NAWILIWILI — The question of whether the county should allow dogs on the shared-use path has carried on for several months, stirring the community, who gave impassioned testimony. Flying under the radar, a soft-spoken kupuna from the Westside touched the
NAWILIWILI — The question of whether the county should allow dogs on the shared-use path has carried on for several months, stirring the community, who gave impassioned testimony. Flying under the radar, a soft-spoken kupuna from the Westside touched the issue with new perspective on Wednesday.
“Aloha Kakahiaka from ‘Ele‘ele,” Jerry Kaluna said, introducing himself to the Kaua‘i County Council with a friendly smile.
Kaluna’s position on the issue remained unclear. He said he loves animals. “They have a place in our hearts; they bring us joy.” But at the same time he brought forward another issue that the path has surfaced — the price the island has to pay for progress.
“You’ll find progress takes away what people love about Hawai‘i: our aloha, our spirit, our land, our ocean, our mountains.”
Kaluna said when council members were still “too young” to remember, the county Planning Commission made provisions on new building structures, allowing views of the ocean and the mountains.
“I’m only here speaking as a kupuna,” Kaluna said, humbly. But Council Chair Kaipo Asing told everyone that Kaluna used to be a county engineer, who back in the day oversaw the counties’ many parks.
“I’m looking at these young people with desire and vision,” said Kaluna, adding that he wanted to remind them their parents tried to “keep as much of it as possible.”
Apparently speaking of Councilman Derek Kawakami, Kaluna pointed to “the young man sitting on the corner,” and said he knew his parents well. “They’re Hawaiians at heart.”
Kawakami said the issue is “all part of growing pains, because, believe it or not, it’s still a form of development.”
“Before we had this bike path, it was an old cane road, where you could do whatever you wanted — ride your horse, walk your dog, walk your cat, walk your pig, litter, leave the dog doodoo — and it was just wild,” Kawakami said.
It had been a long day of contrasting testimony from both sides of the dog-path issue. While Kawakami spoke, however, someone in the audience whispered “it’s true,” showing that despite what would’ve been decided that afternoon, there remained some contempt for what has been lost.
Smart growth principles require changes, Kawakami said. Many community members said in the Mainland the majority of paths allow leashed dogs, but development is already in place there. On Kaua‘i it’s a relatively new concept, he said.
Kaluna said he saw the path as something good for the tourists and locals. But he also told council members that the community on the Westside does not want development and is ready to fight against it. (See related story.)
“We’re natural beauty that’s remaining on the island,” Kaluna said of the Westside. “On the other side it’s changing, all the way to Hanalei.”
Kaluna was allowed by Parks and Transportation Committee Chair Lani Kawahara to wear his fedora hat during his testimony. The county attorney said that normally, public is not allowed to wear hats during testimony.
Kawahara asked other council members if they objected, and Councilman Jay Furfaro said the attire is acceptable on the island.
“I’m so glad that you represent senior citizens,” Kaluna said.
“Very seldom do we get to come to a hearing, and talk about the history, what happened, and what we’re doing and where we’re going,” he said.
“I just want to give my mana’o; just remember I’m a kupuna,” said Kaluna, before quietly departing.
