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    Three New Year’s resolutions I hope Hawaii lawmakers will take to heart

    Grassroot Institute
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    Three New Year’s resolutions I hope Hawaii lawmakers will take to heart

    By Keli‘i Akina

    The new year is almost upon us, which means it’s time for one of my favorite traditions: making a list of resolutions for Hawaii’s policymakers.

    First and foremost, I suggest they resolve to reduce Hawaii’s tax burden.

    I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: One of the best ways to increase tax revenues is to grow our economy, and one of the best ways to do that is to cut taxes.

    Keli’i Akina

    Since Hawaii has one of the biggest tax burdens in the country, there are plenty of places we could start — such as giving private practice physicians an exemption from the state general excise tax, which would make it easier for doctors to stay in Hawaii.

    Or pegging the state income tax brackets to inflation, which was part of the governor’s plan to reform the state income tax, presented during the 2023 legislative session. That way, our taxes won’t go up just because we receive a raise to keep up with inflation.

    State lawmakers could also cut the state corporate income tax, which would encourage business investment. And they could cut or repeal Hawaii’s estate or “death” tax, which interferes with building intergenerational wealth and essentially amounts to double taxation.

    My second resolution for legislators is to restrain their spending. This relates to my first resolution, because less spending would ease the need for taxes.

    Of course, some expenses are inescapable, such as relief for fire-ravaged Lahaina. But even so, state and Maui lawmakers still should look for ways to reduce spending and present a balanced budget that doesn’t require borrowing or spending-cap shenanigans.

    Third, isn’t it about time we start removing some of the many regulatory barriers to housing growth?

    As I mentioned a couple weeks ago, the Grassroot Institute of Hawaii has issued a new report that lists multiple zoning and permitting reforms lawmakers could enact to facilitate more homebuilding at all levels of affordability — without having to launch massive and costly construction projects at the expense of Hawaii taxpayers.

    Such reforms include lot-splitting, upzoning, greater use of ohana units, reducing parking mandates, “adaptive reuse” of commercial and office buildings, by-right permitting and more.

    Considered separately, many of those proposals might seem like small steps. But implemented comprehensively, they would make a big difference in getting Hawaii residents into the homes they need — before they simply give up and leave for less expensive pastures elsewhere.

    Additionally, Hawaii lawmakers should resolve to join more interstate medical licensing compacts to allow more healthcare workers to come to Hawaii; remove the barriers to trading cryptocurrency; and curb the governor’s excessive use of emergency powers.

    Or would that be asking too much? If so, let’s go with the three big resolutions for 2024: Cut spending, lower taxes and increase Hawaii’s housing supply.

    That is a good, workable list, and the Grassroot Institute has provided a wealth of resources that could help our state and county lawmakers achieve those goals.

    Let’s start off 2024 with big dreams, big plans and a renewed dedication to making Hawaii more prosperous and free.

    But above all, I wish you a very happy and safe New Year!
    __________

    Keli‘i Akina is president and CEO of the Grassroot Institute of Hawaii.

    Restaurants Getting Cooked

    Tom Yamachika
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    Restaurants Getting Cooked

    A number of restaurants are in a pinch recently.  Here’s what happened to them.

    A few years ago, the COVID-19 pandemic began.  In the initial months of the pandemic, many governments including ours locked down the populace.  People who were shut in couldn’t spend money like they usually could, and businesses of all stripes suffered.

    Because of the national impact of the pandemic, various relief programs were enacted by the federal government and helped ease the pain of individuals and businesses throughout the State.  Four federal programs in 2020, for example, did much to alleviate the suffering caused by the national economic catastrophe:  the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), the Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program, Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation (FPUC), and Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA).  Some of these programs offered grants, or loans that were forgiven later, which normally result in income to the recipient of those benefits.

    At the end of 2020, the Department of Taxation published Tax Information Release 2020-06 (“TIR 2020-06”) in which the department concluded that despite a lack of any statutory exemption, our General Excise Tax (GET) would not be imposed on these federal benefits “in light of the severity of the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.” 

    In 2021, the federal government granted further relief to affected individuals and businesses, and in the American Rescue Plan Act it provided two more significant programs for affected businesses:  the Restaurant Revitalization Fund (RRF) program, and the Shuttered Venu Operators Grant (SVOG) program.  The RRF program was structured as a reimbursement program in that although it provided a funding amount to affected restaurants on the basis of their historic sales, the government specified certain categories of expenses on which the monies were to be spent, and informed the restaurants that unspent monies, or monies not spent on the proper expenses, needed to be returned to the federal government.

    In May 2022, we published an article calling on the Department to make up its mind about these programs.  However, no guidance came out in 2022.

    In 2023, however, as KITV reported, the Department started targeting restaurants and similar businesses that had received benefits under RRF.  The department said that those benefits were taxable and demanded back GET taxes from the businesses although the restaurants already had spent the money (which they were required to do under the federal program).  Some of these restaurants already had received benefits under PPP, which, under TIR 2020-06, were not subject to GET.

    When KITV asked the Department to explain why, they said “PPP loans were not considered income, as they were used to pay employees or rent.  But the RRF was considered replacement income and so would count toward a business’ bottom line.”

    For affected businesses, it is an unwanted big tax bill right in the middle of the businesses’ attempts to get back on their feet after being clobbered by the pandemic.

    And the Department’s position does not seem to be well founded.  The explanation it gave for the difference in GET treatment between PPP and RRF money does not seem to be true.  And even if it were, the Department itself expressed a rationale for exempting the proceeds – that the pandemic caused severe economic effects so federal programs giving relief from those effects should not be GET taxable – that seems to apply to RRF just as it does to PPP.  To be consistent, uniform and fair, as its own mission statement demands, RRF should get the same treatment as PPP.  And if the Department itself doesn’t recognize this, perhaps lawmakers could take steps to correct the injustice.

