Is New Moon Veering Off Its Charted Course?

Aloha,

It is time to increase our attention and knowledge of those things that may impact our quality of life in a very negative way, unless we make certain that involved parties and entities live up to their published tenet, and remain honorable.  To help us understand, and allow us to separate fact from fiction, let us examine the following.

All quotes, shown below, are from New Moon's web pages at http://www.newmoonfoundation.org, as of 2/20/11, unless otherwise stated.

"New Moon Foundation was co-founded in 1999 by Bennett Dorrance, Jr. and Thuy Nguyen Fujimoto. Where the foundation is today is the result of a friendship that has been mutually enriching, productive and lasting because it is based on shared values and aspirations. We are:

• inspired by the learning and practice of Engaged Buddhism.

• passionate about practicing Right Relationship and building New Moon Foundation as a values-based organization.

• committed to the responsible stewardship of New Moon Foundation’s lands as a living part of the Foundation with healing qualities for the benefit of all."  Emphasis added to this bullet.
  

Wikipedia explains,  "Engaged Buddhism refers to Buddhists who are seeking ways to apply the insights from meditation practice and dharma teachings to situations of social, political, environmental, and economic suffering and injustice. Finding its roots in Vietnam through the Zen Buddhist teacher Thich Nhat Hanh, Engaged Buddhism has grown in popularity in the West"

The teaching, apparently, includes avoiding or correcting injustice, and not inflicting it.  Moreover, what healing quality can be ascribed to an upwind waste processing facility, 700 yards or less from homes?

New Moon's mission and ideology is shown below.

"Core Ideology and Purpose

MISSION

New Moon Foundation is a values-based organization and our mission is to provide educational & science-based programs, scholarships and grants that encourage and support the practice of our core values G.R.A.C.E.

CORE VALUES G.R.A.C.E.

• Gratitude – A deep appreciation of life in all forms, valuing both its gifts and lessons. This is the foundation for finding joy in our human condition.

• Respect - The practice of awareness and openness to others, new ideas and different perspectives. Respect is the basis for peace and understanding.

• Accountability - Taking responsibility for our actions, thoughts and emotions. Acknowledging our choices and their consequences empowers us to choose again.

• Courage - The discipline to be authentic, honest and act with integrity. Courage allows us to grow and realize our true potential and dreams.

• Engagement – The intention to wholeheartedly contribute our gifts and skills in a way that benefits our communities and natural environments. This is a natural outcome and test of a values-based life.
  

We deeply believe that if we individually make a sincere effort to practice the above core values and support each other in this practice, we all will become happier with our lives, enjoy a more caring and peaceful world and leave a more sustainable environment to our children.

We also believe that there is an urgent need to cultivate wholesome values in our world and especially in our children as it appears that, in general, our current social and work environments, family and school systems are not doing an adequate job at this, leading to practices and approaches that are detrimental to our environment and disempowering to many of us."  Emphasis added.

These are lofty goals, nobody could argue with, however, offering their "Sweet Water/Iole" land for the construction of a waste processing plant, 700 yards or less upwind from Ainakea homes, appears to violate their tenet of GRACE, in a major way.  For one it would be detrimental to the environment and will dis-empower an entire community.  In addition, in face of the resident's rejection, it appears disrespectful to the entire community affected, to persist with this project.  Where is the respect mentioned in New Moon's first tenet, "Respect"?

New Moon's website shows that,

"New Moon Foundation recently underwent a thoughtful process to name its land holdings. Now known as "Sweet Water", the land encompasses the majority of the 'Iole Ahupua'a' including the Bond Estate and Former Kohala Girls' School, as well as areas outside the ahupua'a. NMF felt it right to honor the land with a name that paid homage to the water that runs beneath the lands and the gentle rains that come with the tradewinds to nourish all beings and vegetation"

"Sweet Water lands are available for hiking, camping and other outdoor educational activities of youth, adult, and corporate groups"

If New Moon really honors the 'Aina'  (land) and truly pays homage to the waters that run beneath the land, why would it offer this very land for the construction of a waste treatment facility near homes, against the wishes of the local community?  Such a processing plant could surely, in time, contaminate the very waters they aim to pay homage to.  One could well imagine, how enjoyable it would be to hike in an area loaded with the stench of trash, and the associated noise pollution of a waste processing plant.  It would, possibly, even provide an opportunity to carry out an animal nature study, by observing rats at play.  Does it  get any better than that?

Their web-site also shows,

"In 2009, the New Moon Foundation created Sweet Water LLC dba Iole as a separate legal entity dedicated to the responsible and sustainable stewardship of our lands and buildings"

"We aim at fulfilling our mission while achieving long term financial sustainability. ..."

This says, it is now a for profit enterprise, which is , evidently, already raising its threatening head, and, apparently, all these noble goals, and respect for the 'Aina', no longer seem to matter, as long as "financial sustainability" is achieved.

Written communication with key-personnel of the New Moon Foundation, aimed at resolving this matter in favor of the community at large, since mid November, 2010 proved fruitless.  Last communications were filled with reservations, and unreasonable unattainable conditions.  One could ask, where is the respect,  their second stated tenet describes?  It is reasonable to perceive that their refusal to remove their land offer without reservations and convoluted conditions, as a clear confirmation that New Moon/Sweet Water/Iole is unwilling to remove the "Sweet Water/Iole" land from WasteStream's list for a waste treatment facility.  Given the tragic contrast between their words and their planned actions, it should not really come as a surprise.  One hears stories about corporations, which enter small communities in sheep's clothing, i.e. as a non-profit foundation.  They usually do a few things well, all aimed at gaining the respect and trust of the community.  Then, a while later they undergo a metamorphosis and become for profit enterprises, and the gloves come off.  I do not suggest for one minute that this applies to the New Moon foundation, however, I do not know for certain.

Writings received, from New Moon, show that, apparently,  this land was only offered to be of service to the community.  Well, it should be clear to New Moon/Sweet Water/Iole, the community has rejected this land for the purpose given, so why is it still being offered?  The interest groups involved, including New Moon/Sweet Water/Iole, act as if only they know what is best for the community.  Apart from totally dis-empowering the entire community, they treat our local residents in a condescending manner.  Between what was learned at the February 19th CDP meeting (see prior blog), and from New Moon's lack of a positive response to a plea to have this site scrapped, in light of the overwhelming rejection by the residents, the picture becomes clear.  It is full steam ahead baby.  OK, New Moon Foundation/Sweet Water LLC/Iole, NK_CDP and WasteStream prove the contrary, scrap this site selection, and make our day.

Let us assume, a worse case scenario, no other suitable site is ultimately available.  Is the urge, by these interested parties, to build this waste treatment facility, 700 yards or less from Ainakea homes, more paramount than the quality of life, safety, and well-being of an entire community?   What could be that strong incentive, justifying ignoring the wishes of the community?  In can't be community spirit, the residents don't want it upwind near their homes.  Surely, the end of the world is not at hand, should this project be delayed until more suitable land does become available.  If push comes to shove, the existing facility can be upgraded with the tax dollars saved, by not buying Sweet Water/Iole land, and not building a costly new paved road to a new expensive facility.