The MAUI MIRACLE – Nick Drance

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Jason with NICK DRANCE, Special Field Correspondent for  The Neutral Zone. He assists Jason in gathering information for the show. Helping to explain the breadth of information on TheMauiMiracle.org, a website that shares FACTS , recognizing that people are important… more important than money. 8-6-2018

Summary & Transcript

1. 1. “The Maui Miracle and the Future of Maui”

1. 1. 1. 1. [00:03 → 07:10] Introduction and Overview of the Maui Miracle Website

•      [00:03] Jason Schwartz, host of the Neutral Zone radio show on Maui, opens by discussing his long history in radio and introduces the context: an election year with important local issues.
• [01:40] Jason shares how he obtained sponsorships from local businesses, including the Maui Miracle organization, which is a focal point of this episode.
• [02:17] Jason introduces Nick Drance, a multi-talented local and technical expert, to help explain and navigate the Maui Miracle website and the critical information it contains.
• [03:38] Jason and Nick discuss how the website serves as a comprehensive resource for understanding Maui’s social, environmental, and political landscape.
• [04:10] Nick explains the concept of the “Maui Miracle” as the preservation of Maui’s unique sacred land, culture, and environment. He highlights Maui’s isolation and the importance of protecting its natural fabric.
• [05:22] The discussion introduces the phrase “Los Angeles suffocation,” which refers to the overdevelopment and urban sprawl seen in Los Angeles, warning Maui against following a similar path.
• [05:59] Jason reads a letter that outlines the island’s overcapacity issues, environmental challenges like sea-level rise, water contamination, and the threat posed by outdated sewage systems (notably 12,000 cesspools).
• [07:10] The letter emphasizes that Maui has surpassed its carrying capacity, with risks to health, economy, and community sustainability. It calls for urgent attention and responsible voting to protect the island.

1. 1. 1. 1. [07:10 → 13:44] Environmental and Political Challenges Facing Maui

• 
• [07:59] The letter highlights the economic and environmental necessity of creating sustainable infrastructure to protect the island’s health and tourism.
• [08:49] The threat of untreated sewage contaminating aquifers and coastal waters is described as a “sleeping giant” problem, potentially devastating to both residents and the tourism-based economy.
• [09:35] Maui ranks as one of the least affordable places to live in the U.S., with increasing mainland investment exacerbating housing and economic pressures.
• [11:28] Jason and Nick discuss the seriousness of the cesspool problem and its potential future impact on water quality and health.
• 
• [12:03] Jason reflects on his past political involvement and warnings about energy and environmental issues, noting that despite years of advocacy, Maui is still facing critical challenges.
• [13:08] The Maui Miracle website is praised for its exhaustive information, including detailed government charters, maps, and voting guides, helping voters make informed decisions.

1. 1. 1. 1. [13:44 → 20:46] Hawaiian History, Cultural Preservation, and Carrying Capacity

• [14:16] Jason asks Nick about the historical and cultural content on the website.
• [14:55] Nick explains that while sovereignty discussions are complex, the website focuses on preserving Maui’s land and economy.
• [15:26] They discuss the symbiotic relationship between Hawaiians and the land, highlighting traditional Hawaiian values and sustainable living practices.
• [16:42] Nick shares a historical insight: by 1875, the Hawaiian Kingdom had diplomatic relations with major world powers like Britain, emphasizing the island’s former global stature.
• [17:55] The history section is described as educational and well-documented, helping locals and visitors understand the significance of Hawaiian culture and history.
• [18:53] The website includes official government and university reports, reinforcing the factual basis of the concerns raised.
• [19:32] The concept of “carrying capacity” is central: Maui is beyond its sustainable limits regarding population, tourism, water, and infrastructure.
• [20:09] The problem of cesspools is reiterated, with state officials highlighting the upcountry aquifer as a priority area for environmental protection.

1. 1. 1. 1. [20:46 → 27:20] Sea-Level Rise, Infrastructure Concerns, and Voting Urgency

• [20:46] Sea-level rise is a significant threat, with projections of up to three feet in the next 40-60 years, necessitating urban retreat and inland beach creation.
• 
• [21:57] Current infrastructure, including roads and traffic, is already strained, with accidents and congestion illustrating overdevelopment.
• [22:34] Natural disaster risks (hurricanes, volcanic activity, acid rain) compound the challenges facing Maui, emphasizing the need for sustainable planning.
• [23:14] Economic sustainability is linked to environmental health, and the tourism economy must be protected by managing growth carefully.
• [24:24] Nick emphasizes the critical nature of this election and the importance of voting informed by the knowledge available on the Maui Miracle website.
• [26:11] Radical attention is needed to address Maui’s challenges—transcending political sides to focus on long-term preservation.
• [26:51] Voter turnout is low (around 23% in primaries), and the hosts urge residents to register and vote, highlighting the stakes for Maui’s future.

