|
April 10, 2008
MORE ROB FANS
What a treasure Maui has in Rob Parsons. His cover story on the folly, the irresponsibility and the dangers of HECO's plan to use imported palm oil as part of the solution to our energy "crisis" points out how short sighted our electric utility is in developing real sustainable energy solutions ("Deadly Price," Apr. 3, 2008). What are they thinking, drinking or smoking? Of course our state and county are also talking renewable energy but not really walking the talk.
Rob is to be commended on a very thorough job of explaining the issues and I sincerely hope everyone at HECO and state and county government reads this article and reconsiders the implications of this idea. And what is with building biodiesel energy plants on Oahu and Maui, both able to handle more biomass than we could ever produce on the islands? I thought the idea was to only import feedstock from Southeast Asia until we could grow our own (like that will ever happen). I'm just ashamed at the mentality that will drag this state down if rapid and significant changes aren't made to the process that would allow this plan to move forward.
-Maury King, Kihei
Whatever the product is, if we need to import it to Hawai'i that is not really solving the problem of self-reliance. In these uncertain times I think we should focus our energy on what we can do to be sustainable like Pacific Biodiesel Hawai'i—I totally support Kelly King and her company because it is locally run and fills a niche.
One other important biofuel source that we could grow really well here in Hawai'i is industrial hemp, we just need to change a few laws. Palm oil and cattle are just a few of the reasons land is being deforested, houses are another major contributor and we do need more affordable houses here in Hawai'i, but with the rising cost of timber and oil per barrel, getting the wood for our houses is getting more and more unaffordable.
That's okay because there is an alternative solution and it is structurally certified bamboo that can be grown, harvested and ecologically processed right here in Hawai'i, thus increasing our self-reliance. The noninvasive varieties of bamboo are really good for the environment and would be a great way to support local people and industries from the plantation to the drafting table and construction workers, while keeping our lands in agriculture and restoring some of the damage done by unhealthy agricultural practices of the past.
-Tamara Paltin, via Mauitime.com
NOT A SPAM FAN, BUT…
I am sending you this email in regard to your [Jan. 17, 2008 Coconut Wireless] article… on SPAM as an icon. You seem like a guy that might have a sense of humor, but I don't find it funny to pick on someone that is supporting their product. I am not a SPAM fan myself but appreciate the loyalty this product manager has to his brand.
That being said, do you think it was really necessary to belittle someone that took the time, out of what I would guess to be a busy schedule, to give you an interview on their product? If you find it amusing to try to hurt someone's feelings then I guess your little article was hilarious.
-Wendy, via email
Anthony Pignataro responds: Thank you very much for your letter. If you've read the paper before, then you're well aware that I do pick on corporate hacks, public relations flacks, politicians and, in general, anyone in any kind of position of power who says or does something dumb. But apparently you didn't read my write-up that closely—I never spoke with anyone at SPAM or its public relations offices. I was merely riffing off quotes that appeared in Brand Week magazine and the Rochester Post-Bulletin. But I assure you—had a PR person (who is paid very well to speak with reporters) told me those quotes, I would not have hesitated to make fun of them.
| |
|
|
| |
| |
| Entertainment and lifestyle news for Maui, Hawaii and the surrounding Islands. Maui Time Weekly is Mauis only independent and locally owned newspaper.
Mail this link to a friend |
|
|
