Let’s hear more from candidates
Wouldn’t having an opportunity for people interested in public affairs to send questions and concerns to the newspaper which can be reviewed and selected for the candidates to respond with their mana‘o? It could be a feature over a period of time because of the space factor (with TGI having the right to limit the number of words in the questions and the replies so as not to have some drone on and on). Here are some possible questions to field:
1. Why should we vote for you for the office you’re seeking?
2. How important is it to be a “party” member? Why or why not?
3. Describe your communication skills.
4. What would be your top priorities if you are elected into office?
5. How well do you know your “territory” — geographically? historically? politically?
6. What does “malama aina” mean to you?
There are others, I am sure, with questions and/or concerns which need to be focused upon. Having a series of this kind of interchange between candidates and the constituency would be extremely helpful in providing “common ground” to assess the abilities, intents and purposes of the office-seekers.
Jose Bulatao Jr., Kekaha
Medical field seems to be pushing opioids
Last year I went to the emergency room at the hospital. I was in pain and the doctor did an MRI. I was offered an opioid for pain an also an opioid prescription. I explained to the doctor that I am a recovering addict (38 years clean).
The doctor explained that if I refused opioids that I had to sign a form that I was offered opioids and refused them. He went on to explain that the state of Hawaii requires that a doctor opioids to patients in pain, or claiming to be in pain, even if they are known drug addicts.
The doctor was on probation for refusing a prescription for opioids to a person he knew was a hard-core addict. I not only was forced to sign the statement that I was offered a prescription for opioids, I also received a call a month later that the doctor did offer them to me. Why is the state of Hawaii pushing opioid use? Read an article that Kauai is suing over opioids. Why not sue the state of Hawaii?
Joseph Browne, Koloa
Aloha Joe,
In a word…Big Pharm..er, make that 2…!
mAhalo Mr Bulatao. I am so interested in public affairs and cannot wait for the forums where people gather to hear what our mayor wanna-bees have in mind. I can answer all of your questions and concerns.
1. Why voters should vote for me? Actually, I am not depending on the vote, I am seeking the mayor seat, because i am shocked at the current and past career polliticians mismanagement, breaking the law, even in our judiciary. These are the moguls, who has placed us at greater risk than at any other time in my fifty Kauai years. I observe, have read several kauai related books, and i have worked as an employee to at least 30-county, state, corporates, Kauai sole proprietary etc. Ive been observing and if need be i have blown whistle. I faithfully watch the county council, mayor, planning, and several departments Hoike TV gettogethers, that need to be severely corrected hiring directors that have credentials, not just fist bumping, fanny slapping, and high fiving singers and dancers.
2. “Party” is extinct. dems and repubs are exactly the same.
3. In 1979, seeing a need, i presented to Kauai, “central answering and physicians exchange. After Iwa, i moved from my home in kapaia valley to the Wada building. My services included 24-7, 365 days LIVE answer. Then ten years later, “the winds of change” Iniki barreled over us. As a mandatory wilcox hospital employee and self employed business owner, my ohana was required to shelter there. The following morning, released from E.R. duties, i went to my office, upstairs to hideaway/city liquor, which was amazingly intact. Hawaiian tel had installed a 50-pair telephone capacity, and it was a total surprise, there were ten working lines with a dialtone. The radio tower was gone and civil defense was useless. So, I walked up to the bunkers of the Lihue CD and told them, i had left my door open, i had checked-in calling my family that we were safe and okay, and invited CD to move to my office and carry-on. Then i returned to wilcox hospital and eventually homesteads hale, with major damage. The next day return to my office, there were peoples out the door, down the stairs and half way around that block waiting their turn to call families to deliver their story about surviving iniki. I am well versed in communication skills. I have also been wilcox Hospital Switchboard communications, and before that a toll operator for bell telephone in California.
4. Top priorities includes Kauaʻi resources, ‘Water’ (the new gold) and plantation days diversions still being stolen, 100% out from the Blue Hole stream bed, where God placed it. All day every day, our political moguls think they are good to go. NOT! FYI ‘Land’ cannot be “owned” and i have to add how brilliant were the actions of the Ali’i Kingdom Nation, never Extinguished. No matter how badly the regime wants to finish off these islands, it cannot go on, the veil has lifted. We do not need to worry about North Korea, it is our own military that has us slaves and they cannot wait to blame NK for their blatant disruptions Vandenberg AFB and surrounding PMRF Navy, who by the way has their own independent Water well with an MP from the base standing guard along the backside road to Polihale.
5. To answer what i know about kauai geography, historically, and politically? I am a proud USAF military brat warrior from birth, traveled to 8 nation-states with my intel officer dad, who brought us in 1959 Hickham military negotiating table. We stayed at Fort DeRussy quanset hut waikiki and the beachboys learned me how to master the surfboard, the outrigger, and paipo. I know much about our “territory” via all my experiences in Hawaii-neiand have been deeply engaged in searching out archeological, historically significant, and politically wealthy. Billionaires, one that would sic lawyers on kuleana land claims. He also has purchase ideas for molokai ranch, and just yesterday sheriff closed down the Molokai mule ride. Another Billionaire, editor of civil beat, wants a dairy at mahaulepu. Yet, council is discussing ridiculous unenforcible “bull whip” law? Their manifistations are over the top and some. Dont forget gasgate antics or nepotism that continues ongoing for decades.
6. Malama Aina for the generations to come. A complete warrior Huli. Corporates, corporate nonprofits, and LLCs will be turned into “profit-sharing” entities. They can build our new island wide roads, they can be responsible for the waste management, no kill Humane society, and a new ‘anti-corruption Department’ with one of the other mayoral candidates as director, and a manger operated Po’e. Water, the new Gold and clarifying Land “owner”
Aloha, Debra Kekaualua Wailuanuiahoanu