1. 1. 1. 1. [27:20 → 39:34] Development Pressures, Housing Crisis, and Political Landscape

• [29:52] Jason draws parallels between Maui’s development and Los Angeles, particularly regarding water infrastructure and urban sprawl.
• [31:41] Maui is currently the least affordable housing market in the U.S., with mainland investors driving prices and development that may harm local residents.
• [32:19] Two mayoral candidates are backed by big business and real estate interests, advocating for more development, while another candidate represents grassroots support and a more balanced approach.
• [33:48] Jason and Nick discuss the ongoing fight to prevent Maui from becoming overdeveloped like Los Angeles and the importance of electing officials who prioritize sustainability.
• [36:07] The Maui Pono Network’s candidate evaluations show a strong local presence and a commitment to preserving Maui’s character.
• [37:21] The hosts express concern over the island’s overdevelopment, sewage contamination, traffic, and economic imbalance.
• [38:27] Historical algae blooms caused by agricultural runoff are cited as early warnings of environmental degradation, underscoring the urgency of addressing pollution.
• [39:34] Despite the serious challenges, the hosts stress the “miracle” of awareness and the opportunity to make positive change through voting and activism.

1. 1. 1. 1. [39:34 → 51:40] Election Stakes, Development Models, and Future Prospects

• [40:07] The election represents a choice between continued unchecked development (mirroring Los
• Angeles) and a balanced approach focused on sustainability and community health.
• [40:39] Visual comparisons between Maui’s new developments and iconic Los Angeles shopping centers illustrate the risk of losing Maui’s unique character.
• [41:52] The hosts emphasize that Maui’s future depends on voters choosing leaders who understand the importance of long-term preservation over short-term profits.
• [43:02] Ownership ties between local media, large corporations, and development interests highlight conflicts of interest in public discourse.
• [43:39] The current political shuffle is likened to “moving chairs on the Titanic,” with little real change in direction.
• [44:10] Voter registration and participation are encouraged, stressing the convenience of same-day registration and voting.
• [45:18] The website provides detailed information on county government, candidate bios, and voting guidance, empowering voters with knowledge.
• [46:36] The political contest includes an “old establishment” versus “new voices” dynamic, with some candidates representing deep-rooted development interests and others promoting environmental and social balance.
• [48:19] The firing of a county planner over opposition to population growth plans illustrates the tension between development and sustainability.
• [49:32] The scale of planned airport expansion and associated infrastructure signals a trajectory toward increased population and commercial development that may exceed Maui’s carrying capacity.
• [51:05] This election is framed as a critical turning point for Maui’s future, with the potential to either solidify or halt the current development trend.

1. 1. 1. 1. [51:40 → 54:01] Closing Remarks and Call to Action

• [52:15] Jason and Nick close by reaffirming their hope that the Maui Miracle represents a collective awakening to the island’s needs.
• [52:47] Maui is described as a sacred, unique place with deep historical and cultural significance, deserving protection from overdevelopment.
• [53:29] Sponsors and community organizations supporting the show and the cause are acknowledged.
• [54:01] Jason thanks Nick for his insights and participation, expressing a desire to continue this dialogue through future radio and TV programs.
• The show signs off, encouraging listeners to visit the Maui Miracle website and get involved in protecting Maui’s future.

1. 1. 1. Key Insights

• Maui is currently over its ecological and infrastructural carrying capacity, facing critical environmental, economic, and social challenges.
• The Maui Miracle website serves as an essential educational resource, compiling government data, historical context, and political analysis to inform voters.
• Overdevelopment threatens Maui’s unique cultural heritage, environment, and the tourism economy, with parallels drawn to the urban sprawl and problems of Los Angeles.
• The upcoming election is pivotal, with candidates divided mainly between pro-development and sustainability-focused platforms.
• Voter engagement and informed participation are crucial to preserving Maui’s future as a sacred and sustainable island.
• Environmental threats include sea-level rise, sewage contamination from cesspools, traffic congestion, and potential ecological disasters like algae blooms.
• The political landscape includes complex interests, including local grassroots movements, big business, mainland investors, and media ownership ties.

1. 1. 1. Keywords

Maui Miracle, carrying capacity, overdevelopment, sea-level rise, cesspools, tourism economy, sustainable infrastructure, election, Maui County, Hawaiian history, cultural preservation, environmental protection, voter education, political candidates, grassroots, real estate development, Los Angeles suffocation, Maui Pono Network.

1. 1. 1. Call to Action

• 
• Visit the Maui Miracle website for comprehensive information on Maui’s environmental, political, and social issues.
• Register to vote and participate in the upcoming local elections to influence decisions impacting Maui’s future.
• Support candidates and policies that prioritize sustainability, cultural preservation, and balanced economic development.
• Engage in community discussions and advocacy to protect Maui’s unique heritage and environment.

This detailed summary captures the extensive discussion on Maui’s critical challenges and the pivotal role of informed voting and sustainable policies in shaping the island’s future.

