JoAnn Yukimura For Our Sustainable Energy Future
We in Apollo Kauai have been studying the issues of our oil dependence
and climate change for the last three years. We have been educating
ourselves and fellow residents about both the impacts and mitigation
strategies for Kaua`I. Our investigations and educational efforts
have included numerous public meetings presenting renewable energy
solutions, transportation, efficiency and conservation measures for
saving energy, and a myriad of related subjects. During this time,
rising local electricity rates and ever-increasing transportation fuel
costs as well as global events and awareness of climate changes have
caused a call for urgent immediate action to address these energy
issues.
Most recently, that call reached a fever pitch here on the Garden
Island, when Maurice Kaya, former head of the State Department of Business, Economic
Development, and Tourism, as one of several presenters, addressed a
room of over 200 Kauai officials business people, and concerned
residents at an renewable energy event organized by the Office of
Kauai Economic Development. Mr. Kaya started his presentation with an
insistence on the need for the people of Kaua`i to proceed with far
greater urgency in addressing our energy dependence. He emphasized
that we cannot simply consider this in a box, as 'another' social
problem that will eventually resolve itself! He proceeded to outline
the incredible fragility of our entire economy because of our total
reliance on increasingly scarce and expensive petroleum.
Our energy crisis has been building for years, and despite the recent
softening of oil prices, it is widely expected to worsen significantly
in the foreseeable future. And, despite interest in this or that
possible technological 'solution' (algae, nanotechnology, cellulosic
ethanol) there is very little disagreement in the energy industry that
we are at the edge of a precipice. The single most important thing for
local governments around the country in responding to this
unprecedented crisis is clear recognition of it and to quickly begin
implementing solutions.
We need a Mayor on Kauai who understands both the severity of our
situation, and the appropriate responses to it. We need a Mayor who
goes into office on day one as a strong proponent of the solutions
that can benefit us the most. We need a Mayor who has the experience
of having worked through real crisis situations before. We cannot
afford anything less now.
Some may see this perspective as too pessimistic or alarmist, and
choose not to think that they or their job or business on Kaua`I might
be impacted by such abstractions; but we need to face the facts. Most
of us already see the affects of our electricity and transportation
costs and the resulting rising costs of all goods, including food,
and services. If we can elect a Mayor who truly understands the
urgency of our energy situation, we can move together as a community
and successfully meet this challenge.
We can expand the bus system that Mayor Yukimura started; we can
depend on affordable housing becoming a reality as in the past; we can
transform the COOP that JoAnn Yukimura helped found; we can protect
the rural Island that Mayor Yukimura has, countless times, defended;
we can begin employing the conservation measures and green building
practices which will save our County energy. With Mayor Yukimura's
leadership, we can avoid saddling the West Side with yet another toxic
burden in a Waste to Energy Incinerator; and instead proceed with much
more profitable and innovative recycling efforts. We can expand the
Farmer's Markets that Mayor Yukimura championed, and by doing so, help
promote more agriculture on Kaua`I, more small farms and more
exporting of our products. We can assist Kaua`I families and
individuals who must live on limited or fixed incomes to save through
energy saving incentives.
We cannot and should not rely on solutions to come from our State and
Federal Government. Instead, with Mayor Yukimura's leadership
assisting us in becoming more energy self-reliant; and in joining
together, we can take responsibility for the well-being of our
families, businesses and our communities right here on Kaua`i.
Apollo Kaua`I endorses JoAnn Yukimura as the person most capable of
working with us to bring about the energy solutions we will need to
enjoy that optimistic future.