Make travel easier
I tried to register online for the Safe Travels site. I have a medical appointment to fly from Kaua‘i to O‘ahu and back on 06/25/21, same day. I couldn’t figure out how to navigate this site to upload needed documents into the system.
Who designed this system, so complicated and so stupid to just try to go from one rock to another and back? Come on, Gov. Ige, we still have two more years with you. Huh, so grow some stones, take charge and make this process simple. I am not applying to join the CIA!!!!!
Paul E. DeRocle, Lihu‘e
Mahalo to everyone at Kaua‘i Backcountry Adventures
Late last year, when the state Department of Health asked for volunteers to administer COVID-19 vaccines, dozens of Kaua‘i health professionals answered the call, among them my wife Marsha, a retired nurse anesthetist.
The effort resulted in thousands of Kauaians being vaccinated against this deadly pandemic. Everyone was proud to play a part in making Kaua‘i healthier and safer and helping the island reopen securely.
Hawai‘i has, so far, avoided the mistakes of states like Florida, which, despite being lauded for its aggressive reopening in a recent guest editorial, is now going through a post-spring break surge, including thousands of new variant cases.
The Kaua‘i vaccine effort isn’t over, but on Mother’s Day, owner Kelley Carswell Haneberg and all the folks at Kaua’i Backcountry Adventures said a big “thank you” to the vaxing volunteers, dedicating a full day of complimentary mountain tubing adventures to them and their families.
Kelley and her great team did this all very quietly, without seeking publicity or any other recognition. KBCA produces a great family trip for all ages, and they gave us the full treatment, including a lovely picnic lunch and a complete photo package of our day, all at absolutely no cost.
To me, that’s the best of Kaua‘i. The health professionals gave their time and lifesaving skills simply for the sake of making Kaua‘i a better, safer place to live, expecting nothing in return. And then Kelley and her entire KBCA crew — drivers, guides, photographers — surprised the volunteers with a beautiful day of fun in a magnificent setting, expecting nothing in return.
It was an unforgettable experience that left us all not just with lifelong memories, but also hope for the future, as we emerge from this pandemic with the knowledge that the Kaua‘i aloha spirit is alive and well.
Mahalo nui loa to Kelley and everyone at Kaua‘i Backcountry Adventures.
Larry Nager, Kalaheo
Legislators are unreachable
Brian Schatz, Mazie Hirono have insulated themselves from the people of Hawaii. They no longer take direct phone calls even though they publish their office phone numbers. To be able to call and give an opinion and felt like they cared how we felt. That no longer is the case. This seems to be turning more and more into a communist regime. They have put up a firewall between themselves and the public.
Why should we respect their desire for us to go back to work when their own office staff is no longer is accessible?
Scott Shapiro, Kalaheo
Obviously Scott Shapiro is giving credit to local politics. He seems to feel that politics is the solution for better health coverage. Nicer roads. Lower taxes. More clean air. And just about anything else. What do you think they can do? This does not sound like profits in the pocket to me. Useless topics if you ask me. And wasted energy if you’re a businessmen looking for better conditions. At least Kauai is far from Ho Chi Minh city. Nice and clean. That is Vietnam.
I couldn’t agree more with Mr. DeRocle! Last week we flew to the mainland due to a sudden and unexpected death in our family. I navigated the Safe Travels website and uploaded the needed documents, then also scheduled a Covid 19 test at an approved testing site for within 72 hours of our expected return. However, the flight to Honolulu and then Lihue got cancelled and we were rebooked on other flights – which would have put the Covid 19 negative test result outside the 72 hour window. At the airport we figured out an alternate route which did meet the 72 hour window but the Q code on our Safe Travels account had the wrong cities on it. I only had my Iphone, not computer at the airport and the Covid test was texted as a jpeg. Safe Travels requires that the test be uploaded as a PDF. A kind check in agent used her Ipad to upload the test result for the correct cities and we did not have to screen upon arrival. After a difficult week due to a family emergency, our return home could not have been more stressful. We are fully vaccinated On Kauai and we had a negative Covid test within 72 hours of our return. WHY is this so difficult?!?
Could not you just do this at the airport? PDF file. I mean if they have it too technical, then let the proper workers do it. Them. The flight is scheduled. Let them wait. Just for a uploaded file and cannot be in paper work form.
Scott Shapiro: Schatz, and especially Hirono, are astoundingly arrogant. They don’t want to hear from you. But I will admit that Hirono does communicate to me — every single day I get an email from her telling me how a-mazie-ing she is and, oh yah, asking for money.
We’re entering a Brave New World Scott. Liberal and Democrat leadership has led us to a big government mass of idiots, who will get paid for life no matter how hard they work, while the hard working and sacrificing producers of everything valuable to an economy grovel to survive and flourish. Get used to it!
In regard to “unreachable” legislators, the elected legislators no longer seem to consider us as the people they represent as much as the people they control. The United States and the individual states no longer subscribe to a government of the people, for the people, by the people.
Patrick H Flores, Wailua Houselots
I couldn’t disagree with Scott Shapiro more. On several occasions during the last year, I have emailed both Senator Hirono and Schatz regarding various issues and always received a reply. In one instance, I actually received a phone call from Senator Schatz’s office and spoke with a wonderfully informative and efficient assistant who helped me immensely with a question that I had. I am impressed with and proud to have both Senator Hirono and Schatz representing our state.
I totally agree with you. I emailed Senator Schatz at 11pm, Friday night a few weeks ago. The very next day, which was a Saturday, before Lunch, Senator Schatz personally emailed me back with answers to my questions.
I have previously had the same quick responses from Mark Takei when he was in office. RILOVE Mark.
I agree with Scott Shapiro that our representatives in Congress are inaccessible and arrogant after getting elected because Hawaii has been known to always reelect incumbents. This holds true even for our State legislators. Elections are coming up in 2022 and 2024. It’s time to show our dislike for this treatment.
Well before the pandemic I was waiting in the TSA line in Lihue airport. Schatz was ahead in line, and caused all behind him to be delayed as he demanded special treatment as a US Senator. This continued at the boarding gate…What arrogance, as he was unshaven, in dirty blue jeans, with a backpack; hardly what you might expect from the person representing you in the Senate…
Nothings free is my Soul Bro. He speaks the truth and his words for tell our future if we do not stand up and say no more . We have nothing if we loose our Liberty. Sheep can be led to slaughter and to pretend everything is fine or it’s not a big deal allowing liberals or rhinos to destroy American will doom all. Unfortunately voting is no longer an option. Hoping it will all just go away is a recipe for disaster. We must join together as one and be brave. Very Brave…
“. . . voting is no longer an option”? Does that mean that “real patriots” don’t support the democratic process if their favored candidate is not elected? “No more”? No more what? No more peaceful transitions of leadership? No more opportunity to have a voice unless it’s the “chosen” voice? No more rule of law? No more pretensions toward majority rule with inalienable rights afforded the individual? No more what?