Our political system is filled with monsters. There are mindless politicians who wander the island like zombies and never genuinely listen, undead establishment figures who spring from the dirt to cling to power, wicked sycophants who patch together and enable abominations, and witch-donors who manipulate the voodoo dolls of elected officials. Like the monsters that wander … [Read more...] about Unmasking the Monsters: The 10 largest donors trying to buy your vote
Campaign Contributions
New Year, New Rules For Hawaii and Maui County
In addition to the countywide plastic bag ban, a number of new state rules are set to take effect in January. Political contributions will no longer be tax deductible. Corporations that give more than $1,000 to a politician will have to file paperwork with the state Campaign Spending Commission. Hawaii’s primary election will be moved up a month, from September to August. … [Read more...] about New Year, New Rules For Hawaii and Maui County
Nishiki discloses Dowling loan
Recently elected County Councilmember and longtime politician Wayne Nishiki ran as the candidate who didn’t take developer money and had no binding ties to the island’s big business interests. So it came as a surprise to learn that Nishiki owes $100,000 to Dowling Co., the outfit behind such controversial projects as the Makena expansion that Nishiki and his fellow … [Read more...] about Nishiki discloses Dowling loan
The Exchange
WHO GAVE: Thomas M. Cook WHO RECEIVED: Mayor Charmaine Tavares DATE: June 30, 2006 AMOUNT: $1,000 Tom Cook builds things. He runs TMC General Contractors, sits on the General Plan Advisory Committee and is a past president of the Maui Contractors Association. When critics talk about Mayor Charmaine Tavares being friendly to builders and developers, they … [Read more...] about The Exchange
The Exchange
WHO GAVE: Charlie Jencks WHO RECEIVED: Maui County Council Land Use Committee Vice Chairman Joseph Pontanilla DATE: Sept. 13, 2006 AMOUNT: $200 For the longest time I couldn’t figure out why Charlie Jencks’ big Honua`ula (Wailea 670) project was moving through the county only slightly faster than a glacier. Years have gone by since Jencks first proposed … [Read more...] about The Exchange