About James

A veteran, I used the GI Bill to be the first person in my family to graduate from college.

I am married to Elizabeth Lyman Stouse Weatherford. Elizabeth and I were Peace Corps Volunteers in the Philippines 1978-1980.
Our children are ages 30, 28, and 25. We reside in Hawaiian Paradise Park and have a farm in Pahoa.

My work experience over 30 years includes farming, agricultural research and extension, rural development, economic analysis, mass transit policy, and teaching college and high school economics.

As a volunteer, I have contributed to agriculture, community development, and resource management planning projects with Council action items.

As a private citizen, I initiated investigation of Sunshine Law violations associated with the 2009 Council reorganization. I also led community efforts to defeat a flawed proposal for an expensive garbage incinerator.

I am independent. I have never accepted any private campaign contributions.

My senior-level public service experience and volunteer contributions to community planning, as well as my ability to influence policy as a private citizen, demonstrate that I understand what needs doing and I know how to do it.

I will work on the County Council for: government that is open, accessible, responsive, and accountable; infrastructure and services to strengthen Puna’s economy; and creation of opportunities to grow our island’s agriculture.

This is a brief outline of education and experience

Education

PhD:

Agricultural Economics (Policy), University of Tennessee,  Knoxville, Tennessee

MS:

Agriculture (Marketing), Murray State University, Murray, Kentucky

BS:

Agriculture (Economics) [first major], Political Science (Public Administration) [second major], Murray State University, Murray, Kentucky

Experience

Policy, Economics, Research

Legislative Assistant

Hawaii County Council, Hilo, Hawaii

Researcher

College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources (CTAHR)

University of Hawaii, Honolulu, Hawaii

Policy Analyst

Passenger Transport Board (PTB)

South Australia State Government, Adelaide, South Australia

Research Economist

South Australia Center for Economic Studies (SACES)

University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia

Economist for Policy and Planning

Primary Industries and Resources (PIRSA)

South Australia State Government, Adelaide, South Australia

Teaching, Extension

Part-time / Temporary Teaching in Hawaii

  • University of Hawaii-Hilo
  • Hawaii Community College
  • Chaminade University
  • Trans Pacific Hawaii College
  • Kamehameha Schools
  • Kulani Correctional Center

Lecturer

Muresk Institute of Agriculture, Curtin University of Technology, Perth, Western Australia

Assistant Professor

Department of Agricultural Sciences, Louisiana Tech University, Ruston, Louisiana

Extension Agent

Agricultural Extension Service, University of Tennessee, Lewis County Office, Hohenwald, Tennessee

Agricultural Advisor

US Peace Corps, Mindanao, Philippines

Military

Radioman

US Navy, Pacific Fleet

++++

Upon discharge from the U.S. Navy on Oahu in 1974, I determined to stay in the Hawaiian Islands.

Most of the next year, I camped in Kalapana.

Life – education, family, work, adventure – took me away from Hawaii and to other places. Still, I remained forever aware of and grateful for what Kalapana had done for me.

Twenty-five years later, upon returning to Hawaii Island, sitting at the black sand beach at Punalu`u, I wrote the following.

Aloha O Kalapana

Aloha O Kalapana,
Sweet Paradise by the sea.

Aloha O Kalapana,
You were a friend to me.

I slept beneath your swaying palms;
With you, I read Proverbs and Psalms.

You were my spiritual birthplace.
In your beauty, I saw God’s face.

You showed me life could be much more.
I first knew happiness in my time on your shore.

At your bosom, I learned to live.
The blessings you gave me, to the world I’d like to give.

Far and distant, I wandered ‘way from you;
Far from your breeze so soft and sea so blue.

When I was young, you gave me refuge after war.
When I returned old, your palm trees stood no more.

Evermore I thought you would be there,
And I would return to say I care.

Aloha O Kalapana,
Now ‘neath Pele’s gift you lay.

Aloha O Kalapana,
“I love you”, is what I wanted to say.

Aloha O Kalapana

Follow

Get every new post delivered to your Inbox.