• Superferry questions • Theft of banners ‘shameful’ • Love will bring them back •Imperfections of a “perfect union” Superferry questions Have the developers of the Superferry considered that the people of Kaua‘i might not even want to use the
• Superferry questions
• Theft of banners ‘shameful’
• Love will bring them back
•Imperfections of a “perfect union”
Superferry questions
Have the developers of the Superferry considered that the people of Kaua‘i might not even want to use the ferry for travel to O‘ahu? I have no desire to wait in line to get on a ferry that will travel at 25 knots across the Kaua‘i Channel when I can very easily get on a plane and fly there in about 20 minutes. It seems the trip is going to take three to four hours and then what about all of the days when there are high surf advisories? At this point, I can easily rent a car or take public transportation when I get to O‘ahu or Maui. With go! Airlines on the scene, we have competitive prices for inter-island travel. I doubt if the Superferry will be half price of what the current rates of air travel will be if they manage to get this project off the ground.
Why do we have to use taxpayer money ($37.5 million) to fund docking facilities for a private enterprise (the Superferry)? We could use that money to develop more public bus transportation, biking and walking trails.
Why have our elected officials neglected to require EIS and cultural assesments for this very controversial project? We already have highways on Kaua‘i which are crowded so why do we need more cars over here from O‘ahu?
O‘ahu is building a homeless population of epidemic proportions according to our governor, Linda Lingle. Having a ferry will make it very easy for folks from the neighboring islands to come over in vans and stay on Kaua‘i in our beach parks and backroad areas. They will add to the numbers of folks in the surfing spots, at picnic areas and in the inadequate restroom and shower facilities in our local parks.
It will be impossible to monitor every car and every person who comes to Kaua‘i. We will be at risk for invasive species, drugs and criminals if the Superferry comes to Kaua‘i. It will be very expensive to hire security personnel to police an operation of this size. Whales and marine creatures will be at risk from possible collisons with a vessel of this size. It is very important that we the public of Kaua‘i speak out and prevent this white elephant. King Kamehameha was never able to conquer Kaua‘i with his war canoes because the rough waters of the Kaua‘i Channel protected the island from invaders. I predict the Kaua‘i Channel will once again protect us and prevent the Superferry invasion.
- Michaelle Edwards
Hanalei
Theft of banners ‘shameful’
I just got home from a training ride for the upcoming Paradise Ride Kauai on July 15 and 16, Malama Pono’s fundraising event — a two-day, 130-mile bicycle ride to raise awareness and funds to help combat HIV/AIDS (www.paradiseridekauai.com). I was overwhelmed with what I saw. Someone has stolen the event banners in front of our office, in front of the historic County Building, and from the fence at King Auto Center. This was done to our banners while others remained untouched.
We worked with KIUC, who graciously donated the costs to produce the banners, and Malama Pono paid for the county permits. We used volunteers to assist in every aspect to get this project done and to build community awareness for this wonderful event, and we have been supported by the community in order to give back to the community.
I find these acts of theft shameful, selfish and hurtful, in that whoever is responsible has not only stolen from our small nonprofit — they have stolen from KIUC, they have stolen from the volunteers who dedicate their time to help us, and they have stolen from the Kaua‘i community.
While Malama Pono could not exist without the support of the community we serve, we do our work only to support the community. I say shame on anyone who seeks to undermine the efforts of those who strive to make a better place for all to live. The aloha spirit is one in which we all give to help each other, as we know not what life holds for us, including the possible need for anyone to walk into Malama Pono to get the assistance, free HIV or Hepatitis C testing, or emotional, nutritional or financial support they may need. Even for those who have stolen our banners.
- Jeff Demma
Interim Executive Director Malama Pono n Kauai AIDS Project
Love will bring them back
I read with sadness and anger the claims that more nurses are crossing the picket lines and returning to work. Nothing could be farther from the truth. What saddens me is the loss of excellent nurses who have resigned to take jobs elsewhere. When management uses terms like “A Nurse is a Nurse” it shows how little they respect our local nurses and our skills.
Many of us question whether we want to return to work for this management. However, we love our community and our jobs, so we will be back. With aloha…
Imperfections of a “perfect union”
It was great to finally see someone thank Mr. Feinstein for his July 4 letter. It is even better that the responder is a Vietnam veteran. As Mr. Ferguson pointed out, those who keep condemning Mr. Feinstein and The Garden Island are missing the point.
No place is perfect. What better time to expose the imperfections of this “perfect union” than on the day when everyone is focused on celebrating its birth? A true patriot is constantly striving to make their country better, which requires making an honest assessment of what is wrong. This is what Mr. Feinstein did. Whether or not he smoked pot is immaterial.
I applaud The Garden Island for printing the article. They did exactly the opposite of what one would have expected. They did not pander to the “feel good, get wrapped up in the flag” mentality.
Is it just a coincidence that of the four stanzas comprising the poem that our national anthem is taken from, only the first one is used, and that stanza is really just an extended question? To me, this most poignantly captures the fragility of this 230-year-old experiment. It is not strong and resolute — it is tentative, searching and unsure. Think about that next time you sing it, or the next time you want to shoot someone down for expressing concern about the country they love.
