consistency about her willingness to look at the stomach change and really integrate that you’ve in Maui County she is she’s a very strong advocate for all the solutions that are listed on the website with three minutes to go we’re gonna be sort of like jeopardy where I’m gonna give you the Jeopardy answer and you’re gonna come up with a question Bob or something but we’re gonna quickly run through so on council you guys in the primary you

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chose Tasha comma and Col Louie we can vote on all the races by the way everyone remember that you can vote on all nine that’s very important so vote on if it’s in the primary and you can’t vote for as many as you can and and also like they inside if you’re a Democrat you got to stay inside and vote oil Democrat in the primary in the final you can do anything you want but you have to stay consistent or they’re gonna throw out your vote so Tasha comma and Kahului alica tie in

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Wailuku you pick Trinette Furtado in a haiku area you chose any others in the primary that I know I want to talk about it counsel I forgot somebody in terms of it’s really important also to mention the state races and the state races yeah I just want to look because you talked about council you are in your primary I think we just hit them all there might be some more in the general you’ll put in and now you’re talking about in the state races you have you can hit me I know names but I’ll let you do it who

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are the names district 11 there’s Tina Weinberger district 11 what about yep just give me some well here yeah Kiera Lawrence GRA Lawrence no Michael okay tra Lawrence Wright and then 4p hey and Lahaina is Perez Amato and res Amato district six not very very important race who’s a very powerful lawmaker has been a big proponent of Monsanto and their and also getting mandatory vaccines well again we’ll let people that saw all your website so you like to res any other state candidates we want

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to be sure to mention now yeah Michael penguin also for Senate District seven okay great he’s a nice gentleman I met him I liked him Paul we’re gonna be saying goodbye here in a second you’re the Maui pono Network Paul Viloria you’ve done a great job thank you for being a great guest on our show I may have been a little out of the line on occasion but you know that’s why we call it neutral exactly though you want to have you want to have the session of the date and look at different aspects of things but I

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think the bottom line is getting to truth I think that something that well we look forward to talking to you again both on the air and in person and if you see someone coming at you with a card take it and take a look and see what’s going on with to Maui pono network org thank you Paul have a wonderful day today okay he’s happy yeah very F thanks for taking the time out of your busy day to start with it oh boy Joel now we know the buzz was from the other phone a lot you sounded like you had the questions

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that you need answered answer it and that’s what’s important and then I would I was providing the neutral point of view no you you can see I don’t think of myself as someone with no opinions I have lots of it yes but I want to work together I don’t want to find someone and call them the enemy because they’re not the enemy we really all can agree that if we can solve the problems we can solve them for everybody Joely you’ve been a wonderful guest Joell Agnew is the co-host and what’s the name

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of your show Joell well we have a television show here with ikkaku called what’s going on no no Michael is back at him Maui monster monster yeah he’s focusing on that no I fell the name a berry worse to his it film critic is now my new partner and he’s very knowledgeable they had a lot of good fun with that hand like I said it’s it runs about 90 times a week but it starts on Wednesday nights at 8 o’clock good good well are off the air Maui neutral zone check it out thank you good to have you

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with us Aloha