PAUL DES LAURIER- Maui Pono Network

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Jason Schwartz sits with PAUL DES LAURIERS, Head of Maui Pono Network. This local political action group has interviewed local candidates based on their values and helps us choose candidates for the November election. 10-8-2018

Summary & Transcript

1. 1. 1. Interview with Paul DeLauriers, Maui Pono Network on Maui Politics and Election Issues

• [00:00 → 03:26] Introduction and Context Setting
  Jason Schwartz opens the broadcast from KAKU 88.5 FM, Maui, explaining the show’s shift from candidate interviews to issue-based discussions during the election season. He emphasizes the importance of issue awareness rather than political partisanship. Jason introduces Paul DeLaurier, head of the Maui Pono Network, a grassroots group focused on promoting values rooted in “pono” — a Hawaiian concept meaning balance, spiritual alignment, truth, and service to the land (‘āina) and people. Paul defines their mission as maintaining high consciousness and integrity in local governance and politics, striving for right action that benefits the community.
• [03:26 → 06:31] Maui Pono Network’s Role in the Upcoming Election
  Jason and Paul discuss recent media coverage, including Paul’s letter in the Maui News explaining Maui Pono Network’s endorsement process. The group evaluated over 40 candidates based on their values, voting history, and community support, endorsing about 10 candidates who scored highest in alignment with pono principles. Paul stresses voter empowerment: voters have the power to influence outcomes and should actively educate themselves rather than passively accept campaign messaging or later complain about elected officials. Same-day voter registration and absentee ballots are highlighted as accessible tools to participate in upcoming elections.
• 

  Radio host in Hawaii’s Maui Neutral Zone studio, live broadcast on KAKU 88.5 FM, Hawaii community radio station.

  [06:31 → 10:16] How Maui Pono Network Evaluates Candidates
  Paul describes the group’s formation with 138 local residents concerned about Maui’s transition from a plantation economy to an uncertain future. The Network is strictly local and grassroots, with no outside or corporate influence. They conducted rigorous candidate vetting involving interviews, detailed questionnaires, and research into candidates’ past voting records, criminal background checks, and financial backers. They identified 10 candidates who genuinely support community needs such as affordable housing and environmental protection. These candidates lack large corporate funding and rely on grassroots support, reflecting community values rather than profit-driven interests.

• [10:16 → 14:04] Urgency of Voter Education and the Election Timeline
  Paul emphasizes the critical timing of the election, with absentee ballots accounting for over 60% of votes. Voters must be informed quickly to make educated decisions. MauiVoteSmart.org, an independent website, is introduced as a resource providing comprehensive voting records and candidate backgrounds to inform voters beyond PR-driven campaign rhetoric. Paul warns against the influence of short-term profit interests from offshore developers and corporations that do not prioritize Maui’s long-term welfare. He stresses that sustainable decisions must prioritize future generations and the island’s ecological balance.
• [14:04 → 17:51] The Impact of PR Campaigns on Voter Perception
  Paul critiques the role of professional PR firms in shaping misleading campaign narratives that mask candidates’ true records and platforms. He cites an example of incumbent Mike Victorino, who reduced affordable housing requirements in 2008, contrasting with his current campaign rhetoric which copies his opponent’s (Elly Cochran’s) positions on affordable housing. This PR strategy blurs distinctions among candidates, confusing voters and focusing on emotional appeals rather than substantive policy differences. Paul warns that this scripted messaging prioritizes vote-getting over truth and accountability.
• [17:51 → 19:07] Maui Miracle and Other Supporting Organizations
  Jason mentions MauiMiracle.org as another organization promoting values-aligned leadership, reinforcing the importance of focusing on candidates’ values and integrity rather than superficial campaign messaging. Paul acknowledges the collaboration among various community groups working toward greater voter education and truthful information dissemination.
• [19:07 → 23:34] Community Engagement at Local Events
  Paul recounts Maui Pono Network’s active presence at the Maui County Fair, where volunteers handed out over 25,000 voter education cards featuring MauiVoteSmart.org. This grassroots effort helped raise awareness of candidates’ true records and affiliations. He clarifies that MauiVoteSmart.org is an independent resource, not created by Maui Pono but supported by them. Another resource, CouleeOnNetwork.org, provides event schedules and candidate forums to facilitate voter engagement. Paul notes the lack of local media coverage promoting these informational resources.
• [23:34 → 27:44] The Prevalence of PR Messaging vs. Truthful Information
  Paul discusses how mainstream media and campaigns focus on feel-good narratives—family values, community involvement, and hobbies—to emotionally sway voters. These carefully scripted messages often contradict candidates’ actual policy positions and past voting behavior. Such PR-driven campaigns avoid addressing difficult issues, creating a disconnect between public perception and political reality. Paul underscores the need for voters to see through this façade and seek factual, research-backed information.
• [27:44 → 33:59] Challenges with Prejudice, Misinformation, and Opposition
  Paul shares his disappointment at the prejudiced and dismissive responses to the Maui Pono Network’s efforts, including accusations of being an offshore lobbyist group or super PAC, which are false. The Network is a small, volunteer-run, legally compliant political action committee focused on transparency and truth. Paul emphasizes the passion and commitment of the 270+ members involved in grassroots activities like phone banking and card distribution. He warns that electing candidates aligned with corporate interests risks turning Maui into another overdeveloped, mass-tourism-driven island like Oahu.
• [33:59 → 42:48] Candidate Profiles and Voting Record Analysis
  Jason and Paul discuss specific candidates and their records, focusing on the long tenure of figures like Alan Arakawa and Mike Victorino. Paul points out their historical support for big construction companies, affordable housing deferments, and environmental compromises that have negatively impacted Maui’s quality of life and sustainability. They contrast these with “Ohana candidates” supported by the Maui Pono Network, who champion community-oriented policies on water rights, housing, and environmental protection. Paul stresses the importance of voting for change rather than maintaining the status quo.
• [42:48 → 48:36] The Power of Truth vs. Negative Campaigning
  Paul addresses accusations of dirty politics when truth is spoken about candidates’ records, emphasizing that truth-telling is not negative campaigning but necessary public information. He highlights the disconnect between community votes (such as for GMO moratoriums) and the county council’s decisions, which often favor corporate interests over residents’ wishes. Paul has invited local media representatives and leaders of opposing campaigns to publicly discuss these issues but has yet to receive responses, reflecting a lack of openness to scrutiny.
• [48:36 → 54:58] Calls to Action and Voter Involvement
  Paul encourages voters to actively participate by visiting MauiVoteSmart.org and MauiPonoNetwork.org to inform themselves and share accurate information through social media, letters to editors, and community discussions. He invites volunteers to join their efforts in canvassing, phone banking, video editing, and event participation. Paul stresses the urgency given the proximity of absentee ballot distribution and the election date. Jason expresses appreciation for Paul’s openness and hard work, recognizing that a small group of dedicated people can drive meaningful change.
• [54:58 → 56:13] Closing Remarks
  Jason closes by urging listeners to take responsibility for the future of Maui by being informed and voting based on values and truth. He thanks Paul and the Maui Pono Network for their tireless efforts and encourages continued dialogue after the election to assess outcomes and plan next steps for preserving Maui’s community and environment.

