Response to Pacific Resource Partnership and I Mua

May 9th, 2012
· by admin · Filed Under: Children/Families · Hawaii · Oahu's Rail Debacle · Politics

Response to Pacific Resource Partnership launching I Mua Rail
First of all, I know this is a partnership that includes Pacific Business News and is throwing more money at this controversial project.  After 5 million and counting of our taxpayers’ money has been poured into propaganda to tell us (obviously stupid) citizens how to think, they figure that just isn’t enough.  So, they are going to pour more hundreds of thousands into the propaganda machine.  So, the public has had MASSIVE amounts of info and strategies and facts hidden, but now the powers that be see fit to spend more piles of cash to rehash the propaganda to try to make their point.
1. KEY QUESTION:  If this is such a brilliant idea, and I for sure know we have hundreds of thousands of good, hard-working intelligent citizens on Oahu WHY on earth does it take millions to convince them/us that this is a good idea?
The standard claim is that the Rail project will create 10,000 jobs annually-4,000 in construction and 6,000 in support sectors architecture, planning, retail, restaurants and other service industries.
2. KEY QUESTIONS:  Estimates now are between 400 and 500 jobs will be created in the    construction.  That’s the local guesses and Kiewit won’t even respond to questions about this.  Is this REALLY enough to warrant proceeding with such a huge investment?  Now hundreds of mainland people have already moved here to build the Rail (which ironically makes the traffic worse.)  When a Kiewit supervisor was asked the other day on TV;  “How many local and how many mainland people have been hired?” he stumbled with that very basic concept here in the islands.  He responded to that that they were having a hard time telling who is local and who is not.  Another Kiewit person told my friend that they would start off with some local workers, but then, as the locals scam them with sore back claims and such they would replace the locals with those from the mainland.  In fact it has already been declared that people of Oahu don’t know how to build a rail, so that those people will have to be brought in.  I submit that this influx of people is exacerbating the situation and putting an unnecessary toll on the rest of the island’s infrastructure.  So, again, is this huge project worth it for the very few amounts of jobs that will be provided to locals.  And to Mr. Kiewit, locals are NOT those that move here to work and stay.    Regarding the large amounts of locals who would support (?), Yes I guess there seems to be a small need that will be filled. Unless the Rail Supporters are conceding that this influx of new people coming in to build it will need restaurants and other businesses (REALLY?) then it’s just the same number of residents just going to work mainly on Monday through Friday.  So they will go to restaurants if they already were, of they won’t if they didn’t.  So maybe businesses will ‘move’ towards the Rail and away from the neighborhoods those people come from.  Not real gains though.    Lastly on this topic, many WILL be needed, (at minimum wage, I am sure) to clean up the Rail stations, clean and/or paint over graffiti, and patrol the stations and lots as security.  I will falt out guarantee that this money is NOT in any kind of budget right now, however.  Again, Is there enough jobs to make this the main reason for the project?
It has been said that there will be fewer cars on the road, less congestion on highways and side streets, reduced air pollution and less reliance on foreign oil.   (And many say there is a Santa Claus.) A LOT of things have been said, but this one has been ‘unsaid’ by Wayne Yoshioka.  He reported that this project probably won’t relieve congestion.  The rest is just a laughable pie in the sky statement, some of which I have not seen.  And I thought I had heard it all.
3. KEY QUESTIONS:  As more and more people move here, they will continue to drive cars on the roads and in fact add to this issue.  No one will be measuring air pollution before and after and I suggest that if they do, there won’t be much change (that one is a reach.)  Surface streets.  DID YOU SAY SURFACE STREETS?  Has anyone yet begun to consider the overwhelming strain to our side streets when this construction is going on?  Not only is it going to make the present commutes unbearably longer for periods of time, but the wear and tear from the extra use of those side streets will cause repair problems.  Of course the budgets for that will have to be slashed to help subsidize the Rail-right?  Less reliance on foreign oil?  Give me a break.  So the extra workers and citizens moving here will go on using the roads and some, a small number will switch to electric cars.  Hardly a mass of people leaving their cars and that will hardly qualify as less reliance on foreign oil.   Now, this is an interesting question.  Is one of the subplots of the Rail to mess up traffic SO BADLY through the construction period that, when (and if) it is ever completed, the traffic will then ‘seem’ to get better because there then will be ‘less’ traffic issues?  Is that their big trump card?
Residents who use Rail will save on gas auto expenses.  The cost of owning a car is highest in Hawaii.  It IS, as it is for almost everything else.  For many, including myself, I drive less because we are on an island, but that is besides the point I think.  So get used to it.  We all chose to live here, so the costs are higher.  IN FACT ARE WE FORGETTING THAT THOSE WHO LIVE OUT WEST SAVE THOUSANDSS ON THEIR HOME PRICES BUT DO HAVE TO ‘PAY’ IN THE COMMUTE?
