• Spirit-lifting experience • Threatening? Really? • Que sera, sera • A hui hou, Gary • Do something positive Spirit-lifting experience On behalf of the Friends of Kamalani and Lydgate Park, I’d like to thank the young men and women
• Spirit-lifting experience •
Threatening? Really? • Que sera, sera
• A hui hou, Gary • Do something
positive
Spirit-lifting experience
On behalf of the Friends of Kamalani and Lydgate Park, I’d like to thank the young men and women of Kapa‘a High’s soccer team and their coach for helping us clear the wood off the beach at the main pond at Lydgate on Saturday morning.
We really couldn’t have done it without you. Your strong young backs, boundless energy and aloha spirit turned a back-breaking task into a fun community event. I came home tired and a little achy but so happy to have been a part of it.
Mahalo nui loa for your help and for a truly spirit-lifting experience.
Christine Queen, Kapa‘a
Threatening? Really?
So let me get this straight, so to speak…
We celebrate a president of our country who commits adultery in the Oval Office. Priests from every religion found guilty of molestation and desecration of their vows. Larry King is getting his eighth divorce. Elizabeth Taylor is possibly getting married for a ninth time. Britney Spears had a 55-hour marriage. Jesse James and Tiger Woods — well, you know.
Over 50 percent of all traditional marriages end in divorce. Yet the idea of same-sex marriage is going to destroy the institution of marriage? Really?
Quite frankly, I’d say that if you or someone you know is threatened by the idea of same-sex unions, there’s obviously some baggage in your own closet that needs some serious re-examination.
Jeff Hayes, Austin, Texas
Que sera, sera
West of the Kikiaola Small Boat Harbor situated at the juncture between Waimea and Kekaha towns, the beach front is eroding. In several areas, waves are pounding directly on the front lawns of residences (that were built too close to the shoreline in the first place).
In other places, the wide expanse of white, sandy beaches did not return (as usual) during the summer months. Instead, the boulders placed along Kaumuali‘i Highway several decades ago in an effort to protect that stretch of roadway have been re-exposed with waves lapping at the highway’s shoulder.
Why? Had this something to do with the repair and improvement project taking place at the Kikiaola Small Boat Harbor? What happened many years ago when the harbor was first constructed is happening again. Plain and simple, a repeat of a “cause-and-effect” situation.
Please be aware, however, that these concerns were voiced and fervently expressed by old-timers in the vicinity at several public hearings held in the community prior to the release of funding to “improve the harbor.”
Assurances were made that the appropriate procedures would be in place to mitigate such reoccurrences. So much for “promises-promises,” I guess.
Is someone or something responsible for this boo-boo? Or is this “one of those situations” where we sadly shake our heads in disbelief and utter the words Doris Day sang: “Que sera, sera; whatever will be, will be. The future’s not ours to see, que sera, sera”?
Jose Bulatao Jr., Kekaha
A hui hou, Gary
Living outdoors for numerous years with multiple medical complications was taking it’s toll. Dr. Gary Blaich came to visit me at what I called home, which was a tent, clothes line and a single burner propane stove with a makeshift outhouse.
Dr. Blaich made one feel right, you felt good about yourself after talking story with Dr. Blaich. He was the feel good drug within, his presence alone made one feel like life was worth living.
Dr. Blaich’s office was a small one room place, he was a one man band, being the receptionist, secretary, manager and resident psychiatrist. The waiting room consisted of a few benches outside in the elements of fresh air and open sky with the aroma of plumeria from potted plants encompassing his office.
He listened to every one’s demons even while going through radiation and chemotherapy. He was there for his patients. It gave one a humbling experience releasing your quandaries in therapy with a man braving a terminal illness. I am not a hugging type of person, however Dr. Blaich and myself always ended our sessions with a hug.
Dr. Blaich, OK, Gary, passed away on Thanksgiving day, such an appropriate day for man with so much character and empathy.
My doctor, my friend, your legend lives on.
Aloha kakou, mahalo nui loa and a hui hou.
James “Kimo” Rosen, Kapa‘a
Do something positive
It seems that Mr. Trask and Mr. Acain continue to receive a forum for their abusive diatribes.
Mr. Trask, I am neither “ignorant” or “stupid.” I, like you, am entitled to my opinion.
The difference is that I can express mine without calling others “ugly Americans,” “thieves,” “liars,” “ignorant,” “murderers,” or “stupid” as well as “ideological bullies” and “self righteous.”
These are offensive, not my statements. If you show “aloha and respect everyone,” as you claim, show it through thoughtful discussions, not child-like name calling.
As for Mr. Acain, I am glad you are proud of your heritage, but if you were to trace your family history back even further, you would find that they emigrated from somewhere else, as did all the peoples of Hawai‘i.
Simply put, if your argument has any merit, it can be expressed without resorting to calling everyone that you don’t consider to be “Hawaiian” as “terrorists” and “thieves” or their opinions “irrelevant.”
If not, then yes, these avenues are the only defense you have left. The continuing rants against the United States that you both feel compelled to expound, do nothing to solve the problems of unemployment, hunger, poverty and a host of other ills facing Hawai‘i (and the rest of the world).
I would suggest that you both put all of that energy into doing something positive in the world!
Barry Dittler, Wailua
