• Hard to go green • Lots of election questions • KCC students left hanging
Hard to go green
Since President Carter’s administration — way back in the 1970s — the federal government has taken many steps to reduce the reliance on foreign oil and to reduce pollution. In 2001 a federal electric bicycle law was enacted which amended the Consumer Product Safety Act and stated that: “An electrically driven ‘bicycle’ must be considered as a bicycle if it has less than a 750 watt motor, has functional pedals, and has a maximum speed of less than 20 mph.” It also states that federal law shall supersede any state law or requirement with respect to low-speed electric bicycles.
Well, trying to do the right thing, I went to the registration department of the County of Kaua‘i on June 30, 2010 to obtain a license for my 15-speed bike and for the electric bike/scooter and I gave them a copy of the federal law. I received the license for the 15-speed bike and I was asked to bring in more information on the electric bike/scooter. The next week I brought in the owner’s manual for the electric which showed that it had a motor under 750 watts, it had pedals and its maximum speed was 15 mph (the electric bike dealer said the actual was 13 and you would probably have to help by pedaling up any steep hill). I also talked with the supervisor who handled vehicles and mopeds and he was excellent and later informed me that it could not be registered as a moped. At this point I should mention that the scooter is bright orange, has lights, turn signals, horn, etc. It is better looking than a Vespa, but, with its slow speed, it is what Texan’s would call “All hat and no cattle.” But it is fine for the relative flat of Princeville.
When I brought in the owner’s manual, I was told that they would check with Honolulu. On my third trip in I was told that I would have to bring in the bicycle or a rubbing of the manufacturer’s number. Since the number was not raised and since the electric bike was too heavy (125 pounds) and too big to put in my Corolla, I took overall pictures of the bike and zoomed in on the manufacturer’s number. On my forth visit I took in the pictures and was advised by the supervisor whose duties also covered the licensing of bicycles, that, under state law, bicycles needed to be human powered. So much for: “The federal law shall supersede any state law or requirement with respect to low-speed bicycles.”
In fairness, I need to add that during these four visits, everyone I talked with was very courteous and professional. So, if while jogging or biking and you quickly pass by an orange bike/scooter please wave and wish me luck.
Joe Frisinger, Princeville
Lots of election questions
The season for political-posturing is as heavy and humid as our sultry summer days. Perhaps it may be best for all of our candidates (incumbents and challengers) to be cognizant of the following: A wave of disillusionment is sweeping the nation. There is strong indication that those who have been “in charge” should not rest on the laurels of being a “familiar name brand” that voters will automatically support. People are looking for substance. People are wary of hidden agendas. People are disillusioned about bureaucratic strangleholds. People can easily access information that was once previously difficult to obtain. People are assessing the qualifications of all of the candidates and checking out what each candidate has to offer in terms of ideas, approaches, accountability and integrity.
All of the candidates are under scrutiny. Their campaign rhetoric is being analyzed. Their manner and style in reaching their constituency is being discussed and compared. Their points and counterpoints are being carefully weighed and considered as the public wants to know — who will make the difference, who will really “deliver,” and who is really listening to us, the public? Will the outcomes be “business as usual” or will there be a rejection of the past? Will there be a mixture of the reliable and the familiar along with new faces and fresh ideas?
It will be interesting to see who prevails in this year’s election.
Jose Bulatao Jr., Kekaha
KCC students left hanging
With the fall semester quickly approaching, the financial aid office at KCC (Kaua‘i Community College) has been rendered useless. The director of said office has been granted time off until August 9, four days prior to the earliest disbursement date of financial aid funds. Any student who has yet to receive any information regarding the award that are being offered to them are being left hanging on a string not knowing if their enrollment for fall is guaranteed. I am one of those students and this uneasy feeling is completely unacceptable. I have contacted the office and have been told that no awarding will be done until the director returns. That gives him at least four days to award however many students that are still waiting. The financial aid process alone at KCC has been grueling, something that I never experienced at my previous university. I can only imagine being a fresh-out-of-high-school student and trying to deal with all of this confusion.
Why would someone who is in charge of a critical office at a college be granted time off during a crucial time? Why was his work not delegated prior? I have only heard horrific things about this director from every single student that I have spoken to and from his subordinates. I have also contacted the chancellor for answers and have yet to receive any. The lack of professionalism at KCC that I am experiencing is astonishing.
Wilbur Parubrub, Kalaheo
