Hawaii’s Climate Change Tax, Who Should Pay For It – The Hawaiianos Or Their State Visitors? Fair Is Fair!

Honolulu – Governor Josh Green, MD, today (27 May 2025) signed into law Act 96 (Senate Bill 1396), a landmark initiative that establishes the first-ever climate impact fee, or “Green Fee,” in the nation, marking a historic moment for Hawaiʻi’s climate, environment and communities (Makanna McClellan, governor.hawaii.gov). (image from facebook.com)

Thus, Hawaii becomes the first US state to exact a “green fee,” a 0.75% surcharge to the hotel room and vacation rental tax. This measure, signed into law by Governor Josh Green, aims to generate approximately $100 million annually to fund environmental protection and climate resilience projects. 

“Hawaii Imposes The Nation’s First Climate Change Tax For Tourists – And It's Expected To Generate $100 Million Annually,” Charlotte Philipp (30 May 2025, Yahoo!News, sg.news.yahoo.com). Ms Charlotte says:

“Legislators in Hawaii are implementing a hefty tax on tourism that they believe will help the state government take action against Climate Change.

“Known as the first ever "Green Fee" in the country, Hawaii's Act 96 will raise the state's current transient accommodations tax… to 11% … travelers staying in a hotel room that costs $300 per night will have to pay (an additional) $2.25.”

“The money will then be used for civic projects such as replenishing sand on eroding beaches in Waikiki, implementing hurricane clips to secure roofs, and clearing flammable brush that contributed to the 2023 wildfire.”

According to the Associated Press and USA Today,the bill “increased tax on hotel room, vacation rentals and cruise ships to raise money to be used for issues such as eroding shorelines, wildfires and more.” The tax will go into effect on 1 Jan 2026.

"Once again, Hawai'i is at the forefront of protecting our natural resources, recognizing their fundamental role in sustaining the ecological, cultural and economic health of Hawai'i," Green said in a statement. "As an island chain, Hawai'i cannot wait for the next disaster to hit before taking action. We must build resiliency now, and the Green Fee will provide the necessary financing to ensure resources are available for our future."

Not sold! Instead, I am thinking of my dear Philippines taxing farmers heavily for the use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides – two big sources of greenhouse gases (GHGs) that produce the so-called “Climate Change” as they accumulate in the high atmosphere and reflect the heat back to Earth. It is the Earth that is heating the Earth – but that is because of those GHGs that the ab/uses of chemical fertilizers and pesticides result into.

The news did not mention what Hawaii farmers will do to contribute to the decrease of Climate Change, but they should too. I refer now to my country the Philippines, which had a farm area of 9.9 million ha in 1991, and that had decreased to 6.16 million in 2022 (businessmirror.com.ph).

And how does Climate Change destroy farms? It erodes, floods and sweep away soils, even landmarks. The farmer is to blame for Climate Change destroying his farming, his livelihood! The farmers should help themselves by rejecting Chemical Agriculture!@517

"Cleaning The House Of Marcos” – Says Ciel F Habito. The Department of Agriculture Awaits A Vision To “Begin The Beguine!” – Says Frank A Hilario

 In “Cleaning the House of Marcos” (27 May 2025, Inquirer, opinion.inquirer.net), former NEDA Chief Ciel F Habito says:

“This reorganization of his official family could be Mr Marcos’ best chance to reclaim control of his presidency and to reassert a policy agenda amid factional squabbles. Again, it can only work if he walks his talk – if he fires those who must go, hires those who are capable, and above all, renounces transactional politics in favor of true statesmanship.”

So, President Ferdinand “BBM” Marcos Jr I expect will be exercising “Visionary Leadership” (image from r.search.yahoo.com).

BBM reorganizing PH at the top – me, as an agriculturist and son of a farmer, I am thinking mostly of the Department of Agriculture (DA) and its leadership. I believe the failure of the DA to solve the problem of poverty of millions of Filipino farmers derives from a lack of Vision – if you don’t know what I’m talking about, then you are not fit to be Secretary of Agriculture! (image from bromleyparishchurch.org).

