Letters for Thursday, February 5, 2015

• Let’s get facts straight on Princeville road • Softball tourney wants to return to home field • Forget the Super Bowl, enjoy Kauai

Let’s get facts straight on Princeville road

Comments attributed to Jeff Stone in TGI’s “Fix the Road” article (Jan. 26) deserve to be challenged on many levels. Not only are his comments factually wrong, but they portray a remarkable degree of disrespect for the Princeville at Hanalei Community Association (PHCA), the direct neighbors to his planned new development. 

The event was a protest focused exclusively on a .1 mile segment of Ka Haku Road owned by Princeville Development, LLC (Jeff Stone). A 1993 contract between Princeville Corporation and PHCA is very specific that the road segment was to be turned over to PHCA after the Westin’s completion in “good condition, suitable for driving, and free of defects.”

In 2013, Princeville Development attempted to convey this road segment without making the required repairs. PHCA refused to take it in that condition. Since then, PHCA has made many attempts to resolve the issue. Princeville Development has been nonresponsive.

To put things in perspective, PHCA owns 10.5 miles of roads, including 1.7 miles of Ka Haku Road. PHCA has spent over $1 million just on rebuilding the western one mile of Ka Haku Road closest to the St. Regis in the last few years. Princeville Development owns the .1 mile (discussed above) and controls another .3 miles of upper Ka Haku. They have made no significant repairs to either since Mr. Stone acquired the assets of Princeville Corporation.  

In final, I’d also note that PHCA does not owe Princeville Development any money. Nor has Mr. Stone ever offered PHCA any funds for fixing the segment of road in question.

Rory Enright, General manager, Princeville at Hanalei Community Association

Softball tourney wants to return to home field

I am a proud supporter of the Waimea High School softball team, who, in 2012, brought home the Division II State Championship Title. Our program has produced some of the best softball players in the state. More than that, our program has produced some of the best young women who went on to play at the next level. Many went on to further their education at various colleges, and all have contributed to make their community better. We are one big ohana on and off the field. 

We have tried for many years to have our annual tournament return back to our home field, Waimea Canyon Park. Because it’s the same time as the Waimea Town Celebration, we have always been told no. We have had individuals call our booster club to tell us that we have no political pull so not even try. 

We have had a county division head quoted as saying that they are tired of our head coach — who happens to be a county park worker at that specific field — thinking that it’s his park. Why shouldn’t he treat it like it’s his park? We should be grateful that he takes pride in his work which benefits the county. We have had members of the community give compliments and praise us on how well the field is kept. We have accepted the decision of this unfortunate situation and have moved on. You should do the same. Like the saying goes, if you don’t have anything nice to say …

Elise Lazaro, Waimea

Forget the Super Bowl, enjoy Kauai

I personally could never understand the appeal of watching players banging into and tackling each other as displayed in football, with the Super Bowl being the prime example.

Personally, to me, surfing, baseball, basketball, tennis,etc. are not only more challenging and skillful (again, my own opinion), but don’t basically rely upon brute force of knocking people down.

For example, I got a bigger thrill out of skydiving than watching any football game. Hands down!

So, if I were back visiting the islands, I would forget Sunday’s game and skydive again or at least catch a few waves and/or spend the afternoon and evening at a nice beach that would probably not be crowded due to Sunday’s game.

Gary Saylin, Davis, Calif.