• Money splits island • Malcome, my friend, here’s to you • Program enriching for grandson
Money splits island
Thursday’s Garden Island said, “Dairy suit splits island.” If one surveys the letters with regard to the dairy, it seems that the majority of letter writers are opposed to the diary. It also seems that those who are not opposed to the dairy have a monetary interest in having it here. Why are we letting the almighty U.S. dollar determine what we do on our island? It seems like monetary interests (e.g. those wanting to use pesticides on the Westside) are the ruling class. What about the rest of us? How will we leave the island for our children?
One might also point out that the residents on the island of Kauai got along well without cow’s milk for years. It seems that cow’s milk is not a necessity to good health. Let’s use our ag lands to grow native foods. They may not make the big investors rich, but they may keep us healthy and preserve the environment in a more natural state.
Finally, a suggestion to our council members who say they want to encourage food self-sufficiency on our island. We need a food plant that meets exporting requirements so that we can preserve and/or export excess organic foods that we grow: breadfruit, lichee, longon, papaya, and poi come to mind. In its early stages, a vital farming industry needs to become economically viable so that it can then balance to the actual food uses of the community.
Marjorie Gifford
Princeville
Malcome, my friend, here’s to you
On Friday, July 18, I said my final farewell to a very good friend, Malcome Rodriigues. I first met Malcome 25 years ago, after my move here from the Mainland, as a coworker at the Hilton. We would gather with other colleagues after work and enjoy a few cold beers. I quickly was drawn to Malcome’s hilarious sense of humor.
Malcome, Wes Kawagishi, another Hilton coworker, and I soon became regular golfing buddies. The three of us went on a weekend golf vacation to the Big Island. Kauai had been destroyed by Iniki a few months earlier and we all needed a break.
Malcome never “lost it” on the golf course. He embraced every minute, every beer, every par, every bogey, every birdie. I never did beat Malcolm. He was straight and steady. I was long and all over the course. I loved my golf outings with Malcome. Family and friends of mine that met him loved him. He had charisma and charm in spades.
It was a few years later that I had heard from a few of his lifelong friends that Malcolm was a Vietnam War veteran. Malcome never spoke of his experiences during that war. It turns out that Malcome was a tunnel rat. He was the smallest guy in his platoon and was chosen as the guy that had to crawl into the dark, narrow tunnels to seek out and destroy the enemy. Can you imagine the courage required to do something like that? I came to admire Malcome even more, not just a friend but also a hero.
A few years passed, careers changed, schedules changed and Malcome and I stopped our regular golf outings. A couple of years ago, I had heard that Malcome had fallen ill.
On Veterans Day that year I called him. We spoke about old times, laughed at each, made small talk. I wanted to thank Malcome for his service and sacrifice he made for this country. I told him how proud I was to have him as a true friend, a friend for life. I’m glad I made that call. RIP Malcome, and save me a cold one.
Bernard Verkaaik
Kapaa
Program enriching for grandson
I am writing to thank the county for offering the summer enrichment program for the kids. My grandson just loves the program. He enjoys it so much that he asks that we not pick him up so early. He tells us about the daily activities, the various excursions and the new friends he has made using this program. Every day he has a new story to share with us. I cannot imagine what we would have done if not for such a program.
Growing up, we had summer fun. Now with the enrichment program, it’s much more planned and developed for the kids of the various ages with activities that allow the different age groups to enjoy the summer by being active and not staying at home.
Thank you Mayor Carvalho and the Parks and Recreation Department for making it a great summer for my grandson.
Roy Morita
Lihue
