Letters for July 1, 2015

Letters for July 1, 2015

Mishap at lookout cut vacation short

On my first visit to Kauai this last spring, we drove up Waimea Canyon Drive — Highway 550 to see the Grand Canyon of the Pacific. At the first viewpoint, three miles up the road, elevation 1,201 feet, we stopped at the pull out.

In order to see the viewpoint, we had to cross over a guardrail. I was able to get my right leg over the guardrail. Unfortunately, when I tried to lift my left leg over the guardrail, my foot got caught, causing me to fall violently on my right side.

It was immediately evident that I had a severe injury to the wrist area of my arm. We quickly headed back down the road to the emergency entrance of the Veterans Memorial Hospital three miles away. I went into immediate shock. I proceeded to experience multiple fainting episodes. My fingers swelled like purple sausages. My hand looked like a cadaver’s.

Needless to say, I was in severe pain. X-rays showed the two lower arm bones were shattered at the wrist. That was the end of our vacation. We had to leave 10 days early.

Since then, my life has not been the same. My days are filled with occupational therapy and physical therapy, trying to regain movement of my fingers, hand and arm. Pain is a daily event. I’ve had one surgery and at least one more is scheduled.

The state needs to take corrective action to provide safe access to the lookouts on Waimea Canyon Drive.

Leanne Roe

Everett, Washington

Prejudice remains regardless

We just got back from a family vacation. Trying to catch up on news of our home here we come across an article from KITV news team June 23.

“Tougher regulations could force some bed and breakfast on Kauai out of business for good.” Mr. Kagawa is quoted by the news team. “Once we crack down on some of these illegal ones, they’ll have to decide whether to sell it back, and our hope on the council is that some of our local families may be able to repurchase some of these properties and get it back into the hands of some locals.”

These kind of statements are a prime example of why we continually see the taxpayers funding lawsuits because of their actions.

I would like the entire council to tell us just who are all of you referring to? If none of you are referring to the “haoles” of the world who have bought properties on Kauai, set up a home stay businesses to help make ends meet, help the county and state with tax revenue, and, oh, I almost forgot, create lots of jobs for Kauai’s people. Then please tell us all, which individuals are you actually talking about?

Steve Martin

Kapaa

More to problem than guns

I hold a great deal of respect for Chief Perry. I do not, however, believe that he would find it odd that I would disagree with him on this matter of gun violence and guns being the problem.

The United States has always been awash with guns. Only since the late ‘60s have we seen an ever increasing use of guns in mass killings and active shooter situations. The answer lies in our culture, not in the mere presence of guns.

Psychologist Dave Grossman, author of the books, “On Killing” and “On Combat” describes the change in our society’s application of force and the changes in attitudes against one another. He describes in World War II that only 19 percent of front line troops would actually aim their weapon in a concentrated effort to kill the enemy. After training doctrine change after the war, training changed to dehumanize enemy soldiers and desensitize our troops. The ratio went up to 80 percent in Vietnam. I would assume that our soldiers now, who are the product of the video game generation, have increased that ratio even more.

See a recent FBI study on active shooters. https://www.fbi.gov/news/stories/ 2014/september/fbi-releases- study-on-active-shooter-incidents

The report shows unarmed and armed civilians have played a great role in stopping some of these events. Short of repealing the Second Amendment and initiating another Civil War, guns are here and not going anywhere.

Training and education is what is needed.

Randolph T. Chong Tim Sr.

Veteran U.S. Army, firearms instructor

Lieutenant, Kauai Police Department, retired