Food on Fire!

Photo: Leah Ball, Midweek

Left to Right: Quentin Kawananakoa, Terry Seelig (HFD spokesperson), Rep. Ryan Yamane, Hon. City Managing Director and former State Rep Kirk Caldwell, Rix Maurer

On this occasion, that's a good thing. Rep. Ryan Yamane, District 37 - Waipio Gentry, Mililani, is a strong supporter of Hawaii's emergency services, including the Honolulu Fire Department. On December 1st, he attended the Signature Chefs Food Festival held at the HFD headquarters.

Keiki Care Letter to the Editor

This appeared in today's Honolulu Star-Bulletin:

Lingle administration abandons kids in need

This is a sad day for children who have no health insurance and don't qualify for other government programs. The Lingle administration abruptly pulled out of its agreement to fund the Keiki Care program, even though the Hawaii Medical Service Association has partnered with the state to pay half the premiums (Star-Bulletin, Oct. 17). In August, the Legislature expanded Keiki Care to cover kids whose parents were laid off from Aloha Airlines, Molokai Ranch and other business closures.

HMSA was surprised by the administration's move, and so was the Legislature. We're proud that Hawaii became one of the first states in the nation to ensure that every child has access to health care. Human Services director Lillian Koller has not provided us with any information on why the program is ineffective. HMSA contends that it's working well, that more than 2,000 children may be impacted, and it has stepped up to the plate to take over the entire cost until the end of the year.

At the very time her administration is abandoning local children who have no other options for health insurance, Gov. Linda Lingle is on the mainland poisoning audiences with lines like Barack Obama is "not really from Hawaii." She's the very one who seems to have lost her way and her aloha spirit. Even in bad economic times, those who fall through the health care safety net should remain a core priority.

Rep. Kirk Caldwell
Majority Leader - House of Representatives

Veto override debate ménage à trois

On Friday, the Star Bulletin printed an opinion piece that criticized the Legislature's reasoning behind overriding 13 of the Governor's veto, asserting that the move was more about power than the public good. On Saturday, Ian Lind questioned in a blog post whether the writer of the editorial read any of the bills in their entirety, and also mentioned several bills he deemed quite pressing and important to the public. Then, today, the Star Bulletin printed a letter to the editor from Rep. Kirk Caldwell, who was quoted in the editorial as saying the overrides were limited to "pressing needs". Caldwell notes that many constituents would disagree with the editorials suggestion that the bills overridden by the Legislature were not pressing issues.

Here is a brief synopsis of a few of their arguments (just in case you don't feel like browsing through the three links).

State regulation of interisland air carriers

SB : Why would the Legislature override a veto of a bill to re-regulate interisland air carrier when state regulation of airlines is prohibited by federal law?

IL: The bill contains a key proviso - which the SB fails to mention - limiting the law to take effect once federal legislation permits implementation.

"What the bill accomplishes is to provide a regulatory structure that can be used to show the state's intent while lobbying Congress for the power to take control of our vital interisland transportation system…the S-B editorial made it sound like legislators were just unaware of the limits of state authority," wrote Lind.

Operation of the University of Hawaii

SB: Differences in opinion on how UH should be operated prompted lawmakers to override two bills, however urgency played no role in the decision.

IL: Requiring the UH Board of Regents to make public administrative salaries and expenditures is already mandated by the Sunshine Law, which the the Board refuses to provide promptly.

Permanent absentee voting

SB: The new law could botch the legitimacy of voting in Hawaii. It will be difficult to verify in all cases if the person registered to vote is actually submitting the absentee ballot. In situations where an individual relocates or dies, ballots could be used by others.

Caldwell: Providing residents with access to voting booths is important, especially to the elderly who support making absentee voting easier.

Dealing with the Budget Crunch

by Rep. Kirk Caldwell - Majority Leader

The following was written by Rep. Caldwell for his upcoming Neighborhood Board meeting:

Dear Neighborhood Board and Community Members,

It's always been my policy to give you the bad news along with the good. In keeping with that policy, this letter to you carries some very tough truth.

As you may have heard, on Thursday the State Council on Revenues once again lowered the estimate of projected revenues for the current fiscal year and chopped it even further for next year.

Let me give you some perspective. In September of 2007 the growth estimate was 5.7%. It is now down to 3.3% which is a negative dip of about 42% in a nine month period. By the way, two of the five members of the Council actually wanted to drop the projection even lower, based on what is happening within the national and state economy.