1. 1. 1. Key Insights

• The Maui Pono Network is a grassroots, locally driven political action committee focused on endorsing candidates aligned with Hawaiian values of pono—truth, balance, and service to the land and people.
• The group rigorously vets candidates through interviews, detailed questionnaires, and research into voting histories and funding sources.
• Voter education and empowerment are critical, especially with absentee ballots accounting for a majority of votes.
• Mainstream campaigns often rely on PR firms to script emotionally appealing but misleading messages that obscure candidates’ true records.
• The Network provides resources like MauiVoteSmart.org and promotes transparency and factual information to counteract PR spin.
• Corporate and offshore interests heavily influence some candidates, often at odds with community needs for affordable housing, environmental protection, and sustainable development.
• There is resistance and misinformation aimed at discrediting grassroots efforts, but the Network remains committed to truth and community engagement.
• Voter participation, informed decision-making, and grassroots activism are essential to shaping Maui’s future and preventing overdevelopment and loss of local values.

1. 1. 1. Recommended Resources Mentioned

• Maui Pono Network: www.mauipononetwork.org
• Maui Vote Smart: www.mauivotesmart.org
• Coulee On Network: www.couleonnetwork.org
• Maui Miracle: www.mauimiracle.org

1. 1. 1. Call to Action for Viewers/Listeners

• Register to vote—same day registration is available.
• Educate yourself on candidates’ true records using MauiVoteSmart.organd MauiPonoNetwork.org.
• Participate in local events, canvassing, and phone banking to support values-aligned candidates.
• Share factual information on social media and through community dialogues.
• Reject PR-driven campaign spin and demand accountability from candidates.

This summary covers the full hour-long interview, emphasizing the core themes of voter education, political transparency, community values, and the challenges posed by corporate influence and PR manipulation in Maui’s local elections.

Transcript

00:00

ah [Music] [Music] what hand [Applause] you [Music] [Music] good morning Aloha everyone this is Jason Schwartz we are on the air here at kak u 88.5 FM Kailua Maui we’re also on Facebook live to go to kak you page you’ll see us live and tomorrow morning or even tonight you’ll go to Maui neutral zone dot-com and you’ll see a replay of this show and all of our shows in fact I hope you do some binge watching and listening to our shows because uh we have been putting up shows instead of interviewing candidates

01:26

through this election season or talking about things in that way we’ve been going over issues and talking to people about issues and mostly I’ve stayed away from anything specifically with candidates but today I was out at a ukulele festival two Sundays ago I had been doing a Sheree series of shows about water and in those shows all kinds of different aspects Stewart Stanton Mike Miyamoto came from the environmental management division of Maui County and I had Rob Parsons up here and if Gladys Baisa is listening

02:06

tell the glory a few no Gladys Baissa to tell her to call me would you but um we would like her on the show because there are important issues in Maui and I don’t like being political even though I ran for mayor as a Green Party guy 25 years ago and I’ve seen them screw up Maui excuse my French and when I say they these are local people and people that came here from wherever I am getting to the point of realizing that I hear and see so much prejudice coming out through an election season it’s hard for me to swallow so I

