• Thanksgiving message • Co-op lacks aloha • 10 things not to do • ‘Please join our planet’ Thanksgiving message Aloha Kaua‘i and Ni‘ihau! As we see 2010 come to a close, it is natural to reflect on the blessings
• Thanksgiving message • Co-op lacks aloha • 10 things not to do
• ‘Please join our planet’
Thanksgiving message
Aloha Kaua‘i and Ni‘ihau!
As we see 2010 come to a close, it is natural to reflect on the blessings and challenges we’ve experienced this year. Both individually and as a community we continue to brave the economic crisis along with the many social and environmental challenges before us.
It has been so heartening for me to see the sense of ‘ohana that envelopes our community and embraces those among us who are most in need. Our community is unmatched in our ability to resiliently face adversity and emerge stronger and more connected than ever before.
On this Thanksgiving Day, please join me in acknowledging our blessings, filling our hearts with hope, and committing to face whatever comes our way in the spirit of collaboration and mutual support.
Let’s reach out during this holiday season to those most in need.
Seek out family, friends and others who are suffering. In short, let’s give as we have never given before.
Me ke aloha pumehana,
Bernard P. Carvalho Jr., Mayor, County of Kaua‘i
Gary K. Heu, Administrative Assistant
Co-op lacks aloha
Holiday cheer. It means something to everyone. The gathering family, good health and a good meal. To others it’s a reminder that they have lost their job and they have to make a horrible choice, food or electricity.
I called our co-op electric company to ask for 1 more day to pay the minimum amount. I asked the customer-service representative who informed me that my power would be off in a matter of hours. Additionally I would have to apologize.
My son went down with the last moment we had and paid. He was told to apologize. He didn’t feel it necessary as he was paying the bill.
We chose power over food. Just as many on the island do.
There are other companies that are willing to work with you so you can live.
This is a electrical co-op. It is supposed to benefit the people. To have to make a decision affects the health of the elderly, and everyone trying to survive. In some cases it is a health issue. Their lack of coordination makes them money and in some cases damages our heath. Is this the Aloha we believe in or a monopoly?
Something tells me their lights will be on tonight.
Happy Thanksgiving.
Mahalo.
Robyn McCarthy, Lihu‘e
10 things not to do
There is a publication in the visitor industry called 101 Things to Do.
I have decided to make a list of “101 things to not do on Kaua‘i,” but will limit this response to my top 10 of things not to do.
#10: Do not use lights at night in violation of the shearwater birds possibly colliding with them…
#9: Do not support ferry boats on the Hawaiian islands unless you want rocks thrown at you…
#8: Politicians, please do not block sidewalks while waiving signs…
#7: Do not call “slippas” “flip flops”…
#6: Do not say “how are you?” say “Howszit?”…
#5: Do not have peaceful loving concerts, or else you may be arrested…
#4: Do not walk on well-groomed, taxpayer-supported trails that are safer than the roads, since you will be issued trespass warnings…
#3: Do not support any new development, and if you do go back to the Mainland or wherever else you may be from…
#2: Do not sue the County of Kaua‘i, or you will probably settle out of court for a large sum of money and live happily ever after…
#1: Do not use the term ‘Haole’ when describing a Caucasian person because anyone can be without spirit or the breath of life, including you.
Finally for my “Hana Hou,” Please do not take The Garden Island newspaper for granted. We must be thankful for many things during this Thanksgiving period and one of the many things to be thankful for is the great periodical of The Garden Island news, Helleluyah!
James “Kimo” Rosen, Kapa‘a
‘Please join our planet’
In response to the letter “Audacity,” ( “What happened to service stations?” Nov. 20) by my dear friend Jim “Kimo” Rosen. What more can we, (business owners) do for you?
You complain because the service stations are charging you for water and air. Why shouldn’t they? They pay for the water that you want given for free, for electricity to run the compressor to provide the air that you want for free, to purchase and maintain the equipment that you want to use for free. Maybe some costs are absorbed in the price of the gasoline that you do not use. You vote for an administration that passes laws in the middle of the night on a holiday weekend, laws designed to kill business owners, i.e., bite the hand that feeds you. If your ship is sinking do you toss the captain or the cargo overboard? Without business owners who will support you? Who would provide jobs? Who would be paying the taxes to pay for the trillions of dollars of social programs, like your free food, medical care, housing? Do you know what a business owner is entitled to when he closes his business, loses his house, can’t feed his family?
We get nothing, zero, zilch, no EBT, no free housing, no medical care, no unemployment, nothing. We suffer with sleepless nights, to work 24/7 and be the last to be paid if paid at all.
Try reading Ayan Rand.
Yes, Jim, “The Audacity.” I love you, but please join our planet.
Jo King, Waimea