    KICK OFF THE NEW YEAR AT BLUE NOTE HAWAII – January Features Some of Music’s Most Iconic Performers like Sister Sledge, The Four Tops & the 50th Anniversary of Los Lobos

    Daniela Stolfi-Tow
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    KICK OFF THE NEW YEAR AT BLUE NOTE HAWAII – January Features Some of Music’s Most Iconic Performers like Sister Sledge, The Four Tops & the 50th Anniversary of Los Lobos

    HONOLULU – 2024 kicks off with a roster of local and international recording artists beginning with two-time American Idol finalist DeAndre Brackensick. The Blue Note Comedy Series continues with Luenell for one-night only, two local comedy showcases and the hilarious Dan Cummins. Reggae giants Big Mountain return for two nights and Broadway star Morgan James takes the stage for one-night only. The Mike Lewis Big Band returns and the Candlelight Series continues with four productions including a tribute to the music of Taylor Swift and Queen. Legendary 70’s super group, Sister Sledge, make their Blue Note Hawaii debut and George Kahumoku Jr. performs with Daniel Ho and Tia Carrere in their renowned Slack Key Show®. Motown legends The Four Tops grace the stage and 12-time GRAMMY® nominee Musiq Soulchild performs for three nights. Tavana is joined by Keith Batlin for a night of rock, blues and everything in between and Latin-rock legends Los Lobos celebrates their 50th Anniversary to round out the month.

    Parking is validated at the OHANA East Hotel for $6 for four hours and at the Outrigger Waikiki for $15 for four hours valet.

    Blue Note Hawaii 2024 SCHEDULE

    DeAndre Brackensick

    Tuesday, January 2

    Tickets: Premium Seating $35, Loge Seating & Bar Area $25

    Showtimes: 7:00 p.m.

    DeAndre Brackensick fell in love with music at four years old and began performing on stages by the age of 12. He was a two-time finalist on American Idol before being discovered by Russell Wilson and Ciara. His vocal prowess on social media caught their attention and they immediately knew they had to be involved. “Dre is a once in a lifetime vocal talent, and Russ and I are so inspired and grateful to play a role in sharing his gifts with the world,” Ciara says. Now signed to Beauty Marks Entertainment, and represented by West2East Empire, Dre is poised for a breakout 2024 with his limitless vocal ability and commanding stage presence.

    Luenell – Blue Note Comedy Series

    Thursday, January 4

    Tickets: Premium Seating $40, Loge Seating $35, Bar Area $30

    Showtimes: 6:30 p.m. & 9:00 p.m.

    Luenell is the self-proclaimed “Original Bad Girl of Comedy.” She may be small in stature, but she more than makes up for it with her big personality, booming voice and infectious laughter. Luenell, has been thrilling audiences with her brand of comedy for more than 30 years. With the touch of a remote control, her body of work in television and film can be found on network and cable television as well as popular streaming services. Plus, fans can also tune into her popular YouTube show — that is, Hey Luenell — for comedic thoughts on her mind.

    Big Mountain

    Friday, January 5 & Saturday, January 6

    Tickets: Premium Seating $45, Loge Seating & Bar Area $35

    Showtimes: 6:30 p.m. & 9:00 p.m.

    Big Mountain first hit the charts in 1992 with the song “Touch My Light,” from their debut album “Wake Up.” They followed it up with “Baby, I Love Your Way,” written by Peter Frampton, which became one of their most well-known commercial hits. Big Mountain tours extensively to this day, headlining festivals and international stages.

    Morgan James

    Sunday, January 7

    Tickets: Premium Seating $35, Loge Seating & Bar Area $25

    Showtimes: 7:30 p.m.

    Doors: 6:00 p.m.

    Morgan James is a Juilliard trained singer, songwriter, and actress. On Broadway, Morgan was in five back-to-back original companies: The Addams Family, Wonderland, Godspell, Motown: The Musical, and Kristin Chenoweth’s For The Girls. Her most recent studio albums, “A Very Magnetic Christmas” and “Memphis Magnetic,” are full of classic and original soul music.

    Mike Phillips

    Monday, January 8

    Tickets: Premium Seating $35, Loge Seating & Bar Area $25

    Showtimes: 6:30 p.m. & 9:00 p.m.

    World renowned saxophonist Mike Phillips is known as one of the most electrifying instrumentalists today. Mike is the first musician signed by Michael Jordan to the Nike Jordan Brand, home of the Air Jordan, and is the only musician in the world to have recorded and toured with the legendary “Big Three” of American soul and pop music: Michael Jackson, Prince, and Stevie Wonder, not only as a member of the band, but as a featured soloist.

    Blue Note Comedy Series & Comedy U Presents

    Local Comedy Showcase

    Tuesday, January 9 & Wednesday, January 24

    Tickets: Premium Seating $20, Loge Seating & Bar Area $15, +$5 Day of Show

    Showtimes: 7:00 p.m.

    Comedy U is back for another night showcasing Hawaii’s local comics.

    Candlelight: Tribute to Taylor Swift

    Wednesday, January 10

    Tickets: Zone A $66, Zone B $63, Zone C $54, GA Standing $32

    Showtimes: 6:30 p.m. & 9:00 p.m.

    Candlelight concerts bring the magic of a live, multi-sensory musical experience to awe-inspiring locations like never seen before in Honolulu. Get your tickets now to discover the music of Taylor Swift at Blue Note Hawaii under the gentle glow of candlelight.

    Candlelight: Vivaldi’s Four Seasons

    Thursday, January 11

    Tickets: Zone A $58, Zone B $47, Zone C $36, GA Standing $32

    Showtimes: 6:30 p.m. & 9:00 p.m.

    Candlelight concerts bring the magic of a live, multi-sensory musical experience to awe-inspiring locations like never seen before in Honolulu. Get your tickets now to discover the music of Vivaldi’s Four Seasons at Blue Note Hawaii under the gentle glow of candlelight.

    Sister Sledge

    Friday, January 12 & Saturday, January 13

    Tickets: Premium Seating $65, Loge Seating & Bar Area $55

    Showtimes: 6:30 p.m. & 9:00 p.m.

    Sister Sledge are known as one of the most iconic female groups of all time. As the pages of the Chicago Tribune have asserted, Sister Sledge “has the stuff legends are made of.” Sister Sledge became a household name with the blockbuster release of the iconic “We Are Family” album, which featured the hit songs “He’s the Greatest Dancer,” the seminal title track, “We Are Family” as well as “Lost in Music,” “Thinking of You” and “All American Girls.”

