Housing squeeze on Kauai
Thank you, Allan Parachini, for examining the houseless problem from a new angle. I noticed that in the same issue of The Garden Island was an article titled “Venice ready to turn back tourists if too many come.” Like Venice, we will have to use all available tools to improve the housing problem and our deteriorating living conditions. Be it seasonal worker housing, caps on rental car numbers, tighter VRBO restrictions, rent control housing or a big “No Vacancy” sign at the airport.
Respectfully, Katie and I offer one small correction to Mr. Parachini’s article. Of our current roster of 40 we have 26 full-time employees. The Kilauea Bakery is proud to employ and insure as many full-time employees as our schedule can handle. Insurance and full-time employment is one of our more fulfilling expenses and an intentional strategy for attracting and keeping people.
By closing on Tuesdays, after 27 years, you can be assured we will strengthen our dedicated crew, many who have been with us for 10 to 20 years and often are the inspiration to keep us going.
Thomas Pickett, Kilauea
Know island history before weighing in on mayor race
Ms. Dux, I’m pretty sure the North Shore area received considerable damage during both hurricanes Iwa and Iniki. Keep in mind that a lot of the structures that were recently damaged weren’t around back then and neither was the volume of vehicles. So I don’t know where you’re coming from with the comment “history of history.” You may want to conduct more research prior to making such a bold statement, as the island also received considerable damage by two tidal waves in 1946 and 1957.
As for Ms. Davis’ recent article in regards to Mayor Yukimura not being in charge of the military personnel who deployed here to “help and assist,” but instead either sat on their hands or tossed a football around. As mayor of this county she’s responsible for everything that happens or fails to happen under her direct or indirect control. So yes she was in charge, and should have worked more with military leaders to mobilize troops to get out and into the neighborhoods to assist in whatever way possible, instead of two weeks later.
So, unfortunately for Ms. Yukimura, I think that scenario will rear its ugly head in the voters’ booth. But last time I checked Hawaii is still a part of the United States of America (as controversial as that is). So everyone can vote for the candidate that they feel is the most deserving of their vote. Kawakami 2018!
Ka‘aona Kipuka, Lawai
Teachers shouldn’t teach their own views
We have all seen how Fresno State University’s Randa Jarrar can make all manner of repugnant remarks and be protected bythe First Amendment. No matter that many others in various occupations have lost their jobs for social media posts.
Here’s a wild idea. I think that all social science teachers and professors who lecture on history, society, economics andpolitics should have a good enough grasp and working knowledge of Left, Center and Right that they could completely anddispassionately articulate those ideas and educate the kids without propagandizing to them.
Ideally the kids should receive an understanding of the different viewpoints to make their own decisions and if this was donesuccessfully, they wouldn’t have a clue as to which way their teachers leaned.
The way it is now, kids are being force-fed indoctrination by teachers according to the teacher’s beliefs. Kids think theslanted education is so completely truthful that they think it’s not only perfectly normal, they think any contravening thoughtto be irrational and evil.
They are not being taught to think critically, only to react against any thoughts not in alignment with what they believe.Sometimes those reactions are to become “triggered” and have emotional meltdowns requiring safe spaces, other timesdivergent views are met with vitriol but never understanding much less acceptance that there are other valid viewpoints in theworld.
It’s OK for teachers and professors to have personal convictions right or left but being in a position of power, control andinfluence over kids, they should leave those political leanings outside the classroom.
Teach kids to think for themselves, encourage logic, reasoning and critical thinking. It’s said the children are our future.Compare them with the Greatest Generation. Are we on the right path?
Stan Lake, Kalaheo
