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Editor’s note

by Mindy Pennybacker | Jan 30, 2013

Populism: It’s in the air. On the Legislature’s opening day, hundreds of citizens held a “We, the People” rally in defense of the environment, food security and democracy. On Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, in his “We, the People” inaugural address, a reenergized Barack Obama reaffirmed his commitment to equality, social justice and fighting climate change. The President followed the lead of his wife, Michelle, whose evocation of humble origins, hard work and education in her speech at the party convention marked the turning point of his campaign.

In his State of the State address the next day, Gov. Neil Abercrombie proposed to increase the minimum wage and fund early childhood education and watershed protection. On the national level, Hawaii has got some fresh energy, with Brian Schatz in the Senate and new Rep. Tulsi Gabbard already placed on the Democratic National Committee. It’s time for Hawaii to become something of our own determining, rather than just a tourist and luxury second-home destination, a military outpost and the U.S. cradle of genetically engineered seed.

In her cover story about issues facing local government, Karleanne Matthews includes information as to how we can get involved. She’ll be providing other opportunities in her “Civix” column every week.

By the way, have you read much about GMOs, Vandana Shiva and last week’s rallies in the mainstream press? Didn’t think so. That’s why the Weekly is here. With your support, we’ll continue to speak the truth to power, despite growing media monopolization (see Joan Conrow’s article, pg. 5).

So stay engaged. Keep sending us your letters and questions, commenting at [HonoluluWeekly.com] and following us on Twitter at @HonoluluWeekly and on Facebook and Tumblr. We’re proud to be your voice.

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This week

Derelict Downtown

For as long as we can remember, Chinatown has been notorious for drugs, homelessness and filthy streets. Some claim nothing has changed–and that it never will.

Sweet Ride

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Hoopili miss

The fate of some 1,525 acres of land at Hoopili in ‘Ewa may have been decided last Wednesday in Hawaii’s First Circuit Court. The decision might have gone differently, but the appellant attorneys’ strategy seemed to collapse as Judge Rhonda Nishimura picked it apart based on technical errors.

Housing First $

Last Thursday, May 9, the Caldwell administration revealed its action plan for solving Honolulu’s homeless problem. But at the City Council’s budget meeting the same day, Budget chair Ann Kobayashi wanted to know where the money for “Housing First” (see Cover Story, pg.

Do it Wright

The Mayor Wright Housing project has been slated for major redevelopment by the Hawaii State Housing Authority (HSHA); requests for qualifications will be going out to developers in three to six months. Nonprofit group Faith Action for Community Equity (FACE) wants to make sure the project’s tenants have a say in the redevelopment process, which could include major renovations or a total rebuild.

Street Disconnect

The Honolulu City Council held a special Committee on Transportation meeting on Tuesday, May 7, to go over its Complete Streets initiative with input from the department directors of Design and Construction (DDC), Planning and Permitting (DPP) and Transportation Services (DTS). At prior meetings, including the Moiliili workshop, community members pressed the idea of combining Complete Streets with Caldwell’s repaving projects, which Dan Burden of the Walkable and Livable Communities Institute and some councilmembers have said makes sense.

Stopping Growth

Not much to agree with my friend Doc Berry (“Limits of Growth,” April 17). None of the scenarios he posits will ever materialize.

Get it together

In your Diary of May 8 (“End of the 27th)” you reported on SB 1214, passed by the Legislature. In their nimble way, the Legislature tacked the wheel boot prohibition on a bill that was intended to abolish the Commission on Transportation.

Look both ways

On Friday, May 3, at 3:45 p.m., I was driving town bound through the Wilson tunnel on the Likelike. I was parallel to another car, and there were several other cars following closely behind me.

Thank you!

Congratulations Honolulu Weekly on the recent Pai award for investigative reporting (“Boss GMO,” Jan. 4, 2012).

Truth be told

When the biofuel guys say that costs are “confidential” (“Big-foot Biofuel,” May 8), I reply that since I am the one who is going to end up paying the cost, I have a right to know. Frankly, when everybody tries to hide the costs, I smell rat …

Nature’s beauty

The Foster Botanical Garden never ceases to inspire for an urban setting it is like a step back in time (“See the Flora,” May 8). If Koko Crater Botanical Garden contains the world’s largest plumeria collection as suggested, it may be thanks in part to the Prussian born Dr.