4. KEY QUESTIONS:  Are we forgetting that the person who uses the Rail will be inconvenienced to the point that many will have to start earlier, come home later, do a lot of walking (even when it is raining) and still drive to a park and ride lot?  Won’t they charge for the park and ride lot?  I assume so, but no one is volunteering that information.  They will be inconvenienced, standing, holding on to a strap all the way from Kapolei for example, to downtown.  Are we forgetting that the Rail itself will charge a fair?  How much?  No one is sharing that info.
5. KEY QUESTIONS:  You say you’ve talked to 36,000 people and the vast majority support Rail.  I DARE THE C & C TO DO ANOTHER POLL.  You will probably see what the most recent polls have shown-that the support is waning.  In fact, isn’t that why you are introducing I Mua in the first place?  Other than the fact that your businesses are ‘in on the profits.’   And, would you really admit if people were AGAINST Rail?  Propaganda doesn’t work that way.  Oh, and the claim that you Rail supporters all work?  It is ridiculous and insulting to imply that those who are against Rail either don’t work or have nothing to do than show up at Rail meetings.  I Mua actually tries to remind residents why they voted for Rail in 2008.  That’s absurd.  All they knew about this project was the sunshine and rainbows propaganda that the C & C has been spreading so long and that you are claiming to continue.  What’s really going on is that the hard-working, intelligent people of Oahu are waking up and seeing the other side finally.  With a tiny fraction of the budget and mainly other hard-working family people-NOT your fat cat corporations and Who’s Who of 1% businesses of Oahu-the people who oppose this project are making headway.  We know that bugs you, but too bad.
And lastly, we know that the person who wrote that article in PBN last week is among the groups that will profit-as so many who are for Rail are.  The hundreds of thousands who oppose tend to be family people who want to say NO to increased taxes on their properties and gas in the future to allow for this Rail.  They have kids and grandkids and worry about what type of future their families are headed for with this colossal expense-not to mention the strain on the aina in so many ways and in so many places.  I commend her for using public transportation now, and I will count her among those that I am aware of who will use Rail daily when it is here.  I have easily talked to and encountered hundreds and that count is up to 4 now. Aloha, Rick Emmer
First of all, I know this is a partnership that includes Pacific Business News and is throwing more money at this controversial project.  After 5 million and counting of our taxpayers’ money has been poured into propaganda to tell us (obviously stupid) citizens how to think, they figure that just isn’t enough.  So, they are going to pour more hundreds of thousands into the propaganda machine.  So, the public has had MASSIVE amounts of info and strategies and facts hidden, but now the powers that be see fit to spend more piles of cash to rehash the propaganda to try to make their point.
1. KEY QUESTION:  If this is such a brilliant idea, and I for sure know we have hundreds of thousands of good, hard-working intelligent citizens on Oahu WHY on earth does it take millions to convince them/us that this is a good idea?
The standard claim is that the Rail project will create 10,000 jobs annually-4,000 in construction and 6,000 in support sectors architecture, planning, retail, restaurants and other service industries.
2. KEY QUESTIONS:  Estimates now are between 400 and 500 jobs will be created in the construction. That’s the local guesses and Kiewit won’t even respond to questions about this.  Is this REALLY enough to warrant proceeding with such a huge investment?  Now hundreds of mainland people have already moved here to build the Rail (which ironically makes the traffic worse.)  When a Kiewit supervisor was asked the other day on TV;  “How many local and how many mainland people have been hired?” he stumbled with that very basic concept here in the islands.  He replied that they were having a hard time telling who is local and who is not.  Another Kiewit person told my friend that they would start off with some local workers, but then, as the locals scam them with sore back claims and such they would replace the locals with those from the mainland.  In fact it has already been declared that people of Oahu don’t know how to build a rail, so that those people will have to be brought in.  I submit that this influx of people is exacerbating the situation and putting an unnecessary toll on the rest of the island’s infrastructure.  So, again, is this huge project worth it for the very few amounts of jobs that will be provided to locals?  And to Mr. Kiewit, locals are NOT those that move here to work and stay.    Regarding the large amounts of local jobs who would support (?), Yes I guess there seems to be a small need that will be filled. Unless the Rail Supporters are conceding that this influx of new people coming in to build it will need restaurants and other businesses (REALLY?) then it’s just the same number of residents just going to work mainly on Monday through Friday.  So they will go to restaurants if they already were, they won’t if they didn’t.  So maybe businesses will ‘move’ towards the Rail and away from the neighborhoods those people come from.  Not real gains though.    Lastly on this topic, many WILL be needed, (at minimum wage, I am sure) to clean up the Rail stations, clean and/or paint over graffiti, and patrol the stations and as security.  I will flat out guarantee that this money is NOT in any kind of budget right now, however.  Again, Is there enough jobs to make this the main reason for the project?
