Today great minds are focusing on the ingredients for economic recovery whereas we should consider the factors that made this economic failure so successful and retool our way of doing business.
The general consensus today is change needs to occur in the management of our public services. We all seem to agree to this notion.

The current legislative effort to balance the budget has usurped the voter?s authority. Just two months after sweeping reelections the incumbent democrats in office increased their pay, set out to justify tax increases and nixed open election reform. This duplicity smacks of an apparent disregard of campaign ethicacy. Based on the sense and tenants of democracy these acts firmly place the collective body of our current government into a new imperial category.

The view that the voter mandated this new direction is wrong.

So it follows that to walk the same walk while making change is counter to the notion altogether. 
Further folks who are immersed in the current discussion are really not contributing in any real and meaningful way to the solution nor are the vast majority of concerned citizens being provided with any useful information or an invitation to participate.

Community strengths like family, church and school are fast becoming anomalies. I think that today we owe our citizens a honest forecast of where this great planet is heading in the next say 5 years.
We might be able to avoid further deterioration.
 In closing I respect Sir Bob and really enjoyed his comments at the post G20 summit and I encourage folks to view them:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/in_depth/business/2009/g20/7979437.stm
 As it happens I think the mechanism that makes the most sense is for the unsustainable developed regions to discard the societal influences that in anyway adversely affect any undeveloped regions.
Anything less would just keep the same conditions in place for the folks who currently fall in the 2 euro a day noncontributing underserved in general terms the ? 3 billion voiceless class.
If I were the farmer called to fix a leak then expect to eat vegetables.
If I were a CEO of an global bulldozer manufacturing company then don't be surprised if stuff gets pushed around to make room for the development of leaky pipes. .
We need to make some fast adjustments -a shift entirely away from future development based on-'innovative sustainability planning- to simple what sup -fiscal sustainability planning-.
Ask the 2euro a day family how much change they can produce Not much I suspect. Not yet.

From:      Patrick M. Walsh
To:          Open Letter to Hawaii State Governor Linda Lingle
Subject:  A call for Public service reform and more meaningful communication.
Date:      November 20 2008

A worsening housing or credit market means a greater risk of a much deeper economic downturn this year and next. I suspect that service industry jobs will grow much faster than goods-producing jobs in the next couple of years.

Our new focus should be towards public service reform and small business export business expansion. Our emphasis on new visitor market expansion is expensive and the hospitality industry for the most part, has not made adjustments in services or to any degree acclimate staff to culture training for proper service for the visitor in these new markets.

The expansion of the military can be seen from the government perspective as a ?bright spot? to be sure.  Federal spending in areas like small business development to partner in the effort of ?privatization of military? can have a significant impact in our community. However, future projects must focus on the employment and training of entry level residents. 

Comments about the economy that state "expected upturns" should be rationalized as much as possible as in these periods of economic downturn most folks are seeking timely and accurate information.

Hawaii's tourist-dependent economy has created many problems.  Hawaii's economy creates mostly low-paying jobs, but the cost of living is nearly 40 percent higher than on the continent. Now that the nation and world are facing economic challenges, it is vital that the islands become diversified and self-sufficient.

Partisan politics can be very counterproductive. We grow from dialogue -from opposing viewpoints when we vote the "party line" regardless of what our candidates do, say or believe, we lose out on exploring innovative approaches and ultimately limit our options.

It is my hope that our Mayors elect, will live in the spirit of healthy multi party politics; that he will look for guidance from the state executive office; seek the wisdom of people from a wide variety of experiences, backgrounds and political persuasions; and ultimately do what he feels best for the people of Hawaii county and the state, regardless of what it might mean for his career.

I am optimistic is that our new county administration will work to address the economy immediately. 

A healthy economy is one in which the forces of the marketplace are open to competition, and money is in circulation for the end result -high employment in the private sector.

There is no absence of money in Hawaii. There is however a fear of not having enough which causes people to stockpile and not spend.  Resurgence in circulation will occur when fear is released and trust in our leadership is established.