Today, I propose to help my President reorganize government by advising him go get a visionary Secretary of Agriculture. BBM did not see that in him years ago, but now is the chance for all good men to come to the aid of their country! BBM, please appoint William Dar as the new Secretary of Agriculture!

BBM, let us begin the beguine!

Wikipedia says (“Begin The Beguine,” en.wikipedia.org):

“The beguine is a dance and music form, similar to a slow rhumba. In his book American Popular Song: The Great Innovators 1900–1950, musicologist and composer Alec Wilder described "Begin the Beguine" as a maverick, it is an unprecedented experiment and one which, to this day, after hearing it hundreds of times, I cannot sing or whistle or play from start to finish without the printed music ...

Cecil Adams says, “Now is the time for all good men to come to the aid of their country” was/is “a typing lesson” (16 Sept 1977, “Who Originated, “Now Is The Time For All Good Men …” The Straight Dope, straightdope.com). And today? We have a visioning lesson.

And why William Dar as the new Secretafy of Agriculture? He is a proven international Visionary. Look at history – where was the nternational Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) when he took over as ICRISAT’s Director General (DG) in 2000? Kulelat! Tailender! Where was ICRISAT in just a few years after Mr Dar became DG? At the forefront of the CGIAR, a group of global partners (2025, cgiar.org).

What the Department of Agriculture has been lacking all these years since its founding, are Vision, Mission & Strategy (the three management failures of the DA after it jettisoned William Dar as Secretary of Agriculture):

Vision – Where do you want to be in so many years?
Mission – What should be accomplished to fulfil that Vision?
Strategy – What should be done to fulfil that Mission?

Mr Marcos, let us begin the beguine!@517

Let’s Learn About Who Is A True “Agriculture Consultant” From Ms K Pooja, LinkedIn

As written in LinkedIn, here is what Ms K Pooja has to say, this particular message which I found via an email by friend consultant Pablito  M Villegas:

As an agriculture consultant, it's difficult to limit myself to just one area like permaculture, agroforestry, or market linkages, because the real issues farmers face (are) often not what they believe them to be. What they describe is usually a symptom, not the root cause. To truly help, I need to look at the entire system—soil, water, inputs, behavior, markets, and climate—as a whole.

– A farmer may say, "These fertilizers are not working" but the real issue might be poor soil biology due to years of chemical overuse.

– Or they say, "My profits are shrinking," when the underlying problem is market mismatch, post-harvest losses, or a lack of diversification and also high input costs.

– Sometimes, what looks like a pest issue may be a deeper agroecological imbalance or poor crop planning.

Not just this farmers approach(es) for waterlogging, energy efficiency etc as well.

They are farmers, they don't think of (those) as separate entities.

This exactly why the government schemes fail trying to implement one type of solution to all. Everyone grows same and market collapses. Diversity (bombs)!!!

It's important to have a 360-degree view rather (than) try to replace traditional ways with software and technology and call it “innovation.”

Most so-called "innovations" are often surface-level solutions—apps, dashboards, sensors, platforms—without addressing the deeper, systemic issues that farmers face on the ground. I have seen professional work in the same way: Pest problem? This pesticide. No water? We will develop drought resistant crops in lab.

Tech and science are only support(s) of the system, not the final solutions.

Real Innovation = Ground + Tech + People

The above words by Ms Pooja I found first in LinkedIn via a GMail letter from a friend, Mr Malabanan. I got interested more than just noticing the message when I saw Ms Pooja’s view about being a good agricultural consultant (above). In my 37 years working with people and groups as a one-man band in the documentation aspect of a project or initiative, I have never seen anything like a summary expression of what an “Agriculture Consultant” must discover for her client Farmer: Behavior, Inputs, Soil, Water, Markets and Climate – The works! I love you, Ms Pooja! (A compliment from someone who is married, 85 years old – and a continent away.)

