• ‘I stand by my artistic expression’ •
In support of paratransit cabs • Softball
stadium a bad decision • ‘Fraudian’
slip
‘I stand by my artistic expression’
Each week, The Garden Island newspaper publishes the police arrest log. This is public information and I support freedom of the press.
On Nov. 23, my name was on that arrest log: Fourth-degree criminal property damage — 9:14 p.m., Denise Marie Dion-Scoyni, 51, of Kilauea.
I faced this charge in court for painting a memorial mural for Andy Irons on the Wai‘oli Beach Park (Pine Trees) facility. The case against me has been dismissed. During the 15 years that I have resided on Kaua‘i, I have built a positive reputation based on art education, youth mentoring and community service.
I am not a vandal nor was my intent to damage property. I am an artist, a mother, an educator and a long standing community volunteer. My intention in painting the mural was to visually express homage to our local hero and globally known athlete on behalf of and for a grieving community.
I recognize that I did not have permission to do so; I acted through grief with immediate response to the sudden death of a boy I watched grow into a champion. Following my arrest I contacted the Parks and Recreation Department to apologize and to begin the process to obtain permission to finish and preserve the mural with tremendous community support and that of Phil Irons, Andy’s father.
I stand by my artistic expression as being constructive, not destructive, and healing, not damaging. My intentions for painting the mural were pure at heart, my artwork meant as a public contribution rather than damage to property and my community involvement an indication of good citizenship.
Rest in peace Andy Irons, our community holds you dear.
Denise Dion-Scoyni, Kilauea
In support of paratransit cabs
I would like to add my voice to those of Debra Kekaualua and Glenn Mickens in support of a contractual taxi service on Kauai, often called a paratransit service.
I worked for just such a service years ago, which utilizes privately owned taxicabs to provide door-to-door service at a discounted fee.
The county would provide funding to reimburse the taxi company for their service to the community.
Such public/private collaborations are an important part of a well integrated transportation plan that includes public busses, private taxis, and access to alternative transportation for those without cars, and those who choose to leave their car at home.
This is the type of creative thinking that needs to happen and I thank both Ms. Kekaualua and Mr. Mickens for starting a discussion about this viable transportation idea.
Kurt Rutter, Kapa‘a
Softball stadium a bad decision
With all due respect, the last thing that Kaua‘i needs is the $1.9 million softball stadium at Kapa‘a high school — and where did the Department of Education get this kind of money for a vanity project in a time of furloughs and operational crisis?
Surely the money can be better spent to improve education and life on Kaua‘i than in this manner.
Moreover, if the county has access to this kind of funding, then the island desperately needs highway improvements, county road paving, alternative energy programs with KIUC — so many things that are more important and benefit more of the people.
We do not need another stadium. This seems a terrible decision at a time when we cannot afford to spend money unwisely.
Mark Bedford, Anahola
‘Fraudian’ slip
Last week after updating our website, my son decided to run a search engine check for our goat dairy.
Imagine our surprise to find that our goat cheese was being listed on the menus of four Kaua‘i restaurants that are not currently buying our product.
In fact, two of the restaurants have never bought our cheese and the other two, including one five-star hotel, have not received a delivery in over one year.
When the chefs or food & beverage managers were contacted, the excuses were truly novelty:
“It costs too much to print new menus,” came from the Executive Chef at the five-star hotel which canceled their order over a year ago because they could buy “a cheapah (sic) cheese elsewhere.”
“It must have been a Freudian slip because I had tried to contact you at one point.”
Fraudian slip, more like.
“I am not the original chef who opened the restaurant. Can I buy some of your cheese now?”
Like you never looked at the label for the cheese you were serving to your guests all this time.
So, buyer beware when you sit down for a fine dining experience with the comforting thought that you are supporting local farmers. If anyone wants a list of the truly fine restaurants on Kaua‘i that are serving Kilauea goat cheese from Kaua‘i Kunana Dairy, please contact us.
Louisa Wooton, Kilauea
