Letters for Friday, June 25, 2010

• Thanks to many from KPLT • Regarding election machines • Is there a noise ordinance? • Don’t use plastic golf tees

Thanks to many from KPLT

On behalf of the board of directors of the Kaua‘i Public Land Trust (KPLT), mahalo to Coco Zickos for her article in Sunday’s (6/6/10) TGI heralding the good news for all of Kaua‘i that funding has been secured to obtain the last ocean-front lot on Hanalei Bay for expansion of the adjacent county park (Black Pot Beach Park).

Thank you to the many collaborators who helped secure this funding:

1) Mr. John Hodge and family for their patience and generosity and community-mindedness in lowering the price;

2) Mayor Carvalho and his able team — Ms. Beth Tokioka, Mr. Gary Heu, along with Parks Director Mr. Lenny Rapozo;

3) Kaua‘i’s Open Space Commission;

4) The State Legacy Land Commission, with Kaua‘i representative Dr. Carl Berg;

5) Representatives Mina Morita and Cynthia Thielen who lobbied for the State funds for this project;

6) With a special spotlight on the County Council. Since 2005, every time KPLT went before the council seeking support of this project, they were welcoming, laudatory of KPLT’s efforts, and unanimously approved the requested funding or permission for KPLT to apply for outside funds;

7) Lastly, thanks to your hardworking KPLT board (President Bill  Chase, Louie Abrams, Walt Barnes, Barbara Robeson, JoAnn Yukimura, Diane Zachary), and Executive Director Jennifer Luck who guided this project to fruition.

Formal closure of the purchase is expected within the next several months. Meanwhile, we’re considering projects in Kekaha, Po‘ipu, Kalaheo, Nawiliwili, Kapa‘a, Kilauea and Princeville.

Donations to support KPLT’s work are always welcome, small, or large. Often our work includes pricey items like surveys, appraisals, closing costs, etc. Larger donations expand what we are able to do, but no amount is too small. Donations can be sent to KPLT, POB 562, Kilauea, HI 96754. Learn more about KPLT via our website at www.kauaipubliclandtrust.org or by e-mailing Jennifer@kauaipubliclandtrust.org or by phoning Bill @ 639-3509 or Gary @ 828-1438.

Aloha nui loa, malama pono.

Gary Blaich, M.D., KPLT board member

Regarding election machines

Regarding John Zwiebel’s letter regarding election machines (“Election machines,” June 21), I would like to correct a few misconceptions.

First of all, the person responsible for Kaua‘i elections is the County Clerk, Peter Nakamura. He along with the other county clerks work in conjunction with the Hawai‘i chief elections officer to accomplish the many functions required to conduct elections in the state. In other words, Kaua‘i doesn’t stand alone in the elections process, it is a partner in the effort of the entire state.

The selection of the Hart Intercivic system was made after a thorough evaluation of several manufacturers of voting equipment. The evaluation was conducted by a panel consisting of the four county clerks, the staff of the Hawai‘i State Elections Office, and members of the handicapped community. The evaluation concluded that Hart not only satisfied the needs of the state, but conformed to stringent federal requirements.

The potential for “flipping” votes has been the subject of a lawsuit (Babson v. Cronin) and has resulted in a change in administrative rules that govern the state election process. There has never been any evidence of “flipping” nor has any allegation of “flipping” been made.

The State Elections Office, the county clerks, and the State Elections Commission continue to monitor the elections  process with a view to providing the people of Hawai‘i with the very best and most efficient voting system. For further information, please go to hawaii.gov/elections.

William B. Marston, Chair, Hawai‘i State Elections Commission

Is there a noise ordinance?

Aloha Kaua‘i County Council.

I am writing today because I live on Kuhio Highway in Kapa‘a and am so tired of all the noise that is having a bad effect on my life and health.

Lack of sleep is one of my main complaints, coupled with medical problems that I am dealing with and want to know why if Kaua‘i has any type of noise ordinance it is not being enforced.

I hear motorcycles and cars daily that have either altered their exhaust systems so that you can hear them coming a mile away or have no exhaust systems at all. I hear music booming so loud that it rattles my windows.

Tell me why a police officer (even with his windows up, because he’s using his A/C) stopped in traffic directly behind one of these noisy vehicles will not make any attempt to ticket these vehicles?

I am one of those residents that thinks KPD’s finest does the best they can with the resources and amount of staff per district they have; however there needs to be improvement in curtailing all the daily noise that occurs on our streets.

Yes, the simplest solution would be to move. But that is difficult to do when you are locked in a lease with your landlord.

Francine M. Grace, Kapa‘a

Don’t use plastic golf tees

Golfers — please do not use plastic tees when teeing up the ball. Here are three reasons: first, plastic tees will dent your driver (just ask pro golfer Bob Murphy); second, plastic tees never decompose; third, plastic tees do break into smaller pieces that birds find edible, and when floating in lakes or the ocean, fish eat them, and both birds and fish die.

Wood tees decompose and are better for the environment.

Thanks.

Doug Henry, Kalaheo