If you do not approach your job as indicated by the above “Consultant” by Ms Pooja, you are not the best consultant you can be!

[No, I’m not in the same league as Ms Pooja – I am not an agricultural consultant but rather an editorial consultant (as you may glimpse from the title of the blog you are reading this on: “The Editor In Chief”).]

What Ms K. is saying is that as an agricultural consultant, you must have a deeper and wider angle view of the situation to be able to truly help.@517

In “Harmony With Nature And Sustainable Development,” the UN says (22 May 2025, “International Day For Biological Diversity” un.org):

The global community is called to re-examine our relationship (with) the natural world, (and) one thing is certain: Despite all our technological advances we are completely dependent on healthy and vibrant ecosystems for our water, food, medicines, clothes, fuel, shelter and energy, just to name a few. (image from sg.images.search.yahoo.com)

“We are completely dependent on healthy and vibrant ecosystems” – the UN says. “Healthy and vibrant ecosystems” – So why is the UN insisting on Sustainable Development and not Regenerative Development? We need to regenerate our water, food, medicines, clothes, fuel, shelter and energy systems, as they are not-so healthy and vibrant anymore!

As they are today, we cannot sustain them – and they cannot sustain us!

“The (UN) General Assembly has widely acknowledged that the world's depletion of natural resources and rapid environmental degradation are the result(s) of unsustainable consumption and production patterns (that) have led to adverse consequences for both the Earth and the health and overall well-being of humanity.”

The UN says depletion of natural resources and rapid environmental degradation are “the result(s) of unsustainable consumption and production patterns (that) have led to adverse consequences for both the Earth and the health and overall well-being of humanity.”

Unsustainable! So why do we insist on Sustainable Developmen!?!

“The scientific community has well documented evidence that our present way of life, in particular our consumption and production patterns, (have) severely affected the Earth's carrying capacity.”

In 2009, the United Nations General Assembly proclaimed 22 April as “International Mother Earth Day” and said, “It is necessary to promote Harmony with Nature in order to achieve a just balance among the economic, social and environmental needs of present and future generations.” The same year, the General Assembly adopted its first resolution on Harmony with Nature.

“The General Assembly has widely acknowledged that the world's depletion of natural resources and rapid environmental degradation are the result of unsustainable consumption and production patterns which have led to adverse consequences for both the Earth and the health and overall well-being of humanity.”

Right now, the world is into unsustainable consumption and production patterns, which means we do not know what is sustainable – so why do we insist on sustainable development?!

On the subject, here is The Green India Mission (from the “Green India Mission: National Mission for Green India UPSC Note,” 22 Nov 2024, testbook.com):

The mission aims to address the issue of climate change and environmental degradation. It focuses on the afforestation and sustainable management of forests across the country.

Agricultural lands are the widest and most unsustainable. If we continue “Sustainable farming,” and not forsake the chemicals, I am sure, Climate Change will go on!@517

 

At any time,there is a limit to Earth as provider of resources to Mankind; and there is a limit to the power of Science to generate benefits for the People – and that is Earth!@517

 

Let’s Encourage Those Who Wish To Play With Cellphones And Personal Computers, This Editor In Chief Says – Let’s Work Around With Those!

Very firmly, Silvestre “Yong” Afable, Editor In Chief of “Medium,” an Internet site, says, “Handwriting in any language is the foundation of how we think, create, and connect as a society.” And I another Editor initially agree. “Foundation” yes – but we have to move on! To more fertile grounds. “Let’s not abandon the pen and paper.” No, but we can be more creative with/without pen and paper!

In the Philippines, my parents in Asingan, Pangasinan were ordinary tolks, not rich – and only my father Lakay Disiong could read and write basic Ilokano. Manong Mely, Ading Brillie and I were sent to school from Grade School to College, and we all graduated with degrees: Manong as Agriculturist (Araneta U), Brillie as Elementary Teacher (Philippine Normal School), and I as High School Teacher (UP College of Agriculture).