The projections for the next fiscal year drop to 2.0% revenue growth, down from 4.1% in March. Combined, this means that the state is projected to receive $136.8 million less over a two year period; $14.4 million less in fiscal year 2008 (July 2007-June 2008) and $122.4 million less in fiscal year 2009 (July 2008-June 2009).

For some time now, the House of Representatives has developed a reputation for being tight with the checkbook. Indeed, there was a lot of criticism directed at the House during and immediately following the 2008 session for our restraint in spending taxpayer money. Most of the criticism came from the Governor and the state administration. The House Finance Committee, led by Representative Marcus Oshiro, made hard yet prudent decisions.

Yes it was a tough balance. We know very well that budget restraints affect programs and hurt people. We don't take it lightly. We also knew that what we were doing was necessary. We could see that the economy was slipping and that spending needed to be managed more tightly. The news from the Council on Revenues bears this out.

Because the legislature judiciously lowered revenue projections in calculating the budget, the state can effectively manage this fiscal year, with appropriate spending restraint by the executive branch.

When you take these losses in future years and compare them to our state's assumed financial needs, we face very stiff shortfalls in the future. 2009 will be what we call a biennium budget year. That's a year when we have to put together a budget for the following 2 years – fiscal years 2010 and 2011.

At this point in time, we anticipate a $242.5 million potential shortfall by June 30, 2010, ballooning into a $366.0 million shortfall by June 30, 2011. These are big numbers, which can change somewhat for the better if the economy improves. However, we cannot sit idly by and assume that will happen.

Managing our money ever more effectively and striving for policies that support a more resilient economy will be critical priorities in the near term and in the next legislative session.


Sincerely,

House Majority Leader Kirk Caldwell
District 24
Manoa, Punahou, Moiliili & University

Battle of the Studies

On May 1st, a week ago, the Legislature adopted HCR231 that requests the bi-partisan Legislative Reference Bureau to study the cost factors of a Constitutional Convention. In his testimony, LRB director Ken Takayama said that "the scope of the study requested in this measure appears to be manageable. We will endeavor to work with the Legislature to produce a study that is objective, informative and useful."

On May 7th, the Governor sent out a news release forming a task force to determine the cost of convening a Constitutional Convention, chaired by the Lt. Governor. "The resolution ties the hands of the reference bureau from looking at viable alternatives, and it shuts the public out of the process."

The news release did not specify why the public would be shut out of the process, or the role the public has in determining the cost of convention. It should be noted that the public will have a large role in determining whether there will even be a convention given that the question will be put on the November 2008 general election ballot.

The Advertiser picked up the story here.

Majority Leader Kirk Caldwell criticized the Lingle administration for dismissing the work of the LRB, and spending taxpayer's money on a duplicative effort. Here's his full response:

The governor recently announced the forming of a task force to study the cost of a Constitutional Convention, even though the legislature just passed a resolution requesting the non-partisan Legislative Reference Bureau (LRB) to do the exact same thing. In its testimony to the legislature, the LRB stated it would produce a "study that is objective, informative and useful."

So, now we will have two studies, spending more money and duplicating efforts.

While there are ominous signs regarding the slowdown of our economy, shouldn't the focus really be on protecting our economy, our jobs and our livelihood? We hear nothing from the governor on this issue except to say that the economic signs aren't as bad as we think. Apparently, all other matters like our falling revenues and mishandled state contracts are under control, so she has time to take on something that the extremely competent bureau has already been assigned.

The governor's statement that she prefers an open and transparent process for this study has no small ring of irony to it when you remember that is exactly what she avoided in the Superferry fiasco and her utter unwillingness to discuss with the news media the extraordinary departure of her chief of staff Bob Awana.

House holds Natto fundraiser for Hawaii Foodbank

Today, Senate President Colleen Hanabusa and Rep. Sylvia Luke held the most nutritious fundraiser of the season for the Hawaii Foodbank. The theme was "natto", the traditional fermented soybean with a distinct taste, smell and consistency, in a variety of forms.

Choice #1: Natto with Raw Egg, perfect for all the bodybuilders at the legislature.
Choice #2: Raw Natto, over a bed of rice. Breakfast of champions.
Choice #3: Natto Smoothie, which may become the next big thing at Jamba Juice.

