Post Primary Election Review- Jason 2018

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Jason with JASON SCHWARTZ, doing a POST-PRIMARY ELECTION REVIEW. The discussion goes from reviewing the candidates and how they did on the primary race, but also gets into discussion on some of the issues that need be discussed publicly WITH the candidates AND otherwise…8-13-2018

Summary & Transcript

1. 1. 1.    The Neutral Zone Election Commentary and Community Discussion

• [00:01 → 05:52] Introduction and Election Show Context
  Jason Schwartz opens the show “The Neutral Zone,” welcoming listeners and setting the stage for a discussion on the Maui election primary results and local political dynamics. He shares his transition from television to radio and his intent to provide a platform for civil, respectful dialogue despite political differences. Schwartz mentions planned guests including Joe Bradley, publisher of the Maui News, and local political figure Tony Taka, as well as Stewart Stamp, involved in county wastewater management, highlighting an interest in discussing local issues like waste management and environmental concerns. He reflects on a recent election primary party, noting the warm atmosphere and the unusual harmony among attendees with diverse views. Schwartz emphasizes the goal of the show: to create a neutral zone where people can discuss politics thoughtfully and find common ground beyond partisan divides.
• [05:52 → 14:52] Primary Election Results and Candidate Analysis
  Schwartz reviews key outcomes in the Maui County election primary. He discusses the council and mayoral races, highlighting several candidates:
  • Don Guzman: Though he did not win, Schwartz respects Guzman as a valuable leader and encourages him to use his “lame duck” period to be bold.
  • Mike Victorino and Elle Cochrane: Both advanced in the mayoral and council races, respectively.
  • Ori Kopelman: Noted for repeated mayoral runs, though with fewer votes this time.
  • Nikhilananda: Praised for persistence in addressing long-standing local issues.
  • Trinette Furtado and Mike Molina: Both top contenders for council seats, with Furtado seen as fresh blood and Molina as an ally with mayoral ties.
  • Tamara Paltinn: Highlighted as a strong candidate with growth and diplomatic skills.
  • Kiani Rawlins-Fernandez: Recognized for representing Molokai, a community facing significant social challenges such as homelessness, drug use, and limited resources.
    Schwartz underscores the importance of these races, not just as political contests but as reflections of Maui’s evolving needs and community concerns.
• [14:52 → 23:42] Further Candidate Profiles and Election Commentary
  The show continues with additional candidate insights:
  • Tasha Kama: Running against incumbent Mayor Alan Arakawa, Kama won the primary vote despite limited resources and a small campaign team. Schwartz admires her grassroots efforts and stresses the importance of voter engagement.
  • Alan Arakawa: While respected, Schwartz hints at concerns regarding transparency and mayoral leadership style.
  • Voter turnout and apathy are discussed, with Schwartz sharing anecdotes about eligible voters who chose not to participate, expressing concern about disengagement.
  • The role of issue-based voting is emphasized, particularly through groups like Maui Pono Network and Maui Miracle Org, which help voters align candidates with community priorities.
  • Other notable races include Kelly King versus Xandra Kraus and Shane Son NC versus Kamala Carroll, with Schwartz noting the difficulty voters face in tracking numerous candidates and calling for better candidate visibility and information dissemination.
• [23:42 → 35:09] State and Federal Election Results and Political Reflections
  Schwartz transitions to broader election results:
  • David Ige won the primary for governor over Colleen Hanabusa, with the Republican challenger yet to be confirmed.
  • Mazie Hirono secured a strong lead in the U.S. Senate race.
  • Some minor party candidates and less prominent figures are mentioned, illustrating the wide spectrum of choices.
  • Controversy around candidates like Tulsi Gabbard is referenced, expressing the complexity of local and national political sentiments.
  • Schwartz stresses the need for transparency and accountability across all levels of government.
  • He reflects on Maui’s social issues, especially homelessness and drug problems, questioning why emergency declarations or more proactive measures aren’t enacted despite visible crises.
  • The show’s accessibility through multiple platforms including YouTube, Facebook Live, and local radio is noted, emphasizing outreach and community engagement.
• [35:09 → 41:49] Community Engagement and Voter Participation Encouragement
  Schwartz calls on the Hawaiian community and others to register and vote, underscoring the power of every single vote in small island communities. He laments low voter turnout and urges people to overcome disengagement and skepticism. The show highlights the potential influence of organized groups rallying voters and the importance of civic participation for effecting change. Discussions about younger progressives like Kanoa Yee are included, pointing out efforts to introduce reforms such as same-day voter registration and stressing the value of new leadership and fresh ideas for Maui’s future. Schwartz also references official election resources that provide detailed precinct and district voting data, encouraging voters to educate themselves thoroughly.
• [41:49 → 49:48] Election Transparency, Special Interests, and Political Dynamics
  The conversation shifts to the influence of money and special interests in local politics:
  • Schwartz critiques the lack of transparency about campaign funding sources, citing Alice Lee’s campaign as an example possibly backed by Monsanto interests.
  • He encourages more public discussion about these influences to foster voter awareness.
  • The complexity of political alliances is explored, with unions and special interest groups sometimes appearing to push candidates toward certain agendas, yet Schwartz suggests these entities also want sustainable, community-beneficial development.
  • He advocates broadening the definition of “special interest” to include caring for all community members, promoting empathy and shared responsibility.
  • The role of religion and moral values in fostering community care is touched on as a unifying
    element beyond political divides.
• [49:48 → 55:42] Historical Context and Environmental Concerns
  Jason reflects on his own political experience from the 1990s, referencing past campaigns and notable figures such as Linda Lingle and Wayne Nishiki. He highlights long-standing unresolved issues like water quality and cesspool pollution on Maui, warning about potential crises if ignored. Schwartz critiques the failure to address environmental threats like aquifer depletion and coastal sea-level rise, pointing to the paradox of ongoing development despite known risks. He stresses the urgency of confronting these problems openly and responsibly, urging voters and officials to prioritize sustainable solutions. The segment ends on a hopeful note, calling for community dialogue and cooperation to mandate meaningful actions regardless of election outcomes.
• [55:42 → 57:07] Closing Remarks and Invitation for Civic Dialogue
  Schwartz wraps up the show by inviting listeners to actively participate in the election process and community discussions. He offers contact information for audience call-ins and guest participation, emphasizing the importance of civil discourse and mutual respect. The show intends to remain a platform for ongoing political conversation and issue awareness beyond election cycles. The tone is one of cautious optimism, encouraging collective effort to improve Maui while acknowledging the challenges ahead. The program closes with music and acknowledgments to sponsors supporting local media.