Transcript

00:03

[Music] [Music] [Applause] [Music] hello hi how are you this is Jason Schwartz I am the host of the neutral zone here in Maui and I that was the hand isn’t this great yeah I remember I always just see the Flintstones and they have little critters come in and do stuff well we are here I like to think we’re public and we’re in training for greatness with all the buttons and dials in our life and all the stuff going on I feel fortunate to be here at kaku radio the voice of Maui eighty eight and a

01:40

half fm um I’ve had this show now eight weeks I’ve been doing shows here for God if I say 25 years I wouldn’t be fooling 25 years hundreds of shows and started a radio show and I’ve enjoyed this because I’ve it so happens to be election year and now that they’ve got this radio talk mode I had to get sponsors and when I went out and got sponsors I realized that there’s our responsibility I wanted to see luckily one was the Maui miracle ,org and the other was kamaaina loans

02:17

cash for gold people I know for years and as I was going through this and realizing how much there is to share here comes election I wanted to bring I want to think of as my special field correspondent this is Nick I think of him as Nick Fury like the sergeant commander but actually he’s also iron man he is a man who has so many talents and hidden things and I needed to explain to you our sponsors stuff and I thought what better way is get someone who is really techno to help me navigate through the Maui miracle orgas is a

02:59

sponsor so I’m gonna play something but I first want to introduce Nick Nick Drance the local people of Maui and the world Aloha nick has a background in so many things but when I first met you were singing with me and Louise Lambert right and I saw you in so many different ways and I saw how much passion you put in and how much love you have for this place and then when I saw your technical skills I said I have to somehow I’m gonna be taken on in the world here I need to be having someone help me understand what’s

03:38

out there and so as I’ve been going through Bali pono Network watching Sam small you’ve seen some of these people Deborah talking about smart meters and legalising have all these things I wanted someone to help me digest it and I have a sponsor here that’s talking about stuff so we only have a week till the elections and that’s why you’re on here Nick to help me show what’s going on this website is our sponsor the Maui miracle org and I’m repeating it a few times on purpose because I think it’s

04:10

very important because in the time we have I can almost can’t explain what this is Nick yeah what I shouldn’t even ask you to go should I explain this is what I think this website is the Maui miracle it’s already here you know I was talking with kadar yesterday and he said you know people are waiting for the miracle and it’s already here it’s it’s just it’s in front of us but we don’t see it that the miracle is that malli it being a sacred special unique Island the

04:46

fabric and the character and the health of the land and the people that live here be preserved and maintained as a sacred Island that it is you know we’re the farthest little speck of sand from any other land mass on the planet I do know that there 180 miles from Los Angeles which is the model of where I don’t think we want to go but I on the website there’s a thing about Los Angeles occation know this is a first when I first read that I thought you know I’d like to be able to say that

05:22

word and I had this I kept repeating it like five times and I know it sounds like you know ridiculous but once I got to the point where I could actually say it I like saying it Los Angeles suffocation what that means to me is I you know I as I was reading I’m gonna play for you in a minute a thing I got a letter in the mail I’m sure it’s one maybe you got one too it’s uh it’s a basically a statement from people trying to take me to look and to see things about this website it is so

05:59

filled with information whether it’s about government and rules and how things are and charters and maps voting things and things about history and information about real estate and estate and education and it is it is a fact what do we say it’s a fact-finding dream if you want to know what’s going on this site is just an extraordinary and the fact that they’re my sponsor I’m very and for the people in our world you know we can vote now the same day that we registered yeah so the power is in

06:37

hearing this and taking action because you have the power to vote and if we’re gonna save this island this is I think you’re gonna see is what this website makes me one of the more I read it it started to hurt and I started to feel pain and I think it’s mostly because I see what’s going on many of you know I years ago was talking the same thing but now we have a chance to save it so that’s what this means to me I’m really very proud to have them as a sponsor of my shell thank you anyway

07:10

I’m gonna take a moment gather our wits here as we’re getting in and play for you a prepared thing where I read this piece that came in the mail so hang on a second the Maui miracle dot-org a protection plan to the island of Maui is a health and economic necessity right now according to every government and University study Maui has well exceeded its carrying capacity two of our mayoral candidates back significant additional real estate investment by mainland and Honolulu based companies and REI teas creating

07:59

sustainability infrastructure that protects the health of the island for residents and tourists should come first the official 2018 state of Hawaii’s sea-level rise study indicates sea level rise close to three feet in the next forty to sixty years it recommends an urban retreat plan starting right now it recommends creating beaches farther inland to replace ones that will disappear this is a state of Hawaii report urbanization areas along the coast indicated by maps in the county plan are not a good idea

08:49

contamination of upcountry aquifers and the periodic high levels of bacteria in the waters tourists come here to enjoy may potentially be the biggest health and economic risk we face the state of Hawaii says Maui has 12,000 cesspools which handle untreated human waste inadequate sewage treatment is a sleeping giant problem it should be a priority it’s about the health of residents and our tourists based economy statistically Maui is among the least affordable places to live in the United States adding even more profits for

09:35

mainland investors and REI tees from new retail and commercial development at this time it’s a real state that’s restaurants in Maui visit www.fema.gov – the polls become more informed and vote Queen Liliuokalani Hawaii’s last ruling monarch said the way to lose any earthly kingdom is to be inflexible intolerant and prejudicial another way is to be too flexible tolerant of too many wrongs and without judgment at all it’s a razor’s edge it is the width of a blade of peeli grass we have a

10:37

responsibility to take responsibility preserve the health of this sacred island believe in the miracle be the miracle WWD maui miracle org all right well I did that because I didn’t want to stand here and read a page letter but I thought it was really a good letter and I wasn’t reading it for a dramatic pause he’s so good oh you should have a radio show really good I’m sure though the people out there are saying who is this good-looking guy here you know when I look at what was just said