    George Kahumoku Jr, Daniel Ho & Tia Carrere

    From Maui’s Renowned Slack Key Show®

    Tuesday, January 16

    Tickets: Premium Seating $35, Loge Seating & Bar Area $25

    Showtimes: 7:00 p.m.

    Featured regularly at Maui’s renowned “Slack Key Show®,” this group shares the uniquely Hawaiian styles of slack key guitar, ‘ukulele, and songs both traditional and new. Their music’s origins reach back to the early 19th century when Portuguese immigrants brought the ‘ukulele and Mexican cowboys brought guitars to Hawai‘i along with their ranching knowledge. Since then, Hawaiians made these instruments their own and these dynamic musicians reflect the best of traditions, musical virtuosity, and sparkling compositions.

    The Four Tops

    Wednesday, January 17 & Thursday, January 18

    Tickets: Premium Seating $85, Loge Seating & Bar Area $75

    Showtimes: 6:30 p.m. & 9:00 p.m.

    The Four Tops occupy a place of high honor among Motown and rhythm and blues royalty. Their breakthrough hit, “Baby I Need Your Loving,” released in 1964, was followed by “I Can’t Help Myself (Sugar Pie, Honey Bunch)” in 1965, becoming the group’s first number one hit and shooting them to super stardom. Since then, the Tops have been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and have received the GRAMMY® Lifetime Achievement Award.

    Musiq Soulchild

    Friday, January 19 to Sunday, January 21

    Tickets: Premium Seating $55, Loge Seating & Bar Area $45

    Showtimes: 6:30 p.m. & 9:00 p.m.

    12-time GRAMMY® nominee Musiq Soulchild has built a reputation for being musically gifted. Deeply inspired by the R&B and soul sounds of the ’70s he uses the name “Soulchild” as a way to show respect and admiration to his biggest musical influences, including Stevie Wonder, Donny Hathaway and Marvin Gaye.

    Mike Lewis Big Band

    Monday, January 22

    Tickets: Premium Seating $35, Loge Seating & Bar Area $25

    Showtimes: 7:00 p.m.

    Local trumpeter and bandleader Mike Lewis returns to the club with his 17-piece big band!

    Candlelight: A Tribute to Queen

    Tuesday, January 23

    Tickets: Zone A $57, Zone B $46, Zone C $35, GA Standing $32

    Showtimes: 6:30 p.m. & 9:00 p.m.

    Candlelight concerts bring the magic of a live, multi-sensory musical experience to awe-inspiring locations like never seen before in Honolulu. Get your tickets now to discover the music of Queen at Blue Note Hawaii under the gentle glow of candlelight.

    Tavana With Special Guest Keith Batlin

    Thursday, January 25

    Tickets: Premium Seating $35, Loge Seating & Bar Area $25

    Showtimes: 7:00 p.m.

    Tavana is joined by Keith Batlin for a night of rock, blues and everything in between.

    Candlelight: The Best of Hans Zimmer

    Friday, January 26

    Tickets: Zone A $60, Zone B $46, Zone C $36, GA Standing $33.50

    Showtimes: 6:30 p.m. & 9:00 p.m.

    Candlelight concerts bring the magic of a live, multi-sensory musical experience to awe-inspiring locations like never seen before in Honolulu. Get your tickets now to enjoy the best of composer Hans Zimmer at Blue Note Hawaii under the gentle glow of candlelight.

    Hawaii News Now Presents

    Dan Cummins

    Blue Note Comedy Series

    Saturday, January 27

    Tickets: Premium Seating $50, Loge Seating $40, Bar Area $30

    Showtimes: 7:00 p.m. & 9:30 p.m.

    Increasingly popular stand-up comic and podcaster Dan Cummins will be playing 40+ cities on his 2023 Burn It All Down Tour. He released his third one-hour standup special, “Dan Cummins; Get Outta Here Devil!” in the Spring of 2020. And he released his eighth comedy album, “Live in Denver,” in 2020 as well. His podcast, TIMESUCK, is regularly featured in the top of the Apple podcasts comedy charts and was downloaded almost thirty-five million times last year alone.  His second podcast, SCARED TO DEATH, is quickly becoming popular as well, staying in the top ten of both the Apple and Spotify fiction podcast charts and getting over ten million downloads in 2022.

    Los Lobos: 50th Anniversary

    Sunday, January 28 & Monday, January 29

    Tickets: Premium Seating $75, Loge Seating & Bar Area $55

    Showtimes: 8:00 p.m.

    It’s a matter of time. 50 years to be exact. And in that time five-time GRAMMY® winners, Los Lobos, have created an unprecedented body of work, a legacy of greatness. The numbers are staggering, 100+ gigs a year for five decades running, crossing millions of miles to rock millions of fans. As proud Chicanos, their songs have always glistened with the distillation from their Mexican and Latin American roots — nourished by Norteña and rancheras, buoyed by bolero and cumbias, soaring on the rhythms of son huasteco and son jarocho. Los Lobos have helped spread the rich diversity of cultures across every continent, throughout the global community.

    Coming up in February at Blue Note Hawaii:

    PraiseJesus Artis                                                                                                                February 1

    John Cruz                                                                                                                             February 2-3

    The Abyssinians                                                                                                                 February 4

    Jake Shimabukuro & Mac McAnnally                                                                         February 5-6

    Julian Marley & the Uprising                                                                                         February 7-8

    Marlon Wayans                                                                                                                 February 9-10

    Candlelight: Romeo & Juliet                                                                                          February 13

    Josh Tatofi                                                                                                                           February 14-17

    Keep it Aloha Podcast                                                                                                     February 18

    Local Comedy Showcase                                                                                                February 20

    Carnivale with the Honolulu Brass Quintet                                                              February 22

    Hiromi’s Sonicwonder                                                                                                     February 23-25

    Mike Lewis Big Band                                                                                                        February 26

    Candlelight: The Best of Hans Zimmer                                                                      February 28

    Jonathan Butler                                                                                                                 February 29


    About Blue Note Hawaii

    Located in the heart of Waikīkī, Blue Note Hawaii features a year-round lineup of world-class entertainment, from local favorites to international sensations. The intimate, 326-seat club showcases leaders in jazz, blues, reggae, rock, Hawaiian, R&B, pop, comedy and more. Performances are enhanced by a locally inspired dinner menu, featuring shareable small plates, hearty entrees, house-made desserts and a thoughtful beverage program. View the performance lineup at bluenotehawaii.com and follow @bluenotehawaii on Facebook and Instagram.

