• Regulations hinder possible traffic solutions • Let’s unite to help community cats • The 2016 presidential reality show Regulations hinder possible traffic solutions This is in response to a letter to the TGI Forum (Feb. 10) regarding songthaews (pronounced: song tao) in
• Regulations hinder possible traffic solutions • Let’s unite to help community cats • The 2016 presidential reality show
Regulations hinder possible traffic solutions
This is in response to a letter to the TGI Forum (Feb. 10) regarding songthaews (pronounced: song tao) in Hawaii.
Perhaps it’s a great idea in Thailand, but not here, for numerous reasons. We have lawyers, regulations, laws, big government, red tape, etc., which Thailand probably does not have.
I agree we have too many cars and too much traffic; however, are the Thailand drivers required to have CDL licenses, million-dollar insurance coverage, safety-inspected vehicles, and random drug testing? Do those drivers pay federal, state and local taxes? Are they restricted as to how many hours they are allowed to drive in a 24-hour, 7-days-a-week period?
I have read that federal and state regulators are trying to shut down Uber drivers in the U.S. for many of these same reasons. Sorry, I doubt the government here will allow songthaews; and if they did, it would be so deeply regulated that it wouldn’t be practical.
Kris Van Dahm, Kapaa
Let’s unite to help community cats
Regarding Maureen Mayo’s Feb. 8 letter “Community solution needed for cat problem.”
As managing director of Kauai Community Cat Project (KCCP), I extend heartfelt thanks to Maureen Mayo for taking time out of her Hawaii vacation because of her concern about a cat she and her family referred to as “Condo Kitty” — now lovingly renamed “Makana” or “Gift.”
Like many people who vacation on Kauai, Maureen was visited by one of our many community cats. Some travelers who don’t like cats asking for food at their lanai and chase them away. However, KCCP gets a vast majority of calls from concerned visitors just like Maureen — animal lovers who care and want to do the right thing.
However, Maureen took it a step farther by deciding to take her new friend back to Seattle. She didn’t even give up when faced with challenges which left Makana behind while she and her family returned home. We were very happy to help reunite Makana with the Mayo’s through our Wings For Whiskers transfer program.
Since July 2015 we’ve transferred close to 40 kittens to Seattle and San Diego. Our goal for 2016 is to transfer at least 100 kittens to the Mainland.
Please call (808) 634-4890 or email info@kauaicats.org to let us know whenever you are traveling to Seattle or San Diego and can be one of our Kitty Couriers. Or go to kauaicommunitycats.org/donate.html to support our Wings For Whiskers transfer program.
It’s inspiring when people come together to help our community cats have a better life.
Mary Wilder, Kilauea
The 2016 presidential reality show
The news anchors and journalists are still scratching their heads at how Donald Trump is dominating the polls.
There is an easy answer: The media won’t stop talking about him or following him around. Trump could pick his nose and it would make news.
Even when Trump opts out of a debate in Iowa, you think, OK, it’s time for the other candidates to speak and get some media attention.However Trump says “jump,” and the media asks how high. All other candidates get a fraction of the prime-time news coverage.
America loves reality TV — “American Idol,” “Survivor,” “Keeping Up with the Kardashians,” “The Apprentice,” and now the 2016 presidential primary.
That’s why Donald J. Trump will be the next president.
James “Kimo” Rosen, Kapaa