It is also my hope that we collaborate with our neighbors- sit and communicate with them so that everyone's needs are articulated. Democracy is not "one size fits all."

We are of different cultures, and as it happens communication always delivers better understanding.

Post Office Box 10277 Hilo, Hawaii, 96721 USA

The trend is the increasing number of consumers who are concerned about living healthier lives. This is proven by their increased spending in the "staying healthy" industry. Not only are they buying, consumers are also looking for more information about how to improve their health, fitness and wellness.
Steve Case Founder, Revolution HealthCare

Given that statistical analysis by a wide range of experts say that between 40% and 70% of health care costs are behaviorally based, we can do things like invest in wellness and preventive care and preventative screenings to actually reduce health care costs.
Michael J. Critelli  Executive chairman, Pitney Bowes

We have turned over $2.2 trillion of our money to those who manage our health care, without holding them accountable. Not surprisingly, these folks--hospitals, insurers, governments--used the money to benefit themselves ... Only two stakeholders can fix this--you and I. We must take back our money, and we must decide how to spend it ... We are in a war for control of $2.2 trillion. If we do not win it, our health and economy will go down in flames.
Regina Herzlinger  Professor, Harvard Business School


We need to seriously look at the value side of the health care equation. We get best practice from our health care system 55% of the time. We also have a premium of about $150 billion going into malpractice today. All of the incentives are pointed in the wrong direction.
Karen Ignagni  CEO, America's Health Insurance Plans

We already outspend every industrialized country by almost twice as much per person, but our outcomes are nowhere near twice as good as everybody else's. The problem with the way our system is funded is that 30% off the top automatically goes to administration and profit. So if we take that out of the equation by creating a single payer system then we will be able to cover anyone. We would just need to pay more from our taxes, but we'd be paying zero for private health insurance   
Dr. Ana MalinowPresident, Physicians for a National Health Care Program

If there's more of an emphasis on wellness, prevention and the power of lifestyle changes to prevent and reverse disease, we can provide a higher quality of care at a lower cost. The managed care approach doesn't address the fundamental causes of why people get sick. It just treats the symptoms.
 Dean Ornish Founder, Preventive Medicine Research Institute

 My Personal public Testimony on the   Draft Hawaii 2050 Sustainability Plan 2007.

I respectfully submit the following:

I applaud the earnest work the cross section of our citizenry put into the Hawaii 2050 Plan. I accept the discussion was lengthy and for the most part complete. The break out scenario focus groups provided venues for fringe futuristic fantasies. However the main focus of the Draft Plan 2050 remained consistent from the onset:  System preservation.

The public media, grand ballroom stage lights and special effects for the ?public unveiling of the Draft Plan 2050 gave many of us a sense of being part of ?history in the making?. The cross references  to former Governor Araoshi?s own Hawaii Plan complete with young ?future leaders? taking the stage was a typical full swing Hawaii Democrat Party ?incumbency marketing? campaign event.

The Draft Plan 2050 appears to be based on the fact that the current Hawaii  is in perfect social and economic condition. This is the basis on which Draft Plan 2050 goals were made. Once the public input is complete the  2008 Hawaii legislators will make specific laws that serve as directives for the purpose of providing direction for Hawaii?s next generations. I am not comfortable with this. I think the Draft 2050 Plan is nice concept and should remain for future generations to read and muse over. I don?t think it has enough merit to provide today?s public servants with  concurrence for a Hawaii 2050. Further, the strength of all good forecasting is in the analytical data drawn from real science -this report is supported by none.   

The Draft Plan 2050 could have served a single goal and made more sustainable sense: ?The focus of our generation for the future is that Hawaii?s  public servants strive everyday to encourage the full potential of her citizens? health, wealth and happiness.? Today?s goal for tomorrows Hawaii.

In addition I am convinced that all sincere planning the future requires that the expression of ?attainability? be plastered all over it. To achieve a future Hawaii that benefits all her citizens  public policy ought to be impartial and well-organized. Today we have so many examples of our public policy shortcomings. Homelessness, gender inequality, racial discrimination, over development and environmental decay to bring up just the most pressing. The list is long. I say lets put on a follow up Hawaii 2050 road show and solicit a honest discussion as to how we can ?do good for tomorrow?. 