It has been said that there will be fewer cars on the road, less congestion on highways and side streets, reduced air pollution and less reliance on foreign oil.   (And many say there is a Santa Claus.) A LOT of things have been said, but this one has been ‘unsaid’ by Wayne Yoshioka.  He reported that this project probably won’t relieve congestion.  The rest is just a laughable pie in the sky statement, some of which I have not seen.  And I thought I had heard it all.
3. KEY QUESTIONS:  As more and more people move here, they will continue to drive cars on the roads and in fact add to this issue.  No one will be measuring air pollution before and after and I suggest that if they do, there won’t be much change (that one is a reach.)  Surface streets.  DID YOU SAY SURFACE STREETS?  Has anyone yet begun to consider the overwhelming strain to our side streets when this construction is going on?  Not only is it going to make the present commutes unbearably longer for periods of time, but the wear and tear from the extra use of those side streets will cause repair problems.  Of course the budgets for that will have to be slashed to help subsidize the Rail-right?  Less reliance on foreign oil?  Give me a break.  So the extra workers and citizens moving here will go on using the roads and some, a small number will switch to electric cars.  Hardly a mass of people leaving their cars and that will hardly qualify as less reliance on foreign oil.   Now, this is an interesting question.  Is one of the subplots of the Rail to mess up traffic SO BADLY through the construction period that, when (and if) it is ever completed, the traffic will then ‘seem’ to get better because there then will be ‘less’ traffic issues?  Is that their big trump card?
Residents who use Rail will save on gas auto expenses.  The cost of owning a car is highest in Hawaii.  It IS, as it is for almost everything else.  For many, including myself, I drive less because we are on an island, (but that is besides the point.)  So get used to it.  We all chose to live here, so the costs are higher.  IN FACT ARE WE FORGETTING THAT THOSE WHO LIVE OUT WEST SAVE THOUSANDS ON THEIR HOME PRICES BUT DO HAVE TO ‘PAY’ IN THE COMMUTE?
4. KEY QUESTIONS:  Are we forgetting that the person who uses the Rail will be inconvenienced to the point that many will have to start earlier, come home later, do a lot of walking (even when it is raining) and still drive to a park and ride lot?  Won’t they charge for the park and ride lot?  I assume so, but no one is volunteering that information.  They will be inconvenienced, standing, holding on to a strap all the way from Kapolei for example, to downtown.  I see a rash of carpal tunnel or bursitis type injuries in the future…ha ha.  Are we forgetting that the Rail itself will charge a fair?  How much? No one is sharing that info.  So the car owners that try the Rail as an option (and decide to stay at it) will save some on auto expenses and will pay more in other areas and perhaps with more time, so it’s a wash, even a trade-off.
5. KEY QUESTIONS:  You say you’ve talked to 36,000 people and the vast majority support Rail.  I DARE THE CITY & COUNTY TO DO ANOTHER POLL.  You will probably see what the most recent polls have shown-that the support is waning.  In fact, isn’t that why you are introducing I Mua in the first place?  Other than the fact that your businesses are ‘in on the profits.’   And, would you really admit if people were AGAINST Rail?  Propaganda doesn’t work that way.  Oh, and the claim that you Rail supporters all work?  It is ridiculous and insulting to imply that those who are against Rail either don’t work or have nothing to do than show up at Rail meetings.  I Mua actually tries to remind residents why they voted for Rail in 2008.  That’s absurd.  All they knew about this project was the sunshine and rainbows propaganda that the City & County has been spreading so long and that you are claiming to continue.  What’s really going on is that the hard-working, intelligent people of Oahu are waking up and seeing the other side finally.  With a tiny fraction of the budget and mainly other hard-working family people-NOT your fat cat corporations and Who’s Who of 1% businesses of Oahu-the people who oppose this project are making headway.  We know that bugs you, but too bad.
And lastly, the person who wrote that article in PBN last week is among the groups that will profit-as so many who are for Rail are.  The hundreds of thousands who oppose tend to be family people who want to say NO to increased taxes on their properties and gas in the future to allow for this Rail.  They have kids and grandkids and worry about what type of future their families are headed for with this colossal expense-not to mention the strain on the aina in so many ways and in so many places.  I commend her for using public transportation now, and I will count her among those that I am aware of who will use Rail daily when it is here.  I have easily talked to and encountered over a thousand and that count is up to 4 now.
Aloha, Rick Emmerich

