• Living without fear • Yes to Go-Karts-Kaua‘i Living without fear The recent local headlines have been disturbing for Kaua‘i residents as evidenced with the coconut wireless stories that contain horrifying facts and even more disturbing rumors. The senseless murder
• Living without fear • Yes to Go-Karts-Kaua‘i
Living without fear
The recent local headlines have been disturbing for Kaua‘i residents as evidenced with the coconut wireless stories that contain horrifying facts and even more disturbing rumors. The senseless murder of Amber Jackson has residents locking their doors and altering normal activities; the newspaper article stated that several community members said they don’t intend to let their daughters stay out late or their wives go by themselves in less-than-public places. These are normal protective responses, no one would disagree that taking prudent preventative steps is common sense, and it is also heartbreaking and maddening that once again, it will be women and girls who must limit their freedom and change their behavior even further because of another act of violence against an innocent woman.
Thankfully, we don’t see headlines of deadly violence on Kaua‘i that often, it’s still not the “norm” here. Yet, why are people, and especially women, so terrified that what happened to Amber Jackson could also happen to them? The simple answer is gender, and the ongoing violence perpetrated against women and girls around the world on a daily basis. If the victim had been a male, would men limit their normal behaviors to the same degree or be that fearful that they could be the next victim? When there are headlines regarding deadly violent acts here on Kaua’i … the victims are usually which gender? Female. Who would be more likely to carry pepper spray or some other item around with them for self-protection? Women. Who has since early childhood been told over and over again that they are responsible to keep themselves safe by acting a certain way; not going out alone in the dark, don’t live alone, dress a certain way, be “ladylike”, etc.? Young girls.
What does safety mean from the viewpoint of being a female? Is it different than a male’s viewpoint of safety? Absolutely, it’s different. Think about this scenario; a woman is physically and sexually assaulted while walking to her car in a parking lot. Society in general wants to know this; was she alone, what was she wearing, did she scream and fight back, was she parked far away from everyone else? Unless a woman in this situation has all the “right” answers to these questions, then some of the “blame” for this crime may be hers. If the scenario is changed, and the victim is male, do we ask the same questions? Do men have to adhere to the same restrictions and guidelines that women are expected to for their own personal safety? We think not and we object to the requirements placed on women and girls in order to live daily life in relative safety. We also object to the ideal that if women and girls would just do a little more to protect themselves, less harm would come to them, these are not solutions.
Women and girls should be able to live their lives without additional burdens and fears. Very sadly, it’s too late for Amber Jackson, join with us in demanding a new “norm,” fully free and unrestricted to be the wonderful women and girls that we are!
Renae Hamilton, Executive director, YWCA Kaua‘i
Emiko Meyers, Board president
Yes to Go-Karts-Kaua‘i
Thank you to Kathy and Randie Peters and to Dr. Ka‘aani and Paul Blackwell for expressing your thoughts concerning the proposed Kaua‘i go-cart facility at the New Cannery on Kawaihau Road.
Mr. Jay Outzen also shares the community concern about noise control and traffic. Thus far three separate sound tests have been completed with an older noisier cart than the newer quieter ones that will be used. Decibel readings have been conducted directly across the street from the proposed track. At that location general traffic noise registers higher than that created by the go-carts.
Kawaihau Road is the main traffic artery for the Kealia area, and as such carries a substantial amount of traffic. The track will add only minimally to what already exists.
There were concerns expressed about vagrant types hanging out, boom boxes, drugs, etc. Normally those activities would more likely exist where there is no adult supervision. Jay cannot afford the perception that such activities prevail at his business and simply will not allow it.
A beautiful feature of Kaua‘i is the communities concern for the youth, and endeavoring to improve opportunities for future generations. Jay shares this concern. He is planning to have small engine training for young people as part of his business plan and the Cannery’s proximity to Kapa‘a High School and Kapa‘a Middle School is advantageous. There will be safety training instruction. And yes, the track will provide an additional positive fun activity (for both the young and old). Another tenant will be providing beginning wood shop training for middle and high school students. The existing sandwich shop, convenience store and fuel mart will complement Jay’s clients.
In the interest of full disclosure, I will point out that my wife, Janis, and I are proprietors of the “New Cannery”, and of course we have a vested interest in the success of Jay’s business. We are 31 year residents of Kaua‘i and we have been blessed with two sons, five grandchildren, and seven great-grandchildren, all living here, and they will be living here long after we are gone. We are very interested in being good citizens of this community. Our goal is to leave this beautiful place better than it was when we found it. In the past our businesses have provided employment to hundreds of Kaua‘i residents and we hope to continue to do so in the future.
Russell Boyer, Kapa‘a