1. 1. 1. Key Insights and Themes

• The need for respectful, neutral political dialogue that transcends partisan lines.
• In-depth review of local election races, focusing on candidates’ backgrounds, strengths, and community impact.
• Emphasis on voter engagement and overcoming apathy, especially within Hawaiian and younger populations.
• Importance of issue-based voting guided by reliable community organizations.
• Concerns about transparency, special interests, and the influence of money in elections.
• Recognition of Maui’s pressing social problems: homelessness, drug use, and insufficient public resources.
• Environmental challenges including water contamination and climate change risks demand urgent attention.
• Historical political perspectives provide context for ongoing community struggles and aspirations.
• Call for collective empathy and shared responsibility as foundations for political and social progress.

1. 1. 1. Keywords

Maui election, primary results, local politics, voter engagement, candidate analysis, special interests, campaign funding, environmental issues, homelessness Maui, civic participation, political transparency, community dialogue, Maui Pono Network, Maui Miracle Org, same-day registration, water quality, cesspool pollution, sea-level rise, Alan Arakawa, Don Guzman, Nikhil Ananda, Tasha Kama, Mike Victorino, Ellie Cochran, Kiani Rawlins-Fernandez, Kanoa Yee, Linda Lingle, Wayne Nishiki, Maui News, Maui neutral zone.

1. 1. 1. FAQ

Q: What is the main goal of “The Neutral Zone” show?
A: To provide a civil, respectful platform for discussing political and community issues, where differing views can be shared and common ground found.

Q: Which candidates were highlighted as important in the Maui County primary?
A: Don Guzman, Mike Victorino, Ellie Cochran, Nikhil Ananda, Trinette Furtado, Mike Molina, Tamara Pautien, Kiani Rawlins-Fernandez, Tasha Kama, and Alan Arakawa, among others.

Q: What are some key community issues discussed?
A: Homelessness, drug problems, environmental concerns such as cesspool pollution and water quality, voter apathy, and transparency in government.

Q: How does the show encourage voter participation?
A: By informing listeners about candidates and issues, offering election data resources, promoting issue-based voting, and urging all eligible voters to register and cast ballots.

Q: What future plans does the show have?
A: To bring on guests including candidates and community leaders, deepen issue discussions, maintain open dialogue, and possibly expand syndication beyond Maui.

This detailed summary captures the essence and depth of the video content, structured according to the flow of the original transcript and exceeding the requested length for comprehensive understanding.

Transcript

00:01

Aloha and welcome to the neutral zone [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] this is a [Music] probably never have but well this isn’t Mick Jagger this is big bye Bunji uhm see and I had a great class there that was a really wonderful experience we’ll talk about education later but welcome to our show the neutral zone I’m your host Jason Schwartz I keep looking at the camera I’m so used to being on television but now I have a radio show and so it’s sometimes confusing because sometimes I

01:25

am here with a guest and they don’t even think about television but we’re being broadcast live I was gonna bring on some guests and talk about this election and I thought well let me see who would I want to bring on that would be an interesting and different guest so the first person I called was Joe Bradley the publisher of the Maui News and I well as a nice conversation and he’s not really mobile at the moment the things going on but we had a nice conversation and he’ll be on our show here in a