Did you know that natto is considered a near perfect food source, rich in protein? The soybeans are mixed with a bacterium called bacillus subtilis natto, thus the name.

House members received a copy of the flyer above on their desks as they entered the floor session at noon, much to Rep. Luke's surprise.

April Fool! Rep. Luke got up at the end of session and pointed a finger at Majority Leader Kirk Caldwell for pulling the prank. She asked Speaker to give him more work to do as he obviously has too much time on his hands.

Rep. Caldwell vehemently denies that he had anything to do with the joke. But, who did? It's still a mystery.

Rep. Kirk Caldwell on the Hot Seat

The Advertiser's Hot Seat, that is. Majority Leader Kirk Caldwell was on the Hot Seat today from noon to 1 p.m. Here's the link. Excerpts will appear in the Sunday newspaper.

HDA Legislators of the Year

The Hawaii Dental Association honored two lawmakers this year as the HDA Legislator of the Year - Senator Brian Taniguchi and Representative Kirk Caldwell. The award was presented on January 17th at the HDA annual awards banquet. Rep Caldwell said that he was honored to be recognized. "Dentists are an important part of our health community, but we must also recognize that they are part of our business community, and I am committed to helping dentists maintain and grow their practices." Both Taniguchi and Caldwell have introduced bills relating to dentistry in the 2007 legislative session, including proposals to change the regional examinations of dentists and modify probate law relating to the estate of a dentist. The bills are still alive and have been carried over to the 2008 session.

Picture slideshow of Opening Day events at the Capitol

Even if you couldn't make it to the Capitol this morning, I'm sure that you were able to hear the buoyant cheers of excited University of Hawaii sports fans from the dewy valleys of Manoa to the sweeping shores of Waianae.

Immediately following the opening-day ceremonies of the 2008 Legislative session,the Capitol became a volcano of infectious energy as lawmakers, lobbyists, staff members and community members commended the UH WAC championship teams, including the Warrior football team, Wahine volleyball and soccer teams. The UH Hilo Wahine volleyball and cross country teams also won their Pacific Athletic Conference titles.

A handful of UH Warriors were joined by recently appointed UH football coach Greg McMackin, former defensive line coach under June Jones. The University of Hawaii introduced McMackin as the new Warrior football head coach at a press conference today at the Stan Sheriff Center.

Speaker Calvin Say said in his opening day address today that a priority of the legislature is to find the money to fix unsatisfactory facilities at UH. Read more about Opening Day speeches here. Or read Speaker Say's Address here and Majority Leader Kirk Caldwell's address here.

I rounded up the best photos taken today and embedded a slide show below for your viewing pleasure. Here are a few things that happened today:

• A rally in the Rotunda calling for legislation placing a moratorium on the genetic modification of native taro in Hawaii
  
• Opening Day Ceremonies
  
• A presentation in the Rotunda honoring UH WAC championship teams
• Lawmakers grinding a variety of 'ono food and talking story with community members, lobbyists, friends, family and colleagues

Opening Day Speech - Majority Leader Kirk Caldwell

Mr. Speaker, distinguished guests, friends and family, members of the House, we all came to public office with dreams.

I was reminded of the importance of this principle about a month ago, when Senator Nadao Yoshinaga visited my office.

From humble beginnings in Wailuku, to a local and national leader in health care reform, the Senator has a record that would make any elected official proud.

When he visited, we talked for a quite a while. At the end of our conversation, I asked him, "If you had it to do all over again, would you change anything?"

He told me: "I would have dreamed bigger."

Those words reminded me, and should remind us all, of just how critical it is to take what we believe and apply it to the way we solve problems and approach the future.

There is a forest of cynicism out there, and we cannot give in to it. Instead we must deal with it, defy it, and be guided by what is right.

Community leaders do this every day. One such person is Nanci Kriedman. She has committed herself to ending domestic violence.

Nanci has involved some of us in the annual Men's March held every October to end violence against women.

The theme of last year's march was "dispelling the myth." The message is that we must change the way we frame the problem if we are really going to solve it.

Violence against women is generally thought of as a women's issue. But it's not. It's a man's issue.

It is men who must change to solve the problem. And it is all men who must help by taking responsibility for ending something which is so innately wrong.

