Congressional Candidate Bob Marx on Rising Gas Prices and Increasing Home Energy Costs

Congressional District Candidate Bob Marx contends that the federal government’s current energy policy will yield record gasoline prices this summer and increase home energy costs.

Speaking to a group of Makakilo Democrats on Oahu, Bob declared, “Gas prices always go up in the summertime: this is as undeniable as global warming. Because our federal energy policy has failed to rapidly adopt ‘green energy’ alternatives, all we see are record gas prices.”

Gas prices today 3/19/12 at Paul's Service Station in Pahoa, Hawaii

The American Automobile Association recently noted the average cost of gas nationwide is $3.81 gallon, in Hawaii averaging a shocking $4.46 a gallon.

“America relies heavily on foreign oil interests, threatening our still vulnerable economic recovery. Economic recovery and long term growth can only be sustained if we rapidly convert to affordable, sustainable, and clean energy, produced here in America”.

Marx continued, “Solar, Geothermal, Wind, and Ocean energy have immediate benefits for Hawaii’s economy, and we own them. As your Congressman, I will apply skills I have acquired as a 3-term legislator and 30-year legal advocate to lead our state toward these green energy solutions. Over 90% of Hawaii’s energy is now generated with imported petroleum, an incredible drain on the state economy.”
“Purchasing unutilized geothermal generation capacity can make an immediate difference if we purchase it first, rather than generate with oil. Solar, Wind, and Geothermal alternatives offer the best homegrown answer.”

Bob Marx supports research and development of clean energy. “Geothermal hot-spots exist on all of Hawaii’s islands except Kauai and should be utilized to generate electricity. We own the resource–let’s use it responsibly”.

“Adequate funding for Universities is required at the state and national levels to advance these technologies. We must also improve economic incentives for the private sector to develop alternative energy sources,” the Big Island Democrat emphasized.

“The quickest fix for energy conservation is increased vehicle fuel efficiency standards for automobiles. We need tax credits so that average Americans can purchase newer vehicles. The average age of America’s vehicles is nearly 11 years old; for the sake of the environment, many of these older vehicles should be retired and replaced.”

The American Automobile Association has found that replacing vehicles over 8 years old with newer ones would increase the energy efficiency of America’s vehicle fleet by more than 15%.

Marx concluded, “If Hawai’i and the U.S. are to move forward from this recession, we must minimize our reliance on foreign oil, get off the fence when it comes to alternative energy, and lower oil imports with more efficient vehicles. If we continue to rely almost exclusively on petroleum imports for energy, it will be disastrous for the economy and ultimately the environment.”
Bob Marx’s experience as a legal advocate for the environment spans 30 years. He has written, sponsored, and supported more than 10 bills while a Representative in Oregon and has also represented numerous environmental groups in Hawaii.

Bob Marx is a Democratic candidate for US Congress in Hawaii’s 2nd Congressional District. The district includes Maui County, Hawai’i County, Kauai County, and rural (north shore) Oahu.

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• Congressional Candidate Marx Calls War on Women’s Rights a “Battle of Republican Dinosaurs” (damontucker.com)
• Congressional Candidate Bob Marx on Genetically Engineered Foods (GMO) (damontucker.com)
• Congressional Candidate Bob Marx Fights For Equal Representation Of Neighbor Island Candidates (damontucker.com)
• Congressional Candidate Bob Marx Endorses Bill to Increase Income Taxes for Millionaires (damontucker.com)

Big Island Police Looking for Missing 61 Year-Old-Man… Threatens to Use Sickle in Backpack

*3/20/12 UPDATE* He has been located
Missing Roy Castro – Male, 61, 5’1″, 120 lbs, gray hair goatee, LSW red Chinese New Year shirt, jeans jacket, black jeans, black backpack

Instructions:

Notify police when located, use caution has sickle in backpack that he stated he would use against anyone trying to stop him.  Suffers from mental conditions.

Eddie Aikau Foundation Rewards Young Writers – Winners of 2012 Essay Contest Include 10 Big Island Students

The Eddie Aikau Foundation presented its 7th Annual Essay Contest awards, Saturday, March 17, honoring 25 statewide winners, ten from Big Island Schools. Eddie’s brother Solomon and wife Linda Gillette Aikau of Waimea joined family members on Oahu for the awards presentation.

Shari Jumalon, Konawaena Middle School teacher, with KMS student winners Justin Jennings, Thomas Johnston, Danielle Uemura, and Ku'uipo Bettencourt and Tania DuPont of Waimea Middle Public Conversion Charter School, with Eddie's brother Solomon Aikau (Photo by Bernie Baker)

“We’re very happy to see so many Big Island students among the winners,” said Solomon, co-owner with Linda of the Eddie Aikau Restaurant in Kings’ Shops.  “It shows that Eddie’s story, and the values he represents, are spreading across the islands and beyond.  It’s a story that everyone wants to connect with, and we and the Foundation are very proud of all these young writers for sharing it in their own words.”