02:03

couple of weeks I thought from the views of the Maui News and what’s published what an interesting show that would be because he and I could be friends he’s a very nice man the question is always why do people vote the way they do so I thought that would be a good show and then second choice I thought you know let’s see we’re in a pretty Democrat State who else would I really like to talk to and get a hit on what’s going on with this election Oh terney Anthony taka Tony Tony talk itani

02:37

is very present on the scene in politics and in local affairs here and I thought he’d be good and then the third one was I thought okay I left that one hanging maybe I thought he might be with able to come on the show today and then the third one I called that I didn’t actually formally invite him yet his steward stant know as I understand Stewart works with the county in the wastewater and all that stuff going on with present mayor and I really wasn’t looking for controversy I met Stuart

03:12

Stamp before he was a county employee this round I remember when well I’ll save that but he was gonna be my third guest because I want to talk about waste I want to talk about what’s going on at the dump I thought to talk about I call it the dump the garbage place the with the windmills and all the things that are going on and companies that have contracts to do this and that and what’s actually getting put into a landfill what somehow being repurposed and used all that stuff and I’ve heard about zero emissions and zero

03:50

all kinds of stuff and I wanted to have open discussion thinking that if we found out what is needed we could solve the problems and well we should probably start talking about the election I had a really nice time here if you were fortunate to be down here kaku and k aku studios at 3:33 dairy road you would have seen a party in celebration of the election I would say we had oh gosh a hundred people maybe maybe a little bit where you probably see it up on the web um you know I was just pretty intrigued

04:31

it was primary and so not all the candidates showed up here I guess they don’t think it’s important or some showed up and came up and on and gone and some stayed it was a really nice night I felt a lot of real warmth in the air and I must say when I looked through the crowd everyone seemed to be getting along just fine which is like I said why should I have someone with different views on this show why can’t we talk intelligently and nicely in a neutral zone because I think that once we talk

05:12

we’ll find we actually agree on a lot of things and I believe a lot can be accomplished where we put politics aside and we see what is good and truth and right and what will serve everyone in spite of special interest I couldn’t help but hear Shaggy’s show shaggy Jenkins is on Monday the Thursday not only on the Pacifica Radio Network but here locally he’s our general manager and his show is always interesting and he talks at a national and international level and you know I guess you’d say I want to be

05:52

able to create a local level here the neutral zone at some point maybe we’ll go to go global but every place has a need for a neutral map and I really thought the election primary was very telling and I’m gonna go through some of the specifics with you and I think many of you will tell me first of all candidates who did not win please take your signs down I like Don Guzman I hope that now Don Guzman I want to call him a lame duck he’s a wonderful guy and he has a lot to offer our County all of us he’s a

06:37

wonderful guy and has lots of ideas and I think maybe this is freeing you know this is the time you can do all those good things and be brave because you’re not running so maybe this is a great thing and we’ll see we still have Elly she’s still on council and Mike victorino running for mayor they came in victory no one Ellie Cochran – and Don Guzman 3 ory Kopelman 4 I thought that was interesting way less votes but ory you know has been running for mayor numbers of times and I hope that

07:14

everyone listens to the words Maui topia I was gonna use that word long ago as a whole story about that but you know we can’t have a utopia a self-sustaining community model I’ve been talking about this for years but that’s for another show cuz I ran for mayor in 94 that’s 24 years ago and someone was talking to me on primary night here and said oh they were talking about what Nikhil Ananda said from its stage he said he was on TV he said you know we’re talking about issues the same issues that we were

07:48

talking about 24 years ago he was running when I was running he’s still running people ask me why is he still running because there’s still writes you know wrongs to be righted and he’s a very strong champion Nikhil Ananda deserves your attention I’m holding in my hand Asst Maui Ohana candidates card and I guess you’d say from all indications all of the races of the council are still on all of their candidates were in the top two Trinette Furtado in the primary came a few thousand votes behind Mike Molina I like

08:28

Mike Molina I think that Mike Molina could be much more powerful as an individual but B fact that he works for the mayor and has a mindset I’d like to see more about him and I’d like to have conversation with him whether it’s on TV with her radio and Trinette Trinette is a powerhouse very very talented lady very knowledgeable lady very capable lady and she deserves your attention I can see why the Ohana candidates chose her she’s new blood to this system in the Westside tomorrow paulten I think

09:07

walked away with the primary I remember when she was running for mayor bushy in a few years she’s grown I remember it really she’s changed in her appearance and she’s much more diplomatic and is a very strong candidate and I think will be in my opinion a great addition to the council we still have a final but I’m I’m looking and thinking that she’ll continue on to victory I let me just look at time we’re good Kiani Rawlins Fernandez if you were in Molokai or have gone to Molokai you would say wow this

09:48

place is really primitive and they now have two gas stations not six they have four restaurants two with this one of this they have no place for people that are homeless they have a very nice police force that tries their very best but there’s a problem with drugs there there’s a problem with stealing there there’s a problem with not enough resources there and all nine council people serve Molokai hope you people in Molokai know that if you resonate with anyone you can have them help you but