02:40

was covering issues but today I’m I brought someone on they were on in the primary time because they were a group that was out there but I wanted them to be here again after the primary and talk to them I have pulled the Laurier who is the head I don’t know how he put that of something called the Maui pono Network hey how are you Paul how are you being with us if you will just come on up just okay how’s that okay so the Maui pono network you know when I hear the name I think what pono to me that means a

03:26

balance it means what doing what is right well how do you describe we inherited this word from the Hawaiian culture well I will III would like to defer to Alika Ty’s definition of pono which to me I think really reflects the deeper aspect of what we’re really about and it means spiritual alignment it means really being aligned to truth to honesty to really serving the aina and the people in a way that comes from a heart so it’s it’s about supporting and maintaining a high vibration and

04:04

consciousness through action so so we’re so we have a group of people who are really dedicated to really support this whole county to function at a high level Mike down a little bit so everyone okay on the screen there can see a beautiful case okay so got it now so we’re speaking and about lofty ideals and spirit this is politics and when it comes to politics did you see today’s Maui news yet no not yet no okay I went online today in the mountains is the thing right on the front it says my

04:44

opponent Network and there’s a letter from Paul and so you know which letter it is wrote it and no letter I thought was explaining and saying things like look this is not someone coming in from some off island this is local people 150 people or so that came up with ideas and things that they thought were important to our island and and we looked at 40-something candidates and we came to see which one scored the highest and then these are the people we think that people should look at you go as far as to say vote for

05:22

these guys but I usually say to my audience don’t ever take anything and just eat it like you believe it unless you look at it yourself so you do a pretty good job on your site but you also there are other people around that have created plenty of things about these candidates but people whoever you are whether you like the pono network don’t like them like local people are local people if I’m here thirty years I’m local people and maybe I wasn’t born here but I you know when people come to

05:55

America do they say well I’m not from here I must be an outsider well there’s some of that stuff going on nationally even people that we’re born here are accused of that stuff but my point being take a look at candidates we have an election in just a few weeks we’re gonna have absentee ballots are getting mailed out so that was one of the reasons I thought it was good to bring Paul in here was I really want our voters to wake up to the fact that you have power you have power to make a difference you

06:31

can go in register to vote and vote on the same day that is extraordinary and that is the power to be part of whatever change or no change from what’s going on but please don’t think you’re gonna sit at home and later complain about what’s going on and say well those people decided I had nothing to do with it that is the point get out there so if I can explain Jason a little bit about our process and what we’ve done and and how the organization evolved and developed first of all we started off with a group

07:09

of people who were very concerned about the future of the island especially as we are transitioning from this plantation more of sugar cane pineapple economy to something that is yet to be formed and and yet with say transitioning I’m just gonna cut in for a second only in I got here in 1988 that was transitioning they’re still transitioning so now that’s right the sweet apple thing has been going down and down and down and the AG things been going down and down we were holding the land with a couple

07:42

large companies well it’s a very it’s a very important time and that’s why initially we had starting in March we had a hundred and thirty-eight people come together and say look we really want to support having progressive candidates those that really support the aina and the people so we decided then as a group to form the Maui pono network and it’s all local people it’s all grassroots there’s no outside influence there’s no offshore Island stuff it’s all local people who are concerned about

08:20

the iana of the keiki the kupuna as we move forward you know what is the best possible route for us to do we look at the way the candidates have been voted some of them and how they are being supported by fairly large offshore corporate interests we’re very concerned and there’s a distinction so so let me finish hang on a second let me finish so so we did our due diligence right we interviewed 42 candidates we some of the interviews lasted an hour we crafted over 60 questions we did research in

08:58

their background there if they’ve been arrested if they’ve voted particular ways if they’ve been funded by certain groups we really asked a lot of very pertinent questions and in that it became really really clear to all the people involved in this committee evaluating these candidates that whoa there are ten that really stand out that really stand out in terms of directly supporting the people supporting the needs understanding them understanding the issues and how they’d been perpetuated for so long

09:36

affordable housing being a very good example and why is it that these issues have still been affecting the community in such a profound way so it really has to do with the candidates so that’s what our whole process was of screening them and with that once we got those 10 candidates we said okay we really want to support them in becoming elected they are they don’t have big money corporate interest funding them so all they really have is grassroots people like you and me who say ok on you and people out

10:16

there who really who say you know what I really do want to support the island in a very positive and progressive way and we’re encouraging people to get educated so they can make the right choice well that’s really a good point so cuz we have time we still have time to have people get involved and find about the camp well we don’t have much time this this Friday we are getting the absentee ballots in absentee ballots account for over 60% of the vote so really this is it this week is really

10:55

where the main part of the election is going to take place so it’s extremely important that when people receive their absentee ballots or if they decide to go to Wailuku to register and vote on the same day or go on the on the poll days on the 6th whatever form they use it’s important to be educated and that’s why we a group then independently started another website to compile all the voting records of all the candidates right to find out about their history and lists that that address Maui Maui

