• Confused over council action on ag bills • Friendship Force fundraiser fabulous • More on the ‘H-word’ • Allow cars to be dumped at Kekaha Confused over council action on ag bills Maybe I am confused and with my
• Confused over council action on ag bills • Friendship Force fundraiser fabulous • More on the ‘H-word’ • Allow cars to be dumped at Kekaha
Confused over council action on ag bills
Maybe I am confused and with my deepest respect for our council members, I would like some clarification. My impression was that the design and point of the bills the council recently voted against (“Council kills ag-land bills on first reading,” Aug. 28) were to protect the agricultural lands on Kaua‘i for the future. I thought the density restriction was not meant to harm farmers, but to prevent developers and/or individuals who come to Kaua‘i with lots of cash and who want to buy our precious agricultural land, not to be farmers, but to build large homes on their land or to subdivide and sell smaller parcels with the intention of only building residences, not farms. I thought the restriction on home size was meant to discourage these buyers who want to build their large residences on a large piece of land.
Repeatedly, we also see agricultural lands being sold to developers because the seller can get more money for the land. I understand the desire to secure the highest price possible, but is this the best use of the land? I also thought these bills would help keep farm land prices from escalating out of the reach of those who want to farm, as developers or speculators typically offer much-larger sums for the potential of that land in the residential market.
So, I understand all the arguments reported in today’s article in The Garden Island newspaper, but I thought those same bills were designed to address all of those concerns expressed.
Mahalo for listening.
Mary Navarro, Kapa‘a
Friendship Force fundraiser fabulous
On Sunday, August 15, the Friendship Force of Kaua‘i held a “Tea in the Rainforest” fundraiser.
It was a fantastic afternoon thanks to the many members who contributed their time and energy into making it a success.
Mahalo to the event coordinator, Gisele Shelton and her committee. The food was prepared by Annelise, Maggie, Carmen, Lois and Georgene; David and Rafael brought in the tables and chairs and set them up, then returned them after the event; Ellie made the dresses for the girls from Girl Scout Troop 95 of Kalaheo who served; Jacob was our “gofer;” Jesse photographed the event; Laura, Bev and Frank helped out where needed; Hualani and Makana danced hula; the Back Alley String Quartet serenaded the guests and Olivia (age 9) played the violin. Door prizes were awarded thanks to Joe’s on the Green in Po‘ipu and Na Pali five-hour snorkel sail tour.
We wish to thank our members and guests who attended this gala event.
Established in 1977, the Friendship Force is a major international citizen-exchange program. Our mission is “To create an environment where individual friendship can be established across the international barriers that separate people” and our motto is “A world of friends is a world of peace.” For more information or to join our club call Beverly Olsen at 826-9475.
Georgene Yamada, Treasurer, Lawa‘i
More on the ‘H-word’
In “The ‘H-word’ entrenched here,” (Aug. 28), the author wrote, “These nasty monikers are disrespectful and sow the seeds of bigotry and racism.”
I disagree. Calling someone a “haole” is not bigotry and racism. I think reacting to it is where the seeds lie.
I sometimes where a T-shirt that says “Haole Boy” on it. Guess you might say I am proud to be a haole.
I have always seen it like this, if a local calls me “haole,” he or she feels indifferent towards me. If I am called “a dumb haole” that means they probably like me. If I am called an “F haole” I definitely have problems. But when I am called “uncle” then I am family. You get to earn that title by being real and respectful of the ‘ohana and the ‘aina. I know it’s hard to understand but this is Hawai‘i, I am sure some people want nothing more than to see the Hawaiian and local culture be absorbed into the Mainland culture and reduce it to hula shows for the tourists. Keeping America homogenized means we loose diversity and texture. I don’t know maybe I am one dumb haole and just don’t mind being one.
It is better than being called da other kine.
Thomas McCall, Anahola
Allow cars to be dumped at Kekaha
Last week I noticed that the owners of the defunct Kekaha sugar mill have fenced more of the property. I guessed that was to keep people from dumping vehicles there. At the same time, I saw that someone had dumped yet another car at the bottom of the road to Koke‘e. It has taken a week, and now the wheels are gone from the car and most of the windows were smashed over the weekend. I don’t know why they have spared the windshield so far. I do know that vehicles are abandoned along this state highway regularly, and that we taxpayers are paying to clean up the mess and haul them away. Years ago when the Kekaha Landfill was known simply as “the rubbish pile,” there was an area where residents were allowed to deposit their unwanted autos. It was a good place to pick up spare light bulbs and other assorted parts. Maybe I’m missing something, but it would make sense to permit disposal of vehicles there again, and save the cost of cleanup and removal along with the environmental and aesthetic concerns.
Steve Hansen, Kekaha