    How Thermography can PREVENT Breast Cancer

    Sydney Ross Singer
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    How Thermography can PREVENT Breast Cancer

    According to the medical industry, for some unknown reason most women in the US have sick breasts, with over 80% of women experiencing some degree of breast pain and discomfort and/or cysts, and many developing cancer. Doctors say 5-10% of the cancers may be related to genetics, and scratch their heads as to the cause of most other breast cancer cases. 

    Since they can’t prevent breast cancer without knowing the cause, early detection and treatment has been sold as the best alternative. They tell women to get regular x-rays of their breasts, called mammograms, to look for a developing tumor so they can cut it out, irradiate it with more x-rays, and/or poison it with chemotherapy. At the end, if necessary, and if you survive, you can get implants that will look better than new, they say.

    The Thermography Alternative

    Some women, however, do not want to expose their breasts to x-rays, or to this approach to breast care, and have opted for getting a thermogram. Unlike mammograms, thermograms do not emit any radiation, but only detect the skin temperature of the breasts. 

    This makes thermograms completely safe to get, unlike x-rays, whose damaging effects are cumulative. This means a lifetime of breast thermograms will cause no harm, while a lifetime of mammograms might cause the cancer it is trying to detect.

    The thermogram only measures heat, and the body produces heat as part of normal metabolism. This means thermograms give a picture of the current physiological state of the breasts, as reflected by surface temperature. This will let you know the current state of breast health. 

    If the breasts are healthy, due to proper circulation, then they should be cool on a thermogram. 

    Unhealthy tissue, however, can have a different heat signature. Cancerous tumors show up as hot areas, for example, since these are areas with increased blood circulation feeding the tumor. This heat shows up on the skin surface, and is picked up by the thermography camera. 

    However, there is a clothing factor that needs to be addressed, and undressed. Thermograms are very sensitive to heat, and the clothing you wear before the thermogram can impact the skin temperature. So you must remove your blouse and bra, first.

    And there’s the rub! The bra! 

    Bras are tight by design, since they reshape and reposition the breasts on the chest wall for fashion purposes. This requires constant pressure applied to the breasts, which interferes with blood and lymphatic circulation. 

    While push-up and other cleavage-enhancing bras are the worst for tightness, along with underwire bras, any bra worn too tightly can impair circulation and cause damage. Over 80% of women are wearing bras that are too tight, which the bra industry admits.

    Unfortunately, you either circulate or deteriorate. Breasts that are constricted by bras are not just uncomfortable. They are literally stewing in their own toxic juices that cannot be properly flushed away due to bra-caused constriction. 

    Bras themselves are pretty toxic, containing phthalates, parabens, formaldehyde, and a host of “forever chemicals” which leach from the material into the skin. The tight bra then keeps these toxins in the breasts longer, and prevents the immune system from attacking any developing cancer cells. 

    Thermograms Show Bra Impacts

    All this shows up in breast skin temperature. Areas of inflammation, compression, constriction, and irritation caused by the bra will scream out from the thermogram, giving a clear warning of the impact of the bra on the breasts.

    This impact on the breasts does not disappear once you remove the bra for the thermogram. It could take weeks to months for the breasts to recover. 

    This means that, when you take a thermogram within minutes of a woman removing her bra, what you are mostly seeing are the impacts of the bra on the breasts. It will show the disease process in action resulting from tight bras. 

    If the bra is removed one month prior to the thermogram, then there will be a different picture, usually much cooler. The thermogram will be of a natural breast, not one that is regularly bra-constricted. It will show breast health and circulation at its best, without the pressure and constriction of the bra. 

    Avoid False Positives

    When reading the thermogram, you are looking for heat anomalies, which suggest cancer, or some other disease process, may be forming. If the heat is caused by the bra, there is essentially a false positive result, which can lead to stress, fear, panic, and unnecessary treatments. 

    It would be wise for any positive results showing heat to be reassessed after at least one month of eliminating the bra. Since the bra can also cause heat, you need to eliminate that variable to understand whether the heat is caused by a disease process or by the bra.

    The Bra-Cancer Link

    Eliminating the bra may also help you prevent breast cancer. Numerous studies are now showing that there is a significant link between tight bras and breast disease, including breast cancer. For details, see https://brasandbreastcancer.org/supportive-references. 

    The bra-cancer link is an inconvenient truth for the bra industry, and an embarrassment to the medical industry (which has defensively been fighting against women knowing about this link). But women who stop wearing bras feel the difference in comfort and health, and are doing the best thing they can to prevent breast pain, cysts, and cancer. 

    Since thermography has the ability to show women the state of their breast health with and without a bra, women can see for themselves, on themselves, how their bra has been harming their breasts.

    Women can see that by eliminating the bra, they will have cooler, happier breasts. And that’s the way to prevent, not just detect, breast cancer. 

    From “Bra-dom” to Freedom

    Life is about choices. Bras are a choice, and a harmful one for the breasts. 

    Thermography can help women through their journey from breast-bondage and disease, to bra-freedom and health.  

    Women who would like to transition from “bra-dom” to freedom can get help from the International Bra-Free Study. This online, ongoing research project has women from over 38 countries currently enrolled in a self-study where they stop wearing bras and report their results. Join the study for free at BraFreeStudy.org. 

    Here is an article about the preliminary results from the study: If Breasts Could Talk.

    In conclusion, we live in a bra-using culture that is rife with breast disease because of the bra. Too much money is at stake for this information to be uncensored, so you are on your own. Fortunately, you can stop wearing bras right away and reap immediate benefits of health and comfort. 

    And the next time you think about irradiating your breasts with x-rays, maybe try a thermogram instead. Get rid of your bra first, though. That will likely resolve any issues you may currently have with your breasts, and you can see the results in living color.