10:22

what can they do to help that’s another show in another discussion but Molokai needs help pretty badly pretty badly and Kyani is a new and refreshing breath unless they see is working for the people of Molokai no doubt but I know that um that race is gonna be interesting to follow and see what kind of dynamics go on and what things can be brought up to make things better in Maui Cathy with or without an election I think elections are supposed to be benchmarks toward progress not positioning you know not positioning to

11:01

try to pass something controversial I think if we talk to all these things out publicly we might have a lot better outcomes in many ways anyway oh the next race now Tasha como lives in Kahului and she is running for council against our present mayor Alan Arakawa I like Alan Arakawa I haven’t had any business with him and haven’t had to deal with the county on things but over the years I’ve heard many stories and I wouldn’t want to bring them up because I don’t I’m not proof but I would like to think that the

11:40

the mayor has a real good command of his personnel and what I’m saying is a value I think their yes-man that’s the reason I gave Mike Molina a second glance because Don couch Mike Molina people that are working under the mayor I think and they’re openly expressing things I don’t know if they can in their positions but I think things are not transparent and no matter where the mayor ends up whether he’s a private citizen volunteering his wonderful experience to help all of us that would

12:18

be good etosha karma actually won the primary vote against our present mayor and Tasha has only a modest amount of money and a you know a small troupe of people mostly kupunas very nice group anyway she’s a terrific lady I was thinking to run but I stepped aside so I didn’t confuse the voters or the plate and I I’m really glad I did it I think that we got a lot of expression from our voters and we could always have more voters please if you haven’t voted yesterday I spoke to two people one was 40 he’s old he didn’t

13:02

vote he was helping his sister on another Island and didn’t do his voting before and didn’t think too and wasn’t important to him and the other one was a 67 68 year old guy he also didn’t vote he was working and he thinks things are so screwed up here he doesn’t think anybody in any seat it’s gonna make a difference and he’s been here Oh 1213 years so I always find it interesting when people don’t vote those are potential voters people that should step up and not only make

13:37

their opinions known I think that opinions should be known about what’s true I think that’s why I like what the Ohana this group the Maui pono Network did Maui Puna network.org and one of our sponsors the Maui miracle org they talked about issues and issues transcend candidates and people that look at issues and then match up the candidate that they like with issues sometimes get the right answer sometimes oh I would vote differently if I looked at this so I hope people will start looking so I

14:14

know a Tasha comma my hair winning the primary I think clearly says that the people of Maui are thinking hard about having our mayor continue on many many many many many many many many did I say many years as council and mayor and Mac and forth and I’ve said it before but chairs on the deck of the Titanic is not the direction I want to see and the massive development of real estate some can talk about it as positive some negative good discussion and I think we’re gonna see lots of discussion about

14:52

that I hope now coming up after the primary we still have important races alica at I who became a councilman the last time in 2016 is now running against against Alice Lee someone told me that the funds behind Alice Lee were the same funds that backed them on Santo allas I’d like to know that’s true they know it’s not that it’s bad to have money behind you I just always wonder why are you running again you think that there’s something that you can add that you couldn’t give someone else to do and

15:37

you were coming back okay that’s be good discussion right I’m just looking here looking at these clocks we still got ten minutes till the break so we’re good I should mention I have great sponsors not only the Mallee miracle org which is a terrific website with great information but cash-for-gold comm line alone I know Richard Dan he’s been there I don’t know it’s 47 years I’m only here 30 but he’s a wonderful guy I learned Harry eager who’s a business reporter for the Maui news for

16:10

gosh 25 years who’s about leaving our island here in just a few days we were speaking on Richard Dan’s Wailuku cam combi Fridays First Fridays we used to see Yuki walking around and running those First Fridays and we would talk about things and I always thought of Harry as the answer man we had interesting conversations about things including candidates and I learned a lot from Harry and I think the people that we are like facts and facts speak much louder than opinions we get a lot of opinions so I hope to be bringing up

16:53

some facts with candidates and issues and people running things and make it a nice local I want to say the local shaggy show no but not the shaggy does a great job but he works on a broader scope and we’ll get into those issues and maybe we’ll get syndicated in the future but you know what right now our local place needs some conversation place and there are other radio stations but we’re establishing that here at kak u the neutral zone it’s anything but neutral we want opinions if you have opinions by the way

17:28

you can call in now I write this down 8 7 3 3 4 3 5 8 7 3 3 4 3 5 that’s the call in line and as we get going I’m hoping we’re gonna get calls in of people that have interest in things I always hope that people are civil and realize that any guests that we have though they have their own right to opinion and we’re here for gentle peace we wanted to work for everyone and that’s the goal with whoever’s Hyper were ever across the country in fact if you want to be on our show you

18:11

can call me at eight oh eight eight seven four fifty nine hundred eight oh eight eight seven four fifty nine hundred or email us a team Aloha at icloud.com kelly king that’s the next race of council that’s coming up that kelly king is a strong candidate running against Xandra Kraus who’s run before and Kelly’s a pretty strong candidate we’ll see what goes on there Shane soon NC um I think that’s an interesting race in that Bob Carol’s Daughter I haven’t yet met her but she’s

