• Happy Easter • We already pay too much in taxes • The sugarloaf is GMO • Dangerous and unsanitary Happy Easter Saturday, I woke up stressed with so much to do. I rushed off to Walmart to purchase some
• Happy Easter • We already pay too much in taxes • The sugarloaf is GMO • Dangerous and unsanitary
Happy Easter
Saturday, I woke up stressed with so much to do. I rushed off to Walmart to purchase some last minute things for my daughter’s upcoming one year birthday party.
After spending an hour in Walmart, which was packed with shoppers, I filled up my wagon. The cashier rang up my items and I realized I did not have my wallet. How embarrassing!
Luckily I had some cash on me although it was not enough to pay for everything. I told the cashier to put some items aside. The lady behind me waited patiently. She was a local aunty with an orange tanktop and a visor.
After I emptied my purchases into my car I retrieved my wallet.
As I was walking back into the store the lady that was behind me handed me the items that I left behind. She smiled and said Happy Easter. She purchased my things, which was about $60 worth.
I was so speechless all I could say was that “I’m going to cry,” and I did.
I would like to say: Thank you so much. What a blessing you are! You changed my whole mood and reminded me how good God is and how great people can be. God bless you and your ohana! I Hope God blesses you BIG for what you did.
I also want you to know that you gave me a blessing when I needed it the most. Happy Easter and God Bless!
Mara Godfrey-Nakamura
Kapa‘a
We already pay too much in taxes
An open letter to the Mayor Carvalho and the Kaua‘i County Council:
1. Raising property taxes and county fees?
2. Raising the vehicle registration? Two years ago my fee was $95, this year it jumped to $135. Buses are inconvenient for older people who are a mile away from the bus route.
3. Raising gasoline taxes, really? We already pay 25 percent more per gallon of gas than any other state in the nation, except Alaska. Mr. Carvalho also said we must stay engaged in county government. By experience, I can say that only the retired or unemployed can do so as you have to sit or stand five to six hours before any discussion or vote take place.
Leonie Dabancourt
Kapa‘a
The sugarloaf is GMO
In the context of the current application of the term GMO with its emotional affiliation to the protest against GMOed foods and the use of chemicals in their production, I will concede that the sugarloaf pineapple is not a genetically modified organism, as was pointed out by Mr. Paul Huber in his letter of March 29.
However, the relevant facts are that the pineapple was introduced to Hawai‘i at a time when there was no “sugarloaf” variety in Hawai‘i, and according to Mr. Huber, that sugarloaf “was discovered by workers in the fields many decades ago,” and that “it is a natural variant of the smooth cayenne variety.”
The denial that it is a GMO, in light of the above facts, appear quite contradictory since the sugarloaf pineapple falls or fits perfectly into the definition of a genetically modified organism which refers to “plants with an altered genetic makeup.”
The genetic makeup of the sugarloaf is different from that of the cayenne from which it is a variant. It has its own varietal identity. It is a GMO by definition — naturally or otherwise.
Alfred Laureta
Kapa‘a
Dangerous and unsanitary
Lap dogs are increasingly presenting a bothersome to the general public. We have laws preventing driving and cell phone use; seatbelts and unauthorized dogs in a public place.
I understand the need for service dogs but what is the use of having or carrying these dogs on your lap while driving? Or placing them in a grocery cart while you food shop? This practice presents a sanitary issue for the following shopper and liability for the store for allowing this to occur.
Regarding bringing these dogs to public places like library, church or restaurant, people who are allergic now must subject themselves to these dogs.
Unless it’s a service dog, there should be no reason to shop, eat or worship with such a dog.
People should not present a situation that one can be affected or bitten. It is unsafe and unsanitary, and there is possible liability.
Mark Segreti
Kapa‘a