    Reference:

    Dressed to Kill: The Link Between Breast Cancer and Bras, Second Edition, by Sydney Ross Singer and Soma Grismaijer, Square One Publishers, 2017) 

    Dressed to Kill—Second Edition

    Monster — Director Hirokazu Kore-eda’s latest film –awarded best screenplay at Cannes

    Guest Contributor
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    Monster — Director Hirokazu Kore-eda’s latest film –awarded best screenplay at Cannes

    by Yurika Matsumori

    Editor’s note: Yurika Matsumori is Hawaii Reporter’s newest film critic. A keen observer of Japanese Cinema and a native speaker, she also interviewed both Messrs. Kore-eda and Yuji Sakamoto (screenplay author) about their collaboration on Monster. The film was screened at HIFF 2023.

    **********************

    The story begins with a familiar scenario. A fifth grader, Minato Mugino (Sōya Kurokawa), tells his mother that he is bullied and mistreated by his teacher, Michitoshi Hori (Eita Nagayama). His concerned mother, Saori Mugino (Sakura Andō), pays a visit to school to confront the school officials on the issue. At first, it is easy to assume that this is yet another movie that addresses bullying, a prevalent societal problem in Japan, the United States and elsewhere.

    However familiar the scenario is, this is not just another bullying rehash.

    This film won the Best Screenplay and Queer Palm Award at Cannes Film Festival and Gold Q-Hugo at Chicago International Film Festival. It has been nominated for more honors.

    To understand the genesis of this film, I interviewed the director Hirokazu Kore-eda and the screenwriter Yūji Sakamoto.  Mr. Sakamoto said, “I discussed the script with the producer when I started writing it. I wanted to create a story where the narrative unfolds many times, and with each twist, what one originally saw would change. The methodological approach for creating such a story came first. I recalled a moment when I was driving and stopped behind a truck at a red light. When the light turned green, the truck didn’t move immediately. I honked the horn a few times, and only then did the truck start moving. Then, I saw someone in a wheelchair in the crosswalk after the truck had passed. I regretted honking the horn even though the truck was big, blocking my view of the wheelchair. It made me aware how unintentionally one can become a perpetrator without realizing it, and I wanted to turn that experience into a story. I also included early childhood memories in the screenplay.”

     Sakura Andō as Saori Muginoa, a mother who confronts a teacher after noticing disturbing changes in her son’s behavior

    The film unfolds in three “chapters.”

    The first is expressed through the eyes of Minato’s mother, when she starts noticing unusual behaviors and things surrounding her son. She suspects that he is being bullied and humiliated by his teacher Hori. We are led to believe, at this point, that Hori is the bad guy.

    The second is communicated through the eyes of Hori, who perceives that Minato is bullying Yori Hoshikawa (Hinata Hiiragi), his classmate. Maybe Hori is not a miscreant after all.

    In the concluding chapter, the narrative is transmitted through the voices of the children, Minato and Yori. Through their interaction, we perceive yet another “truth”—maybe there was no bullying going on after all.

    Despite the three chapters, the story plays out in a non-linear fashion. The “truth” is interpreted by characters from their own perspectives. This includes secondary characters such as other classmates.  For example, a student tells Hori that she saw Minato playing with a dead cat, and he later believes that Minato killed the cat. In reality, Minato was trying to help the cat reincarnate.

    Sōya Kurokawa as Minato Mugino, Saori’s son

    When these individual stories are woven together, the viewers begin to realize the adage, that things are not what they seem.  As I watched the movie from perspectives of different individuals, of course my own interpretation of the “truth” kept changing. For example, when Minato’s mother saw that one of Minato’s shoes was missing, I suspected bullying, just as she appeared to do also. I later realize that the missing shoe was part of an innocuous play that had nothing to do with bullying. This participatory nature of the viewing experience kept me engaged throughout the movie.

    Spoiler alert.

    As the story nears the end, Minato provides a confession to the principal, Makiko Fushimi (Yūko Tanaka), that offers viewers the final piece of the puzzle. He says he lied to Mr. Hori and he’s been lying to the truth because there is someone he likes, but he cannot tell that to anyone; he says that he would never be happy for the rest of his life if he told.

    The movie depicts the organization’s needs coming before individual’s and that conformity is valued and expected in the Japanese culture. The teacher is expected to go along with the accusations of bullying to save the colleagues and the school. In fact, the principal says, “what  really happened doesn’t matter.  You will defend our school.”  In the American culture, this scenario of placing the organization’s needs before individual’s would be unlikely and would not end up in a movie script. The teacher would have immediately and clearly asserted his or her truth and would have retained an attorney.  A good part of the narrative was based on the notion of conformity in the Japanese culture. As someone who grew up in Japan, I could easily relate.

    In addition to the masterfully crafted screenplay, I loved the piano pieces composed by highly acclaimed Ryūichi Sakamoto which are befitting of the sentiments of the characters. It also complements the beautiful location setting of Suwa, Nagano Prefecture where the story takes place.

    The lingering question in the film, is of course, who or exactly what is the Monster? This becomes Yori and Minato’s guessing game.

    As the director Kore-eda shared during our interview, “everyone carries a metaphorical monster within themselves.” I interpret this psychological fact akin to Carl Jung’s Shadow. According to Kore-eda, “it’s an intangible entity, sometimes visible, sometimes not, affecting human relationships – an unseen barrier in interpersonal relationships.”

    THAT is the Monster. And I agree with Mr. Kore-eda, it lives within all of us.

    **********************************

    Yurika Matsumori

    Yurika Matsumori is a medical speech-language pathologist specializing in cognitive linguistic communication and dysphagia challenges. A native speaker of Japanese who spent formative years in Osaka, Japan, she earned a B.A. in Linguistics from Duke University and an M.S. in Speech-Language Pathology from Columbia University, enriched by study abroad experiences in Germany and Spain.

    Yurika’s interest in language and communication extends beyond the clinical setting and into the captivating world of cinema, where she plays a role as a movie reviewer and entertainment writer. She is excited to share stories compelled by her fascination with the narratives unfolding on the silver screen.

    Yurika’s commitment to facilitating communication also led to her previous involvement with Toastmasters International for many years. As a member, she undertook various leadership roles and received advanced communication and leadership awards. A mother of four, Yurika enjoys engaging in a wide variety of activities such as being immersed in nature through hiking and kayaking, maintaining physical health and well-being at the gym, expressing herself through singing, or engaging in a challenging game of Scrabble.