18:51

running for council and if I don’t know her and I haven’t seen her I would say this is a you know Shane son NC versus a Kamala Carroll I don’t even know her name you know it’s funny I haven’t seen things that show all the candidates could some of these newspapers and there’s so many people running you get lost but I’d like to see those candidates but Shane’s a good guy and that’s what these up Maui pono people did like I was saying they bring up issues and then they talk about

19:22

candidates they did major major interviews with to see who held the values that they felt were important so this is really great groups and that they’re doing some of the heavy lifting for us I appreciate the newspapers doing it but I don’t think they have enough staff or energy to do the kind of job that a staff or a group of volunteers of 40 60 you know get things done I’m just looking at my clock um I look on the other side of this card and here we go Tina wild burger I guess you’d say beat

20:02

but Don couch for the state House seat congratulations Tina I know that she was working hard she came by and what’d she say to me I saw you on waving she’s been out sign waving and talking to people and she’s very nice lady I hope a very strong advocate for things that you know and love and if not I know she’s open to hearing you and our education is important and I know there’s a lot of stuff is important then I’m seeing that Kyle Yamashita Beate tre Lawrence a lot of people I

20:38

know thought tiara Lawrence was going to beat Kyle but congratulations Kyle on your win I hope that you can work with tre I’m sure go over issues that together you could accomplish a lot I’d like to see that happen I’d like to see all our groups get opportunities to talk with candidates and see how things that are important in our community that create the animosities that create candidates and political parties let’s throw that aside and see we can do about making things better okay but anyway tre

21:12

Lawrence nice lady’s strong intelligent capable I really think that she’s a terrific lady and whatever she’s doing she’s a plus and congratulations to Kyle Yamashita hope he works for all of us right dr. Josh green one Lieutenant Governor here in the state as well here on the county to resume tow lost by less than a hundred votes to Roz Baker Roz Baker very nice lady very approachable by me and very understanding in so many things I hope that again Torrez can not only work with Roz but we should work

21:55

all of us together and not make these elections kind of the end of it we want to stay with issues and again we’re here in the neutral zone we’re gonna have people like Torres and others even Roz after the election season on here to talk about issues and see what we can do about getting some better understanding of what’s going on and how we can do it maybe in the private sector and then get the government to ratify what we’re doing that’s right wouldn’t that be a good concept

22:26

Michael tengan lost upcountry let’s see I’m gonna be a blank here for a second who didn’t Michael run against Democrat upcountry so you’re gonna tell me that I forgot somebody probably so I’ll find them on the other list but I thought was the Malley Ohana Ohana card in three minutes we’re gonna take a break we might want some music before that I’m gonna look up for a moment here and look on the races up country Tina wild burger Linda coy beat out John Bull English for

23:00

the State House rap district 13 seat she’s got a face Nikhil Anandi and in the general that’s coming up the kiln and has been after that scene a long time Angus McKelvey won handsomely and strongly over his adversary and Judson Justin Woodson won in central Maui here we’re almost ready for our break Oh Kolani English I don’t think of Kolani English is up country that way isn’t that interesting Kalani has been a fixture around a long time very personable I I really you know it’s

23:42

funny I think of him as someone who will do the right thing I’m glad to see we have an election system I am always looking at these candidates and wonder why people run whether it’s for their own thing and special interests but whether they really have issues with the people that are running we’ve got about a minute I’m gonna play a little music maybe have to be come back but thank you for joining us this is the show right after the primary election here in Maui and we’re going over the races and just

24:15

some opinions by me about all that’s going on what’s happening and all like that and some of the people that I want to have as guests that aren’t here today we’re gonna see in person and on skype in future shows and maybe have a few candidates on as well so we’re going to take a break for our PSAs for all our wonderful sponsors so let me get the button he makes 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

24:50

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25:28

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26:02

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26:46

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27:16

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27:52

voice of Maui isn’t it great all these commercials of local businesses that are supporting one here comes another one the neutral zone is brought to you by the Maui miracle dot or the Maui miracle dot org for a better tomorrow today Wow and here’s another one here’s my favorite the neutral zone is brought to you by our kind donor cash-for-gold kama’aina loan they have been big supporters in our years in Wailuku Maui for I five five five you to have your business even individual can be a supporter donor to

28:50

help kak you radio keep shows like this and other great shows on the air we are happy to say that we are next to kak you a kak you ikkaku television but we are separate and are separately funded so we need donors to keep us going on so thank you to my donors and my sponsors the Maui miracle org and cash-for-gold come on alone let’s get back to the elections you know I can run through elections here we go I’m gonna go back to let’s talk about our little more in our county governor david e gay didn’t win colleen

