‘Houseless’ My name is Munk. I’m one of the folks in the front page photo accompanying the article “State homeless coordinator quits.” While I am indeed homeless, I, and many of my friends, prefer the term “houseless”. There is a
‘Houseless’
My name is Munk. I’m one of the folks in the front page photo accompanying the article “State homeless coordinator quits.”
While I am indeed homeless, I, and many of my friends, prefer the term “houseless”.
There is a certain stigma attached to the word “homeless” which serves to create a sort of cognitive dissonance between us and the rest of the community. For the record, two of the five persons in that photo aren’t homeless at all; they are simply friends, kind folks brave enough to sit shoulder to shoulder with us and talk story.
As for the assertion that the number of homeless on Kaua‘i is between 500 and 600 people, I’d simply note anecdotally that the majority of the folks I’ve met on the streets do not spend their nights at KEO, but sleep under the stars, in their cars, tucked away beneath awnings, or in tents at the beach.
The number of people living non-traditionally surely exceeds the number cited; it would be more accurate to say that 500-600 people are served by KEO, and leave it at that.
Munk, Kaua‘i
Hawaiian monk seals
Thank you for allowing me to use your forum to voice my anger, horror and sad frustration toward the culprits who apparently viciously killed an endangered monk seal on our beaches this week.
The poor creature never had a chance. A monk seal cannot fight off an attacker, and has been able to lean on the incredible volunteers of the Monk Seal Watch Program here on Kaua‘i for help in their survival.
Docile, these wonderful animals do no harm, other than take their needed food. There is plenty fish to go around.
Whoever you are, and this goes for the killers on Molokai as well, shame on you!
And a call to the public: Keep your eyes open and notify NOAA if you see or hear anything now or in the future.
Monk seals are federally protected as an endangered species, let alone held high in esteem as yet another dying breed of Hawai‘i.
We can all do our part to help them survive and flourish beyond their current 1,000-plus population.
Su Haynes and friends, Kapa‘a
Hirono is gridlock
Paradigm shift please. Read the Jan. 5 article “Hirono: D.C. gridlock hurting jobless” with one question in mind: Where in our Constitution does it say Congress shall create jobs?
It’s time now that legislators get out of market creation.
It’s time for voters to elect representatives who actively shrink government wholesale and axe policy supporting failed and fraudulent corporations feeding at the tax-trough.
Fat-government politicians like Hirono prove a complete systemic failure creating empire-building oligarchic socialism.
Freedom loving Americans cannot afford her war mongering police state ilk anymore (see her vote on NDAA).
Additionally, enlightened voters see through race, sex and religious affiliation.
Playing any of those old cards is typical of a politician out of touch.
Instead, vote liberty with confidence.
Rolf Bieber, Kapa‘a
Stuck with smart meters once they are installed
We are the only island signed up for smart meters in Hawai‘i. I spent a lot of time calling the state and the county and KIUC.
Why most of the smart meter project is funded by the company and the rest of the money our county has to pay?
Yes, they give us all the reasons why they are installing it, but it is useless information unless they sell the information.
We do not have enough research or spend enough time making sure the meters are safe over long-time use.
We are finding out cell phones and going through security at airports may cause cancer. Why would we do this to an island isolated in the middle of the Pacific Ocean?
Once smart meters are installed we are stuck.
I have a pacemaker and I am very afraid if I am in a populated area with meter after meter, which could affect me.
When you go online to check out about the smart meter there are places that ban smart meters. Why?
They plan to start installing meters in a few months, and there is not much time to get informed.
Donna Perlman, Kapa‘a
