Don’t sweat the small stuff
Recently, a couple of small business owners, dutiful Kauai taxpayers, and advocates of philanthropy and exercise, were told that a colorful, artistic mural, which was painted on private property, was inappropriate and forced to remove said painting.
Apparently, the Kapaa bike path is an appropriate place for daylight meth deals, passed out heroin addicts, squatter encampments, and overflowing uncollected garbage, yet not for art.
Ironically, many concerned citizens with power in the correct places are in a rush to dictate what positive, contributing members of this community can or can’t do, meanwhile turning a blind eye to the very real problems our Kapaa community faces.
I suggest that instead of wasting time and recourses on petty differences in taste, we support our small business owners, and focus much needed attention on the real “eyesores”of Kapaa.
Stefanie Stauber, Kapaa
Kanoho, KVB do good job, have heart for Kauai
This letter is in response to Steve Martin’s “Other Voices,” column on Feb. 3. First of all, I must state that I agree with Mr. Martin about being very concerned about the huge increase in tourism on our island and the negative impacts this has had on our environment and the quality of life on Kauai.
What I object to is Steve’s disparaging accusations that Sue Kanoho, executive director of the Kauai Visitor’s Bureau, is “blinded by all the money” and fails to realize the impact of tourism on our island.
I know Sue and have worked with her in a couple of different contexts. She is very aware and definitely concerned about these issues and is diligently working to help bring alternative clean industry to Kauai that will serve our economy and offer residents (especially our youth who are leaving in droves) alternative career choices to tourism.
Sue has been assisting the Creative Industries Division, a state agency that serves as “a business advocate for Hawaii’s culture, arts, music, film, publishing, digital and new media industries, supporting initiatives, policy and infrastructure development to expand the capacity of Hawaii’s creative entrepreneurs.”
This division is bringing some amazing opportunities to Kauai this year through Creative Lab Hawaii. Michael Andres Palmieri, executive director, was honored last month by The Hawaii Senate and House of Representatives for the spectacular success of this program.
There were times when we really needed and were very grateful for everything Sue and others did to encourage tourism. Remember the aftermaths of Hurricane Iniki and the economic recession of 2007? Well, guess what, they did an amazing job! Their work along with various economic factors have created such a boom in tourism that we now need to diversify and encourage alternative industry that will serve our beautiful island environment, all of our communities and everything that we all love about Kauai.
Going forward letter and editorial writers, please, let’s focus on what needs to be done to accomplish constructive goals rather than look for targets to blame for the problems. There are many, many people on this island who care and are more than willing to do what is necessary to work for the benefit for all. Let’s find those people and help empower them in whatever way we can.
Nadya Wynd, Wailua