11:32

vote smart dot org Maui a good name Maui vote smart dot-org easy and you can you can go there and if you then just click the tabs you’ll find out the voting history the records what they stand for and it’s interesting to see from at least from my perspective after doing all of this homework after interviewing all the candidates like victory you know and and you we interviewed nearly all the candidates that that were out there that ran with 42 of them so we we really did look at and really objectively try to find out

12:11

who would support this the island especially as we go through this shift in terms of land use so in its it’s an incredible opportunity to if we choose to really support the aina and the people versus another type of form of development that has to do with large corporate interest who are interested primarily in short-term profits those short-term profits you know would be good for their shareholders obviously but it often does not reflect anything to do with the residents here on the island the needs of the island and

12:52

what’s truly happening I just think it’s important to notice you know it’s clear that what you said is true that some of the money’s coming from corporations and short-term profits and all that but I hope that people really get down to what is right you know we talk about future generations like we care but if we care we need to do what is right for our island we’re in a island when people say things to me like you know well we need more building of this and we can’t stop

13:27

the this we’re on an island we have nowhere to go if we don’t handle our emissions right we don’t deal with water right if we don’t keep open space for farming these are changing our world forever Maui will never it already is but it will never be the same it’ll never be what local people think they want and somehow someone’s coming in I’ve heard so much crap excuse my french about this idea that someone’s imposing ideas on the local people and they need to resist the

14:04

outside coming in it doesn’t matter if you’re outside or inside you got to do what’s right that’s it and that’s the whole point why I think your word pono to me we’ve got to do what’s right is very I give you yeah an example for example and what’s happening right now and and why I’m so concerned and why I’m grateful to have this opportunity to really speak to the residents here on-island there’s there’s a lot of money’s that go into PR and PR scripting

14:39

if candidates have a significant for monies coming in then they could hire offshore PR firms to help script messages I’ve worked for a lot of advertising agencies in the past helping to restructure and and work with them a lot of TV broadcasting stations that was my profession before becoming an activist I said and and and in that I really saw how delicate it is in terms of shaping consciousness and it we are so influenced our subconscious is so influenced by repeated messages so what’s disturbing for me right now is

15:21

that the messages that are being crafted and repeated do not reflect the platform or the actual decisions or where a person is coming from and let me explain what I mean by that I’ve been going to a lot of the debates and through the debates I’ve been really getting where the different candidates are coming from what their platform sar I find it disturbing that when for example Victorino is debating Elly Cochran the whole issues of past records when that comes up mic automatically starts saying or you’re playing dirty

15:58

and it accuses Elly of that well wait a minute no one’s playing dirty we’re just trying to get the truth and the truth is what we truly have and and it disturbs me when I see that this repeated messages that are beings crafted by PR firms that totally counteract what has been said and what has been done by these candidates Victorino for example in 2008 was was Mike was very instrumental in creating a policy that actually created one-half of the requirements by developers for affordable housing so in other words he

16:41

reduced the requirements by these developers for the affordable housing that the county had mandated so just in Makena landing alone we have lost 500 affordable housing units now if you look at his platform right now he’s taking Ellie’s statements and Ellie’s focus on affordable housing and she has been a champion consistent champion okay to support this and she’s developed so what is Victorino doing he’s using he’s taking he’s taking just repeating exactly exactly what Ellie’s

17:20

saying repeating exactly what and that what it does from a PR standpoint again we got to look at strategic we’re gonna take a break here in a minute okay but straight does it what what it does is it really strategically creates little distinction in terms of platform issues because all I’m for that – oh I’m for that – oh I believe but when you look at the actual past and look at actions look at why the construction company is pouring so much money behind Mike Victorina then it becomes obvious that

17:51

wait a minute are we being told the truth is this gonna be another type of political campaign run like trunk where all these campaign promises are put out by PR firms because it’s their crafted to get votes it’s not about truth it’s about statements to get votes and once the rats come back to that because I’ll be back to it we have to do our station identification and sabar donors that keep us alive I have cash for gold combine alone and the Maui miracle org the Maui miracle org is actually a group

18:32

interested in values and it’s interesting when I read their platform they talk about you guys and they reference your candidates so I guess I’d say it’s interesting when you look at values and and what’s going on you should really take a look at that website the Maui miracle org before you go looking at candidates go look at values and get in touch with what really is Hawaiian yeah Nick did a very nice job on that site you very nice anyway we’re gonna take a break this is kak u

19:07

I’m here with Paul DeLaurier the head of Maui pono Network I’m Jason Schwartz let’s see what else we got to say here [Music] after a few drinks I’m taking it slow getting pulled over for buzz driving could cost you around $10,000 and fines legal fees and increased insurance rates nothing kills a buzz like getting pulled over for buzz driving because buzzed driving is drunk driving brought to you by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and the Ad Council when I don’t hear anything I say wait a

20:00

minute maybe all the buttons weren’t pushed together the right way let me just see I don’t see any Xboxes let’s play another one okay aku 88.5 FM is your Maui community station the voice of Maui features great local programming from people like Mary Margaret Baker NP and I have the nurse practitioner show on health wellness and managing your disease the nurse practitioners show Mondays and to the voice of Maui the nurse practitioners show is brought to you by dr. Melanie Vallejos DDS at 89 whole College Street

