On a sunny autumn morning as crisp as a Fuji apple, a gathering crowd fills the sidewalk at the corner of 8th and Brannan in San Francisco. In front of a renovated train station—now the Concourse Exhibition Center—Cirque du Soleil performers dressed in bug costumes do a booty-shaking, Bollywood style dance to entertain those awaiting the opening of the 8th annual Green … [Read more...] about Green Festival Shows New Way Forward
Rob Report
Save the Pseudorca
Visitors and residents alike marvel at the sight of Hawaii’s cetacean winter residents, the humpback whales. Due to a few decades of protected species status and continuing research, we know that their once-dwindling numbers have steadily rebounded. But recent studies indicate a lesser-known species, Pseudorca crassidens, or the false killer whale, has the smallest population … [Read more...] about Save the Pseudorca
Something’s Fishy With Big Island “Tuna Farm”
The average Hawaii citizen has to go to great lengths to influence the outcome of big business proposals, especially when those seeking permits and approvals hold expectations of multi-million dollar returns. So it was that I found myself on a sunrise flight to Honolulu, ready to ask the State Board of Land and Natural Resources to rule on the side of reason and against a … [Read more...] about Something’s Fishy With Big Island “Tuna Farm”
Real Property Tax Office to Ag Owners-Justify Farm Use or Lose Tax Rate
In an apparent effort to collect revenues in the face of a lean fiscal year, the Maui County Real Property Tax (RPT) office sent letters to thousands of ag owners over the past two months, seeking proof of farming activities. The notice requires property owners to file a Request For Agriculture Use Valuation Form within 30 days, or risk losing their ag use assessment, which, … [Read more...] about Real Property Tax Office to Ag Owners-Justify Farm Use or Lose Tax Rate
Kipahulu Bus Tour Offers Look at Maui Sustainability
This Saturday, four Robert’s Hawaii buses will shuttle 100 enthusiasts around the “back-side” to one of Maui’s unique and fertile growing regions—Kipahulu. Vincent Mina, founder of Maui Aloha ‘Aina Association (MA‘A), which is the event’s main sponsor, says spots are still available but that the event is close to being sold out at press time. The tour affords a rare … [Read more...] about Kipahulu Bus Tour Offers Look at Maui Sustainability