• Kaua‘i is eroding • He salutes Kapa‘a High JROTC • Hooser didn’t pay taxes • Why wouldn’t we print this?
Kaua‘i is eroding
The Planning Commission is in place to make wise and educated decisions equitably on land use and possible impacts to the culture, environment, resources, carrying capacity and social well being within existing laws in our absence at hearings.
Rarely have I seen that happen. Their decisions and votes always favor small interest groups and over-development in proportion to island carrying-capacity (I don’t mean to imply that more roads should be built). The basic infrastructures are archaic. Water is being diverted/stolen, sewage/refuse is taking its toll on the ocean/streams. Commissioners never consider the cumulative impacts. Never.
They are appointed by the mayor to serve all the residents but they are serving a few.
It is unreasonable to expect the public to attend all these hearings and it would not matter anyway because the commission has no ear for our testimony (the County Council as well). The public is very educated. Commissioners and council should listen more often.
Recently, commissioners decided to allow the National Guard to construct a fence around the Kekaha Rifle Range; the flimsy excuse being “vandalism.” A 1.23-mile, 6-foot-tall, barbed-wire fence on Kaua‘i’s beach is an affront to the people of Kaua‘i who have tolerated much already. Barb wire is a prison feature. Most importantly, commissioners failed to recognize the National Guard’s lack of jurisdiction or claim to any land. Are commissioners so fickle that anything military is automatically good?
The mayor’s oversight of commissioner selection: they should be more than a mouth implanted to cast a vote (this is the root of lawsuits); education and awareness has to be mandated. Commissioners representing Hawaiians must have knowledge to advocate for the culture…just the koko is not enough.
If at all possible, our mayor would be courageous to reconsider and overturn the decision to allow the 6-foot, barb-wire fence on this island of Aloha. It is inappropriate and unnecessary. The fence sends the message: “We hate you people and want to keep you out.”
That is one of many issues where I pray to see aggressive mayorship practiced.
Aloha.
Elaine Dunbar, Lihu‘e
He salutes Kapa‘a High JROTC
Most of us who attend the annual Farm Bureau County Fair never stop to think about the tremendous effort involved in setting it up, running it, and taking it down. It could not happen without the contribution of countless individuals, companies, and organizations.
I want to take this opportunity to single out the cadets of Kapa‘a High JROTC. They are an invaluable part of the fair team. They are a terrific bunch of young people who are a joy to be around. Days before the fair opens, they are on site putting up the tents and the day after, they spend hours taking them down and cleaning up the grounds. During the event itself, the cadets handle parking and work tirelessly to keep the area as clean as possible.
Lieutenant Col. Robert Levoit, their senior Instructor, is very focused on inspiring them to further their education. Sergeant First Class Ian Verasamy, their instructor, is the guy to make sure the team operates effectively and efficiently.
During the entire fair, Mrs. Vanessa Chang was always there and worked incredibly hard, showing a tremendous sense of caring for her JROTC family.
I am sure there are misconceptions about this program. The cadets are taught to be responsible, respectful, to serve the community and to care for each other. In return, the program provides structure and a sense of self worth and, for many, a second home. JROTC is apolitical and self-funded. It offers a way for kids to grow.
Larry Feinstein, Kaua‘i County Farm Bureau, Koloa
Hooser didn’t pay taxes
Mr. (Gary) Hooser has some nerve running for Lt. Gov. It still disgusts me every time I remember he was elected for our Senator. It must just be that everyone has forgotten what he pulled a few years back. He didn’t pay his taxes; it was something like $80,000.00! It was stated in The Garden Island newspaper a few years ago he negotiated a settlement with the state tax department for the smallest fraction of that. What if everyone else did that, didn’t pay and then worked a deal to just pay a portion of what they actually owed? Maybe we should all try it, after all you get elected STATE SENATOR and then run for LT. GOV. for that! He also proposed to have our general excise tax increased a while back! He can’t/doesn’t pay his taxes so why not raise everyone else’s taxes???? Do you really want a man like this to be our Lt. Gov. for that matter? Remember this when you vote on September 18, 2010 and God forbid he’s on the ballot November 2, 2010!
Allie Valverde, Kapa‘a
Why wouldn’t we print this?
I doubt that this response to the TGI letter, “Education first,” on August 25, 2010, author Al Carbonel, will be printed. Mr. Carbonel, what I’m hearing you say “is that professional development day is for you teachers to meet and reassure each other that you are all on the same page in teaching the students.” (kind of a hype day… hoorah!) Mr. Carbonel you read too much into my letter and put too much words in my thoughts and opinion. All I simply said is enough with teachers’ days off (especially being only a week into the school year). Don’t cut our students short on education and do what is expected of you (teachers) to teach our children. Mr. Carbonel (I echo you) “don’t you feel foolish for submitting your letter.” End of conversation. No more response needed especially from you.
Howard Tolbe, ‘Ele‘ele
