Let’s make Kauai pono
I understand that the candidate with the most votes does not necessarily get to be chosen as council chair. I voted for Mason Chock who handily received the most votes in the Nov. 6 election, and I expect him to represent me and all Kauai citizens as the next council chair, and not just special interest groups.
I completely agree with Gary Hooser’s article (TGI, Nov. 28) article that Arryl Kaneshiro and his gang have been working overtime in secret meetings to become the chair. Arryl is from a “Heritage Kauai Family,” but he is a special projects manager of Grove Farm.
Since this business has considerable land holdings of 38,00 acres, and has the power to apply for zoning changes of any or all of these acres that can affect land, water and development issues, it is my opinion that Arryl could have a serious conflict of interest. He would be required to recluse himself from any official action of the considerable amount of these kind of issues that continually come before this council.
That said, the vice chair would have to take the seat as chair and I understand, Ross Kagawa is to be nominated for that position. WHAT??? A man who leaves the room during meetings whenever public testimonies are being given or is noticeably seen not paying any attention to council business, as he is totally preoccupied with his phone.
Some have said that any opposition to Arryl’s position as chair is divisive. In my opinion, this island has been divided for years. It is time to make our government pono. Electing Mason Chock, a member with the history and background of the highest integrity, as chair of the council, is a good start in the right direction.
Marj Dente, Kapaa
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Could I get the official Kauai definition of “Heritage Kauai Family”?
I really have no idea, while during council meetings, ANY Council Member is allowed to check their email, texts, or voicemail. You leave your social media outside the room, and during the breaks, you check them. Focus on the issue in front of you!
Why is this basic, common courtesy, not enforced at public meetings???? If I took my valuable time to drive down there, sit there waiting for my turn to comment, only to have Council Members walk out or pull out their phone, then I would call them out on the spot. Seriously, WTH?? PUT THE PHONES AWAY….you guys look and act like a bunch of Millennials.
I fully agree with Marj. Not to mention that Kagawa has made public racist comments and has no business on the Council, much more being in a position of leadership.
I encourage anyone with free time to attend the noon meeting on December 3 at the War Memorial to register their disgust with the way this Council is commencing to do business.
Wake up Kauai! You put mindless, racist Kagawa and the stiff, imbecilic Kuali’i back in office, making me think that you are not paying attention, or do not care.
Wake up and question authority.
Too funny…Mason is as worse then Kaneshiro.
Treason is never Pono….. nor is it KULEANA to betray the inherit birthright of the Kanaka….
HAWAIIANKINGDOM.ORG
Maybe a good first move on the part of newly elected council members and those that truly want to serve the people of Kaua’i would be to not allow members to have their cell phones accessible or on during public meetings and discussions.
This is the simplest form of common courtesy and professionalism one can show. Please hold ALL council members accountable for their actions and make them earn the money we are paying them.
Arryl seems the obvious choice Not to put as the chair. It is nothing personal against him, it is based on his positions he holds that could become a big conflict of interest. Minimize this possible conflict and appoint someone else.
Oh Marj, nobody cares what you and Hooser think. Go cry on each other’s shoulders.