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22:05

Wailuku community center with over 30 employers in attendance for more information about the job fair our website is Colima Oh Maui dot org that’s Alima Oh Maui gorg hope to see you at the job fair there’s a couple of sponsors I know he’s brought to you by the Maui miracle dot org for a better tomorrow today Maui miracle or the neutral zone is brought to you by Arcana my sponsors beside for gold come on alone I have to at ninety eight North Maui Colchester two four two five five five

22:56

two five two four two five five five five c’mon alone cash for gold you know I would say the alternative to banks for people that can’t go into a bank and use them because they don’t have enough money regularly some of them anyway and he’s been a friend for a long time a wonderful man Richard Dan um I am back here with Paul DeLaurier from Maui pono Network we were talking about how PR puts out messages that aren’t necessarily the actual acts of those people that are the candidates or it’s

23:34

very confusing on for a voter to be able to really know what they’re looking at what did you find you were out at the Maui County Fair now these last four days we just had a County Fair here some of you know it in fact I heard Willie K and Vince s who are an old group were really great last night there it was it was just an incredible event I’m so blown away by the fair and and you know what Avery Chumley has been able to to do for so long and to keep sustained it’s just a wonderful community gathering and Avery

24:08

Chumley and then he turned it over to Mike Victorino and now it’s been turned over again I don’t know who’s running it at the moment Avery is yeah is he now and and so so it was it was great we had people volunteering at the gates and we were handing out cards and a lot of people were very especially when it came down to learning more about the candidates themselves on the cards that we were handing out we have a website on the back which we talked about Maui vote smart org and in it and it really does lay out the actual

24:47

voting records the affiliations in terms of funding support but you can really see from the background in terms of the consistency in voting where people are in terms of how they are also going to move forward that wasn’t your group putting out that site right no it’s not our it’s not our key but so it’s nice to see that there are you know others that are out there that are looking at issues like you that’s great yeah and and and of course we’re supporting them and work with them

25:21

they’re you know they’re they’re part of a larger team just like the Cooley Honor Network is another aspect of getting all of the candidate information not all twenty candidates all twenty County candidates to get all of their scheduling information when they’re having sign-waving when they’re doing canvassing when the different debates are occurring when the different forums are occurring so that you have all of that information at the Coulee on and network.org again that’s

25:51

another independent site but again it is about informing the public getting actual information that is not about PR scripting do you see things in the newspapers that we have here in the island supporting getting that information to people do they let people know about the coulee on and network.org or vote smart Maui vote smart org or Maui pono net where any of that stuff no I’ve been finding that it’s been very interesting I think that in terms of the oppositional candidates who have really

26:26

the tremendous amount of financial resources behind them our scripting messages that are not about telling their actual voting records it’s not about telling about their past it’s not telling about their supporters it’s not telling about any of that information instead it’s about talking about how they enjoy baseball or how their family and Ohana with everyone you see so so they they go again it’s PR scripting you go on things that are affecting emotional issues with inside of you because everyone loves Ohana

27:06

everyone loves family so you get you know Alan putting out these scripted messages by PR companies that really repeat those feeling good messages but does it truly reflect who the candidate is and what their voting record is and how they show up and how they like for example when we interviewed them how they answer our questions it does not reflect any of that whatsoever it’s about scripting subconscious messages of the voters by repeating messages messages messages that may not have anything to do with reality

27:44

anything to do with what they’re going to do when they get an office it’s all about getting votes you know I I wonder maybe the next time we’ll see what the next election looks like when you do those interviews I think they need to be told we’re gonna tape these because I think that really that is the biggest issue that things that are said in one place are now not being reflected in what is going out to the public and that’s very sad and what you know your letter that was in the Maui news today

28:17

it’s the comments that I see after the letter that hurt me deeply because they shows heavy prejudice heavy thing pulling up they’re not local and heavy things pulling at things that I would like yeah I would like you to reflect on that for example they have been having people put out in letters to the editor that the Maui pono network is supported by Washington lobbyists what we are we’re getting 1015 dollars from local residents here there so that we can do our promotions that we could print these 50,000 cards

29:02

we at the county fair we handed out over 25,000 cards by hand to residence and we’re in and we’re encouraging them to be informed please inform go to Maui vote smart org understand the records not the PR height that is being spread but this tremendous amount of money that they’re receiving so so I think it’s really crucial to get in touch with the truth and reality versus spin and and and so so part of what we’ve been doing and why we have so many people who are so passionate I mean handing out 25,000

29:45

you know how my it’s it’s a lot of energy and effort tremendous amount and that’s within a four day period we did that so so but there’s a lot of people again who are very passionate about getting the truth out letting people truly understand that Ellie for example does provide solid good resolutions to these issues especially about water rights and water distribution key issues around affordable housing I mean she she has she’s been doing research on effort for a long time on trying to get the

30:23

very best methodologies to support affordable housing but yet what’s happened in the county council is that there’s been a majority of I guess you can call them non progressives or those candidates that are very heavily influenced by offshore monies and interests that are supporting them so so how so you say offshore monies and interest do you actually think there are conversations going on between these developers and the candidates about the votes that they’re right I think that all you have to do is look at records

