• Getting retirement run-around • Make prisoners clean up trash • Is Hawai‘i a state in U.S.? • Give back, demand leadership Getting retirement run-around On Tuesday, May 11, Kaua‘i Garden Island newspaper ran an article headlined “More island residents
• Getting retirement run-around • Make prisoners clean up trash • Is Hawai‘i a state in U.S.? • Give back, demand leadership
Getting retirement run-around
On Tuesday, May 11, Kaua‘i Garden Island newspaper ran an article headlined “More island residents retiring early.” I’m curious, of the 9,612 who filed for benefits in 2009, how many are receiving them?
In advance of my anticipated retirement from self-employment as a massage therapist at age 62, July 15, 2009, I inquired about the procedure and was told I must earn less than $14,160 annually or $1,180 per month. I protested that my birthday wasn’t ‘til July and was told my income would be counted from January 2009.
I applied for benefits April 1, 2009.
On June 1, a letter was sent stating that my application had been approved and that “we cannot pay you because of your work and that I had estimated that I would earn $999,999.00 in 2009.” (!)
On June 7, 2009, I filed a request for reconsideration correcting what I assumed was a typographical error on the part of Social Security and reporting my accurate first-quarter income.
I discovered that the income limit is $14,160/yr AND $1,180/mo. and I must work less than 45 hours a month.
On October 21, 2009, a request was mailed for original records of my earnings 8/2009-10/2009. I obtained these from the library and submitted them 10/26/09.
On March 8, 2010, a request was mailed for me to submit my 2009 federal tax return, which I did on March 15, 2010. In the same letter I was told that my request for reconsideration (6/7/09) “had been dismissed because an initial determination had not been made on the issue resolved.”
Please know that since June 7, 2009, I have visited and/or telephoned at least monthly to inquire about the progress of my application to receive early-retirement benefits from Social Security.
Anne Rogers De Anda, Kapa‘a
Make prisoners clean up trash
Trash on the island is increasingly becoming an problem on Kaua‘i, and of all the problems these days at least this is a fixable one.
Yet, it seems the county cares more about what dogs are dumping than humans! This problem needs to be put on the top of their “to do” lists immediately. Charging a fee to dump will only increase illegal dumping. We also cannot solely depend on the kind-hearted few that volunteer their time to pick up trash.
I suggest using prisoners to clean up frequent illegal dump zones and trashy highways. Instead of playing volleyball and gardening, they can actually help the island and learn a valuable lesson at the same time. I grew up on Kaua‘i and the “KCCC Hotel and resort” has been the butt of many jokes throughout the years, any Kauaian can verify. Is there a reason why Kaua‘i is hesitant to utilize their prisoner workforce? It takes a special type of person to dump trash on this beautiful island. In the end, I bet the same people locked up are the same people trashing the island in the first place!
Let’s see some orange!
Jean Lennon, Kalaheo
Is Hawai‘i a state in U.S.?
Why are so-called “birthers” or other persons adamant about issues surrounding Obama’s (Department of Health, state of Hawai‘i) birth certificate? I have heard it indirectly mentioned that one of three steps in Hawai‘i’s statehood processes was “skipped.” Could there be a legal technicality? The one skipped process in Hawai‘i’s statehood bidding would indicate we are not a state in the union, never have been, and thus, Obama is not a U.S. citizen, and is not eligible for presidency status? Consider that maybe those born and raised here are also in the same position and would be considered illegal aliens or treated similarly as America is currently manifesting with typical past movement that only America is known for — overthrowing the Hawaiian monarchy, pushing back native Indians, pushing back the Mexican population. Let’s see, I suppose Hawaiians could be deported to Ni‘ihau, where similar borders exist and have been in place between a private family. They control and operate a closed-door policy with Hawaiians-only, “native” imposed lifestyle. I am suspect of their concept, and my visual analogy, monkeys in a zoo.
Debra Kekaualua, Kapa‘a
Give back, demand leadership
The prices farmers pay for seed have increased 146 percent since 1999. Sixty-four percent of the increase has occurred in the last three years. Kaua‘i is rich in land but its people eat poorly. Food is tainted with chemicals while the companies responsible are applauded. Plastic is being ingested by most marine mammals and fish as their numbers diminish by over fishing. Oil will soon be drenching the planet’s shore killing life in the sea and on shore. The military is doing more harm than reasonably justified while planetary citizens bow before Mother Nature in shame and hopelessness. Rebelliousness against authority increases with feelings of helplessness, so now is a good time to align yourself with those that care for our future, not for profit but for future generations. I ask each who read my letter to re-evaluate your talents, rediscover your creative passion and be deliberate in your actions to give back and demand leadership where there is none. We are all in this together.
Diana LaBedz, Kekaha