11:28

and I hear about 22,000 you just correct you 22,000 cesspools that aren’t being checked out back yuria human waste and what it means to potential water tables and bottled water like well that’s you know that’s that’s maybe projecting well it is you know it is and it isn’t you know the Maui miracle is a positive message about you know this beautiful land that we live on little specks and and all the sacred aspects of this island that make it unique we can talk about that in a minute

12:03

but you know there’s some other concerns that we need to look at and they are not necessarily a problem right now but you know if you have something that’s important to you then you have to take care of it as far as the cesspools go that the word itself is objectionable well you know I’m bringing it up only so that you know 25 years ago I ran for mayor of Maui and I said we can go left we can go right I was Green and some labeled me radical you know the things they’re talking about you know I had the

12:37

head of the council junior-junior Moniz came up to me he was the head of the gang of a four or five line that helped all this happen and he said you were right Jason about energy you were right about everything I’m not happy to be right debris but here we are we now have a sacred land and that’s your focus but I want to be sure that that they don’t because we’re going to talk about this website you know but there is so much under that information tab yeah on the website yeah we’re looking by the way at

13:08

a card blow-up of something that is the Maui miracle org when you go on the website that looks like the website stop that information has subcategories they all have subcategories it is it’s just an amazing job that this website really gives you all the tools you do to be able to say so who do I want to vote for and it has its recommendations but you know what this based on values and you’re honoring the sacred this whole website shares with me and thank you for helping me do this Nick because you know

13:44

this was a lot for me to explain and I know I’m kind of picking on you to help me not at all I have a passion for it it’s easy I know that’s what I was sharing with that yeah yeah your passion about this land you know is from all aspects multicultural Hawaiian and everything else that you’ve you’ve really been a champion to me and so like I say you’re like Sergeant fury and the commandos you’ve been a warrior you’re a bunch of people in your group but you’ve been a

14:16

great leader I’ve appreciated the way I’ve seen you step up there are groups doing things and you want to make sure that this is not unheard thank you because when I look at this give me if you would say why don’t go to Hawaiian history is there anything there that can really be sacred that you want to deliver in this year well you know the there was some little bit of controversy last week about Hawaiian independence and and any statements on the website about sovereignty etc etc and you know

14:55

that’s a separate subject I don’t want to get into you know something like that that’s separate from preserving the island but when we preserve the island and I don’t want to detract from the economic significance of preserving the island because that’s really at election time that’s you know probably the most important thing in people’s minds but when you preserve the island and the economic side of it you’re also recognizing the quality of life that we enjoy here today and the past the

15:26

heritage of of the Hawaiian Kingdom is absolutely spectacular and it is it’s illustrated pretty well in the history section I have to tell you that I think maybe there are aspects of Hawaiian culture that are more significant than this like the connection between the people in the land and how the people in upcountry made reads and drew things and so forth and the people at the beaches fished and made canoes and things out of those materials and they interacted in a symbiotic way but they were one with the

16:04

land and that things like that and the values of people how they got along and so forth those are really you know those are really the most significant parts of Hawaiian culture and you know to some extent I’m not an expert on that and to some extent those things or maybe a little bit too precious for me to talk about but short of that one thing I learned from the website is very very interesting I had no idea that by saved 1875 all the most powerful people on the planet kings and queens of Europe and so

16:42

forth had established diplomatic relations and treaties with the Kingdom of Hawaii and of course in those days Queen Victoria was the most powerful person on earth England by far and perhaps even to this day I suppose you know the only other nation in the history of the planet that would rival the power of Great Britain during Queen Victoria’s Day is the United States and during her Golden Jubilee she invited the Hawaiian contingent and Queen Lily league Ani wrote in her diary that she was greeted by one of the Queen’s

17:22

carriages a band a whole military contingent I mean the same pomp and circumstance that the King Queen of France or Spain received when they arrived absolutely that I mean that’s why this history section for people that are looking at and that is really a great job I took a class at the University oh yeah and it filled me and it was great because a lot of the information that I see in here is similar and that it’s giving a foundation to understanding that many of us really don’t understand

17:55

what’s happened to the Hawaiian Kingdom and people and our timing in history we happen to be just a few decades after the Hawaiians were allowed to speak their language and they could openly do things that were completely repressed and the take things were taken away and like you go to sleep at night you know I was looking at some notes you go to sleep at night you wake up in the morning and you find that the guy that’s there you’re helping out now as military and it’s taken over your kingdom and you

18:25

try to you know it’s quite oh that’s a whole section that’s fantastic well this website I don’t mean to go back to it all the time well it’s so pretty with stuff I want to be able to you know talk about issues which we do but I want to make sure that people go to the website well they it’s full of all kinds of information the history section is quite you know it’s quite amazing and it’s all like everything on the website it’s properly documented and cited right you know it’s

18:53

it’s college-level courses right or you know government reports it’s not like you know somebody else’s opinion why when I went to it I mean there was the the Charter the rules this the Molokai plan maps you know I mean that these issues are so big that’s why I say like when you can just use three words and say carry over with carrying capacity we’re over carrying capacity you know that means that means tourism if it grows much more or it’s already more than we can handle

19:32

so we’re Ohana candidates everyone thinks they’re one one thing they’re only for affordable housing no there’s carrying capacity of everything we don’t have we won’t have water we won’t have enough well at that place interestingly enough even the maui county says that we are over capacity with regard to the proportion of residents to tourists and this is one of the things that is important in the website is that if people really want to find out what’s what they’re gonna see government