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Psssst You got an extra 450 million?

April 23rd, 2012
· by admin · Filed Under: Hawaii · Oahu's Rail Debacle · Politics

OK, Rail people. Front page today. ‘City Asks $450M credit line for rail’ Is that a joke? Cuz if it is, it’s not even a little funny.

But wait, it gets better, or sadly worse. The 2nd page says ‘Rail: Director not sure how HART would pay back loan’ WHAT? I know it’s not April 1st, and I know this is our only paper and it’s not called The Onion. So, I get it that the guy just got off the plane from New England where he got fired and he MUST think we’re stupid.  Daniel Grabauskas, what ya got to say for yourself?

BUT oh, there’s more “It could be paid out of future proceeds of the fare box or something like that.”  (OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT?)

Wait, why don’t we have a giant bake sale and raise money that way, or maybe Zippy’s Chili???? Keep in mind, WE don’t exactly trust the Rail Pushers to spend money wisely

1. Picking lavish offices in expensive downtown buildings.

2. Incurring HUGE penalties by promising that this thing would start far quicker than humanly possible.

3. Spending TONS of our money to feed us propaganda and even coloring books to push the idea of Rail.

Look, we are not stupid.  We want real transparency.  Tell us the facts, and start divulging the correspondences that you said you would.

For those of you that want an update on what Ben says about the Rail, come to Noelani Elementary School, in Manoa, Wed evening.  It’s at 2655 Woodlawn Drive.   WE’LL SPRING FOR THE FREE CHILI AND RICE.  (Eat, and then find out about what’s new from the Truth Squad.)  There will be discussion about real alternatives to the Rail.

In my humble opinion, this Rail is such a colossal disaster, that we just need to stop it.  The fact that intelligent  and courageous leaders actually do have options to share, is a bonus.

Thanks, and aloha, Rick Emmerich

All I can say is WOW.

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Rail Pushers-Quit Hiding Your Transparency!

April 14th, 2012
· by admin · Filed Under: Children/Families · Hawaii · Oahu's Rail Debacle · Politics

I am noticing the irony of the tough talking politicians and their anger saying we’re building this no matter what.  It will take World War III right?  We’ll build even if we don’t get the money right?  We are plowing through, are we?  Well easy when we’re playing with other people’s money and their children’s cash as well.
What I feel is ironic is that with all this angry bold talk, we still have to bring in SO many people from the mainland to build this darn thing. We can’t even run it with a local guy, we have to pull in a guy from as far away as possible (who went down in flames there, by the way) to run this project.
They won’t ever confirm this so I am going to say what I heard.  Maybe that’s what it will take to get the truth out.  I was told on Thurs. that of the whole Kiewit office building, of all the people brought in from the mainland to help run this thing in their offices, ALL are from the mainland except one, who moved back partially because of their local roots.
And I was told about 7 months ago that Bank of Hawaii had set up ‘lots’ of accounts for the many workers that have moved here to build the Rail.
So, I wonder if we EVER are going to get the real facts about how many jobs that are going to get created LOCALLY.  Also, which ones are the local ones, the lower paying ones right?  I see the workers in their bright shirts at some of the meetings.  It seems that no matter what, their supervisors and the top leaders here will be the mainland people.
Now, I don’t doubt my sources, but the actual percentages are out there, I’m sure.  C’mon let’s get some of that transparency-and not just when it’s convenient.

I am noticing the irony of the tough talking politicians and their anger saying WE are building this no matter what.  It will take World War III right?  We’ll build even if we don’t get the money right?  We are plowing through, are we?  Well easy when we’re playing with other people’s money and their children’s cash as well.

What I feel is ironic is that with all this angry bold talk, we still have to bring in SO many people from the mainland to build this darn thing. We can’t even run it with a local guy, we have to pull in a guy from as far away as possible (who went down in flames there, by the way) to run this project.

They won’t ever confirm this so I am going to say what I heard.  Maybe that’s what it will take to get the truth out.  I was told on Thursday that of the whole Kiewit office building, of all the people brought in from the mainland to help run this thing in their offices, ALL are from the mainland except one, who moved back partially because of their local roots.

And I was told about 7 months ago that Bank of Hawaii had set up ‘lots’ of accounts for the many workers that have moved here to build the Rail.

So, I wonder if we EVER are going to get the real facts about how many jobs that are going to get created LOCALLY.  Also, which ones are the local ones, the lower paying ones right?  I see the workers in their bright shirts at some of the meetings. It seems that no matter what, their supervisors and the top leaders here will be the mainland people.

Now, I don’t doubt my sources, but the actual percentages are out there, I’m sure.  C’mon let’s get some of that transparency-and not just when it’s convenient.

