• Akaka’s legacy in our hearts • If Ron Paul were president… • On the target • Drastic action on CO2? • I prefer the old bike lanes • Mahalo Randy • Propaganda isn’t truth Akaka’s legacy in our hearts It was a pleasure to attend the Mahalo
• Akaka’s legacy in our hearts • If Ron Paul were president… • On the target • Drastic action on CO2? • I prefer the old bike lanes • Mahalo Randy • Propaganda isn’t truth
Akaka’s legacy in our hearts
It was a pleasure to attend the Mahalo Party for Sen. Akaka on Wednesday, Oct. 10. The Kaua‘i Democratic Party, especially Steven Nishimura and his committee, and the Hawai‘i Legislative Delegation did an excellent job in planning a touching and heartfelt event that allowed the people of Kaua‘i to pay their respects to the senator for his more than 36 years in service.
The Kaua‘i County Council was fortunate to be allowed to pay our respects to Sen. Akaka with a certificate of recognition and traditional ho‘okupu of a wooden calabash bowl from the Marquesas and pa‘akai from Hanapepe Salt Ponds that was gifted by Aunty Janet Kahalekomo and her grandson, Ronson Sahut. Ever gracious, Sen. Akaka expressed his own appreciation to me for the offering and its traditional significance in representing the uniqueness of Kaua‘i.
Sen. Akaka’s legacy will be forever engraved in our hearts as an exemplary leader who embodied true aloha spirit to all. While his departure from Congress is bittersweet, we are infinitely proud of what he has accomplished during his many years of service and wish he and his wife, Millie, a lifetime of happiness and love during their new adventure called “retirement.”
Jay Furfaro
Kaua‘i County Council Chair
Hanalei
If Ron Paul were president…
Although I love Obama, I expected more. I don’t know … Romney is a political robot. Don’t trust him one bit! We need a totally new paradigm. I’m thinking of voting for Ron Paul.
On YouTube he had hundreds of thousands of supporters; the media pretended he didn’t exist (watch Jon Stewart make fun of that — hilariously true).
If he were president, it would be dangerous for him (drug lords would kill him) he wants to decriminalize drugs. The war machine would get him (he wants to bring troops home) protect U.S. on our own turf. Eliminate personal income tax by cutting government spending.
However, he called “global warming” a hoax in 2009. That’s pretty dumb.
It would be cool if all the Ron Paulists came out to vote and made him win anyway. If they do, be careful Ron! They’ll try to getcha!!
Donna Alalem
Kapa‘a
On the target
Ben Sullivan’s column in the Business Week section on Oct. 8 was right on target.
We, the people of Kaua‘i, can do everything we set our minds to. We just have to learn to speak up and “step to the plate” and work as an island for what we want.
We all need to be engaged in the process to lower our dependence on fossil fuel.
Let the God given sun and hydro give us the light and energy that beams in the Pacific.
Mahalo!
Stewart Burley
Lawa‘i
Drastic action on CO2?
In his Oct. 11 letter, Jason Nichols tells us that he is now beyond tolerance and reasonable discussion.
He says that those who disagree with him are ignorant “fools” and “weak links.” Jason is now ready for drastic action. This is pretty scary.
In fact, since I disagree with him and am willing to say so, I wonder if it is safe anymore for me to sleep at night.
While CO2 is a greenhouse gas, it only absorbs certain wavelengths of radiation. At 15 microns, CO2 already absorbs 100 percent of the radiation that could go into space.
At most other frequencies, CO2 absorbs nothing anyway. It is only at the edges of these absorption bands where more CO2 has the potential to absorb a higher percent. This additional absorption potential is significant, but nowhere near as catastrophic as the hockey stick crowd would lead us to believe.
Harvard Professor Daniel Jacob’s online book, Introduction to Atmospheric Chemistry, explains the implications of these absorption bands (see section 7.33).
In his May 3 article, “Global Warming Melts Away,” Randall Hoven shows that since 2004, northern sea ice has stopped trending downward. Meanwhile, southern sea ice has continued its growth trend for 30 years. Worldwide total sea ice has remained very close to constant.
Also, while the world has recently warmed some fraction of one degree, most of this warming has been in the high northern latitudes. It seems pretty likely that warming up places like Canada, while leaving Hawai‘i pretty much unchanged would lead to more global food production, not less.
Both sides of this debate don’t trust the motives of the other side anymore. Resorting to name calling instead of scientific references only makes your own side look even less credible.
Mark Beeksma
Koloa
I prefer the old bike lanes
Regarding the letter, “Bike lanes are good and safe” by Tommy Noyes. Although the bike lanes places cyclist in better view, I still see an accident waiting to happen.
Let’s say, a garbage truck is approaching Noho Road and need to make a right turn there. And there is a cyclist in the bike lane in the blind spot of the truck driver’s view. The cyclist knows the traffic lights are going to change out of his/her favor and still in the blind spot paddles faster to beat the light. The trucker not seeing the cyclist turns right unto the turning lane. If they collide, who do you think will survive from being injured or possible death?
It’s for that reason mentioned above that make bike lanes between two major lanes on the highway unsafe.
I’d rather have it the old way, the cyclist goes with the flow of traffic when passing through intersections with traffic lights.
The engineers, the American Bike Guidelines Personnel, etc. aren’t always safe and right.
All it takes is to see the wrong person to get hit while in these bike lanes. One can only imagine the lawsuits.
Howard Tolbe
‘Ele‘ele
Mahalo Randy
My Prius’ parking brake locked up Wednesday in the Bank of Hawai‘i parking lot on Rice Street, Lihu‘e.
I walked the three blocks to Kaua‘i Toyota where I met Randy Jacinto.
Randy walked back with me, wiggled the steering wheel, worked some other magic, and we were on our way — him back to work, and me to the County Election Office and to deliver Rotary dictionaries at Island School.
Muchos mahalos to Randy Jacinto and the people at Kaua‘i Toyota!
Bob Ray
Po‘ipu
Propaganda isn’t truth
Upon reading yet another letter to the editor, “What are Hawaii’s priorities?,” published Oct. 9, with slanted political and ideological commentary, hyperbole, fear mongering, and misinformation, I was reminded of what my mother told me: “Just because you read it in print doesn’t make it true.”
Let’s not lose our capacity as an electorate to think critically. Remember that there are two sides to every argument, and just because someone repeats themselves, it doesn’t make it true.
In regards to the ideological comments (time-test definition of marriage defined by the Creator), I would simply respond “get involved, get informed, and be a part of the debate.”
Come to KCC this Saturday at 7 p.m., and watch 20 of Kaua‘i’s best actors read the play “8.”
The show is about marriage equality and the ongoing debate that may yet be heard by the United States Supreme Court. “8” uses actual transcripts from the California trial on Proposition 8 and journalist records, along with interviews from the plaintiffs, defendants and proponents involved to bring this topic to the public.
There will be a moderated, community talk-back after the show.
This is yet another opportunity for entertainment, supporting the arts and critical thinking.
Aloha!
Jeff Demma
Wailua