20:09

reports university reports even maui county state of hawaii you know it’s not that these are actual factual reports and they all point to the need for us to take into consideration things like the number of cesspools that we have on the island and the state of why for example says that upcountry aquifer is considered a priority right now and that’s because you know obsess pools in the priority the state says it’s a priority so well we don’t get a lot you know that doesn’t get a lot of publicity

20:46

but that’s not to mention homes along the coast have cesspools as well well and that’s a whole other issue that mentioned there about sea level rise then you understand what that means that means if you own beachfront property you’re gonna be having less of it and now they will be moving the beach past your house to a point where there won’t be a house so all the plans that we’re making now why isn’t that something we hear all the time why isn’t it more present well because because it’s not

21:19

profitable you know right now it could actually it could be because we need you know what what the website refers to as sustainability infrastructure you know we need to be building a lot of things but building more structures near the coast or building more structures that basically are based on unsustainable things that we can’t even provide for ourselves now we can start with the basics we are so over built with the roads or the traffic you know the corner of the upper highway and well canal

21:57

there was a terrible accident a couple of people who lost their lives and they now have stopped anyone from making a left-hand turn and this is this is the traffic flow and what’s gonna happen on the lower road and what would happen when we know the water levels rise when we have a storm imagine now is the sea levels rise these are scary numbers here and we’re not talking about slowly you remember atlantis and lemuria well that’s Jason that’s little on our society in the whole world if a

22:34

hurricane comes across a volcano the acid rain and the potential damage these are not things that are small so here when I hear things like coastline and they already know they know that it’s gonna go up from a half a foot to one foot I’m looking at this county you can explain it better than me this is Ray Charles by the way no you know the point the point is this that we want to preserve the fabric and the character of the island for its residents that live here now past and future we also want to protect

23:14

our ability to be a self-sustaining economy so right now we focus on tourist revenue and that’s important and we need to maintain that but at the same time we need to maintain the longevity of our ability to enjoy that revenue from that source you know I almost this is like deja vu to me because it feels like I’m interviewing me 25 years ago yeah honestly when a lot of this could have been in a different direction that influence about the Hawaiian let me not forget that you know the reason that the

23:53

Hawaiians aren’t here on this show now is because I wanted to bring you on to help me explain this website the prime minister I had the Prime Minister’s schedule because yes there’s all kinds of levels it’s like the internet the more you dig or this website the more you dig the more you see the more you see the more you know and with all these choices in the world that’s why I have a logo that’s a simple circle with a lightning bolt because we’re in a world that we have to this information is so

24:24

valuable what you just said and I’ve been talking 25 years I had a Maui Arts and Music Association here done but six seven hundred shows here we are now this is critical time the website really makes people know hey if you can vote if you’re breathing and you read this and it moves you I know you have mentioned to me that the candidates that’s part of the site but that’s just sort of a FDU soda stop breathing from what you see well you know that the that when you were talking about you know

25:00

environmental things it was an idea and it was like a goal and it was some lofty ideas and so forth for the future but the point when I talk about that my point about it is that it’s actually an economic necessity and this is something that people can find out more about on the website is that the things that the state of Hawaii and Maui County even and university studies the things that those people’s reports say point to things that jeopardize our tourist economy and our very way of life and the health of

25:39

the people that live here yes well sir it’s the Kingdom of Hawaii or not right you know when I was doing it was a dream is what you’re saying but and now it’s a necessity and I used to say we’re ahead of our time now if we’re lucky we’re just in time mm-hmm no I think that we’re at all point you know the miracle is that it’s going to work out it out that is the miracle the miracle is that enough of us wake up to the fact that we need radical attention there are no

26:11

sides radical attention to what’s going on on Maui and this site really is fantastic that radical you know it’s easy well yeah because it’s really easy for voters all you have to do is you know you can read this website you can go get information from other sources but in the end twice a year two hours vote now if only 23 percent or so of voters are showing up at the primary and the primary this year happens to be very important you know that just that just doesn’t make any sense so if you live here and you love

26:51

the island and you and your family and your friends enjoy all the wonderful things that the island blesses us with that’s worth giving a little bit of a loja back to the island and and doing that at voting time like you mentioned something about the Ohana candidates people think oh you know somebody associated the word progressives with them we’re gonna have to come back to this Nick we have to take station break but it will come back to that about explaining well we’re here on the neutral zone on ka kuat eight and a half

27:20

FM the voice of Malcolm Jason Schwartz here with Nick grants explaining the Maui miracle org we’re gonna have some PSAs from our sponsors Thank You sponsors we’re blessed and you’re blessed to have them helping us help you thank you for joining us here we go man do I love card night you read it boys you got a king come on this is WWE Superstar titus o’neil it only takes a moment to make a moment take time to be a dad today learn more at 877 for dad for 1-1 or visit fatherhood.gov brought to you by

28:08

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28:45

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29:17

all youth are connected to the support they need to walk upon a path towards health happiness and abundance 808 youth comm is a free easy-to-use online directory funded by the office of youth services if you’re looking for a family-friendly event check out our events calendar and connect with us on social media find us on Facebook Instagram and Twitter well okay we’re back and we’re at the neutral zone I’m here with Nick Drance we’re talking about the Maui miracle or I’m Jason Schwartz you know

