KMUF- the voice of the MUF.

Build your own radio station and spew whatever agenda you please.

Psst, Mufi, first take the cars off the road.

I can commiserate with you, Dave, after all isn't your point they're not doin' it in the printed media?

Too bad the papers can't get a chunk of that action, huh, Dave?

With the sinking economy and a growing backlash by residents, I think this rail thing is pretty much doomed. Certainly looks like the Federal Government will not kick in its share.

The radio gig sounds like an act of desperation.

This blog thing has been really cool and I'll tell you why: It's really allowed (at least me) to get a much deeper perspective on you as a journalist.

And though I admit that at first I felt you fell into the typical left-leaning perspective that most print journalists admit to being a part of, I've seen over time now that you're actually quite well-balanced.

This post really kicked it in for me. Good on you Dave to bring this to light.

Certainly you know the inside scoop on Mufi is that he's a bully and is "shaking down" downtown as best he can. He's managed to create an air of fear and retribution in this town and that ain't right.

Bring publishing posts like this you are bringing along the rest of us to see what this man is all about. Thank you.

CC, "well-balanced" shouldn't be confused with "low center of gravity."

Just kidding, Dave! Great post today. It's a good thing this was on your blog instead of in the Wednesday column, or else we'd have seen a sledge hammer response by one of his department directors by now, scolding you for being "uninformed." You know, starting out with a line like, "It's very unfortunate that Mr. Shapiro has little knowledge of...."

Keep up the good work, Dave!

Gee Dave,

What's wrong with trying to counter balance the BS coming out of Hamada & Co. Why the heck would anyone in their right mind want to participate in a biased, controled environment like that when they they have an option? If you agree the people should hear both sides of the story, why make a dumb set up like Hamada's show the ONLY forum available? Trying to rebut every distortion spouted by Preveadorous, Slater and Hamada (who controls who gets to talk) isn't open dialog.

Let's get a couple of things straight...First of all the "public funds." The public funds being used have been approved by the council and are a percentage of the transit project funds earmarked for public outreach, which is required by the FTA...so really, no need to be insulted. In fact, if the community inovlvemnt weren't being done, only then should there be some concern...That would be the news. It's true that that particular station offers FREE time to transit project opponents for their view of the "truth" Monday through Thursday and does not extend a similar invitation to those who actually have the answers about the project. Instead, they have been told they would have to "buy" their way into the programming. That's fair? and balanced? and accurate? From time to time the mayor's spokesman is able to get through on the phone to present a view, but not often. It's really not the last word those working on the rail project are seeking, just a word...and it's not even the mayor himself who is taking to the airwaves...just those who have the answers to questions the public might have regarding the city's transit project.

Hey Dave,

Couple of things regarding today's post -- first off, the radio show that we're doing on transit is a call-in show, so folks, regardless of their feelings on rail, Mayor Hannemann, or anything else, come right through the switchboard and express their opinions and challenges -- there's no filtering in that regard.

Regarding KHVH programming - talk show hosts determine their own lineups and I think if you check, there has been a lot more representation of the anti-transit positions. In the three paid shows we've done, we've brought project team members on to explain technical matters and answer questions -- the mayor hasn't been on the show at all.

We think it's a good thing for people to be able to talk directly to project planners and technical folks and get their questions answered. Feel free to call anytime.

Elsa, your wasting your time...Shapiro is old school. The media is supposed to tell us what to think and control what the public gets access to.

Dave,

So, you would advise Hillary Clinton to go on Hannity?

Would you rather the Administration provide any kind of information so that they can be accused of hiding things? All I see and hear are the same few people on TV and radio saying the same things against the project. I've tried to call into their programs and have been told they are not taking calls. So how exactly is that fair?

This seems to be a case of dammed if you do and dammed if you don't. First people whine that there is not enough information being given out and that people are meeting behind closed doors, and then when someone tries to get out the information people complain about that. And as mentioned, public outreach is a required part of the process and was budgeted for. If you wanted to object to the amount the Council approved in the budget for this type of stuff, you a few months (like 12) to late.
Myself, I think Hamada is on par with Bill O Reilly. I hate seeing any free publicity for his crappy radio show. Which brings me to one of my long time questions - Ever notice how Dems tend to support rail and Repubs tend to want HOT lanes? Tends to suggest that each one benefits a particular segment of society. And since Dems represent lower and middle class people and Repubs tend to be more affluent business owner tpyes. I think we can see who benefits from what. If I am right, its no wonder that Hamada has taken up this issue so much.
I don't feel rail is a political issue. Its a public policy issue for sure. And that’s why you elect someone at the City level - because you agree with more of their public policy stances then their opponent. Using campaign funds to educate the public about a public policy issue doesn't seem right to me - I think the Prosecutors office has used public funds on issues that are a lot more political in nature than rail.

Dang Dave

Sure are alot of people in Mufi's administration that read your column.

Dave,

Get real. In my opinion, Hamada uses Talk Radio for his bully pulpit to advance the republican/libertarian/OrangeCounty-SoCal view of the world. That is: "locals are stupid; just get out of our way and do as we say..."

If you haven't noticed, that went out with the Plantation Era and the Big Five. We're tired of being told by others how to live.

Just because we seem "bruddah bruddah" and don't speak up (on call in radio, leters to the editor or otherwise), it doesn't mean we are stupid or naive, no matter what the "new missionaries" think!!!!

Mufi wants to level the playing field on information, and I say, Righ on...Geev' um brah! Let us guys get all the facts, and make up our own minds.

