• Lament for Tutu Sarah • Crisis on Kaua‘i • Kamalani bridge Lament for Tutu Sarah It is with a heavy and deeply troubled heart that I write this remembrance of my grandmother Sarah Ke‘ala Mapuana Malina Kailikea, who we
• Lament for Tutu Sarah
• Crisis on Kaua‘i
• Kamalani bridge
Lament for Tutu Sarah
It is with a heavy and deeply troubled heart that I write this remembrance of my grandmother Sarah Ke‘ala Mapuana Malina Kailikea, who we were told had passed away on Wednesday, Feb. 25. I am just one of hundreds of relatives and friends who are mourning over tutu Sarah, a noted chanter and expert on the lore of Kaua‘i. Dynamic, vibrant and vivacious, she would light up the room when she walked in. There was no other who could raise the hair on the back of one’s neck when she chanted because she chanted from her soul, her gut, her na‘au.
Her accomplishments were many. A very creative person, she was often called upon for her expertise in producing and directing Hawaiian pageants and organizing Aloha Week Parades. Totally devoted to saving the magnificent Banyan tree that graces the ‘aina (land) back of her property, she has so far been successful in her quest because of years of persistent lobbying by her and others who appreciate exceptional trees.
She was strong in character and could be very direct. If you asked her a question, grandma Sarah would always give you her truthful and honest opinion. Because tutu Sarah’s warm heart was open to all, she was so beloved.
Honey Justman
‘Aiea
Crisis on Kaua‘i
As you know Kaua‘i has a home rental crisis
1. Most available rentals, which are few are priced too high for Kaua‘i residents.
2. This crisis has been around since the 1990’s and NOTHING IS BEING DONE ABOUT IT.
3. There has been lots of “talk” but
4. No plan to relieve this situation.
5. Kaua‘i’s County Council must take some important moves to help Kaua‘i residents.
(a) Place “CAPS” on all home rentals
(b) Make all rental units exclusive for Kaua‘i RESIDENTS
(c) Place a four-year BAN on all current Tourist rentals. All rentals are to be exclusive for Kaua‘i residents.
(d) As Tourists vacate current rentals, these homes must be made exclusively Available to Kaua‘i residents.
Perhaps you are unaware that:
1. Placing “CAPS” on RENTS is O.K. (legal)
2. Rolling current Rents (prices) lower is O.K. (legal)
3. Rolling Rent cost back to average 1998 Rents is O.K. (legal)
(Make sure Rental owners get prime tax breaks for any loss of income).
SO WHY HAVEN’T YOU DONE THIS?
4. MAKE RENTAL UNITS AVAILABLE EXCLUSIVELY for Kaua‘i Residents for an unspecified time period.
5. Place a four-year BAN on ALL current Tourist Rentals. As Tourists leave units And houses are rented to Kaua‘i families at 1999 prices.
6. DO THIS TODAY!
Please stay in session until it’s DONE
Kaua‘i’s population voted you in…!? IT IS TIME YOU SAID THANK YOU, by fixing Kaua‘i’s rental mess.
Peggy Field
Kapa‘a
Kamalani bridge
The county took absolutely the right action by blocking vehicular beach access at Kamalani (The Garden Island, Feb. 25). The original plan for the children’s playground did not intend to create a road for trucks to drive onto the beach. With limited exception, Kaua‘i’s beaches are off-limits to cars and trucks. While walking the beach I have often seen ATVs and 4-wheel drive trucks touring the beach, sometimes at high speed. They endanger people legitimately using the beach, and wildlife, such as monk seals. After many weekends, vast areas of sand are so rutted they resemble the aftermath of a monster truck rally or a motocross event. But speed is not the main issue; non of these vehicles should be on the beach in the first place. The county already provides parking adjacent to the beach at Kamalani and nearby Lydgate Park. The beach is just steps away from these parking sites. It is not too much to ask that the trucks be parked in the designated areas, instead of spoiling the beach experience for everyone else. Most of the drivers of these trucks appear to be healthy young men fully capable of carrying their gear the short remaining distance onto the beach without the assistance of a gas-powered machine.
I have been visiting the island since the early 1960’s and am now a part-time resident. I have discussed the abuse-of-access issue with county, state and federal representatives. They acknowledge the problem, but have scant resources to enforce existing laws. The proliferation of 4-wheel drive vehicles has created a problem that did not exist before. If local government does not intervene, this selfish behavior will increasingly spoil all accessible beaches, a precious community resource. Since our government cannot monitor these large areas, the use of the boulder barriers is a logical and cost-effective means of preventing vehicular trespassing on the beach.
Only a few of the drivers on the beach are there to fish. The responsible fisherman is unfortunately hurt by the ill actions of others; but vehicular access cannot be selectively opened. However, Kauaians have been fishing on the beach since long before 4-wheel drive vehicles became popular. The availability of 4-wheel drives does not mean that they also have to be allowed onto the beach.
Blocking the Kamalani underpass is a thoughtful beginning to protect the beach, avoid a tragic accident, and enforce existing laws. The state and county should continue to block illegal vehicular access at Kamalani. And a route south of the golf course, that has allowed trucks to trash Nukoli‘i beach and damage the vegetation above it, should also be blocked.
Nicholas Blonder
Wailua