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there was a time when I thought I was on radio man I was on radio now you’re on radio and you’re on Facebook live television but you’re hampered because you can’t put other things up this website I wish we could do that for him maybe we’ll do a TV show of it and add stuff in but you know when I was reading this it gave me memory of a movie I saw years ago there’s a movie called Chinatown I don’t know if it’s before some of your time but you go look it up it’s Faye

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Dunaway and Jack Nicholson and it was about Los Angeles if occation well actually actually when that movie was happening Los Angeles was really just you know Hollywood the San Fernando Valley was a bunch of orange groves and so forth and Los Angeles was like a small very small town and interestingly that you mention it is that once you know water was brought from the North Sierras to Los Angeles that’s when Los Angeles suffocation happened and LA became la no there’s nothing wrong with you know

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development on the mainland development here have done properly and smartly and and I want to add and I watched the local people for at least 25 years I’m here talk about affordable housing and rely on the state to start doing it every year and then it got to be all aware 6000 units behind oh we’re 8,000 units behind and now we watch the rents go up and then we see everything happen and then there’s a switch to commercial it’s like look around Los Angeles if ocation well we are we are the least affordable housing

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market in the United States of America and and this again you know we have to maintain our business economy here the county needs money to function we need to we need people that are paying taxes which is you know hotels tourists we’ve sales tax and so forth we need to have that revenue and affordable housing is a critical problem right now right now but in a few years if we don’t take action now then we’re going to be jeopardizing our tourism revenue and this is the point that I want to make is

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that in this race right now for mayor for example the two of the candidates are backed by big business real estate and businesses in Honolulu now that’s a fact the way it was reported in the Maui News and the one candidate is not is more you know grassroots her donations come from a greater number of small people but the the may I be clear because when you say the word heard I only there’s one lady running I was thinking if if you don’t like that person you actually could vote alphabetically in alphabetical order for

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the mayoral candidates and I’d like I’d like the first one in alphabetical order to be mayor because I think that she’s highly qualified I I know her pretty well people have worked with her and she might I don’t want to be I don’t want to focus on a particular may Oriole camera what you say I look at that in one more way and that is 25 years that I’ve been here more 30 I’ve watched different groups that many have been calling and have been called radical that have been working

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diligently continuously holding back what would have already been a whitewash of this island we’d already be Los Angeles well you’re right there’s something to be said we have we have honor and if there were a mayor like your woman candidate she wouldn’t be alone and that’s the thing about all of us we are the ones that are empowered to make the difference and to do and our government should be helping us do that that we realize we need to do this website is such it was so dramatic and

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sharing with me the volume of activity going on here it’s staggering people don’t realize what’s already been in the plans you have mentioned that I looked at these maps and I have had no time to really study this what it deserves but in anything that I’d be interested in it was seemed like it was there it led me in just amazing directions well and that’s that that’s the point is that like I say in this mayoral race right now the difference is between an emphasis on additional development which

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of course you know that money really doesn’t help the residents that doesn’t help really small business owners who live on Maui and so forth the two of the three top mayoral candidates two of them are backed by big business it means that they are going to really push big business and development as a priority and and the other one has a what I consider would say many would say is a more balanced agenda but this is the point the island cannot sustain a lot more development and if you have a

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person that’s focused in office and their contingent and actually the of the Maui News endorsed one of those other candidates who’s at the end of the alphabet I don’t think I’m supposed to say candidate names but in any but his entire slate of people are quote pro-business but just because you’re an Ohana candidate doesn’t mean that you’re like too progressive or you are radical environmentalist you know that’s the thing I tried to stress the last show when I see the Maui pono Network guy was

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on his name is Paul yeah and the Maui pono network did an exhausting look at candidate with 40 people evaluating these candidates and when I see what’s going on I realize there’s so much more of local when they say these are people from our file and me if you look you see they’re all local people everything they’re talking are local people who are waking up and are the local voice and I don’t know if if you heard me there but this is not an invasion of somebody else this is local people crying for help

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while the mainland is coming and putting its money and development here on an island if these shores had a shoot that could send all our waste and all our problems down the chute yeah well I wouldn’t worry it doesn’t but I wasn’t exists doesn’t exist and so when we have any waste why do we have any waste from our waste why are we doing what we do because the priorities are short-term and development that’s what and this is the and this is the problem is LSF vacation I use it now too many times

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it’s fun it feels it’s you know what you fly from Molokai Molokai needs help by the way everybody critical when you fly from Molokai to Maui it feels like you’re flying into New York City it’s it’s extraordinary to see we are developed past the point of carrying that means like stop don’t do anymore to bring more than we have let’s manage with what we have and so we can do to make it all work for all of us well that’s the point is that if you already can’t that’s your sewage if you’re already

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contaminating your aquifer is with nitrogen back the state of wise says bacterias around the corner you know we have traffic problems in paia which now looks like Los Angeles sometimes if those are the problems that we have right now god forbid we have a bacterial bloom on our on our beaches and then that makes you know national news just because it hasn’t happened doesn’t mean that it can’t happen let me just quickly interrupt because I want to give you a playback again when I got here in 88 89

