•Slow down, Westside •Coco Palms in decay •Clean living, clean beach Slow down, Westside Speeding motorists and motorcycle riders from PMRF zoom by us as we pass the Kekaha Park and lifeguard station around 4 p.m. as we return from
•Slow down, Westside
•Coco Palms in decay
•Clean living, clean beach
Slow down, Westside
Speeding motorists and motorcycle riders from PMRF zoom by us as we pass the Kekaha Park and lifeguard station around 4 p.m. as we return from a peaceful day at the beach.
At 50 miles per hour, we are either tailgated or people speed past us endangering beachgoers and other motorists in their rush to get somewhere yesterday.
The speed limit (50 mph) is way too fast by the park and lifeguard tower. This is a beach and recreation area with people and children loading and unloading stuff while vehicles speed by just a few feet away.
The speed limit should be lowered to 35 mph at the bridge by the first ditch and a police officer should be stationed by the second ditch with a radar gun. And to the motorcyclist who flies be me when we’re doing 50, I hope we don’t have to have an accident before corrective measures are taken.
Obey the laws and have a safe and happy day.
Kawika Moki, Kekaha
Coco Palms in decay
The owners of Coco Palms have not been good custodians, and it has become a metaphor of decay. The Planning Commission should deny the permit extension.
I believe that if Mrs. Guslander was alive today and in charge of the grounds, the lagoons and the coconut grove would be in pristine condition. There was an innate sense of responsibility of the people who live on this island that they take care of Kaua‘i, especially the sacred and historical area of Wailua where the Coco Palms is situated.
This is my vision: Turn the Coco Palms site into a park.
What I would do with this park is restore the Elvis Presley cottage (King’s Cottage) and other selected rooms as museum pieces. I would restore the restaurant on the grounds. All of the revenue collected to visit the site would go to maintain the park. I would bring Mrs. Guslander’s museum back to Coco Palms, which is now held in trust at the Kaua‘i Historical Society. Have KHS headquartered there and curate the museum. I would have the Queen’s Audience Hall restored for meetings, Hawaiian classes, banquets, etcetera. I would open up the Seashell Restaurant across the street with an overpass.
I believe that the idea of hotels and condominiums have come and gone on the Coco Palms grounds. The land at Coco Palms needs to breathe again.
What I foresee is Santa Claus in a canoe coming down the lagoon at Christmas as before. The Easter Bunny and Easter egg hunt for the children once again a yearly tradition. The Lion’s Club contest fishing for tilapia for the children of Kaua‘i. The Queen Deborah Kapule celebration in August. The torch lighting and tree planting ceremony. The same events as when Mrs. Guslander lived at Coco Palms.
I would charge for the events so as to maintain the site. Coco Palms could be known around the world as a unique spot for people to come and visit where the spirit of Hawai‘i still lives.
Kaua‘i has always been known as the separate kingdom. This island and its people have always been different and independent. We need to own and cherish our specialness. We need to be proud that we are privileged to live on the Garden Island.
The Wailua area is probably the most sacred spot in all the Hawaiian Islands. There are seven heiau that go all the way up to Mt. Waialeale. And, we need to honor and protect our ancient heritage.
I believe that the time for a hotel — a big, cement edifice fronting the ocean — is gone. I see a return to traditions. Larry Rivera will still have his weddings; on Elvis Presley’s birthday, Larry can recreate Elvis in Blue Hawaii coming down the lagoon in a canoe.
Knowing how Elvis is connected to Hawai‘i and Kaua‘i, it could become a known worldwide event on this island. The bottom line: having Coco Palms as a park using part of it for authentic Hawaiian traditions and another part as Grace Guslander’s vision, I believe, would bring in a constant source of revenue to our island and steady employment for our local residents.
It is visionary idea that includes everyone who loves and lives on Kauai and also includes everyone who visits our island yearly as our guests. A park concept is not an exclusive concept; it is an inclusive concept. It is a concept of aloha.
David Penhallow, Lihu‘e
Clean living, clean beach
Mahalo to the people that make it happen: The clients, staff and alumni of the Kaua‘i Drug Court cleaned the beautiful Hanama‘ulu Beach Park on Friday.
We are participating in the Adopt-a-Beach program, thanks to Mr. Eddie Sarita. From the top of the road to the end of the beach, we picked up many bags of rubbish, tires and a ping pong table. We did not paint because there was no graffiti to be found.
Mahalo to the Friends of the Kaua‘i Drug Court who provided funds for tools and refreshments, and mahalo to their major sponsors, the Kaua‘i United Way and the Visitor Industry Charity Walk.
We raked the sand, fed the ducks, and enjoyed giving back to the community. Thank you all for your continued support.
Alton G. Amimoto, Drug Court administrator, Lihu‘e