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The Rail, I see two sides

April 14th, 2012
· by admin · Filed Under: Children/Families · Hawaii · Oahu's Rail Debacle · Politics · Uncategorized

If the public EVER finds out about the hidden details of the project the overwhelming majority will oppose, like some polls indicate now.  There seem to be two distinct sides.
1.  Intelligent, visionary citizens who care a lot about Oahu and what it will be like for their children and grandchildren.  They can see what a mess this is and will be for generations.  They aren’t fooled by the propaganda that has sadly been funded by us.  They are asking great questions and smart courageous leaders are digging up the answers and more questions and saying “We aren’t gonna take it!”
2.  There are many great citizens that seem to have different values.  Values that allow them to just sacrifice the aina for a job, for votes, for the greed of their company perhaps.  It’s not just the very wealthy (owners of the companies and union presidents for example.)  It’s the rank and file union victim, I mean worker, who feels that the state owes him/her a living in the specific job category they are trained in.   They will be crying the loudest if this thing falls through.  They can’t see the obvious idea of learning a new skill, career, starting their own business.  They believe the hype and propaganda that the leaders are spewing because it aligns with their values-I need a job-the state owes me a job.
No matter what side, I NEVER hear anyone saying, “boy I will ride that rail every day.”  I can (perhaps) see a successful mega-project (miraculously) done on time, and costing somewhere near what they say it will-and then finding out that the people that screamed how badly we needed it won’t ride it and their just aren’t enough citizens to actually ride it ever.  Then, our children will pay for it.
Picture the kids 20 years from now asking,   “Grandpa, didn’t they know that it was a bad idea at the time?”  Picture the even larger divide between the haves and the have-nots as taxes devour the incomes of those normal hard working people, many of whom thought the Rail was going to be the gravy train.
If the public EVER finds out about the hidden details of the project the overwhelming majority will oppose, like some polls indicate now.  There seem to be two distinct sides.
1.  Intelligent, visionary citizens who care a lot about Oahu and what it will be like for their children and grandchildren.  They can see what a mess this is and will be for generations.  They aren’t fooled by the propaganda that has sadly been funded by taxpayer dollars-us.  They are asking great questions and smart courageous leaders are digging up the answers and more questions and saying “We aren’t gonna take it!”
2.  There are many great citizens that seem to have different values.  Values that allow them to just sacrifice the aina for a job, for votes, for the greed of their company perhaps.  It’s not just the very wealthy (owners of the companies and union presidents for example.)  It’s the rank and file union victim, I mean worker, who feels that the state owes him/her a living in the specific job category they are trained in.   They will be crying the loudest if this thing falls through.  They can’t see the obvious idea of learning a new skill, career, starting their own business.  They believe the hype and propaganda that the leaders are spewing because it aligns with their values-I need a job-the state owes me a job.
No matter what side, I NEVER hear anyone saying, “boy I will ride that rail every day.”  I can (perhaps) see a successful mega-project (miraculously) done on time, and costing somewhere near what they say it will-and then finding out that the people that screamed how badly we needed it won’t ride it and their just aren’t enough citizens to actually ride it ever.  Then, our children will pay for it.
Picture the kids 20 years from now asking,   “Grandpa, didn’t they know that it was a bad idea at the time?”  Picture the even larger divide between the haves and the have-nots as taxes devour the incomes of those normal hard working people, many of whom thought the Rail was going to be the gravy train.
If you happen to share my vision, or at least are open to finding out more of the questions we are asking-contact me.
If Ben Cayetano wins in August, we have a chance to undo some of the millions of dollars of waste that are already being allocated.  It is definitely an uphill battle against unions, big developers and their money.  But there is an amazing cross-section of leaders that are standing up for Ben, putting aside past party differences.  As I do not like to be given a lable, these guys are willing to catch some flack from party members to do the right thing.  We need help-the opposition has been putting out the propaganda for years, and it will be a hard fight.
Aloha, Rick Emmerich

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Rail on Oahu

September 17th, 2011
· by admin · Filed Under: Oahu's Rail Debacle · Politics

Well, yet one more about Rail on Oahu, right?  Yep.  But not a long one.

Why am I against Rail?  Do I have an agenda?  It seems like every union

that could possibly benefit from more temporary jobs from Rail has sup-

ported.  It seems that the politicians that got contributions from the unions

and then their support are solidly “All In” on Rail.  It seems like this is a good

pacifier to throw out to the thousands who commute:  “Rail will speed up your

ride to work.”  WILL IT?  Really?

And, of course BIA, the builders and also developers are strongly for it.  Are

you at all surprised?  THEY all have an agenda.  From the false hope that in 15

years the commute MAY go quicker to the companies that expect (or have

already gotten) windfalls.  So agendas everywhere and they all say BUILD,

BUILD, BUILD.  Let’s just welcome with open arms anyone who wants to BUILD

here on Oahu, especially out West.