Community strengths like family, church and school are fast becoming anomalies. I think that today we owe our citizens a honest forecast of where this great State of Hawaii is heading in the next 5 years. We might be able to avoid further deterioration. I suggest a shift from this 2050 ?innovative sustainability planning? to simple what?s-up ?fiscal sustainability planning?.

In closing it seems to me that today our federal government plays an ever expanding role. It is not hard to notice a build up of military. The requisite for there to be resolution language initiated which satisfies our host culture government will be a major factor. For example; the reform of the public servants organizational makeup. Encourage the whole populace to encompass traditional cultural values. Such for example the piece of Aloha defined by the late Dr. George Mills ?....relationships of a harmonious interaction with all things of nature-man included....? 

I am convinced that in order to get on with managing Hawaii today we need to consider the public service structure. Introduce work evaluation and work significance- target training to certify the quality of the programs. ? Start tracking occupation with data driven decision making. Merge responsibilities. It is the undeniable future. All progress should be weighed with consideration of a sustainable family.

Post industrial society technology brought the whole world into our remote Hawaii hale. In just one generation we went from chopping down the sugar cane to down loading the world internet. I imagine this global society will demand from our public service sector a method of rapid response to public inquiry. A type of government for the people by the people. Some things (we trust) will never change.

Aloha and may God Bless Us,


PM Walsh
Kea?au, Hawaii Sept

I will state for the record that I, Patrick M. Walsh, support all Forest Reserve initiatives presented on
July 12 2007 in Hilo at the DLNR-DOFAW facility.

July 13, 2007

Forestry Program Manager
Division of Forestry and Wildlife
11511 Punchbowl Street Room 325
Honolulu, Hawaii 96813
USA



To whom it may concern,
   I wish to add these comments to the public discussion as follows:


...Start Public Testimony:      
         
   
With respect to the discourse I heard given last night I concur and recap with the following issues:
It seemed to me that there was a common thread among all speakers:  an apparent fuzzy understanding bordering on distrust from previous experiences or just born out of association. A common question:  What opportunities will the new ownership have for the community? Hawaiian Natives and entities made quite clear their wish - to participate fully in all aspects -to belong in the decision and not be put on the sidelines. Concern based on current management practices regarding the present perceived poor conditions of the government managed forests were voiced. The apparent disregard for Hawaiian cultural issues dominated. The future impact of man by increasing access as well as the introduction of new language and the definition caused opposition. Successful management of these lands will be measured by the future generations. For the most part, there was a general agreement to the proposed additions to the Forest Reserve system.
   
In addition to the concurrent testimony stated I testify that:
I think it is becoming apparent that soon we will be looking at achieving sustainability as an alarming necessity. It is perceptible, from all indicators, that poverty provides no options and education unlocks all doors. The best intentions does not make success. Only with the proper skills can these fractured groups work together (collaborate) and truly restore, preserve, enjoy and pass on to the next generation an intact authentic Hawaiian Forest.

In closing I propose:
A Forest training site; a forest skill-building school, of sorts.
For example: There is a 20 acre square of undeveloped vacant deeded public park which is located in the private Hawaiian Paradise Park (HPP) in Keaau.(Maku’u & 16th Streets). The owners- the homeowners association- is currently lobbying the Hawaii County to take it over and develop a park.  There are no objections to this future park. I envisage full community participation. A perfectly controlled environment. A Hawaii Park and Forest Reserve Training and Skill-building Educational Centre.

Overview:
Many Hawaiian communities, including OHA, are not buying into the American dream. I trust we all desire to avoid ugly discord. At the forefront of all our efforts could be the objective to attract the language of attainability, or at the very least -collaborative historical resolve.

   Thank you and Aloha,
   



   Patrick M. Walsh
   Post Office Box 10277
        Hilo, Hawaii 96721 USA

      End Public Testimony...    wc416