• Editor’s note: Old-timers might still remember the introduction from The Shadow radio program: “Who knows what evil lurks in the hearts of men? The Shadow knows!” Jerome Freitas, a retired state Department of Transportation worker who is now better
• Editor’s note: Old-timers might still remember the introduction from The Shadow radio program: “Who knows what evil lurks in the hearts of men? The Shadow knows!” Jerome Freitas, a retired state Department of Transportation worker who is now better known as Da Shadow, since 2004 has been meeting with government representatives about problems he has discovered or that have been reported to him, and reporting the county’s responses.
Puhi
With all of the housing located in the area by the county park in Puhi across from Halelani Village, and numerous children there, what are the county’s plans to improve this park? If there are plans for improvement, what will be done and what is the timeline for these improvements?
The Department of Parks and Recreation (DOPR) is researching the type of playground to replace the one that was removed, and fencing will also be replaced at this park. The timeline for this work is not yet available as the department first needs to secure funding for this project.
Lihue
After the expiration of Kauai Nursery and Landscaping’s contractual maintenance, what are the county’s plans to maintain the area and handle landscaping on Hardy Street? Who will be doing the work? Does the county have plans to hire additional staff to maintain the additional landscaping?
DOPR will be responsible for the landscaping maintenance along this street. The Beautification Division will handle the maintenance and DOPR will hire one additional person to perform the maintenance. DOPR plans to envelope this responsibility with the Civic Center parking lot, transportation and Hardy Street. DOPR hopes to maintain these areas with two people. There is currently one person already maintaining the Civic Center parking lot.
When will the shopping carts and belongings of the homeless near the old Big Save space be relocated or disposed of?
On July 19, the county posted a 45-day notice to the public to vacate the Lihue Civic Center, including the former Big Save. This notice also required that personal belongings be removed from the sidewalks. Most items were removed by the owners by the Sept. 2 deadline, but any personal belonging that were left behind were removed by the parks staff. Koloa
What is the status of the plan to repair the Koloa Pedestrian Bridge?
The Wailana Pedestrian Bridge near Anne Knudsen Park in Koloa was recently installed. The contractor is working on the final stage of the project, which is to connect the bridge to the existing walkways. The project is expected to be complete by the end of this year.
Islandwide
Is drinking in county parks legal and if so, is there a time limit? Why are there no signs posted in the parks?
Pursuant to Kauai County Code Sec. 19-1.4 General Prohibitions Applicable to All Parks and Recreation Facilities, no person at a park or recreation facility shall possess or consume any intoxicating liquor between the hours of 11 p.m. and 6 a.m. Further, entering or remaining in a park area when manifestly under the influence of alcohol, narcotics or other drugs, to a degree that may endanger oneself or other persons or property, or unreasonably annoy persons in the vicinity is prohibited. There are 21 General Prohibitions Applicable to All Parks and Recreation Facilities listed in the County Code. The county does not deem it practical to post all prohibitions via signage at each county park across the island.
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Reach Jerome Freitas at theshadow96751@gmail.com or 635-3528. His website is http://theshadow96746.tripod.com.
