HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0770.001 2006-2008
Richard Ha testimony in favor of a special zoning for superstores Page 1 of 2
Victorine, Valerie
From: Council Testimony [counciltestimony@co.hawaii.hi.us]
Sent: Monday, November 05, 2007 9:40 AM
To: Victorine, Valerie
Subject: FW: Richard Ha testimony in favor of a special zoning for superstores
Attachments: Peak Oil Handout.pdf; Peak oil Power point.ppt
From: Richard Ha [mailto:richard@hamakuasprings.com]
Sent: Sunday, November 04, 2007 7:32 PM
To: counciltestimony@co.hawaii.hi.us
Subject: Richard Ha testimony in favor of a special zoning for superstores
Aloha Council members:
I am in favor of making a special zoning for supercenters because of the extra scrutiny that the council can
do. Make sure that the portion that sells produce is tiny. Encouraging small farmers to farm is most important.
Following is what I think is the most important event that will take place in my lifetime. It is the end of the Era of Oil
and the beginning of the Era of Alternate Energy. The changes are going to be bigger than the transition from
whaling to the discovery of oil. Petroleum products permeate our lives. As the costs of oil rise, the consumers
wallet will be squeezed and there will be major change happening. People will avoid driving and for sure they will
curtail flying.
Imported food will start to rise and rise. I think that people will start to go into farming. There will be more farmers
market. It is hopeful.
Attached is a simple description of what took place at the Association for the Study of Peak Oil (ASPO-USA) that
took place in Houston from Oct 17th to 21St. I was the only person form Hawaii in attendance. More people from
Hawaii need to attend next time. ASPO is a non partisan association with chapters in 25 countries. Many in
attendance were investors. Investors live and die by best available information. The speakers were, geologists,
economists, A CIA analyst who was advisor to the 1St Pres Bush, industry insider and Houston's Mayor whose
Chief of staff is an ASPO co founder. Very credible people.
Basically, the world supply of oil has peaked at 85 million barrels per day while the demand today is approx 87 to
88 million barrels per day. From here the world oil supply will steadily decline until in 2030 there will be approx 50
million barrels per day. There are several implications;
1- Todays 2 to 3 million barrel per day shortfall results in $100 per barrel oil. At the start of this year, oil was
around $60. Four years ago it was $30.
2- Oil was discovered 150 years or so ago. The world population increased in parallel with oil production. This
was because fertilizers, chemicals, irrigation, packaging, cooling and transportation was based on cheap oil. More
food more people.
Comm: No. 7 0• 1
Ref. To- -M-ne G
Ref. Dote dOV 0 6 2007
11/5/2007