I think if you looked at the federal requirement for applying for federal funds to fund a transit project you would see that money must be spent on public awareness. Do your home work Dave before you start with your stupid remarks.-Nakoa

Dave- I told you before that I like your comments, but why do you keep on fighting with the mayor on transit. I need the transit to work and so does all my friends and family that currently use public transportation. Do you use it. Stop ruining it for the rest of us. Sure you don't like the Mayor, but do you have to mess around with rail. Just leave it alone.- Nicky

Dave - I agree that it sure seems like a lot of Mufi Maniacs have had some raw nerves touched by your very valid comments. This is not a proper use of taxpayer monies.

I caught part of a radio ad for the rail system the other day and if I heard correctly, it was being touted as the solution for the traffic tie ups caused by accidents, etc. There was no mention of what might happen when the power goes out.

Keep up the good work.

another highly biased commentary. Mufi is a true leader who is unafraid; not like the spineless council. djou and hamada are speading half-truths and outright misinformation about the rail system. And the dumb public are biting hook line and sinker. They are playing on the emotions of uninformed folks who don't know any better. antil rail mongers like slater and the myopic uh professor are continuing to feed the fire with their untrue statements.

There is a need for balance in this issue with all the lies out there. There is nothing wrong with Mufi's radio program; it is the city's position that a rail, steel on steel system is the best. It is the most economical and reliable system; the rest of the alternatives will be more costly and unreliable. No system is perfect, but it is the best among the alternatives.

I'm a constituent of Mufi's and I'm not insulted. If you listen to Rick Hamada's show, you know that he regularly presents a very one-sided, negative perspective about rail transportation (ironically, during the gridlock of morning rush hour). He's done it for some time and will no doubt continue.

If da Mayor wants to drop a dime or two to get his side of the story out, I don't have a problem with it. To be honest, I can't see the difference between what Mufi's doing, which will be labeled advertising, and the free air time on the Guv gets each week on Rick Hamada's show to promote her projects. Community outreach is community outreach, yes?

You can hate talk radio all you want. You can hate the hosts, too.

The indisputable fact about this medium is this...the "facts" of any issue are debated live and in real time. People like "Liko" and "Innocent observer" have one thing in common; they don't like talk radio because it's a medium that presents the facts of an issue and if you don't like what is being discussed, you "call in" and debate the point. What quickly become apparent to anyone who listens to talk radio knows...when confronted by facts, liberals usually cave in and "lose" the debate.

Hamada's show frequently and regularly has an engineer from UH on his show to discuss various merits of rapid transit. His comments typically support Hamada's anti-rail position. So does that make Rick's position "political" or well thought out and supported by the truth?

Al Franken's failure at this medium, a "liberal-democrat supported" talk show AIR AMERICA, was a miserable failure, financially and politically. Why? Because when your spewing negatives and lies, nobody wants to listen. For that matter, there ARE NO LIBERAL BASED TALKS SHOWS IN AMERICA...that can compare to conservative talk shows. Al Franken's producers actually PAID certain radio markets across the USA to play their show on air...AND STILL FAILED!

Truth hurts. Real debate is hard...when you are trying to spin something. Thus, no democrats want to go on "live" on Fox news. HHmmm????

Kapena, if you were right than documentaries would be on TV and in the movie theaters and celebertiy gossip shows magazines would be prevelent. The American public doesn;t like the nuanced, nutral truth that liberls offer, but rather the fire brand inflammatory comments that speak to our worse fears - i.e. conservative talk show hosts. How is it that Fox news supposedly is the standard of Christian values and skweres anyone who has a personal failing (except one of their own like Senator Craig), but yet Fox also puts the worst crap on TV - stuf that should have the 'protect the family' people up in arms.
I've noticed that most Republicans dont want to go on Comedy Central. Thats right, they are worried that stand up comedians Jon Stewert and Stehpan Colbert will pick apart their platforms. You know what? They would!

So if 100,000 taxpayers express negative opinions on the rail boondogle, Mufi feels he has to use taxpayer money to buy equal time for his opinion. That's the logic we have in office.

So if 100,000 taxpayers express negative opinions on the rail boondogle, Mufi feels he has to use taxpayer money to buy equal time for his opinion. That's the logic we have in office.

To "Kailuaresident"...

Just a suggestion, try the spellcheck button, works wonders!
Secondly, if you truly believe that liberals offer a "nuanced and neutral truth", then there is nothing I or anyone else can say that is going to sway your opinion.

Finally, lets' use your very own argument. You stated...

"if you were right than documentaries would be on TV and in the movie theaters and celebertiy gossip shows magazines would be prevelent."

I can see you actually don't watch much TV because if you did, you would see that every major network (and most primary cable stations) do in fact have a bunch of celeb type magazine format shows like "ET, Inside Edition, etc." They are in fact very prevalent. Further, most of cable TV is in fact "documentaries" and you can choose any political persuasion by simply turning the dial.

If you watched Fox news (most of you critics of this station, have never seen it) you will know that every hour, Fox news (including O'Reilly) reamed Sen. Larry Craig for days! Presently, they are all over these Governor's who have been caught in other scandals.

ANYTHING produced by that fat slob Michael Moore shown in a theater, is always promoted as a "documentary", even though it's mental diarrhea.

The reason conservative politicians don't go on "The Comedy Channel" and shows like John Stewart and Steven Colbert is because they know, like most sensible people that these shows are.....COMEDY!!!!!!!! They wouldn't be taken seriously nor given a real opportunity to have an 'intelligent' discussion on anything. So what's the point. I like John Stewart by the way.

Is the Comedy Channel you news channel of choice? I think that's where you get your info from, huh?

So there you go! Your points illustrate my beliefs very well. Thanks!!

Hey Learden,

1. Just push the button one time.

2. The Hamada, Slater, Prevadorous, Charlies Taxi anti-rail gang is more like 200 tops NOT 100,000. Noisy, but not numerous.

So, Kapena,

Your point is that biased, droning liberal propaganda is bad, but biased, droning conservative propaganda is good!