Forget the Aina.  Forget the beautiful views that wiil be destroyed.  Forget the

fact that the ridership projections are just that-PROJECTIONS.  Who cares about

the money.  Will get it from somewhere.  (By the way that attitude didn’t work

so well for my dad back when we were younger.)

So, whet is MY agenda.  Well, my wife and I do not have kids, so if the state

basically goes bankrupt from the crushing debt and monies needed for this,

we’ll be gone.  I LOVE this Island passionately, but my wife and I can move

if things get too crazy with the road delays that will occur as Rail is built.  I

also care about the lifestyle here  and happen to think that this Rail Mistake

will have a negative impact.  I guess there is no agenda for me, now that I think

about it.  Rick Emmerich

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More Oahu Rail Discussions Pt. 1

September 14th, 2011
· by admin · Filed Under: Oahu's Rail Debacle · Politics

Going from memory, I think the rail stations will be within 1/2 mile (10 min. walk) of about 40% of all homes on Oahu. This isn’t so unbelievable, when 14% of all housing on the island is in Waipahu.

Overall, 30% of all riders are expected to either walk or cycle to a station (FEIS, pg. 3-46). The stations where more than 3/4 of all riders will walk or cycle are: Ho’opili (77%), Civic Center-South St. (77%), Chinatown (80%), Kakaako (80%), and LCC (89%).

In your particular area, 76% of riders to West Loch, and 73% to Waipahu Transit Center are coming by bus; 7% of all daily riders will board in Waipahu. (She doesn’t know where I live.)
Moreover, the percentage of Waipahu-Waikiki trips by transit is expected to rise from 5% to 35%, a SEVEN-FOLD increase.

Rick Emmerich OK, don’t really know where to start. But these pie in the sky guesses are very optimistic, just not believable. That thousands of people that drive to work every day will now, buy or borrow a bicycle and pedal (sometimes in the rain) to a station where they hope no one messes with their locked bike-to then take the Rail is either going to be the victory for Rail OR the ugly downfall. I suppose I will be driving past these businessmen in their good clothes on bicycles with their attache cases

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Response to Moonlighting Article in Mid Week

September 7th, 2011
· by admin · Filed Under: Children/Families · Happiness · Hawaii · Health · Oahu's Rail Debacle · Politics

Jade Moon, Moonlighting Column in Mid Week Paper on Oahu

I like your call to have Rail Supporters speak up. Let me help you.
There is nothing for them to say other than “Build it already.”

Everyone thinks that it will get riders,   just not them.  No one will
ride it enough to make it worth the disastrous financial conse-
quences it will cause to us, our children, and our children’s chil-
dren.

There is only HOPE that it will ease traffic.  A noted expert, Walter
(I believe) Yoshioka said that it will not, EVER.

There is the HOPE of thousands of jobs.  The article by the oppos-
itiion, or as Howard Dicus likes to call us, the ‘Asphalt Huggers’
said that there would be 633 jobs added, MAYBE 933.  That is
not thousands using my old HS Math.  I already know of mainland
people that have moved her for the Rail jobs.  They have opened
accounts at the Bank of Hawaii in Moili’ili.  Now rather than angrily
repeat old employment estimates, why not accurately break them
down for us Mayor Carlisle.  I know you inherited the bully techn-
iques from Mufi, but there are a ton of smart people and I believe they
are now waking up to what is real here.

Which brings me to one of the big concerns which is rarely debated.
Why??????
1.  Do we owe the world the opportunity to move to our, gorgeous,
paradise island chain here in the middle of the Pacific.  Do we just
roll over and say, yep c’mon in, we’ll pave over some more Ag land
and build some more schools for you, and hey, can you just SAY
you will take that darn Rail.
2.  Do we feel the need to relocate thousands or people and then tons
of businesses to EVENTUALLY have enough population near the
Rail lines to make it viable.
3.  Why do we OWE the construction workers the right to do construc-
tion jobs here on Oahu.  If there is no work, there is NO WORK.  Move
to Las Vegas and pour concrete and build stuff for the next 80 years,
already.  Or hey I have an idea.  Learn a new trade.  Are we that weak
and the unions that strong?
4.  WHY don’t we get to the bottom of the Rail Debacle anyway?  Many if
not ALL supporters are/were big contributors of CASH to Mufi and then
Carlisle.  I would love to live in a state that I did not feel was that corrupt,
but the proof is in the pudding.
5.  Why don’t you think about the reality of riding the Rail for yourself.
Remember take extra time to get up early to get to the station to park,
(if there is one for you.)  You may need change to pay for the parking.
There may be no spots, oh well, drive.  Allow for the extra time that you
will need at the other end.  Keep in mind you may need an umbrella
too.  You will be standing most of the way, no relaxing.  Enjoy the view,
knowing that thousands of businesses, and homes and people will have
lost their view to sacrifice for this monstrosity.)  There is no money to
pay for maintenance, how safe does it feel the 2nd year, the 3rd, and so
on.  There is no money for security at the parking lot (if there was one) so
HOPE your vehicle is safe there