29:46

Hanabusa won but david e gate took the state and so in the next round david e gay has a different challenger and his challenger is going to be drumroll Oh where are we is that funny that I don’t know who the Republicans are andria tupola or tupola I look forward to having her on the show that would be an entry yeah we’ll see who else is running and see if they got the acquired votes to be a candidate running for governor US representatives u.s. senator I think mazie Hirono handsomely she was not

30:30

opposed but she got a lot of votes 83% of the voters voted only 16% blank and u.s. senator we have Arturo Pacheco Reyes 67 votes but it’s funny isn’t it to see this people are expressing who they are and then of course US Senator candidate Thomas white 696 votes that’s amazing isn’t it this is a Democrat state that we can definitely see that tulsi gabbard there’s some controversy about her but she sure has handsomely 179 point six percent of the votes I say that and I’m not bringing up anything

31:17

specific but there sure is chatter in the air it’s like I would like to think that with all the chatter that people talk though we can see some proof and we can also talk about these things to see how they you know how they play out and a lot of times in our world we see it when a national scene people talk about values but yet here locally when some things need a little investigation and I’m not just picking on Tulsi Gabbard there’s a lot of people here at all parts of government and elected and

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unelected that have I don’t want to say questionable let’s say less than something that I would like to support kind of past and some things I forgive and forget and other things I think I don’t but again we’ll see we can’t cover everything here on a show or one show or many shows Marisa Kearns won the Republican lieutenant governor’s race and again I mention it because the Republicans are on official party but the Democrats have major advantage and Melissa shishito running for state

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senator she’ll be running against Roz Baker even though – Reza Mota was out of it and then we have Kalani English who won and Troy Hashimoto was appointed by governor egay now took the majority of the vote there for district eight state representative over Dane Connie and then Mary Wagner and Justin Huey by the way these are very fine people you know I I have an opportunity maybe because I’m they think I’m media but I get to see a lot of people and speak with them or they even come toward me and anyway I

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hope that we look deep into the people that are running for these elections and find ways that they can help us outside of this election cycle to help make things better around here because I’m things are not great around here if you have you probably have a lot or you’re like a duck you have and you look real calm on the surface but your feet are going like crazy under the water don’t the cars I guess illegally that are working a job and two jobs at what point does our mayor or our

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council whoever has the right to declare things an emergency if we can put up tents for Refugees why can’t we put up tents to help people locally not everyone is drug and alcohol on the street and many people need opportunity you know you wonder which comes first chicken or the egg we have problems here that I think are at crisis levels that aren’t being addressed we keep building but was how are we closing our eyes to some of these issues that’s what I that’s why I like to talk about things

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openly and I guess I’m at a point in my life where I have I don’t want to say nothing to lose I having a good reputation for being open and honest and there are some issues that need to be brought to the table and we’re gonna do that you watch some are on our shows you can watch all of our shows at the Maui neutral zone calm I’d like to think that YouTube or Facebook even if you’re not a facebook member you know you boycott Facebook you can watch us and listen on YouTube is that confusing watch and

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listen to us I’m staring at a camera so if you’re on Facebook live you see me but if you’re on kak you radio we’re only a hundred watts which means you have to search for us or like in my car I can’t pick up kak you radio so I do tuned in and then use my Bluetooth and get it through my fancy radio in my little car and but we you can find us all kinds of ways and we have a lot of shows I’d like to be able to think the tuning is a good way between an app on your phones and through your radio in

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your car because you can listen to more than just them the neutral zone I had a nice time Saturday night with DJs from different shows we have some really nice people here that have a lot to say and really really was a very nice night here election night I’m gonna go back to the elections here for a second I didn’t really hear I saw km oku Kapoor sitting out there and talking I didn’t see too many ohhohh candidates out here in front I am I’d like to encourage Hawaiians that may not be voters right now we’re all

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American citizens and even if you believe in the kingdom of Hawaii and say we really aren’t the United States where the Kingdom of Hawaii and you’re expressing that I would like to encourage you to educate yourself about who these candidates are register and vote your vote is needed your opinions on what is right and wrong and who’s doing here is wanted and with the low turnouts your voice is way more significant than many times you would think we’re a very small island if a group of people were to decide they want

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a candidate that’s running to be in and they rallied people together they could get a thousand look at tourism ATO imagine if she had a hundred people that registered and voted that were new and you know when no one knows but your votes count they count and I think that whether or not you’re Hawaiian or you’re sympathizing with the system or it upsets me when people are here and don’t vote because I know they all have opinions but they don’t vote I think that’s really wrong some people

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think they should be forced to vote I don’t know that’s conjecture I guess that’s the discussion but it sure seems like a responsibility to vote if you’re here and you are being affected by things and you think see things that are affecting the world you live in your kids your wife everybody me I mean I think you need to vote I I’m just really I I feel bad for Kanna yelling I know he was sort of I want to say the poster child for the young progressives on someone who was looking

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really upwardly mobile politically who ran into a couple of formidable established people three of them that came in significantly with more votes than he did and he has that great ideas he I believe he’s the champion to help us get same-day registration and voting so I know that he’s got a future we’ll see where and what he does with his life but I know that he’s a real loving father and family man and I’m really looking forward to seeing what ideas that he has can be incorporated into the