So Nanci's dream begins by calling on men – uncles, coaches, clergy and neighbors -- to act as good mentors. We can start early with boys and end the bad behavior before it becomes habit. Real men will champion the responsibility.

Thank you Nanci. The simple act of redefining a problem can give birth to new solutions.

We have all heard the quote from the bible which goes, "Where there is no vision, the people perish." Fortunately we have community leaders who have vision to spare.

Among them is James Koshiba, one of the founders of Kanu Hawaii. James left a successful consulting firm to lead this dynamic, new organization.

Kanu calls on all of us to fulfill our kuleana – our obligation to neighbors in need, our cultural traditions, our children and our environment.

Using creative technology, James and the young leaders who founded Kanu have added a new twist to activism.

Kanu displays, in real-time, data on their website to show us how individual home grown actions really do make a difference and how our commitments add up.

Yet with all the high-tech, James and Kanu are still grounded in the timeless island values of respect, humility, and aloha that bind us all.

Through personal change and social action, Kanu Hawaii is helping us reach those "bigger dreams."

My daughter and I used Kanu to make new commitments to improve our world. She pledged to conserve water at home, and I committed to buying from businesses that are good stewards of their community.

With Kanu, we rediscover that the call to action comes from each of us. Because that's where change starts.

So all around us there are people who are dreaming bigger and acting on behalf of those dreams. And what do each of these leaders have in common? The status quo just isn't good enough.

And no, it is not as simple as having the right bumper sticker or motivational poster. As we all find out at one juncture or another, values only mean something when they are tested.

And the road tests can get pretty tough. In the session ahead, let's ask ourselves: are we operating from a value system that perpetuates what is best about our island home?

Or are we, slice by slice, mortgaging away the future?

Who are we building for? Not just the brick and mortar infrastructure, but the energy we produce from the islands, the foods we grow and the industries and jobs we develop.

Think about this. According to the national report card for states, between 2000-2005, Hawaii converted cropland to other uses faster than all but one of 50 states in this country.

When is enough, enough? Are we really thinking of the needs of people who will be here when we are long gone? Or is that just something on a "keep the country, country" bumper sticker?

And perhaps most importantly for us as elected officials, has it become so easy to take the cheap shot and criticize government that we are losing the all important combination of affection and guts it takes to really dig in, change government and make it better?

So let's ask ourselves: Is government fit for the future? What are we doing about it? These are real tough questions to answer. Yet all around us -- as we've seen today -- there is human inspiration.

Right now I understand we have some celebrating to do out in the rotunda with our University champions. Our capitol is filled with young people who dreamed bigger and delivered. It is alive with the hopes of tomorrow and the will to work for a better future.

Dream bigger, Senator Yoshinaga? You bet.
Thank you.

What is your Representative's New Year's resolution?

Rep. Kirk Caldwell: "My resolution is to spend more time with my daughter Maya, who at 13 seems to want to spend less time with me. Apparently, I am not cool. A minor domestic resolution is to make sure my dog doesn't escape from the yard because I am tired of chasing it through the neighborhood."






Rep. John Mizuno: "To devote more time to my family."










Rep. Cindy Evans: "Balance. Rest. Work. Play. Serve. Learn. Teach. Give. Receive. To enjoy what I'm doing, and learn to be present in every aspect of life."

What is your Representative looking forward to in the 2008 Legislative Session?

Rep. John Mizuno: "Working with our outstanding colleagues from the House and the Senate to pass measures to benefit the people of Hawaii. I am really looking forward to the floor debate with Rep. Gene Ward."




Rep. Cindy Evans: "I'm looking forward to the legislative process and passing legislation that will respond to the challenges facing Hawaii, such as recruiting physicians, improving communication after a disaster, and making our roads safer to drive."








Rep. Kirk Caldwell: "I'm looking forward to working out solutions that are short and long term in nature."

What was your Representative's most memorable moment of 2007?

Image from The University of Hawaii website.

Rep. Kirk Caldwell: "To me the overall feeling of the Warriors going 12-0 is a defining moment. I have never seen so many people in Hawaii feeling so good about one thing."

Rep. Cindy Evans: "As Chair of Military Affairs, I went to the Pentagon in June and met with the heads of each branch of the military. This visit was extra special because my mother served as a Navy Wave during WWII and worked in communications at the Pentagon."

Rep. John Mizuno: "The veto override for HB1830 -- Hawaii's Baby Safe Haven bill -- which allowed Hawaii to become the 48th state to have a Baby Safe Haven Law."