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90 there was this issue about algae bloom algae bloom that means the reefs were dying and they didn’t know what was happening and they were studying they spend $200,000 and they spent it after after that and they gave the conclusion that it was runoff from the fields that was 1988 89 90 but there was a back pile of these chemicals that were already purchased they already knew it was toxic but they had them they couldn’t buy anymore but they had enough to go on for many years and we’re now seeing health

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wise in all kinds of ways things we have to I mean it’s just extraordinary I’m hearing things coming again like we talked about Los Angeles and disease and things are going those are kind of negative things yes and I mean but I’m bringing off because of the the fact of the voting I think that but I really feel really important is that people recognize how serious this is well but I don’t want to make it like a bummer you know I mean it’s a it’s a miracle it’s a good thing it’s a

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wonderful thing that the Mariel is us is that we are you know aware that if we vote people into office who focus on real estate development and that’s what they’re focused on this we’re going in the wrong direction a balanced approach is right but what look what I think the point is that you can’t mortgage off our future for short-term profits today it’s like charging money on a credit card that you know you’re never going to be able to pay off and when the day comes at a

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certain point you’re gonna go bankrupt and you’re not going to be able to you know sustain yourself and this is the this is the issue that we’re talking about if there’s an election one side is pro development which is already out of hand if you look at the Los Angeles suffocation of the island there’s pictures that are side by side here’s the new Wailuku development 444 million it’s and here’s the key hey shopping center on both side in the wetlands look I move that those pictures side by side

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look exactly like the Grove in Los Angeles and and this is what the developers of these budgeted and planned businesses areas on Maui they’re identical to Los Angeles I’m only stopping you because we have precious time here and you got it by now the Maui miracle dot org a lot of what Nick is saying is here if not all of it and you know that’s the reason I brought them on to help me explain this site but the fact is these are things that because we love Maui and we love the sacred things about it as our society

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has gotten faster and quicker and moving there we are getting the most important basic thing we’re giving our future away to something before we know what we’re doing well we’re now waking up and where we say I said just in time you say well maybe not I think this is the right time that’s why I thought to have you on more important than the Kingdom of Hawaii no matter who owns or controls this place if we don’t stop what’s happening here we are in a place I believe that we are

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gonna be Los Angeles until we are no more because if tourism goes away because we destroy it through over development more than we got now it’s only ourselves to blame and we don’t want to be blaming nobody we want Whelan’s we want a balanced situation and candidates aren’t our balance they’re not about anti-business and they’re not about complete environmentalism these things that we’re talking about our issues but people have a some people have a misconception about what those

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people are about but in fact they are pro-business the differences that they’re not short term at the risk of our future that’s the difference when I hear the word Ohana candidates I was talking to the guy last week and I said when he talked about someone as a good old boy how much is by design and how much is by accident some of it is clearly by design when Nick has pointed out to me different trails of ownership you can’t help but notice that the nature conservancy conservancies vice-president what vice vice chair is

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also on Ogden Foods he and they own the Maui News and then you’d see Dow Chemical all that stuff I believe our Mountain News is doing the very best that it can but in this environment of growth that whole feeling can’t be denied you know it can’t be denied because so what do we do we need to realize and I different some things in that we had two people in Guzman and in Ellie or an Ellie and Guzman Don Guzman on council they decided they want to run for mayor Victorino came back to run for mayor I wonder if we’re moving

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chairs around the ship of the Titanic and that’s the reason that I think that why I hear this Ohana candid that’s good because it helps people it’s like giving them a chance to see and focus one place and read about a slave basically yeah but that’s the thing getting out there and registering and vote and if you’re registered all this week you can go down to the Wailuku Community Center Velma Santos community center there in the mid lucu and vote register and vote even if you haven’t register you can go and do

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it and vote the same you can do it on Saturday at the poll use register if you bring your yeah and it’s an amazing time you know I in this website it’s hard for me as you can probably see to choose a section to talk about because there’s so much information and I focus on the negative only to point out to people that it’s important to see what’s up before you think that this is some flippant thing of candidates of whatever it isn’t flippant at all the people that care about our island that have been

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here generations Hawaiian and otherwise and I’m sure when they feel like a slate someone’s putting amount of slate there all individuals every one of them is an individual that wants your vote so look at them and see that they are this website does a good job of also sharing about that well yeah the section of your vote counts explains how does Maui County government work what’s the Charter that County vision statement and core principles which incidentally read the same as what the Maui miracle talks

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about except for that you know we’re not doing it and there is a very kind of sad funny black humor review of what’s going on in the last two years and the County Council with examples from the Maui News and others the shenanigans that go on it makes Chicago look like you know Disneyland but there are BIOS from each of the Ohana candidates and you know some of them are stronger than others but they all bring things to the table academic credentials that far surpass anybody who’s been on the council

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actually in years the one of the people with on in the Ohana slate has an MBA and a what a jurist that a law degree and others yes who that is that Trinette that’s a Torres actually Torres yeah you have some a mate I want to look at those cards the thing razzes really – Reza’s motto is is Trinette for taro very talented knowledgeable gal umm Torres is particularly important this season because she’s running against bras Baker and there’s it’s the old old establishment versus the new one of the