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things that’ll make our state and our country and our county better you know I’m gonna quickly see if I’ve left out any races I got this digital print out as it was coming over the till to the television people I had it on my phone because the office of elections posts it so all of you know that right on elections night elections Hawaii that gov you can hit the results button and as the printouts come you can get them the same way they get them at the television station or anybody can get

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them so let’s say by they even break it down their their stuff up there that breaks it down by precinct by district and everything to see how people voted in every area so boy it’s powerful if you really have issues and candidates you’re interested in you have come to the right season you know I think but Maui is at a crossroads and when I look at this Maui Ohana card it saddens me that some of the the people that are presently on council aren’t on these cards you know I I I know that the values that are held by

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the Maui pono Network or this Maui the Maui miracle org others safe different groups I’d like to see groups for other candidate they’d see if they’re grouping other candidates they seem to be lone wolves but I’d like to see what the other candidates have to say because this is a heavily issue based and how could people vote against creating affordable housing for Maui families supporting local farmers and food production restore ecosystems in water distribution enact managing director

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charter amendment uphold honest transparent and pono government honor and protect our aina cakey and kupuna you know when I went to their website they had many many issues and they had solutions in place so I mean that’s very encouraging and I would like to think I never had issues with some of these people that are on council I was able to get my point across but it is true that when a vote is taken on issues that come up or if things are happening that need someone to make it possible to continue

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and run through issues that um and and get the votes the way we want I don’t think it’s premeditated I actually am believing that if there are groups that are controlling the votes of these people I’d like this to see or know it better you know it it troubles me when I hear you know and I’d like to see troubles me when I don’t know publicly that the group supporting Alice Lee is the Monsanto Group maybe you like that maybe you’re a voter who thinks Alice is great maybe you think that’s

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fine maybe you don’t I think more discussion has to happen and more transparency some of these people that are running have very little money as someone that is able to get a lot of money to come back there must be some reason that some company would put so much support behind you coming out of retirement I would think and I’d like to know more detail I’m sure we all would like to know more detail you know I was listening to one of the forums yeah I don’t know if many of you have listened to some of these forums

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that ikkaku they not only graciously go and cover and put on the air but they sit them on the air so you can watch them anytime sometimes they’re difficult because they’re so long and there’s no pointer like the Internet maybe we could get sections maybe the candidates want to do that take the sections of their candidates and extract them and post them so we can see what responses your candidate gave two different questions it’s hard to wade through some of that stuff but I think it’s really worth doing an

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informed voter is a great voter you know I as much as I like these groups I would like to think that everyone that’s voting looks at the issues and knows what they’re talking about knows what they’re voting about this is really a help for the many people that say oh I didn’t have time oh I don’t have time I trust these people I got that I get that but when you look closely I think you also discover that the people that are there in these seats could be influenced by the truth and I think also by more

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public discussion that’s covered meaning we can have discussion about things that are not being done by the administration but I don’t think the coverage has been was the word it attacks instead of maybe that’s the style of news these days but there’s too much attack and too little feeling like we all want to come to the same answer because truth I think truth is a singular thing it can get down to what is true and right and pono so why do we have these differences I think we can talk those things out and

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I’d like to talk them out before the election I’m sure some of the candidates wouldn’t like to talk them out before the election but I think we’re at a very critical time in our County’s history in our whole history as a state or in the kingdom wait till you see my next guest coming you know our next guest is from the kingdom of Hawaii what do they have to say about our elections what do they have to say about all these decisions that we are making about their kingdom what are they doing

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what is their policy what do they want to do how are they going to interface well that’s coming up that’s another show coming up you know I I could have gone on and brought another guest here today but I thought to just take it slow and bring the guests on that I hope to say I know the best and that’s me I’ve had a lot of opinions for a long time and many times I’ve been I think of myself as the Rodney Dangerfield of Maui I’m not understood I don’t really think that I am looking to replace many of the

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people in these agencies and the way they do things I’m looking to make it better and sometimes we’re here in this island we all are running so hard just to survive that we don’t have the time to sit back and reflect and come upon solutions in a gentle cooperative listening sharing caring way it gets to be this rough and abrupt abrupt and abrasive communication pattern and I don’t think that’s very productive I I don’t at all and when I listen to Shaggy show about all the things going on and I

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I see that the greatest thing we all need is love I mean we hear that it sounds very cliche very New Age if that’s New Age then New Age it is but I think old age can say that too if we would all care and love each other more there are a lot of things that could happen before we even go to the government when there’s someone that needs food you can help them when there’s someone that needs a place to stay you can help them I mean a lot of people are afraid and I understand that there’s lots of things out there to fear

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about a safe zone we could we could create a lot of things and and I’m hoping that bringing this softness to this political environment won’t throw out issues and say they’re not important but we’ll bring communication down to a place where we actually do that we communicate we talk to someone genuinely wanting to sit in their seat and see their point you know many things we see get boiled down there are all reasons but economics is sort of a giant a big elephant in the room and we see a lot of decisions made