The thing is now I developed myself as The Editor In Chief (TEIC) in my own way. Check this blog out – and you may run out of patience (or time)!

I blog incessantly and have had several blogs to my name actually over the years since 2007. No, I did not abandon pen and paper – I brought them all along in my journey from Grade One to High School Teacher to Blogger (TEIC).

Now you see, my intellectual life has been from pen & paper to the Internet – it’s been fun! (Einstein quote from Parade, parade.com)

Instead of plainly saying, “Let’s not abandon the pen and paper,” I would say, “With pen & paper, let’s pursue creativity!” Specially with the ubiquitous presence of the cell phone and the personal computer (PC), especially with the laptop.

I am a 100% self-taught writer, editor, blogger, desktop publisher – don’t tell me only a Filipino named “Frank A Hilario” can be as productive as he has been and continues to be – thank God!

Mr Afable writes:

“This is not about nostalgia for cursive loops and dotted i's. The decline of handwriting has profound implications for children's development. For too long, we've taken this for granted. But handwriting in any language is the foundation of how we think, create, and connect as a society.”

Yes, Mr Afable, but let’s not stop at handwriting – let’s proceed with typing using the personal computer. It’s more exciting that way!

I have been writing and blogging with my laptop at least since 2007 – a few minutes ago, I googled “Frank A Hilario” and got 39,900 results! (I’m 84 years old, if you wanted to know.) The number is all mine – I taught myself how to write articles, edit, desktop publish, and blog. It’s in the mind, Mr Afable, being creative. It’s in the technique – and I can demonstrate creativity from where I sit separately from where your students sit, thousands of miles apart. Creativity is a mental trick, and nowadays you don’t really need pen and paper to do it!

Never mind the inability in “recognizing letters and words” – instead, mind the inability to generate creative ideas from junk!@517

Sir Arsenio Balisacan, Advising Economist, We Need Your Wise Counsel Towards Regenerative Economics Enriching Farmers!

Thank you for your Inquirer column “Escaping The Middle Income Trap” (opinion.inquirer.net) where you say:

The goal is not simply to meet the income thresholds for upper-middle-income status but to achieve sustained, inclusive, and resilient development. This requires preserving sound economic fundamentals – prudent debt management, fiscal discipline, low inflation, and financial stability.

I note particularly “to achieve sustained, inclusive, and resilient development.” My exact hopes, in case you wanted to know, for Filipino farmers.

I’m thinking of my 2020 article “IRRI, PhilRice, The Rotavator & Lorenzo’s Secret” (THiNK Journalism, ithinkjournalism.blogspot.com), where I said:

“The New Thinking For Agriculture” espoused by Secretary of Agriculture William Dar/Manong Willie has yet to consider what the rotavator can do to enrich the farmers’ pockets by first enriching their soils!”

That is sharing my experience of more than half a century ago.

I have a 55-year direct experience with the Howard rotavator in my hometown Asingan in eastern Pangasinan. That 1965, I was instructing the driver of the big tractor not to set the blades to any depth but just drive through the field, and because the Howard rotavator was heavy, it cut into the soil anyway, about 2-3 inches, which is what I wanted. My brother-in-law Lorenzo Casasus was there at that time; in later years he copied the shallow cultivation with his Kuliglig hand tractor, ie, rototiller. The results? His neighbors could not match his yields even if they tried to copy all his methods – he did not tell them about the magic that his rototiller was doing.

I’m now 85 years old and what occupies my time today is blogging about agriculture and how our Filipino farmers can rise above poverty. Perhaps, with a little financing from a third party, Mr Balisacan, together we can demonstrate how the rotavator can help the farmer rise from poverty in 1-2 years – yes, in 12-24 months – because the rotavator technique I have personally devised requires no added expenses except in running it – and yet it will produce unbelievably high yields!