30:58

this is why records are so important look at you keel a you go look at her support of Monsanto and then you look at the money that’s coming in from Monsanto and how she supported so many different things around that issue saying what might victory know you look at his records in terms of how he actually voted in decisions that he made when he was a county council member and you see that it was really Pro big construction companies a lot of these construction companies are are based in Oahu do you think that’s because he didn’t

31:31

have enough information I don’t often think of Mike as a sellout kind of guy I think of him as someone who actually really loves and cares the people here well why would someone what why would someone who has that value why would they then take and take one-half of the affordable housing requirements that were done by the county here for these developers so that we can start to adjust the affordable housing why would he 1/2 create one half of that then and losing 500 units in the did anyone ask

32:05

him did you ask him that kind of question when you had him in front of you or no yeah and what did he say I don’t know exactly the words you know but but he’s saying that well those were decisions I made that I felt were best so so that’s where he left it okay so so I don’t I you know again that’s why we we supported Ellie because we asked those questions and we started to go and dig and when we dug and we really got down to the nitty-gritty of how these people really voted in the past what

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their affiliations are what their support is that’s one aspect now another aspect that we’re that we’re very concerned about and that’s been going on is that if anybody starts to tell the truth it spun around and put out as oh this is dirty politics oh wait a minute the truth is not dirty politics the truth is the truth if this is how you voted in this the people need to know that so so and then I’ve noticed another thing is that there’s a lot of spin going on so that’s why the Maui pono

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network has been referred to as an offshore lobbyist group a super PAC getting tons of money we are not a super PAC we are a standard pack we’re able to coordinate and work with the candidates as a team but we are very restricted under the laws for the the Commission the Hawaii Commission that restricts a lot of what we can do and can’t do and we adhere to those rules so so you know we are just a very small organization right now our group has has grown to over two hundred and seventy people now

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and we’re out there doing phone banking handing out cards you’ll see us at that at the Friday events you’ll see it’s at just about any big event that happens at the Mac we’re trying to inform the public of the truth of what’s truly happening and that’s why we’re so passionate and concerned because we know that if some of these oppositional candidates get in it does not look very good for the future of this island unless you want it to be another Oahu you know so so we’re very concerned

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about about these things and about the misinformation that’s going out just like I put out that that letter to the editor now again to try to to try to at least let people know that wait a minute what’s being said that we’re there they’re actually trying to promote that the Ohana candidates are not local oh my god these are local leaders who’ve been I mean they’re how they serve the communities extraordinary and the things they’ve done for for water distribution for septic issues for the coastline

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protecting the reefs I mean it’s been incredible what these candidates have done and I think it’s important for people to know that these are candidates you group them together as the Ohana candidates these candidates are not yes in any way planning things together to stop things I mean all that stuff is maybe what others are doing and not talking about like you’re saying but when I see Tasha comma I don’t even know if she knows you know this other candidate or that Kay except them now they meet them through

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your network and you’re standing up there together so they probably get a chance to know each other but they’re individuals and you found out who they are as individuals and group them together so I think that’s very very important yet these are people that came together because they had values that matched your group of many people who had values that’s why they looked at together no one’s coming in forming this outside interest to come and influence our Maui life not at all not at all not

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at all in fact it’s just the opposite because these people really reflected such important values I think for the future for seven generations to come that that that’s why we were so impatient to say okay I’ll volunteer I’ll put in even 30 hours a week if I can possibly do that and that’s what some people are doing in order to really help elect these and they’re doing it they’re all volunteers we don’t have the final financial resources that the oppositional candidates have we’re not

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having these big money’s coming in and and and crafting all of these messages that are going on TV and on the newspapers so the people are being flooded with these messages that are scripted by PR agencies to get votes it does not reflect the true platform or the true actual history of voting and how they’ve actually showed up in the past so anyway yeah well remember listeners you’re listening to Paul DeLaurier I’m Jason Schwartz Paul is the head of malee pono network which is a group

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getting out there and sharing the values of candidates and showing who they are and hoping that all of you will take a look at what’s going on in our politics and vote and vote based on values I really once again go back to that I think that you really did so much work to look at these candidates and look at them as individuals the only reason that I bring it up is I think it’s really important to our listeners that they get involved here this is their Island in their world you’re just a 280 people but

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you represent all of them so that they will look themselves at what you I guess you’d say discovered or if tracked an amazing one of one of the big things that one of our committees did who work very very hard for a couple of months they looked at all the core issues throughout the island throughout the whole county and and through that there were certain ones that really reflected the issues in terms of the repercussions these issues are having affordable housing nine hundred and twenty five

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thousand dollars is what the average house sale is what and it requires a two hundred and twenty thousand dollar income for that type of housing and yet the average family is about fifty-six thousand dollars so so so when you look at it at the average family but average means they’re a lot better way way so so this is unfortunately what’s been happening when you focus on on big constructions of big multi-million dollar homes that are then rented out as B and B’s this is what happens when you

