• Money talks • Government reform
• Meaningful conversation •
Beauty and the Beast
Money talks
Since the organizers of Kaua‘i Marathon are coming to our County Council begging for funding, perhaps the council would ask these folks to run the race on Saturday or perhaps Labor Day as part of granting this requested handout.
We have been asking this of the organizers and Mayor as the race pretty much shuts access to all Koloa churches and parishes on that Sunday morning and makes navigating for later Sunday services problematic.
So far our request has fallen on deaf ears.
And while we support sporting activities, we don’t think they should impede people from being able to gather normally in their places of worship.
Perhaps money will talk where our request to honor the spiritual values of our community has not.
Rick Bundschuh, Lawa‘i
Government reform
I agree, 40+ percent of American households pay no federal income tax.
However, they still pay social security, medicare, sales and GET taxes. Imagine how little income those families have left over to pay a yearly private health insurance bill of more than $13,000.
I agree that the richest 5 percent paid nearly 60 percent of all income taxes. Most of the richest 5 percent income comes from long-term capital gains so their average income tax bill is around 16 percent, far below the top marginal tax rate of 35 percent.
I agree that many federal and state government agencies are broken. Our government is full of politicians who have been influenced by corporate interests.
Turning everything over to a corporate aristocracy is not a solution.
That “solution” brought us the Gulf oil spill; the Fukushima nuclear power plant disaster; two unpaid-for wars; and the 2008 financial disaster.
Government is the only tool that might respond to me, so I work for government reform.
What is the alternative?
John Zwiebel, Kalaheo
Meaningful conversation
In adopting its Strategic Objectives, the KIUC Board of Directors gave recognition to the importance of effective communications between members, directors and employees.
Accordingly, a number of members, by way of petition, have decided to ask for a meeting regarding the board’s approval of an agreement with hydro-electric developer Free Flow Power, and true to its committment, KIUC will schedule the meeting.
Wailua taro farmer Adam Asquith, one of the petition initiators, is quoted saying (which I agree): “I hope to some extent they can make (the meeting) a conversation rather than just a presentation of the information.” He says that his concern is that “the federal agency’s rule for water flow will supersede more stringent state water code rules that protect environmental and stake holder interests.”
Perhaps,the answer to Asquith’s concern can be found in 16 U.S.C. 821 which can be discussed at the meeting.
If the “concerned members” will stick to their expressed hope of having a “conversation” with KIUC instead of being, as in the last KIUC membership meeting, presenters of criticisms couched in broad generalizations, perhaps, phantom fears can become mere ghosts of obstruction.
I believe we are together in finding ways to reduce the cost of electricity, reduce our oil dependence, develop new sources of power. What and how do you suggest we do this? Do you have a better alternative to increasing our hydro-electric capacity? I’m sure the board will welcome constructive suggestions
A meaningful “conversation” is a two-way street with speaking on the one side and listening on the other, with respect for each other to avoid a collision.
Alfred Laureta, Lihu‘e
Beauty and the Beast
I witnessed one of the most encouraging and inspiring performances of my lifetime this past weekend at the Kalaheo Elementary School Drama Club’s presentation of Disney’s Beauty and the Beast.
Watching these 3rd, 4th and 5th graders in full costume regalia belting the songs and dancing in precise choreography with so much heart and professionalism brought tears to my eyes.
We live with so much negativity and “blame game” in our public educational system on Kaua‘i that watching these kids perform with such unabashment was a “wow factor” for me.
Marly Madayag, director extraordinare and her team of amazing parents and alumni student volunteers put in hundreds of hours of work even on holidays and weekends to create Disney like sets, costumes and unbelievable special effects. It’s no wonder the kids received standing ovations to sold out performances.
Come on, Kaua‘i, let’s give it up for this little country school in the middle of a small rural island of Kaua‘i to be able to pull off such an incredible musical. Marly, Mr. Burkman, parents and especially the children of Kalaheo School, you have given me hope and inspiration that with hard work together as a team, nothing is impossible.
Congratulations and I am so proud of you. Thank you for blessing me this past weekend.
Ruth Taba, Kalaheo