    She looks forward to sharing her perspective and observations on cinema with Hawaii Reporter readers.

    Merry Wet Christmas for Honolulu BWS

    Tom Yamachika
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    Merry Wet Christmas for Honolulu BWS

    In late November, the Honolulu Board of Water Supply (BWS) approved a Christmas present for itself – a five-year schedule of rate increases that result in the cost of water in Honolulu going up by about 50%.  Two of the increases take place in 2024, one in February and one in July, so Honolulu consumers will be subjected to a double whammy next year.

    At the beginning of December, however, the Hawaii Department of Health (DOH) appeared to have a Christmas present for BWS.  It said that the Department had “secured” about $75 million, working with the federal EPA, in federal funding that the BWS could use.  The federal Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, enacted in 2021 as Public Law 117-58, seemed to be mostly about surface transportation such as highways and transit programs, but it also contained funding for dealing with “emerging contaminants,” defined as substances identified as possible drinking water contaminants but that haven’t been studied enough for the federal government to come up with a Maximum Contaminant Level for drinking water supplies.  It turns out that some of the stuff that was found in the Red Hill aquifers fits the definition.  It also turns out that certain other substances specifically addressed in the law, called per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), were also found in the area from Moanalua to Makakilo.

    In a letter to BWS, DOH suggested possible uses for the funding.

    First, it noted that BWS completely shut off its Halawa Shaft, “out of an abundance of caution,” to alleviate public concern about safety of the water.  Some of the federal money could be used to build a treatment system so that the Halawa Shaft could be brought back online, restoring 10 million gallons of water per day.  (Considering an average single family household uses about 9000 gallons of water per month, or about 300 gallons a day, that 10 million gallons per day could service over 33,000 households.)

    Next, it noted that between 2006 and 2016, BWS spent about $12 million to build a treatment facility for its Ewa Shaft, but that the facility was never brought online after it was built.  (Whoa!  $12 million was spent, the facility was never turned on, and the treatment system was left simply to rust in the last seven years?  I would certainly want to hear the story behind that one, and I think other Honolulu taxpayers would want to hear the story as well.)  DOH suggested that some of the federal money could be used to fix up that facility and turn it on, restoring another 13 million gallons of water per day (which could service over 43,000 average households).

    Some folks have criticized the State administration for waiting too long to bring this opportunity for federal dollars to BWS and the City & County administration.  But at least it was brought up, and it seems to have been vetted with the federal EPA as well.  Better late than never!  At least it gives BWS some good reasons to rethink the record-breaking price increases it is getting ready to foist on the general public.

    “It is one thing to hustle new and additional spending at any level of government without good reason,” as my predecessor Lowell Kalapa wrote in this column in August 2001, “but it is just plain stupid to let moneys already appropriated slip through our hands, especially if they are federal dollars. . . . If [DOH] officials would pay attention to what they should be doing, they might find that there is money to be had.”  Good job this time, DOH.  Now let’s see if BWS can use the Christmas present that DOH gave it.

    Find common ground to foster holiday cheer

    Grassroot Institute
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    Find common ground to foster holiday cheer

    By Keli‘i Akina

    It’s the most wonderful time of the year.

    Family and friends gather to celebrate, exchange gifts and make memories.

    Everyone brims with a sense of fellowship and harmony.

    Until someone brings up politics.

    No matter what your beliefs, nothing can derail a family get-together like an unexpected political discussion.

    But just as the Grassroot Institute strives to build bridges in state policy work, I’m here to help build bridges at the dinner table. All you have to do is use the principle of “E hana kākou” to restore peace and goodwill at your family celebration.

    Keli’i Akina

    “E hana kākou” is Hawaiian for “Let’s work together,” and it is one of our core values at Grassroot. In fact, you might have noticed that I close this letter every week with that expression. I do this as a reminder of its importance as we work with others for the betterment of our state.

    Some people think “E hana kākou” is just a feel-good sentiment about getting along with others, but that’s not quite accurate. Yes, it’s better if we work together, but at the same time, that doesn’t mean we have to compromise our principles.

    The spirit of “E hana kākou” requires staying true to your principles while acknowledging the passion and good intentions of those who differ from you.

    It tells us to focus on areas of commonality where we are able to make progress.

    When I say “E hana kākou,” I’m not suggesting that we abandon our beliefs. I’m saying we should strive to identify and expand on our common ground.

    You can see why I think it’s a particularly appropriate sentiment for the holiday season.

    When differences arise — as they are bound to, even within families — you can invoke the spirit of “E hana kākou.”

    Instead of focusing on ideological rifts, find points of agreement.

    Maybe you don’t agree about a new tax policy or exercise of emergency powers. But you might find that you share a belief in the need to aid Lahaina victims or lower the cost of housing.

    From there, it’s a matter of looking for solutions that you can agree upon.

    This is the time of year when we reflect on how much we value our loved ones and look with optimism to the year ahead. It is a season for working together, appreciating the virtues of others and resolving to do good in the months to come.

    It is, in other words, the season for “E hana kākou.”

    Let’s begin with our own friends and families, then extend the spirit of goodwill throughout all Hawaii.

    From all of us at the Grassroot Institute of Hawaii, I hope that you and yours enjoy a very happy holiday.

    I also look forward to working with you in 2024 to make our beautiful state more livable and prosperous for all.
    __________

    Keli‘i Akina is president and CEO of the Grassroot Institute of Hawaii.

    New brief outlines how to facilitate more homebuilding in Hawaii

    Grassroot Institute
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    New brief outlines how to facilitate more homebuilding in Hawaii

    By Keli‘i Akina

    Some Hawaii policymakers might say it’s not possible to address Hawaii’s housing crisis without spending big bucks on public construction projects.

    But I have exciting news. Not only is it possible, my team at the Grassroot Institute of Hawaii has produced a roadmap that can help make it happen.

    Our latest report, written by Grassroot policy researcher Jonathan Helton, offers an overview of the different policies Hawaii lawmakers could embrace to help boost the state’s housing supply relatively quickly and at no cost to Hawaii taxpayers.