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allow a lot of vacation rentals to to go rampant and to be unchecked then these are some of the repercussions but it was because of the previous administration let’s get that straight that the reason why we’re in this situation raishin for over 30 years of terms of affordable housing is because of the people who represented these these the issues and the needs and the resolutions were not supporting the people well you know I’ve been here those thirty years and I can tell you I fund a hundred

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percent agree with you we’ve had many chances to do the right thing many chances and it takes a lot of courage to get out there and stand up against them because there is truly it is I don’t think of it as a conspiracy as more as a reaction of we’re gonna do what we think is right we’re not gonna look and listen to what others are saying we’re gonna do what we think is right and then their influence has created what we’ve got now I have seen so many deferments of affordable housing in different things

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over these years I mean not just the shock deferments alone that that again this is under Mike victory knows watch those deferments to the construction industry has resulted in having a lot of runoff issues a lot of environmental problems because they didn’t do the mitigation that they were supposed to do that they were they got these you know these bypasses so that they don’t have to spend that money – so now it’s based on the taxpayer – to remediate these issues that have not been done by the

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big construction companies so it falls on the taxpayers so this is the dynamic that we’ve been facing as an island and and again we have to look at those people who who supported that who perpetrated that and not allow them to get back into office that’s why having Victor Mike Mike in there and and you go down Alice Lee you go down and you look at the voting records of all of these alan arakawa you you you start to go down the line and you see a consistent pattern would you like photo through the

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races and and share about candidates oh you think that would be let me think why don’t we start to do that because like you just mentioned Alan our cow and what he’s done you know I mean it is really a job for people to do and do the heavy lifting that you guys have already done so and these other groups they have looked at these candidates from all sides and have information for people so they can make their own good decision alan arakawa is running it against Tasha comma Alan has been in the mayorship for

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11 years and he was on council what six eight years I don’t know exactly eight years ago when he was mayor so it’s like that’s a lot of years that means us things were happening he was there if he as a private citizen wants to bring things up I think it’s great but I personally don’t want Alan Arakawa to be still in power and voting so I guess that means that I am choosing Tasha I like Alan I think he’s a really nice guy I know him personally and find him to be very nice but let him bring his good

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ideas to new and fresh people who are now not the same regime and he carries with him mike molina who worked for him Alice Lee who worked for him I just don’t like II really Rick Ricky Hokama I just really don’t understand why the people of Maui aren’t standing up in Revolt well they did in the primary tasha won the primary I hope we don’t forget that as we’re getting into the final and that people will share with other people a need for a change and it’s tough too it’s tough

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to remember that though then this is the whole point is that when you get repeated PR messages that keep on scripting that I’m for Ohana and I’m for families and I love baseball and all these different messages of feel-good that has nothing to do with the actual issues and needs of the island absolutely that this is what we’re getting bombarded with because they know that that tugs at the heartstrings of people and if they can get an emotional response they can get a vote this is what it’s about

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it’s about PR agencies scripting feel-good messages so that it can evoke an emotional response and get a vote they are avoiding the topics of truth as soon as that is mentioned all of a sudden they start raising up oh this is a negative campaign or you’re you’re throwing trash no we’re just trying wait a minute you voted this way this is not anything about giving trash or any like that we the people need to be informed and you are not supporting that information that is so crucial for the

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candidate for to really understand the candidates to get out so it is a it is a huge challenge right now especially they’re putting full-court press on all of their PR stuff because they know that this coming Friday is when people will start receiving their absentee ballots approximately 63% of the voting is going to be happening right then and there a lot of people within two days take fill out their absentee ballots and mail it in so this is it this week so if you want to become informed again

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Maui vote smart org if you want to become informed about the issues and the repercussions of those issues and resolutions that the candidates support the Ohana candidates all of them support these types of resolutions for these issues around water water distribution around issues of sewage issue urge around roads around the carrying capacity of the island in terms of tourism there’s there’s there’s a lot of core issues right now aside from affordable housing that that I think people really need to understand

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and you can get that at mount at Maui pono network.org there’s a hot issues and there’s drop-down tabs that give all of this information that I find you if they find a very interesting job and and my sponsors in Maui Circle org there’s lots of information out there if people will go out and find it that’s why I asked if the the different print newspapers were helping you get out that there is such information available at your website not happening no way no way Maui news is supporting Mike Victorino so so haven’t

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been trying to get the public educated except through the writings of their writers you know I’ve been finding it’s as we were doing research we have a whole team we have we have five people doing research on all the candidates and then posting the information making sure that everything is well vetted everything you can go to the reference points of every single point that we’re making down there it’s Fanta so it’s well well researched and and so that that information I think

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you know if people can just follow if they if they want to check themselves please do we have it in bullet forms what I encourage people to do also if they really want to get involved is to on social media you can go to the website either one of the two mau mau a vote smart or maori panel network.org get clips in terms of the actual voting their statements you can you can pick up different pieces you can talk about you know affordable housing records you can talk about different decisions that were

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made in the repercussions and the negative impact on our community you can get all of that information there take clips post it on social media please I hope always hearing this really you are part of the solution here if matter if even if you believe in Mike Victorino wouldn’t you like to see the real voting record wouldn’t you like to be more informed than you are now I want to repeat those a couple of more times because I don’t ever hear them out there except if they happen to be fortunate