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things that we’re talking about here now is that look if the quote establishment or the guys who have been in power we’re doing their job properly the situation we’re faced with right now wouldn’t be so lopsided it’s lopsided the amount of development and the amount of resources that are going into development there’s other political stuff in there – that’s not very happy but we’re going so far in this one direction and not far enough in the other direction at all it makes you

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want to throw all of them out and start and start all over and actually Guzman and Cochran have reputations for you know having a balanced agenda both of them actually do I wouldn’t I don’t count them in with some of these other candidates who are running including the mayor for council printed a letter of mine yes I asked him if he if he was gonna be despised because people realize he just wants to control even if he has good ideas I would take him on as a private citizen and listen to him I

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imagine you would they all would but that’s another reason why I said turn it for Tonto besides her being a brilliant and gifted lady I like Mike Molina and I know he’s a very capable guy but I also know I think of him as a crony of Alan Arakawa and unless Tasha comma beats Alan Arakawa the balance of things on a council are very important and I think our voice like Trinette would be very well taken but since climate that’s right but speaking about Tasha she’s a very interesting person because she

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actually relates more to the grassroots people of Kahului and Hawaiians than mr. Arakawa who seems I think everybody would agree that he seems more aligned to you know big business and corporate interests as a matter of fact one of the things that really completely flipped me out is that when he fired Dave Taylor one of the reasons in the Maui news that he cited was that Dave refused to plan for a tripling of the population of Maui and it’s like wait a second the island is only capable of sustaining so much

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we’re already beyond our numbers now we want to talk too clearly but that’s it it’s so frightening right in the website there’s actually a link to anything that’s said here there’s a link HTML link you click it and you go to the newspaper issue that’s so interesting that I keep the more research I did I had to get Nick because he would’ve explained I had to stop looking because if my stomach was starting to get crazy when I realized where we are when I thought that the airport is gonna be 430

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acres of airport and what they’re planning and doing is enough for another city we don’t have a carrying capacity it’s just it’s you see the way they plan and do and close their eyes for another two years and close their eyes for another two years the closer wide-body Jets handegg on Maui I remember you know 26 years ago things were smaller it was rural Maui it was real Maui even before 26 years ago and now a when the mayor talks about tripling the population of the island I’m thinking we’ll wait a

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second you know 26 years ago and before Maui was Maui it’s starting to get like if we keep adding anymore shopping centers which I don’t know who wants shopping centers I don’t know who’s going to shop at them how do you even get to them the roads are all jammed that’s right but this thing about Travis our share of that and the mayor says in order to handle the population increase we have to build up well a friend of mine said Nick that means you know two and three story buildings and it’s like mmm I

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don’t know in my mind when I hear that I think Honolulu but my friend said no that’s not what he means like I don’t know about that but in any case we are on a trajectory of what seems to be endless real estate development that is based on a Los Angeles model certainly the designs are identical if you go to the developers websites that show renderings of these things that is not the right trajectory and this is the election that really going to show it’s going to make it’s a

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turning point this is the time when Maui’s future is going to be determined because if we continue where we have been going we’re already on a trajectory and that momentum is already so powerful it’s gonna be very hard to stop or slow down and I have to say Jason I honestly don’t believe that the other may Oriole candidates in particular I don’t think they have any degree of interest in this other long term preservation of the island that will sustain our economy I don’t I don’t think their level of

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interest in that is high at all yeah well again I am just bringing it up to tell you I was talking this 25 years ago with about being a self sustainability model they went exactly exactly if you want to know the trail to do me they’re there now but there I believe that the Maui miracle is we’re all here now and we’re gonna do the right thing and all we have to do is show up and vote you know and the Maui miracle org we got a couple of minutes we’re gonna wrap it up we only have two minutes

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total so I know we’re gonna hear from our sponsor Nick Kratz you’ve been really a wonderful help isn’t he a special agents responded Nate thank you that’s nice to hear I feel better that but based on what’s going on our world younger people relate to images and to then you have been a hero in my mind in thank you not putting your money and your time where your mouth is you know and yeah I couldn’t explain this any better in fact you know I’m thankful that you came into this

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island is sacred this is special there’s only one Maui for centuries and centuries the name Maui has been held as sacred throughout millions of miles of the Pacific Ocean this is not you know Houston San Bernardino something like that from New Zealand to Polynesia to Hawaii the name Maui is considered sacred you know take your Los Angeles and do that someplace else but let’s leave this one special sacred place let’s leave this place alone and not turn it into I want to be sure that we honor our other spots

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there cash-for-gold kama Hina law with a look with his little Fame in seconds you know I mean I have this is so nice to have a soundboard like this Nick Durant’s you’ve been a wonderful guest I hope that you’ll join me on different radio and TV shows and if you go to the Maui miracle org you’ll see what I’m talking about it’s amazing you may see these things around really you’ve been a great guest thank you Aloha and thank you guys for joining us it’s been a pleasure we are gonna see TV shows we’re

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also did you know we’re planning on doing art and music out at the inn while a are there and down below I want to say it Ganon’s we have to tell Gannon first we got about 30 seconds to go with the show thank you all for joining us and you can spot everything on the web Maui neutral zone calm you can find the shows and this show specifically it’s been a pleasure having you I am gonna get ready to sign on and here we go [Music]