• Use the money to cover potholes • Kaua‘i’s living treasure • Separate council seats by districts • True kama‘aina Use the money to cover potholes In the article about a proposed $45 million sports complex, it is reported that
• Use the money to cover potholes • Kaua‘i’s living treasure • Separate council seats by districts • True kama‘aina
Use the money to cover potholes
In the article about a proposed $45 million sports complex, it is reported that this complex would be in Waimea.
I’m sure it would be nice, but who will play in it year round? What about the nearly $400,000 annual operating costs added to the yearly budget?
I would much rather they spent some money on seriously repairing the potholes on our road.
Peter Wuebker
Wainiha
Kaua‘i’s living treasure
Hank Soboleski’s story about R.C.L. Perkins was nicely done, and I only wish he had also included that special part about Kaua‘i’s unique natural history started by Perkins. Allow me to add to Hank’s story.
In May 1895 when at Kaholuamano above Makaweli, the Gay family gave Perkins a specimen of a green sphinx moth (aka hummingbird moth) that they had earlier caught.
That specimen now resides in the British Museum in London where it was used to describe that moth as a new species. Entomologists and collectors subsequently searched for more specimens, but in vain, even with a standing offer of $100 by one collector.
Sixty three years later and with no additional specimens, Hawaiian entomologist E.C. Zimmerman wrote in his “Insects of Hawai‘i” (1958) that Perkins’ moth was probably not Hawaiian at all. It may have accidentally been brought to Kaua‘i by ship. Seemingly with a hint of derision, he dubbed Perkins’ moth the “Fabulous Green Sphinx of Kaua‘i.”
But it turned out to be no fable. After 66 years, in 1961, Kenneth Gouveia of Kekaha collected a second specimen at the NASA station at Koke‘e, where he worked. He notified Kaua‘i state entomologist Stepen Au (my dad) who made the preliminary confirming I.D.
A third specimen was found at the same locality by Thomas Correa, of Kalaheo, in 1963, and a 4th by A. Valpoon, of Kapa‘a, in 1966 at the Kalalau radar station (all apparently drawn in by the strong lights at those facilities).
Over a dozen more have since been found, mostly in the Koke‘e area.
The famous green sphinx of Koke‘e is for real, and considering how long it has been searched for, is surely one of earth’s rarest insects.
Some may scoff at the attention here on a mere bug, but would likely change their tune if they were to behold the small collection of these moths now at the Bishop Museum.
With its dollar bill green wings, this insect is truly beautiful, and a real living treasure of Kaua‘i.
Dave Au
San Diego, Calif.
Separate council seats by districts
I support districting for the Kaua‘i County Council but I do not believe that it will ever happen because of people protecting their self interests.
However, there has got to be a better system than the one we have now.
As it stands, if someone wants to run for the council because they are not pleased with the performance of a particular council member, there is no way they can run against that person. They are required by the Kaua‘i Charter to run against all seven members of the council.
I suggest that the charter be changed to require that candidates for the council be required to run for individual council positions.
Divide the council into seven positions and require each candidate to declare the position for which they are running. This would lead to citizens voting and having an influence in all seven races as there would be no benefit to voting for just two or three candidates as many people now do.
It would also enable the incumbent council members to run on their own records which I am sure they would prefer to do.
Linda Estes
Koloa
True kama‘aina
You are not a true Kama‘aina until you master the craft of using all of the following ingredients, mayonnaise, spam, rice and shoyu in most of your recipes.
Many times while talking story with friends, we often exchange recipes. I noticed that most recipes consist of mayonnaise, spam, rice and shoyu.
Spam musubi is a popular sushi roll made with, you guessed it, all four of the ingredients. Spam musubi is easy, take a sheet of nori (seaweed) fold some rice into it, combine with mayonnaise and shoyu and a cut piece of spam sitting on top.
This is a major comfort food enjoyed by all, even vegetarians and those on kosher diets are known to sneak spam musubi when their friends aren’t looking.
After mastering these skills you will be a true kama‘aina with a local palate that shouts aloha!
James “Kimo” Rosen
Kapa‘a