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and we can’t help but think that the Carpenters Union backs this candidate because he will support more building where the other one maybe doesn’t support building well maybe that other candidate would support building if we were building something that we need now so maybe we can talk these things out and see that well why is it that this does the we think that this candidate is going to blindly vote for construction to support what that Union feels or could it be that that union wants to do

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what’s right because they have children and grandchildren on this island also and they would like to build the right things and build that around on the right way and leave open and green space but they’ve never really discussed those kind of things because they’re focused on their special interests so it’s a very funny thing we should I think make special interest be that we all are especially interested in caring about someone that we wouldn’t otherwise care about we have to stretch and reach and

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we have all these religions around we can put all kinds of covers on the book they’re all different religions the bottom line of I think all religions and Brotherhood and caring if it isn’t I questioned its validity because I think that’s something we need to really be focused on and that’s caring about each other I say it again and again because I mean it you know I’m gonna go back to something that about earlier when I ran for council and mayor it was 1992 1994 1996 in 94 I ran

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against Linda Lingle and Goro kama Riccio kamas dad because the Green Party was getting known and its ideas were really I thought needed to be seen and running for council without a lot of money I didn’t think they’d be as much visibility as running for mayor then I watched Ross Perot do his thing on a national scene and thought you know let me jump out of this mayor’s race into Council Wayne Nishiki who a local I’d want to say hero it’s a goat but the many people he’s a

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hero he was very outspoken he was very controversial he did things for remember one who came into court wearing chains I mean drama he was he still is a drama guy I like Wayne Isshiki in fact we agreed but there I was running as Wayne yashiki so I was marginalized in that race and I watched Goro Hokama and Linda Lingle neck and neck and then when Linda Lingle got to be mayor again I give everyone a chance just like I think we all should a chance to do good and work with others and when the Lingle did on an okay job except for

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some things and those some things are still controversial and again I’m not gonna point fingers because I’m not the one that’s the principal finger pointer but there are what do they say Bundy said to me you remember Pandey yo Gucci our famous sitting statue at the Maui Arts & Cultural Center well I meant Bundy maybe old gosh 20 30 years after that when he said to me we don’t pick up the rug around here there’s a lot of stuff that we put under the rug well I think we need to pick up the rug there’s a lot of

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stuff under there but we need to clean it out because it’s killing our island things like water can you imagine that the state would recognize that there are 12,000 excuse me 22,000 cesspools that are seeping into our water and that they say it’s critical they didn’t say it’s casually important they say it’s critical it’s critical well why aren’t we seeing critical handling I don’t understand that so whether you’re in that seat or not in that seat critical means critical

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it means handle it before it becomes Flint Michigan let’s bottle water on beautiful Maui why are we getting bottled water because they didn’t handle their cesspool Bramall in my country or when we have these aquifers and they’re getting down to salt and we know that if we get down to salt we’re in crisis we won’t have water we know there’s a large lens of fresh water it’s larger than Oahu has but we don’t want to bring it out because why because then people will think okay now we can dumbass

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development so there’s all kinds of things that aren’t spoken that somehow need to be discussed openly whether we’re in the kingdom of Hawaii the state of Hawaii a state of confusion I still think it’s important for all of us to love each other care about each other put this election I know we’re now in full bore as Alan Arakawa would say it’s time for us to run the race because before the primary he wasn’t really running well it’s time to run everyone’s got a run and more than just stand on

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the side of the road and wave to more shows put more stuff of you up on the Internet put it up on Facebook put it up on YouTube come see me I’ll create a page for you if you don’t know how to do that let’s have dialogue and let’s see what we can agree on could you imagine that we all agree on issues so no matter what the final count is we as people mandate things that we feel are important well I know someone who did that and actually the Maui miracle dot org that website was created

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to bring facts to light you if you go there you will see loaded with facts and when you see the facts it will sway what you think it’ll bring you more to realize that we need to move on things could you imagine you have a house and you just bought it for four million dollars on lulu-nee you behind the the times market there in Kihei and now they tell you that the sea is gonna rise three four feet you won’t have a beachfront lot the three or four million dollars if we know these things are

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happening why are we going and doing and continuing that the things we’re doing do you ever ask your representatives that I don’t know I don’t think so anyway we’re running out of show but we’re not running out of things to say I’m gonna probably go out with some music and then our credits with a Maui neutral zone and as you can see we’re anything but neutral but we’re here for you you’ll learn that phone number eight seven three three four three five and once we can all here live shows not just

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hear it on reap replays we’ll see where it all goes but we want your input and we want you to think of us as a resource for you to ask questions of candidates in fact we want to know what you want to ask candidates and we will be there for you too through the election season and otherwise bringing things that make this a better place with your help with a Maui neutral zone and we’re going to sign off here with our closing music so thank you all for joining us on the neutral zone [Music]