• Make the marathon pay for itself • FERC process not the best route for Kaua‘i • Kudos Make the marathon pay for itself I am not a marathon runner, however, many of my friends and relatives enjoy the hoopla,
• Make the marathon pay for itself •
FERC process not the best route for Kaua‘i •
Kudos
Make the marathon pay for itself
I am not a marathon runner, however, many of my friends and relatives enjoy the hoopla, energy and health benefits of the marathon scene.
People from all over the world go on tour scheduling one marathon after another. Many marathons have a high purse for the top finishers, and other less known marathons are run just for the sport.
Most marathons are usually won by runners from Kenya or Ethiopia, these people overwhelmingly control the finish line. Since 1997 five Kenyan men have won the New York marathon and the fifth time for a Kenyan woman since 1994. In addition, Kenyan men have won all but one of the past 12 Boston Marathons.
How many Americans travel to Kenya or Ethiopia to run in marathons? My guess is not many for the obvious reason, it is not easy economics, that’s if those countries even have marathons.
Marathons in the United States should be for citizens of the United States, other countries could enter but not take the purse. The same for other countries sponsoring marathons, only the citizens of the host country should be eligible for the purse.
Marathons in the United states are becoming full-time jobs for many Kenyans and Ethiopians, it’s time we keep the money in our own backyard and support America!
The way to win money in the Kaua‘i Marathon is for men who run a sub 2:30 and women who run a sub 2:45 will split $10,000 equally. The top man and woman will also receive a $2,500 bonus, for a total speed bonus of $15,000. If only one man or one woman meets the standard, they will receive the entire $15,000.
The entree fee for the Kaua‘i marathon is not cheap, full marathon $225, half marathon $125.
According to the marathon’s website, last year the race raised over $400,000 with over 110 participants, they did not even give any purse money away and much of the collected monies went to charities, don’t get me wrong we should all give to charity, however, an event such as the marathon can easily more than support itself.
My question is how much do the organizers pay themselves for this one-day event that is supported by taxpayer monies?
The Kaua‘i Marathon is a wonderful event but should not be subsidized by taxpayer dollars when the odds are if the purse is won, it will be won by outsiders.
The other reason for not funding the marathon is that it is a private enterprise, just like Smith’s luau. Should the county fund Smith’s luau, just because people who go to luau also rent cars, stay in hotels and eat at local restaurants?
This really sounds more like a race for the organizers to have a big pay day by selling our county council on some healing snake oil.
I am disappointed the county council gave taxpayer money to an event that can easily support itself while many educational programs for our keiki have fallen by the wayside.
James “Kimo” Rosen, Kapa‘a
FERC process not the best route for Kaua‘i
KIUC is framing this as a question of whether or not to get assistance from Free Flow Power to go forward with the hydro projects.
That is a distraction from the real issue which is the FERC (Federal Energy Regulatory Commission) process for which Free Flow Power has applied.
This process will give eminent domain rights to the water and all land between the hydro plants and the transfer stations.
Eminent domain is an irrevocable federal designation which will give this mainland company power over our water and portions of our land.
This will supersede some ongoing and planned hydro projects here on Kauai and give them over to Free Flow Power.
There is no need for this FERC process and it will cause some serious legal ramifications and the projects can easily be done without FERC using locally controlled avenues.
Sen. Akaka said, “Federal interest in protecting America’s vast interconnected river system is misplaced in Hawai‘i.
“The state has demonstrated its commitment to protecting our rivers and streams.”
Please inform yourselves on this critically important issue.
This is about maintaining local control of the islands resources. We need hydro power, but this is not the only, or even the best way to get there.
Rick Goding, Waimea
Kudos
Mahalo to all for the Chad Owens Football Camp for our youth. Our gratitude goes out to all involved and who made this camp possible for our youth to participate and provide it for free this year.
Not only was it a joy watching the younger group listen and learn but the older group respecting all the coaches and of course in the end the payoff game. I know my son will be talking about this day for many years to come.
With heartfelt thanks to each and everyone of you from the donors, vendors, coaches and to the volunteers who gave their entire day to this event with smiles and aloha. Our hats go off to you all and with huge thanks!
David, Tracey and Austin Gore, Kapa‘a
