• Mayor and Council, together they can? • Share aloha for safety’s sake • Explore the possibilities • Mahalo to employers Mayor and Council, together they can? I applaud the mayor in his recent announcement regarding the siting of the
• Mayor and Council, together they can? •
Share aloha for safety’s sake • Explore
the possibilities • Mahalo to
employers
Mayor and Council, together they can?
I applaud the mayor in his recent announcement regarding the siting of the landfill resource park. A truly difficult decision that is never popular.
Including a comprehensive Material Recovery Facility, a green waste processing setup and a composting facility makes the siting of this landfill a much more comprehensive and far-sighted decision than just another hole in the ground.
It was exciting to read in The Garden Island that the administration is working toward diverting as much material as possible from our existing landfill and I can only hope that these efforts are stepped up beyond the current “pilot” phase soon so all of Kaua‘i can conveniently participate in this diversion of waste.
I also want to recognize the County Council for their forethought during the last budget sessions as they actually upgraded a position that I am sure will be instrumental in the development of this resource park — the County Recycling Coordinator.
The council had the vision of where we are headed and upgraded this position so the administration can hire a truly qualified and experienced person rather than starting from scratch. In addition to helping with the development of the resource park from the ground level I am sure they would also be very helpful in getting us past the “pilot” stage we are currently in. Hire this position now — why the wait?
I am starting to have some faith that maybe, just maybe, “Together (Mayor and the Council), they can.”
Pat Gegen, Kalaheo
Share aloha for safety’s sake
If I may, a word about road safety.
With gasoline prices skyrocketing, many on our island have opted to purchase a moped or motor scooter for short trips to the market, bank, etc. Myself included.
My personal experience is that me and my motor scooter appear to irritate some automobile drivers, to the extent that they have passed me numerous times on double lines and dangerous curves.
What I’m having trouble digesting is whenever possible I do the speed limit (up to 40 mph) which is as fast as my scooter will go. Doesn’t matter… some still appear to be agitated that this little two-wheel thingie has dared try to share the roadway with them!
Another observation… after passing you on a double yellow line, or on a bad curve, you pull up behind them at the next stop light. So what have they really gained? Other than endangerment to everyone and a rise in blood pressure.
To motorists… give us a ‘brake.’
And now, to mopedders, we too have safety responsibilities. If you’re holding up a line of traffic, pull over and let ‘em pass. If on a highway with a wide shoulder, use it. Always give hand signals along with your scooter signals, as scooters are sometimes hard to see.
Remember, none of us have absolute user rights to our roads and byways. Please for safety’s sake, share aloha.
Paleka Smith, Kapa‘a
Explore the possibilities
At the risk of some people coming to the conclusion that I have become mentally deranged, I support the idea of having the new landfill site become a visitor’s center here on the Garden Island.
Why not? Why not make it a “state-of-the-art” facility with landscaped vistas to include: 1) a rain forest featuring orchid varieties; 2) view planes of tropical plants to provide a rooting system that can do wonders with restoring water quality; 3) the means of showcasing the grandeur of ways in which Kaua‘i can grow its own food supply and actually produce an array of quality vegetables and fruits that can be used in our hospitals, care homes and schools and/or sold at sunshine markets all over the island.
Think of the jobs that may proliferate from combining the support and resources in the public and private sectors focusing on innovative approaches and entrepreneurial opportunities that arise. Let’s not scoff at creative ways in seeking solutions.
Let’s explore the range of possibilities that can help us realize new ways in relating with our trash as a source of generating revenue and as a means of becoming effectively self-reliant.
Jose Bulatao Jr., Kekaha
Mahalo to employers
Thank you to the following employers for their participation and support of (state Department of Human Services) Vocational Rehabilitation’s (& Services for the Blind Division, VR) Summer Internship Program: Flooring Innovations & Interiors; Safeway Food & Drug; Kaua‘i Athletic Club; Kalei’s Steelworks Inc.; Cost-U-Less; and the YWCA Kauai. We would also like to acknowledge employers such as Paradise Animal Clinic who expressed an interest in our program, unfortunately we were unable to accommodate all the placement requests during this summer term.
Our interns gained valuable on-the-job experience in a variety of fields, including: clerical; courtesy clerk; counter attendant; welding apprentice; stocker; groundskeeper; and maintenance worker. These internships were funded in part by federal stimulus monies through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA). We encourage interested employers to contact our VR office at 274-3333 to discuss future internship opportunities.
Debra Matsumoto, Vocational Rehabilitation