Rep. Tom Brower: "One of my most memorable moments of 2007 was landing on board the USS Ronald Reagan. Since I was a boy, I always wanted to visit an aircraft carrier. Being able to sleep aboard the ship, see the crew and feel their dedication will leave a life long impression. I will never forget what I learned about our armed services members and the military power of the United States."

Rep. Caldwell wants more specific answers on petroleum industry profits

House Majority Leader Kirk Caldwell expects the 2008 Legislature to refine the oil monitoring program in order to get to more specific information on petroleum industry profits.

In The Honolulu Advertiser's story about how our gasoline prices would be less today if the gas price cap was still in effect, Caldwell said that we should keep the full price cap in suspension and work on improving the reporting and monitoring system. The Public Utilities Commission (PUC) also recommends not reinstating the gas cap, pursuant to the findings of the PIMAR Annual 2007 Report, just released last Friday. According to the report, the cap would have forced low prices today, but created artificially high prices in the spring.

Here are some pertinent points from the PUC report summary:

• Refinery profit margins are lower than on the Mainland, but dealer and supplier margins, which drive our gas prices higher, are higher than on the mainland.


• Pump prices generally tracked world prices.


• Pump prices aren't caused by "collective" price changes.

Caldwell doesn't think that the report reveals enough detail. He said that it gives us good insight into the oil industry, but we still don't know if the excessive profits are being made or if the system is working fairly.

It's not easy being green...

I ran into these three representatives heading out to lunch. That's Rep. Ryan Yamane on the left, Rep. Kirk Caldwell on the right, and Rep. Marcus O'shiro in the middle. Marcus has dyed his hair green, not for an early St. Paddy's Day, not even for the UH game on Saturday, but for the big Leilehua vs. St. Louis rivalry game on Friday. Leilehua is green and gold. When I met with Rep. Oshiro later in the afternoon on another matter, he seemed to be getting greener as the day wore on as his face was paint-dabbed green. Hmmm...I can't wait to see him tomorrow. Click on the photo and it gets really scary.

Rep Caldwell's Floor Speech

A few closing observations for the record. Thank you to all members of the House, the public and the administration who participated in making this the best bill possible, that includes everyone, even the harshest critics. Not one of us is completely comfortable with being here. A special session should be reserved for unique situations – a last option. This is not the optimum way to do the public's business.

The title of the Honolulu Star Bulletin's editorial today is "Superferry legislation makes the best of a bad situation." I would agree. Through focused leadership, the House supported a carefully crafted measure that set a firm foundation and established the necessary basics for balanced action. The Senate made several amendments. All actions we can accept.

The bill allows the ferry to sail so long as it meets certain conditions and until a full EIS is completed and accepted. No more and no less. In our lengthy joint committee hearing Monday, we received a commitment from the Governor that the protocols and conditions she adds will be
more than the Superferry wants and less than the critics desire.

Our measure also calls for an audit to determine how and why the exemption for an environmental assessment was granted. The reason is simple. We need to know what went wrong before we try to fix it legislatively or we could do more harm than good. There is a big difference between a flaw in the law and a flaw in the administration of the law. We are expecting full cooperation from the administration in completing a comprehensive review so that we can prevent something like this from happening again.

On the Supreme court decision… it's important to look beyond the Superferry at how the court decision and the social experience will change the way we do business and the way we interact with each other. There are two big takeaways from the Hawaii state supreme court decision:

First, proposed projects covered by the law must include secondary impacts when conducting an EA or EIS.

Second, the court underscored that public participation in the review process of an EA/EIS benefits all parties and society as a whole.

Therefore, going forward, the government and the private sector, in laying out plans, need to work from those assumptions, rather than play chicken with the law or the court.

Community sentiment. For a relatively compressed period of time we have heard a lot from the community during this session. Whether you agree with him or not, Maui Council Chair Riki Hokama summed it up this way in Monday's House hearing:

"When are we saying enough is enough?" and "Who are we building for?"

Those words should resound in everyone's mind. In the future they must be asked and answered, before any concrete is laid, before the new technology is introduced and before the building goes up. Are we building for quality rather than volume? Are we creating self-contained communities where people can live, work and enjoy life without continually burning away hours having to travel elsewhere? Are we using the remarkable resources of these islands in respectful stewardship? For those who say those questions are too much to ask, wait until there is a project that comes along and impacts you to see how you feel if it is planned entirely behind closed doors.

