Letters for October 3, 2016

Swapping buildings a bad move

I want to alert Kapaa/Wailua residents to a crazy scheme that would relocate the Kapaa Police Department to the Kapaa Neighborhood Center building on the beach and, sadly, send the Neighborhood Center classes and public events back to the dismal Armory Building across from the Kapaa Sunshine Market and Sports area.

Among other good questions County Council Chair Mel Rapozo asks about this issue, is the following:

1. Is this reported “site swap” accurate, if so, what is the justification for doing so, especially as the Kapaa Neighborhood Center is in the tsunami evacuation zone?

2. Will this relocation have any impact on services provided by the Department of Parks and Recreation or the Kauai Police Department?

I can’t answer for the KPD, but as a student of yoga at the KNC, I and the dozens of others who take classes, love the beach location. The sound of the waves, expansive ocean views as well as cooling breeze blowing through the main exercise room, are an essential part of the health-oriented classes offered there. It would be a great disservice to the myriad kupuna who enjoy both exercise indoors with open doors and windows as well as water aerobics at the adjacent swimming pool.

If you are concerned about this issue, please attend the county council meeting in the Historic County Building on Wednesday starting at 8:30 am. They will address this issue and public testimony can be given there.

Or, more conveniently, email all the county council members with your testimony to: counciltestimony@kauai.gov before Oct. 5. Let’s keep the Neighborhood Center on the beach where it belongs!

Gabriela Taylor

Kapaa

Solution to feral cat situation

Now that the dust has settled over the feral cat issues, maybe a quiet voice can be heard.

I have read, spoken with, listened and watched with many people over the issue of the feral cat problem on Kauai. Each person added one or more pieces to the puzzle but no one, as of yet, put the pieces together. Please allow me to try to do so.

Yes, feral cats are necessary to the ecosystem as they keep rat and mice populations in check and yes, they need to be neutered and spayed and placed in established colonies as they will hunt within a one-mile radius of their colony. This is on the plus side.

As far as ground nesting birds are concerned, cats don’t generally try for dinner that causes them trouble without them starving. Rats and wild dogs have proven to be a larger problem in that area. If dogs and rats were eliminated more chicks could be raised.

People at their own expense feed ferals, trap, spay/neuter, and generally see to the cats that are in colonies. This means no monies came from taxes for these services. Another plus.

Question, why are there so many feral cats on Kauai? That is easily answered by an article in TGI about kittens killed by the Kauai Humane Society.

For one thing, many people cannot afford the cost of spay/neuter at the vet and are afraid to use the pound because their cat can show fear and/or anxiety and be put down because it’s a “feral and they have that right” so Bobby or Sissy cat are free to litter away. What will happen to these unwanted kittens? Take them to the animal shelter to be killed?

No, they get dropped in areas where there are other cats to have a fighting chance. I have seen this too many times for it not to be true. One person told me, “If I take these kittens to the pound they will be dead before I can get to my car.” Many people I spoke with feel this way.

Solution? Start a no-kill shelter, ask island vets to donate one day a week or month to treat cats and kittens free of charge, humane society also. Forget tags, tattoo ears or chip at reduced price, first shots $10, ask for and you’ll find foster homes, and do what Lanai did. Get a place/space donated for a sanctuary where cats can find forever homes. It can be done. Anyone like to help?

Ali’ilani Kanui

Kapaa