North Shore a disaster in more than landslides
Hanalei was recently declared a disaster area by the state government. For us who live here, there’s a lot of irony in that.
It’s a disaster area in many ways: the amount of illegal vacation rentals, the number of tourists, and the amount of cars. Almost every day from 2 to 5 p.m., the traffic is backed up from the bridge to the center of town. Visitors walk four abreast on all the streets, halting road traffic. The parking lots are so full a local can’t even shop, some unable to get to their own place of business without parking a quarter of a mile away. Property values are escalating through the roof, along with taxes, because of the billionaires buying out the millionaires, while the less affluent residents bear the burden.
“Oh, there’s nothing we can do. It’s just progress. Get used to it,” say the county officials.
Bull. Start enforcing the law against illegal vacation rentals. Hire enforcement officers, aggressively enforce and levy large fines. The county can afford it if they start using the tax money wisely instead of trying to make Kauai look like Beverly Hills with all-new, expensive equipment and silly beautification projects.
People, please, this coming election, use your vote to get candidates elected who have solutions to our ever-growing overcrowding and traffic woes. Business as usual is only going to lead to a reduced quality of life for locals and visitors alike.
John Humphrey, Hanalei
Please, clean up the restrooms
As snowbirds from New Hampshire, my husband and I recognize Kauai as a jewel of the Pacific. Its mountains, oceans and lush foliage have beckoned us here for the past 10 winters. We treasure the outdoors and spend considerable time swimming and hiking in the island’s pristine beauty.
Several days each week I walk on the multi-use path, Ke Ala Hele Makalae, in Kapaa as invigorating exercise. There is only one drawback: the restrooms. Not only are they an eyesore, but they are highly unsanitary, perhaps even contaminated.
Mr. Mayor, have you ever felt the urgency to stop in at one of these restrooms? If not, please put it on your “bucket list.” Then consider the estimated 80,000 tourists who visit Kauai monthly from the Mainland and from the earth’s far reaches. What do you suppose is their impression of our otherwise fair island?
Isn’t tourism the No. 1 industry on Kauai? Don’t we cater to tourists by means of upscale resorts, fine restaurants, unique shops, exquisite beaches and thrill-seeking adventures? Why should our multi-use path costing millions offer such substandard facilities? (TGI, March 30, cites a tourist influx of 103,956 this current February, spending $157.9 million.)
Mahalo, Mayor Carvalho, for an accomplished reign during the past 10 years. With your term limit approaching, would you be willing to undertake a project so lowly yet so basic in terms of meeting the needs of both our community and our tourist populations?
In 2003, the Federal Highway Administration approved a $10 million budget for the Kapaa to Kealia section of the trail. Are any funds remaining from this original appropriation? If so, prefabricated restroom options abound online which arrive pre-wired, fully plumbed and custom-designed to fit the budget; showers an available option. Only four restroom facilities are in question for this segment of the path, but I’ve been told that the other beach park restrooms are likewise in need of reclamation.
Mr. Mayor, you have been called a “champion of the path.” Please take the initiative to upgrade our environs so that they are reflective of our scenic beauty and reputation for hospitality.
Judy Brunstad, Kapaa
Get real John, There is only a handful of locals left on the north shore. It didn’t occur to us, decades ago, that a sale here and there to outsiders would have this outcome. Next thing we knew, property taxes were so high that it took the income of a full time job just to pay the taxes. At that point, sales were forced- old story. Make peace with it – we did
Back then we all used to talk about it like you’re doing now. Now all I hear is the new locals blithering on about the same thing they did to us
Ikudias
Aloha John, this is a worldwide phenomena, billionaires replacing middle class millionaires, escaping the world cities they made their billions on and in. They won’t stop coming because they won’t stop leaving, at least for 2 weeks at a time, their source of income original location; turning their houses here into vacation rentals.
Sidewalks as full as Hong Kong? No parking ? No space on the beach to sit down and the water too polluted to go in.
Beautiful travel destinations, the 1st places in the world to experience hardcore over population. There’s nowhere to go from here!
Good luck leaving Hanalei…!
Mahalo,
Charlie
I feel so bad for all those poor millionaires. Where will they go? Oh yeah,
Everywhere else till it becomes too expensive. Easy solution is to just become a billionaire. You can do
It!!!!
Dear Mr. Mayer or who ever is supposed to be responsible for this,
About a month ago I had to go to the rest room while walking along the bike path in Kapaa . I took a peak into the porta-potty next to the Kapaa pool. Apparently they have stopped maintaining it. Effluent, ( fecal, urune and toilet paper) were over flowing down the sides of the toilets and onto the floor. It stunk a stench.
It was beyond wretched. It Surpassed anything I have seen in some of the dirtiest third world countries in the world. It’s a full blow health hazard. I don’t know if it’s been cleaned up but whoever is supposed to be in control of this should be fired and thrown off the island. Isn’t Kauai supposed to be a world class destination? I don’t know if it’s been cleaned up but If this is the best the county can do we, the island of Kauai and the people on it are in deep trouble.
Lenny will handle the bathrooms like no other mayor before! He will make sure the County Parks & Recreation Department director whips his department into shape with all the great networking skills and connections that he has in Kauai County govment.