By the way, make sure those that say they support it would actually ride
it OFTEN.  (I know of no one who will.)  And, be wary of those who are
supporting just because they have a connection to the trades that THINK
they will benefit, or may actually benefit.

Just Google ‘Rail Pushers Oahu’ or ‘Oahu Rail Pushers’ to see more.

PS I am not against Rail due to ’special interests.” I am not a father of kids
or therefore grandkids that will be negatively disadvantaged due to this.  My
wife and I are not poor, so we will have the option to move to Big Island, or
Maui, or wherever when things get bad here.  And lastly we chose to live
in a part of town that costs more knowing that we do not have to be int that
drive.  Our choice.  That’s why we pay more.  Our townhouse would be
cheaper (though not as nice) in Kapolei, but that is the choice we made.

Rick Emmerich, Liv Life Well
Health, Wealth & Happiness.

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Intelligent Oahuans, please speak out against Rail

August 25th, 2011
· by admin · Filed Under: Happiness · Hawaii · Oahu's Rail Debacle · Uncategorized

WITH RAIL, the facts keep changing and the hidden truths eventually come out…………Rick Emmerich
There is NO guarantee that the Federal Government will come through with the funding that many on Oahu have been led to think that they are going to push through.  Even in the best of times, whatever that means, there would not be a guarantee.
But guess what, these are not the best of times.  Every legislator out there would want to be the person that finds 1.5 Billion to cut to save the US money.  Especially those crazy Tea Partiers or Republicans.  Wait, THEY wouldn’t do something to upset the Dems in this annoyingly Dem state.  OR would they?
Senator Inouye was in town and talking to, or as the newsman said, “lecturing” the Rail Board.  I assume the Board just sat back in awe of the dude, who is imposing, even in his advanced age.  Now I mean no disrespect, really (I want to be hangin’ around at that age too),  BUT he clearly did NOT say that the Feds are definitely going to come through with the funds.  What he said was “I believe he (Peter Roga of the FTA) is our friend.”
OK, just in case I am the only one NOT in awe of this guy…..I was paying attention.  The words Inouye said were NOT comforting for people that have been sold the bill of goods that the Rail was going to be built, largely using Federal Funds.  I mean, this thing has been rolling along as if the money was already in one of Oahu’s Banks, just waiting for the builders to finish up.
I think Inouye, who’s ‘in on this” has lied to us in the past, almost guaranteeing the money.  He clearly did NOT say that tonight, and I think he changed his tune.  He continued the Rail Pusher’s Propaganda with the “it will save traffic” statement as well.
Let’s WAKE UP and stop this MADNESS.  This project will Bankrupt Oahu.  It will lower the quality of life for thousands on Oahu in a lot of ways.  It won’t do what we have been led to believe, such as cut down commute times or eliminate traffic.
There is NO WAY the project will get done in a timely manner, big projects just don’t in Hawaii.  It is more likely that I build a snowman on Bethel Street tomorrow than this project comes in any where near the budget.
There is nothing allotted for the maintenance (if it ever gets done.)  Neighborhoods will be destroyed, and homes and businesses will be torn down to make this happen.  AND, now that the old guy has weighed in….
WE AREN’T GOING TO GET THE MONEY WE THOUGHT WE WERE PROMISED.
In the Bible we are the Foolish Builder.

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Letter to Charles Djou about Rail

August 12th, 2011
· by admin · Filed Under: Children/Families · Hawaii · Oahu's Rail Debacle · Politics