Yes, Sir – to see is to believe. How about you convincing IRRI, UPLB and/or PhilRice to provide the logistics for the techno demos – about PhP 517,000 for the rotavator purchase & management, cultivating the field, and for rice seeds to be planted. The ideal experimental field would be at PhilRice Los Baños Station, which lies next to IRRI and UPLB.

I’m now reading the AFP news “Less-Thirsty Rice Offers Hope In Drought-Stricken Chile” (Anon, 30 April, Malay Mail, malaymail.com). The story is that of Javier Muñoz who has a farm in Chile and is only rationing water to the rice crops, not irrigating them. The rice is the “Jaspe” strain created by experts at the Chile Agricultural Research Institute’s Rice Breeding Program.

Contrast Jaspe now with any of the water-hungry IRRI-bred rices – and you will see how IRRI rices will have to improve just as they are! Economically. No more rice breeding. With you, farmers will learn the undiscovered secret of the rotavator – with Frank A Hilario!@517

Critical Thinking, Problem Solving & Decision Making – Can You Guess What Kind Of Thinking Is Missing In There? Your Thinking In Excellent!

Above is the 30 April 2025 Facebook sharing of Aida Page and Myrna Magboo Bigueras – “Master Class In Critical Thinking, Problem Solving & Decision Making.”

“The Center for Global Best Practices invites you to join this SEC and CESB-accredited training program via Zoom.”

There is no explanation of the “Masterclass” offer, but I know my blogging involves me in (1) critical thinking, (2) problem-solving and (3)  decision making – would you believe? What is missing in my list of 3 is this: (4) creative thinking. You ask: “Why do I include problem-solving and decision-making in my writing?” Because: They are what make my writing exotic and extra fertile and exciting!

No, I am not counter-offering any classes in critical thinking, problem solving & decision making in whole or in parts – but the above master course offer as a whole got me interested, would you believe, in creative thinking! Once a creative thinker, always a creative thinker!

From the Facebook post:

Center for Global Best Practices

At the meeting of world leaders in Davos, Switzerland on January 24, 2024, they declared that the top 2 skills essential in the 21st century workplace are critical thinking and problem solving.

A Four-Session Webinar and Workshop

8:15AM to 12:15PM | Thursday & Friday, May 22, 23, 29 & 30, 2025

Click here to REGISTER:  https://bit.ly/429S8ku

Developing one's critical thinking (CT), problem-solving (PS) and decision-making (DM) skills (are) an investment not only in personal growth but also for the future success and sustainability of (y)our organization.

(Think of your office, or think of your team.)

Employers value individuals and teams that can analyze and solve complex problems, make sound decisions and quickly adapt to the rapidly changing business environment.

• Everyone interested (in) sharpen(ing) and develop(ing) their thinking, problem(-)solving, and decision-making skills. (Contact Person: Kyra Villanueva)

I say, “The course is all for developing your critical thinking skill – good, but that is inadequate. Not for you if you are after developing your creative thinking skill. Definitely not!”

When you are at a loss for what to do, what to write, what to think, what to propose – what is the skill you need? Creative Thinking! No, not mentioned by the training program cited above. Critical Thinking is Analytical – Creative Thinking is jumping out of a sticky situation – before you analyze the whole thing – such as a thorny problem, and then coming out with an Aha! Moment.

And no, I am not offering a counter-course to critical thinking – I’m just taking a golden chance to emphasize the value of creative thinking along with critical thinking. I believe these 2 types of thinking should always be together, used in tandem, not singly.

Elsewhere, let’s explore. Here is Genvive, created by Sergei Markov (geniusrevive.com); “genvive” is short for the slogan: “Revive the creative genius within you.”

Sergei Markov is an expert in the psychology of creativity and the author of the projects “Creative Absolute,” “Genvive” and “Creative Vision.”

Here’s to reviving the creative vision within you!@517