Letters for Wednesday, September 22, 2010

• Aggressive behavior needs curbed •

Amazing Kaua‘i Summers

Aggressive behavior needs curbed

We are saddened, shocked and dismayed.

Our sanctuary, the West Kaua‘i United Methodist Church, has been a part of the community of Kekaha, with our roots going back 100 years. Our church was once in the middle of Kekaha town, close to the Filipino Hall and along a dirt road that housed several families of Filipino, Japanese, and Portuguese ancestry as neighbors to our humble wooden church structure.

At no time back then did we experience any demonstration of defilement anywhere on our property. The present sanctuary is now on the corner of Elepaio and Pueo Roads, still in the midst of family dwellings on all sides of where we are located.

Recently, a memorial plaque placed in a serene Peace Garden on our church grounds was shattered. The Peace Garden became a part of our property through a collaborative effort which included representation from the Christian, Buddhist, Jewish, Hindu, and other religious groups that constitute the Inter-Faith Council on the island of Kaua‘i.

The plaque was donated by Janah High to commemorate the ministry of her late husband, Lee, because both of them, visiting from their home church in Texas, had become “extended ‘ohana” of our church family on the island of Kaua‘i.

Along with the damage we discovered at the Peace Garden, we have earlier evidence of graffiti on the floor fronting our church, along with attempts to set fire in beer cans.

There is a bus stop placed on our property, and people often come to sit on our lanai area in front of our church while waiting for the bus. At night, we have seen cars parked on our property, and there have been frequent times when people have used our area to congregate on the lanai area in the dark.

Our church is in the midst of a neighborhood of residents on all sides, and it has become necessary for us to place movement sensor lights on our property to discourage people from coming on to property whenever they please. With dread, we suspect that there might even be the possibility of illegal drug sales occurring as cars come and go, intermittently, with one waiting for another to arrive, stopping briefly and both heading off to different directions.

We have filed a report with the police department. The residents that live within our church area have been kind enough to alert us if they notice any action or activity that warrants our attention. But, we have to ask ourselves, “Is this enough?”

We cannot help but wonder, “Where is this coming from?” “Why is there such disrespect for a place of worship?” “What more can we do to discourage such behavior? How sad it is that the mindset of a few have become so distorted and destructive.

This letter is submitted to create awareness and attention of the deplorable attitudes of the few who have no regard for the sanctity and sacredness of a house of worship. One of our buildings is being used for a head start pre-school education program.

Our church also maintains a campsite in Koke‘e which has been made available to the community-at-large for family outings, leisure and recreational activities, and retreats and seminars.

Our members are active in a myriad of human services programs and activities including the Kaua‘i Veterans Memorial Hospital, the Boys and Girls Club, and Nana’s House. For over five years, some of our church members have been providing hot meals as a community service for senior citizens every Saturday at their homes from Kekaha to ‘Ele‘ele.

It is our hope that those who are responsible for such callous action by destroying our property will find ways to curb their aggressive demeanor and seek help. We will pray that they will find it in their hearts to seek peace and harmony as a way of life.

Manny Predas, Pastor

Lyndon Yamane, Member, Board of Trustees

Amazing Kaua‘i Summers

The warm ocean breeze, moonlight on the ocean waves, incredible sunrises and sunsets and the aloha spirit are all things that come to mind when you think of this island. 

But when I think of amazing Kaua‘i Summers, first and foremost are Tom and Linda Summers. Residents of Kapa‘a for over 30 years, they have not only embraced the aloha spirit, but have raised the bar to an exceptional level.

Their support and contributions to the local cultural events and community projects are given without fanfare, but truly for the love of this island, its residents and visitors. Ho‘ili a loa‘a ‘a‘ole ha‘uwi. 

Respect is earned, never given. You have both earned it 10 times over. Mahalo, Tom and Linda.

Mary Kauanui, Palm Desert, Calif.