    Keli’i Akina

    Titled “How to facilitate more homebuilding in Hawaii,” the report does not call for government housing programs, nor does it present a one-size-fits-all “solution” to the housing crisis. Rather, it identifies changes that legislators could make as soon as possible without infringing on property rights or depleting state or county funds.

    Many of the proposals in the report do not require the government to do much more than remove the barriers that have prevented innovation and frustrated the construction of new homes to begin with.

    For example, a policy called “adaptive reuse” would permit homebuilders to more easily convert existing office buildings to residential use. This is not only financially practical but also more environmentally friendly.

    Another helpful reform would be for Hawaii’s counties to expand their mixed-use zoning areas. This would encourage homes and businesses to co-exist on the same block, or even in the same building, which would promote walkable neighborhoods and creative housing solutions.

    The new Grassroot policy brief also talks about the importance of making it easier for homeowners to build accessory dwelling units, commonly known in Hawaii as ohana units. We often think of ADUs as housing for elderly relatives — hence the term “ohana homes” — but they also have demonstrated great potential as an affordable rental option.

    Helton also suggests removing regulations that require a certain number of parking spaces for homes and businesses — because land devoted to parking is land that cannot be used for living.

    But perhaps the option with the most potential to increase our much-needed housing supply is “upzoning.” In general, the concept refers to allowing more homes such as duplexes, triplexes and even small “starter homes” to be built where formerly there were only single-family dwellings surrounded by large yards.

    Elements of upzoning include lot-splitting, reducing setbacks and adjusting floor area ratios. If applied in a comprehensive manner, upzoning could yield big rewards.

    Taken together, all of these policy options are wonderful ideas that Hawaii lawmakers would do well to implement.

    But as Helton makes clear, our legislators also need to put an end to Hawaii’s notorious permitting and approval delays. After all, what good is a plan to build more housing if you cannot obtain the permits to build in a timely, cost-effective manner?

    Helton suggests two policy reforms to address this issue. First, the counties could adopt self-certification programs that allow qualified architects to vouch for building plans themselves — perhaps subject to random audits by city officials to make sure they are not violating zoning or building code requirements.

    Honolulu recently adopted such a plan, following in the footsteps of cities such as Chicago and New York that have successfully been using self-permitting for decades.

    The second permitting reform would be to authorize “by right” approvals so projects that meet all the legal requirements can proceed without discretionary approvals from neighborhood boards, planning departments or county councils.

    Most important, this new report demonstrates how much we can do to grow housing in Hawaii simply by reforming existing regulations. And it doesn’t reinvent the wheel. These are all tried-and-true solutions that have been proven throughout the nation and around the world to facilitate the creation of new housing.

    We cannot solve Hawaii’s housing crisis overnight, but there are plenty of ways we can make housing more affordable and available without burdening taxpayers — and my team’s new report outlines what some of those ways could be.
    __________

    Keli‘i Akina is president and CEO of the Grassroot Institute of Hawaii.

    Hawai‘i Utilities Commission Slams Door on Rooftop Solar, Undermines Hawai‘i’s Progress on Clean Energy

    Guest Contributor
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    Hawai‘i Utilities Commission Slams Door on Rooftop Solar, Undermines Hawai‘i’s Progress on Clean Energy

    A recent decision issued by the Hawai‘i Public Utilities Commission (PUC) sparked an upheaval in Hawai‘i’s homegrown clean energy industry because it undervalues the industry’s contribution to our electric grid and our climate goals.  This decision threatens to shut down access to rooftop solar for homes and small businesses, which will set off another wave of job losses, and reverse years of progress on Hawai‘i’s clean energy and climate goals. 

    The decision, issued just over two weeks ago on December 4, 2023, finalized the terms for the next generation of solar programs, called “Bring Your Own Device” or “BYOD,” in which customers can be compensated for using their solar and battery systems to support the utility grid.  But the PUC added severely unfavorable provisions to the program that will end up costing people extra money to participate (See decision here). 

    “This decision is an about-face for Hawai‘i’s leadership and aspirations on clean energy, including the prior work of the PUC.  It undoes years of progress to enable customers to lead the way on adopting clean energy to reduce our reliance on fossil fuels and reduce costs for everyone,” said Rocky Mould, Executive Director of the Hawai‘i Solar Energy Association. “We’re hoping the PUC quickly corrects course to avoid a catastrophe for local industry and a massive momentum killer for clean energy in Hawai‘i.”

    Instead of enabling customers’ on-site solar systems to support the grid and lower grid costs for all customers, the PUC’s order forces customers to either pay for more expensive power from the monopoly utility or purchase solar systems that only serve their own needs.  This counterproductive outcome increases costs for everyone and motivates customers to leave the grid, instead of encouraging customers to help build the clean energy grid of the future from the bottom up.

    The PUC’s decision is all the more surprising and disappointing given the proven successes of distributed, localized energy resources as a catalyst and driver of Hawai‘i’s clean energy progress over the years.  Distributed solar has already contributed to half of HECO’s renewable energy portfolio and collectively comprises the largest resource on HECO’s grids.    

    The Battery Bonus program is the latest distributed energy success story, in which over 46 MW of rooftop solar and battery systems were rapidly enrolled to help support the grid on O‘ahu and Maui and reduce costs when delays in HECO’s plans to add large-scale renewable projects led to a grid reliability crisis and bill spikes from oil prices.  The Battery Bonus program, however, recently hit its program capacity limit.  Absent an extension of that program by the PUC and a viable successor program in BYOD, the Hawai‘I solar market faces an impending shutdown. 

    Solar industry leaders Hawai‘I Solar Energy Association (HSEA) and Hawai‘I PV Coalition, represented by clean energy law firms Earthjustice and Keyes & Fox, took swift action and filed a motion late last week asking the PUC to reconsider its decision (see here).  In their request, the industry representatives warn that the PUC’s order threatens to derail progress and “cause immediate and lasting market impacts as severe or worse than the fallout eight years ago,” when the PUC’s abrupt closure of the original net-metering (NEM) program forcibly downsized the local solar industry by over 60%, triggering the loss of approximately 2,000 jobs.