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enough to run into one of these people the people who have the money again who are scripting the PR aid PR messages are the ones that have the the primary financial resources which is the opposing candidates and they do not want this information to go out about their past voting records about how they’ve supported big corporations and industries you know for example you look at the shaka movement now here’s a good example okay the community spoke they voted and they voted to have a moratorium on for GMO

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spraying so that then went to the county council Alan Arakawa Mike Victorino Alice B you go down the list of the people who are opposing they opposed accepting the vote of the residents and instead they sent it out to a circuit court in California who they knew then that Monsanto would win because of the way the rules are in terms of legislations that have been passed in other words they didn’t stand up they didn’t stand up and support the voting they supported big corporations and what

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they’ve supported really is the disenfranchisement of the community so I think we really have to remember that there’s another good example of corporate support versus looking at the vote of the people this just let’s look at the facts please by the way I have invited the Maui News so Joe Bradley and I’ve invited Tony taka Thani and I’m looking to see who are leaders of some of these quote other candidates to come and talk I don’t want the candidates here I want to speak to

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people that are behind them and no one has yet accepted to be on this show so just understand I’m trying to be fair I don’t really like the fact that I keep putting out one side of an issue except it’s the only side that’s coming forward to talk well it’s a side that wants to put the truth on which to put the truth and when you when you can put out messages that are distortive that kind of twist things around that you know if someone puts out any statement of truth if you come back with

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attack they are being dirty that’s dirty politics we don’t do that I’m taking the high road this is may discount everything you said because of that accusation because of the accusation and they turn it around and but this is PR strategies that are very effective they even start let’s go over because we’ve I think we’ve beaten this horse up a little bit ok no that was also important is especially in this week is at least let’s hear the names of the candidates that you think are to be chosen I want

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to bring up I know that I didn’t see any state races in there like I know there’s a guy named Nikhil Anandi he was a guest way back when on the show which I know you really you focused on the County Council and the mayor and there are others that are good candidates running for state offices I know that Torrez was in there and a couple of people tino wild burger who won this she won yep being supported by you guys and I’m just giving an extra plug to Nick because I know that he is dedicated to the same

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issues that you guys are he may not be on your card but he’s got a very challenging race he’s running against a very nice lady Linda koi GMO farmer so I mean it’s it’s very interesting so Linda coy is again if you look at her records if you look at the way she’s voted and and again going you know going against the GMO moratorium I think in disenfranchising the vote of the citizens I think these are things that people need to start to reflect on and the truth of that a few things that I

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just want to mention intrusive we have a lot of different activities that our group is involved in we’ve been obviously going out in card distribution as I mentioned at the county fair we handed out over 25,000 cards will be at all the Friday events will be there handing out cards at the Mac when there is a major concert will also be there handing out flyers at the sidewalk so come and join us it’s a great opportunity it’s a lot of fun we have a a great group of people who are enthusiastic and joyful and it’s it’s a

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great way to spend a few hours connecting with people another thing that we have is again as I mentioned is is it’s important to write and if you and become informed if you are informed and then start have discussions with other people it’s really important that you have the right information so again go to Maui vote smart org also on issues go to our website Maui pono network.org and in and write to your friends social media post write letters to the editor we have someone who can help you if you need help with

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editing we have a professional editor that can help you and work with you we also have canvassing and sign waving if you go to the on a network.org as I mentioned you can find out when all the candidates will be out sign waving or canvassing you can find out about all the different times when there’ll be debates and forums so you can meet the candidates themselves you can also be involved with special events we’ll be having something on the 20th we’ll be having different gatherings you can go

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to our website go to our events calendar and find out about all the different things that you can come in and participate and have fun with us and we also you know need help in a lot of different ways we could use additional video editing as we’re doing a lot of social media clips for the candidates also if you have any funds that you could support us with would be greatly appreciated we are we’re all volunteers we run on fumes you know we have to you know and and you know so we have to

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purchase cards and and and we’re trying to do social media booths so you can go to our website under donations and anything that you could do would be greatly greatly appreciated I’m gonna kind of Cuddy and only because we have two minutes to the end of the show well you’ve been a great guest you’ve been really open and honest and I very much appreciate you coming in here and I hope that after the election we can get together yet again and evaluate what’s happened and as people all of us

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together move forward to make this an island and keep this in island that we love you know I really think that’s important so remember now today in a minute we’re gonna be off so I’m kind of wrapping it up the Maui pono Network is out there Maui vote smart dot org on and network.org Maui pono network.org Maui neutral zone dot-com you can listen to this show and other shows about issues we have been on the air now an hour and we could keep talking about this go out there and do your part to be part of a solution for

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our island Paul I appreciate all the hard work you and your team has done thank you Jason I can’t even begin to imagine how much work has gone on here you’re you’re talking about a small group you know Margaret Mead said it but a small group of people doing it thank you very much for doing it and thank you for the show and for really supporting getting honesty and truth out here on the airwaves thank you well everyone out there I want you to know I thank you for joining our show we’ll see you again

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next week on the Maui on neutral zone let’s see you [Music]