Adam Smith dedicates the first section of the Wealth of Nations to metal coinage and exchange, including how and why such precious metals became currency. The main reasons 1.) scarce nature 2.) durability. Both reasons are in direct contrast to our “paper” dollar currency which can be 1.) supplied or printed on a moments notice or 2.) ripped or scorched in flames by chance. In other words, paper currencies are neither scarce nor durable. Taking it one step further, one might even call our present currency “digital”, since their is a fraction of actual “printed” paper dollars in relation to “digital” dollars which are in circulation in the economy; even though such circulating capital (i.e. cold cash) that we can all touch and feel is critical to the health of any economy as it keeps the goods and services flowing more timely (i.e. paying with cash is always faster than paying with credit). One of the most obvious challenges with our economy is that we desperately need more “cold cash” money in relation to “digital” money.

On that note, I do not agree that a monetary society is rooted in corruption; although without the proper economic education any system is certainly unstable and prone to economic cycles. That being said, such unstable economic times are also times of great opportunity. For example, I would bet that Honolulu, through Dole and other export driven companies export most of the food that is produced on Honolulu (Oahu), while Honolulu imports the majority of the food they actually consume from far, far away places. Such an outrageously inefficient economic system of trade makes for great, great opportunity for Honolulu (see Dole being forced to sell underutilized land to more efficient users of such land at lower and lower prices). As national retailers like Dole become weaker and weaker, local distribution of the local produce will become more and more stable.

The same goes for energy, as a land’s renewable energy value is quantified by the natural air (i.e. wind), water (i.e. hydro) & light (i.e. solar) production in relation to its land mass. As a result, Hawaii has the greatest natural resources for renewable energy production in the world, yet continues to import oil to make electricity, paying for it on a daily basis, instead of investing in it once for the long-term. That being said, because of its natural resources, Hawaii has the distinct opportunity, along with other tropical islands, to go 100% renewable in very little time (say 52 weeks). In other words, it is feasible for Hawaii to be 100% renewably powered in 2010 . The residents, through their taxes and savings, need to invest in the renewable energy more than anything else. That means no more same-old “spending” on imported cement bridges and roads; but rather strategic “investing” in windmills (wooden?) and solar panels! And once you get renewable, you go fishing.

Or how about water? I would bet that the 2nd largest import by weight and of trash to Hawaii is bottled water (after oil). Now that is stupid and inefficient economics. In any case, if Hawaii better filtered and marketed its own beautiful water for drinking purposes, it would dramatically reduce the price and waste, while increasing the nutrition of its drinking water. What I am trying to say is that such profit opportunities readily exist to greatly improve our economy. Then everyone could go fishing and surfing.