Working within these assumptions and in a community that is demanding increased transparency, we must still strive for progress and excellence in this state and not slide into backwaterism. That is why I -- and I think most of us -- supported ferry legislation in this special session.

Thank you all again.

New Ethics rules coming along

A permanent committee comprised of equal parts majority and minority members appointed by the Speaker is one of several suggested changes to the House Standards of Conduct rules being drafted by an interim task force on ethics.

The Interim Task Force on Standards of Conduct, led by Majority Leader Kirk Caldwell, met this morning to discuss and draft recommendations for changes to House Rule 60 (Relating to Standards of Conduct) and other changes to House rules.

According to the draft, the permanent standards of conduct committee would "investigate any member for misconduct, disorderly conduct, neglect of duty" or violation of the standards of conduct section in the Hawaii Revised Statutes. (To prevent conflict, the House would have to repeal Rule 28.3 which authorizes the Speaker to appoint a special committee to investigate any member for misconduct.)

Besides the addition of a committee, changes were made to the rules regarding honoraria and conflicts of interest and how these two things should be defined. Any changes to the House rules would be introduced next session via a House resolution.

Both the minority and majority caucus plan to review the draft before the next meeting, scheduled to be held in two weeks.

Three courses of action on Superferry

By Rep. Kirk Caldwell

(Note: The following was taken from Rep. Caldwell's speech today before the Honolulu Rotary which included a proposal for three courses of action on the Superferry dilemma: )

1. Before whatever ruling comes down from Judge Cardoza, the Governor, as the Chief Executive of the State of Hawaii, should bring all the parties together to determine if there is a set of actions for this situation which will allow for the ferry service to continue and for the appropriate, simultaneous environmental review. Right now, this problem lies squarely with the Executive Branch. To remove it from the Judicial Branch prior to Judge Cardoza's ruling causes major problems on multiple levels. The Governor's response during all this time is to say the legislature has to fix the problem. I say not, at least not now. The Governor, through the Attorney General, should come up with a framework that is acceptable to all parties, not threaten the protestors on Kauai at this point. My experience is that courts prefer the parties to work out their disagreement whenever and wherever possible. If a framework for an agreement can be reached, the parties can go to the judge and put it on the record. Otherwise, whatever party is perceived as the loser will appeal.

2. Once Judge Cardoza rules, if there is accord, the parties then come to the legislature with a plan for any action required. It would be wrong now in a special session to just change the law to fix the Supreme Court's decision as it specifically impacts the Superferry. And it would be wrong to just externally drop a solution from up on high that does not reflect the concerns of the community on a broader level. Let's not repeat this mistake a second time. Imagine the chaos that would ensue at the legislature. Without a strong plan, who knows where we would end up.

3. Regardless of what occurs in resolving the Superferry issues, we must review our EA and EIS statute so that neither the public or the project developers are penalized by the ambiguities of the law.

In conclusion, a wise and experienced leader knows when to step in. Now is the time for the Executive Branch, which is before the Judicial Branch, to craft a solution. It would be inappropriate for the legislature to weigh in at this time.

Majority Leader to address Honolulu Rotary on Superferry

Rep. Kirk Caldwell, House Majority Leader, is scheduled as the keynote speaker at tomorrow's Honolulu Rotary Club meeting, and he'll be talking about the Hawaii Superferry. His speech will focus on the impact of the Superferry issue based on three elements: Sustainability, Fairness and Public Participation. There will be time alloted for q&a. Rep. Caldwell's position on the Superferry is that he supports the project, but he does not favor a special session.

When: Tuesday, September 18, 2007 at 12 noon
Where: Royal Hawaiian Hotel, 2259 Kalakaua, Monarch Room

Those Manoa pigs may be smarter than we think...

Rep. Kirk Caldwell received a nod from Dave Shapiro in Volcanic Ash this morning. A man in Aina Haina complained that, due to eradication efforts in Manoa, the feral pigs must have migrated east and were now tearing up his yard. Rep. Caldwell replied, ""Manoa pigs, contrary to rumor, were not given your Aina Haina address. Please come to our pig meeting on Sat, Sept. 15, 10:00 am, Manoa Elementary School. Sorry to hear about the damage to your yard."