Letters for Tuesday, November 20, 2007

• Commission decision applauded

• Yes, I smoke

• Dogs do nasty things

• Path to happiness

• Day of infamy?

Commission decision applauded

This letter was faxed to Kauai County commissioners:

To: Kauai Planning Commission

Re: Koloa Creekside Estates, L.P

Your recent decision to deny permitting to Koloa Creekside Estates project shows great judgment and thoughtful consideration to old Koloa town. We know development will continue in the future all across the width and breadth of Kaua‘i. What is needed is development that pays homage to the spirit, character and history of Kaua‘i’s towns and people. Not development out of scale with the time stamp and tradition that surrounds this island. Your charge is certainly not an easy task, but one your vision and judgment will allow you to accomplish.

Your action sends a clear message to those who would come here with the idea of making Kaua‘i over to fit their vision, an attitude that never should be tolerated.

As planning commissioners you are the stewards of the land and the voice of Kauaians. Your vision and judgment can create a place of continued beauty and a sense of spirit or, if led astray by pressure, can create an environment that visitors find disappointing for the changes made and residents mourn for their loss.

What is built now and in the future can never be reversed. Laura Freigang and I thank you for your continued diligence and appreciation for the soul of Kaua‘i.

Michial Freigang, Laura Freigang,

Koloa

Yes, I smoke

This is a letter long-time coming … but a very hard one to write (and I’m sure one that will draw a lot of rebuttal). You see, I am a bad person (at least that’s the vibes I get). I smoke. I have smoked for 40 years. For a person with a respectable IQ that sounds pretty silly, right? Have I tried to quit? Of course. Have I tried all the aids? Of course. But I came to the conclusion after all my efforts that I enjoy the benefits of smoking more than I fear the consequences.

But as smoking has become increasingly unpopular (and for good reason, I admit), I have been branded a pariah, someone to be looked down on. I live with this. Just one more good reason not to smoke. But I chose to. That is my legal right. No one else lives in my home that I have to worry about polluting their lungs (a definite downside on trying to quit — not much motivation from a loved one). When I am enjoying a sunset at the beach, I make sure no one is within breathing distance when I light up. And of course, when I am done, the butt goes back into the cigarette pack to be disposed of at home. Are all other smokers this considerate? If they were, we wouldn’ t have butts all over the place. I spent yesterday morning doing Adopt-A-Highway work picking up trash along the road outside of Waimea, and spent the majority of my time picking up butts. Just another reason to make people despise us. Yes smokers, we are sometimes our own worst enemies.

I know that public opinion will never improve on smoking (and probably shouldn’t), but the reason I am writing this letter is the lady who wants me to stop smoking on the beach.

Please get real.

Second-hand smoke danger from a cigarette 100 feet down the beach — with our tradewinds? If you have done your homework Ms. Smith, then you will know all smoke carries carcinogens. Should we ban bonfires, cookouts and barbecues so you don’t have to breathe any ‘second-hand’ smoke? Oh, and of course, they have non-smoking beaches in California. Maybe those of you who disapprove of smoking on the beach would be happier there — but I’m guessing you came from there in the first place.

Interesting.

I know smoking is very hard to defend these days, and I am glad to see the numbers of kids smoking plummeting. But some of us are old enough to remember that when we started, smoking was cool, and even encouraged. Give us a chance to be considerate and open your minds a little.

Susan Straight.

Waimea

Dogs do nasty things

“Auwe … what u no care?”

Some people seem to think it is OK to allow their dogs to use our beaches and bike path as a toilet. Friday morning I witnessed four dog owners over the short span of 15 minutes disregarding curbing etiquette at Kealia Beach and adjoining bike pathway.

Be aware the next time you decide to use our public areas as your private doggy toilet, you just might find a photograph of you and your lovable pooch “caught in the act” gracing our newspaper.

Not only is it a health concern, it’s simple common courtesy and respect for our ‘aina and those who care.

“I kea.”

Sophie Josselin,

Kapa‘a

Path to happiness

I totally endorse Peter Antonson’s letter (“Path is a wonderful thing,” Letters, Nov. 18) with regards to the bike path.

Those who bad-mouthed the plan as a “waste of taxpayer money” should now put on your walkin’ shoes and sample for yourself this magnificent and unique way to enjoy the breathtaking views of one of our most beautiful coastal areas.

I suffer from COPD (Chronic bronchitis and emphysema) and have found that I can negotiate the relative levelness of the path. And for myself, and many like me, find the roofed rest pavilions wonderful additions for a place to sit and rest.

In the past, as I sat and rested I would ask those passing how they felt about the new path. Not once did I get a negative reply … locals and visitors alike only gave kudos and beaming smiles.

Be proud Kaua‘i, for once again we “snookered” the other islands with an astonishing new concept of local innovative creativity. And special thanks to all who helped get this plan working … if you haven’t tried it … do so.

Paleka Smith,

Kapa‘a

Day of infamy?

I have a suggestion for the Superferry in regards to their arrival time on Kaua‘i.

After going to all this trouble of recruiting Honolulu legislative stooges who aided you in ignoring the state of Hawai‘i’s Supreme Court opinion, and retroactively helped change the law to circumvent a Maui judge’s opinion, I think it would be appropriate for you to land in our Kaua‘i harbor on Dec. 7.

Jim Holbrook,

Koloa