    “In my 15 years working with this Commission, this decision is the most drastic misstep I have seen—up there with slamming the curtain on net metering eight years ago, but with potentially more disastrous results,” said Isaac Moriwake, an attorney with Earthjustice who has represented HSEA at the PUC since 2009.  “It took years for the industry and market to find its footing again after that, and we can’t afford to repeat that history.  Whatever is going on, hopefully the PUC can turn this around without delay.”

    The PUC’s recent decision adds to mounting questions about the agency’s current direction, including concerns regarding its ongoing silence and inaction in response to the Lahaina wildfire disaster.  Over the years, the PUC has taken a leadership role in reforming HECO’s business toward a performance-based model, with a primary focus on shifting the utility’s bias against customer-installed clean energy resources into a recognition of the benefits to the grid and all customers.  The recent decision marks a stark reversal of this progress and risks a historically grievous setback for Hawai‘i’s clean energy industry, at a time when the state cannot afford to lose momentum toward its clean energy and climate goals.

    About Hawai‘I Solar Energy Association (HSEA)

    The Hawai‘i Solar Energy Association is a non-profit organization representing and advocating for the solar and energy storage industry in Hawai‘i. HSEA works to promote the growth of solar energy and storage, advance policies that support clean energy initiatives, and contribute to the overall well-being and resiliency of Hawai‘i’s communities.

    Eight Points to Consider Before Accepting One of the Genworth Long Term Care Insurance Settlement Offers

    John Robinson
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    Eight Points to Consider Before Accepting One of the Genworth Long Term Care Insurance Settlement Offers

    Editor’s Note: John Robinson, aka JR, is not only one of the most astute retirement planners in town, he’s one of the few local financial pros with a national profile. He’s become an authority on Genworth Long Term Care Insurance and was extensively quoted in a recent NY Times article, Difficult Choices for Some Long-Term Care Policyholders.

    In short, it’s a jungle out there for Boomers who have invested in this vehicle only to find their premiums have dramatically risen and their policies have morphed into bureaucratic nightmares. JR once again zeroes in on this byzantine subject for Hawaii Reporter, providing much needed advice and clarity for Genworth policy holders.

    *************************

    Over the past few years, I have provided consulting guidance to close to a hundred Genworth (formerly GE) long term care insurance policyholders. In every instance, the impetus for reaching out to me has been the receipt of an ominous letter from Genworth informing policyholders of various options they have to restructure their policies pursuant to a court- approved class action settlement offer and disclosing to them their plans for future major premium increases. 

    Many of the people who contacted me have paid premiums for ten to twenty years or more and are reaching out in panic and desperation.  The root cause of their angst is not so much the potential for premium increases as it is the informational asymmetry that exists between Genworth and its policy holders. The letter they receive forces them to accept incredibly important potentially life and wealth altering policy adjustments without the knowledge base necessary to make rational informed decisions. 

    Leveling the Informational Playing Field

    To help level the playing field, I have compiled a list of eight important pieces of information Genworth LTC policy holders should know before accepting any of the offers presented in the Genworth notification letter.

    • Most policies have a 45-day grace period. Don’t feel pressured by the response date given in the Genworth settlement options notification letter.  It is always safest to verify, so just call Genworth Customer Support at 866-234-9237 to confirm.
    • The settlement options provided in the Genworth letter are not your only restructuring options.  In fact, they tend to be the policy structures that most benefit Genworth and the law firms that brought the class action.  Most policyholders I have met are unaware that Genworth LTC policies usually permit policyholders to amend their benefits any time.
    • Read the long paragraph with bold print on the first page of the letter carefully and use it to inform your decision-making.  This paragraph discloses the ungodly percentages that Genworth plans to raise your premiums.  It serves two purposes for Genworth. First, it is ostensibly presented to comply with the disclosure issue that was at the heart of the lawsuit.  Its second unstated purpose is to terrify policyholders into bailing on the contracts. Policyholders should  also know that the percentages listed (sometimes as high as 400% or more) represent the total amount of premium increases Genworth estimates it needs to break even on the policies in that particular policy group in that state over the anticipated duration of the policy class.  In most cases, these increases will be requested from the state insurance commissioners incrementally over a period of many years rather than implemented in one fell swoop.
    • Cast a wary eye on the cash-back settlement options.  If you call Genworth Customer Support to restructure your contract, the phone reps will likely caution that any structure you choose outside of the settlement options will not give you any cash back.  What they won’t tell you is that the ongoing premiums on the cash-back options are often as much as twice what you would pay if you restructure on your own.
    • The settlement options are irrevocable.  Once you have made your election you cannot make any more changes to the policy. That is not the case if you choose a structure that is not one of the settlement options.
    • If you qualify for benefits under the policy, in most cases you do not need to pay premiums anymore.  I have encountered three policyholders this year who qualified for benefits but were thinking of dropping the policies because they could not afford the premium increases.  In all three instances, the policyholders had been formally diagnosed with Alzheimers, but had not filed claims because they did not need full-time custodial care.  They did not realize that part time custodial care for as little as a couple days a week was sufficient to trigger the waiver of premium provision. 
    • Your policy can last much longer than the contractually stated benefit period.  The benefit period is the amount of time the policy will last from the time the maximum monthly or daily benefit begins paying without interruption.  The benefit period can last much longer if care is only needed on a part-time basis and/or less than the full amount of the daily/monthly benefit is needed.
    • Be aware of the maximum limits of your state’s insurance guarantee fund for long-term care payments.  Most states’ insurance guarantee funds allows for benefits claims to be paid if the company that issued the long term care policy should fail.  While I do not know the likelihood of Genworth failing, its C+ bond rating suggests that insolvency is a possibility.  If the size of the benefit pool in your Genworth policy is far greater than the guaranty fund limit in your state, you may wish to scale back your policy.

    Additional Resources

    Here are links to other articles I have written on this topic over the past few years:

    3 Villians, No Heroes – The Genworth Long Term Care Insurance Saga

    Should You Accept a Genworth Long Term Care Insurance Settlement Offer?

    What if the Company that Issued my Policy Fails?

    The Genworth LTC Mess

    John Robinson is the founder and owner of Financial Planning Hawaii and Fee-Only Planning Hawaii.  He may be reached at jr@fphawaii.com.

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