The essay contest awards presentation takes place each year on March 17, “Eddie Aikau Day,” as proclaimed by the 2004 Hawaii State Legislature.  Cash prizes were awarded as follows: 1st Place $500, 2nd Place $350, 3rd Place $250, and $100 for each of the Honorable-mention winners.  A total of 627 entries were judged on essay content, presentation and writing skill, in both English and Hawaiian divisions.

Contest themes focus on the values and spirit of big wave surfer Eddie Aikau, who was lost at sea March 17, 1978 while paddling for help for his shipmates of the capsized Hōkūle‘a, a traditional Polynesian voyaging canoe.  This year’s theme asked students to comment on that heroic decision:  “Eddie’s actions reflected the Hawaiian values of KOKUA (to help) and KAHIAU (to give generously with the heart, without expecting anything in return).  How do these values inspire your actions and how do they influence your decision of who to help, when you can’t help everyone?”

In the English language division, Hawai‘i Island winners are:

• Tania Dupont, 3rd Place Grade 7, Waimea Middle School, teacher Liz Noetzel
• Danielle Uemura, 1st Place Grade 8, Konawaena Middle School (KMS), teacher Shari Jumalon
• Ku‘uipo Bettencourt, 3rd Place Grade 8, KMS
• Thomas Johnston and Justin Jennings, Honorable Mention, KMS

In the Hawaiian Language Division, Ke Kula O Nawahi‘okalani‘o Pu‘u in Kea‘au swept the awards with five of five winners, all students of teacher Ke‘alohi Reppun.

• Alaka‘i Iaea-Russell, 1st Place Grade 7
• Kaualiliko Baclig, 2nd Place Grade 7
• Iona Kumupono Kim, 3rd Place Grade 7
• Tuvae Nerveza-York and Hokulani Fortunato, Honorable Mention, Grade 8

The Eddie Aikau Foundation’s annual Essay Contest is open to all students, grade 7-10.  The Contest Theme is announced and submissions open in November, with a January deadline to enter.  The Foundation is a charitable organization created to share Eddie Aikau’s life, contributions and accomplishments while promoting education and the advancement of Hawaiian culture. The Foundation strives to inspire people to develop a strong sense of pride in themselves, their heritage and their community through Eddie’s remarkable spirit and character.  For more information, visit http://www.EddieAikauFoundation.org.

Eddie Aikau Restaurant and Surf Museum

Eddie Aikau Restaurant in Kings’ Shops, Waikoloa Beach resort, is locally-owned and operated by members of the Aikau Family who live on Hawai‘i Island.  Supporting the best of Big Island agriculture and aquaculture with Contemporary Hawaiian Cuisine, sharing memorabilia from Eddie’s big wave surf career, the restaurant is a living tribute to a Hawaiian hero.  www.facebook.com/EddieAikauRestaurant, (808) 886-8433.

Hawaii House Approves Bill That Could Threaten Kamehameha Schools’ Rights to Use and Disposition of its Lands

Aloha mai kākou,

This message is to let you know about a bill currently in the Hawai’i State Legislature that has the potential to seriously threaten Kamehameha Schools’ right to determine the future use and disposition of its lands. The bill, House Bill 1829, House Draft 2 (HB1829 HD2), has been approved in the state House of Representatives and has now crossed over to the state Senate for consideration.

If passed, HB1829 HD2 would hurt Kamehameha’s ability to generate income from its commercial and industrial properties — land that provides substantial, direct support to Kamehameha’s educational programs, initiatives and services.

Over time, the bill would give lessees a portion of the land’s value without fair compensation to Kamehameha Schools. This, in turn, would diminish the economic value of the land to Kamehameha Schools and create pressure on the trust to sell despite its long-held practice and desire to exercise its right to self-determination over the use and disposition of its lands.

In addition, HB1829 HD2 would, at the expense of private landowners, impose state government regulation in a process currently guided by free market conditions.

We ask for your attention in this matter. If HB1829 HD2 is scheduled for a hearing in the next few days, we will update you on its status. Stay tuned!

Mahalo nui for your consideration of this issue and for your continued support of Kamehameha Schools’ mission and purpose.

Related articles

• Kamehameha Schools Resolves Lawsuit Against Jane and John Doe and Eric Grant (damontucker.com)
• Kamehameha Schools Hawai’i Announces New Head of School (damontucker.com)

Port-A-Potties Torched in Kapoho… Big Island Police Investigate

Big Island police have initiated an arson investigation in connection with a fire at a Puna beach park early Monday morning.

Sometime between 1:15 a.m. and 1:27 a.m. unknown persons set fire to three portable toilets at Ahalanui Beach Park in Kāpoho, rendering them unusable. Fire Department personnel extinguished the flames. Damages were estimated at $3,100.

Police ask that anyone with information about this case call the Police Department’s non-emergency line at 935-3311.

Tipsters who prefer to remain anonymous may call Crime Stoppers at 961-8300 in Hilo or 329-8181 in Kona and may be eligible for a reward of up to $1,000. Crime Stoppers is a volunteer program run by ordinary citizens who want to keep their community safe. Crime Stoppers doesn’t record calls or subscribe to caller ID. All Crime Stoppers information is kept confidential.

Laupahoehoe First Annual Fun Fest