Hi,
I voted for you and have sent you a FaceBook messsage in the past.
Although I don’t spend a lot of time with politics, I have some strong
feelings and do voice them.
The Star-Advertiser did not print my latest letter so I sorta gave up taking
the effort to vent.
I find your letter Rail authority….very intelligent, but I really don’t think
the idea goes far enough.
I believe the thoughts you point out are a symptom of a much bigger
problem.  Rail, which is going to bankrupt this state has just been ac-
cepted by the public.
It seems like HI is incompetent at even keeping streets free of potholes.
The other 49, with all their inclement weather are better.
It seems like education needs intelligent ideas and truly lacks money,
but Rail is going to be a priority.  It seems like the programs that are be-
ing cut-like money for the mentaly ill Need MORE funding, not less, but
soon, Rail is going to cancel those thoughts.
There are many more areas that need attention and usually money,
but again, this Rail Conspiracy is going to take precedence.
Lots of people see that big business, like developers (and their con-
tributions) have a lot to do with Rail going through.  Mufi and now the
current mayor are/were staunchly for this monstrosity and Mufi had
a formidable propaganda machine in place.
What I predict:
1.  Rail will NOT cut commute times from Kapolei.  Do the math.  A person
will still have to get up early.  They may struggle to find a parking place at
the Rail stop.  Will it be free?  Will it be open, and what if it isn’t?  They still
have a walk, or bus, or cab? ride at the end of the trip unless they are one
of the few that end up very close to the stop.
2.  That rider may be standing all he way.  How comfortable is that?  I have
seen the Chicago commuters reading their Tribunes the whole way and
thousands of them live walking distance from their train stops.  That’s dif-
ferent.  It won’t be that way here.
3.  We have the best bus system in the nation, but that too, will suffer,
(see above) as the cuts come in to divert money to Rail.
4.  The sight line issues for hundreds of thousands of residents will lower
quality of life here.  The loss of the water views and even the view of the pub-
lic of the beautiful Harbor Court building and Aloha Tower will be disheart-
ening.
5.  The temporary jobs provided will only encourage those comapnies and
workers to clamor for next huge project to keep them employed.  I strongly
object to the notion that we should just pave over acres and acres of Ag
land out west and allow every new development to be built.  How bout we
face reality and keep Ag land so that we can be even a little more Self
Sustaining as a state.  If shipments for food to HI were delayed by even
4 days there would be massive problems-even panic.  Why not keep some
Ag land and use it.  As for the union workers out of work.  When will they
face reality and learn a new skill, or for that matter move to Vegas where
you can build stuff for the rest of your life.
6.  When and if this project ever gets done, our children and their children
will continue to pay for this thing with higher taxes and less services.
OK, there is more, and I have to work, but I know you are competent and
intelligent.  I feel relieved if someone will have seen my letter.
aloha, Rick Emmerich
Rick’s note.  This is the same letter, although I cleared up some typos.
Sorry Charles, no offense meant.  I obviously should have proofed it
before I sent it to you.

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Carmegeddon? how bout Work-at-home-Ageddon?

July 16th, 2011
· by admin · Filed Under: Happiness · Oahu's Rail Debacle · Wealth · network marketing

Shutting down the 405 in LA could have its benefits.  Our traffic is bad here coming into Honolulu from the West Monday through Friday and the people are so despeate that they are allowing an incredibly overpriced and terrbily planned Rail System to be rammed down their throats.  But that is not what this blog is about.

How about telecommuting?  I can do it at my job, even though my company has its doubts about its effectiveness.  That makes it my challenge to show that it works.

OR, how about a home based business?  I heard a study showed that 85% of thgose surveyed would liek their own business.  I am not assuming that the study meant MLM, direct sales in particular but there are great benefits to either. 

My goal is to have 5 streams of income from my home.  2 are up and running, the 3rd is in the process, the 4th I start today and the 5th has been planned for about 4 months and I expect to roll it out within a week.

Now, this is not a sales pitch for you to do any of the things I am doing.  I would welcome you into either of 2 of them, and you would have to contact me to hear more.  My website idea, though I have told many (TOO many?) is my deal and I am not looking for any more competition there.  The point is, THINK OUTSIDE THE BOX.

Those of us that have been taught “Get a good job and stay there a long time.  You don’t have to like it and it will not only pay all your bills, but they will take care of you when you retire.”  We need to talk.

These days Robert Kiyosaki, Donald Trump and Warren Buffett (not Jimmy) are saying that MLM/home based businesses are the wave of the future-now.  Regular jobs are old-school.  College Grads are getting out (sometimes with massive student debt) and finding that jobs are scarce, or worse yet, their majors are almost becoming obsolete.

It’s almost not SHOULD I GET A HOME-BASED BUSINESS, but WHICH ONE?

Benefits include, NO commute, work as hard or as little as you want.  Guess which one pays better…Also, no inventory (usually), no shipping, or at least very little.  And, you get paid on work you do today, for months, even years to come.  That is residual.  Time leveaging can also result when you spend time with one person who then reaches out to another and another and another.  Yes it can multiply and fast if you are in the right conditions.  

For those who read this that think I am gong to pitch my company, I am not right now.  You can find out what I am doin easy enough.  I do, however have some tools to help with your business, whatever it is.  You can check with me on that too.  I expect to see great Google results from what I am doing, to give a hint.

Aloha, and don’t read this while commuting!  Rick Emmerich

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