• Sharing is caring • A no-brainer • Wants Na Pali work to continue Sharing is caring The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is exploring increasing the scope of the humpback whale sanctuary management plan to include other “marine
• Sharing is caring • A no-brainer
• Wants Na Pali work to continue
Sharing is caring
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is exploring increasing the scope of the humpback whale sanctuary management plan to include other “marine resources” in addition to humpback whales. It should be noted that at current there are numerous federal, state and county laws in place that protect our endangered marine species. This proposed increase could lead to the limitation and/or cessation of ocean activities that many of our residents participate in and may not be related to preserving humpback whales, Hawaiian monk seals, sea turtles, other marine mammals or the positive increase in protection of the reef and repopulation of fish.
While we support the protection and preservation of our endangered marine species, it is our position that any enlargement of the scope of the sanctuary’s “marine resources” should not include the closure of any fishing areas or the creation of any “no-take zones” and should provide local fishermen, ocean users and Kaua‘i and Ni‘ihau residents protections from prevention of participation in ocean-related activities as they have enjoyed for generations.
Kauaians and Ni‘ihauans must rally together and have our voices heard as to what species, if any, should be included in the sanctuary and what regulations/rules should be enacted to ensure the purpose of the sanctuary is met without restricting our ability to fish, swim, surf, tour or enjoy the ocean.
Please let NOAA know how you feel about the management of our ocean resources and ocean activities.
Comments must be received by Oct. 16, and can be submitted for the record by:
1) Phone, toll-free 1-888-559-4253. ext. 267;
2) Fax, 1-808-397-2650;
3) E-mail, hihwmanagementplan@noaa.gov;
4) U.S. mail, Management Plan Review Coordinator, Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary, 6600 Kalanianaole Hwy., Suite 301, Honolulu, HI 96825
Mahalo for your consideration.
State Rep. James Tokioka, D-Wailua-Lihu‘e-Koloa
State Rep. Roland Sagum, D-Po‘ipu-Waimea-Ni‘ihau
State Sen. Ron Kouchi, D-Kaua‘i-Ni‘ihau
A no-brainer
On the ballot: A no vote is a no vote. A yes vote is a yes vote. So far so good. No problems with that. A blank vote is a blank vote. OK, self explanatory.
Why then is a blank vote counted as a no vote?
What are you, our elected representatives, county on up, trying to do?
By not making the issues clear and the language understandable (plain language), how do you expect most of the voting population to understand the issues on the ballot and then make an educated decision either yes or no?
You don’t! That’s why there are so many blank votes on many of the issues!
You’ve manipulated the system such that a BLANK vote is counted as a NO vote which means you can manipulate the predictable outcome by confusing the issues with ambiguity and vagueness.
Something’s wrong with this picture.
How about a no vote is a no vote, a yes vote is a yes vote, and a blank vote is not counted at all ?
What a novel idea … an abstinence vote … the same as when you reps get together to vote on something. Some vote for, some against, and some abstain because of conflicting interests.
Well, a blank vote is just that, an abstaining vote due to conflicting interests, namely: not understanding the issues at hand which is a conflict of conscience.
It’s up to us as individuals to educate ourselves on the issues and to vote accordingly.
If we don’t vote on the issue then we have no complaints of the outcome other than I DIDN’T UNDERSTAND THE ISSUE and therefore ABSTAIN.
DON’T COUNT MY BLANK VOTE AS A NO VOTE !!
Kent Zarbaugh, Kapa‘a
Wants Na Pali work to continue
My thanks to Brad Parsons ( “Nice job,” letters, Oct. 12) for acknowledging the great work of Charlie Cobb-Adams and his crew on the Kalalau Trail. Credit is also due to Pono Pacific, the contractor for the project, and the Friends of the Kalalau Trail volunteers who have provided amazing assistance on the project while learning trail maintenance skills from Charlie.
Also I want to express my appreciation to the Hawai‘i state Legislature, especially our Kaua‘i legislators, for approving the funding to Kaua‘i Planning & Action Alliance (KPAA) for this project, to DLNR (state Department of Land and Natural Resources) for administering the funds, and to KPAA’s Citizens Advisory Committee for guiding us on how to protect the special wild nature of this spectacular trail. Work on the first two miles of the trail is scheduled for completion by the end of December.
Brad expressed his hope that Charlie could continue his work past Hanakapi‘ai. I want to let him and the public know that the 2009 Legislature approved funds for KPAA to continue work on the trail, but those funds have not been released by the governor. If people feel work on the trail should continue, please write the new governor after the Dec. 6 inauguration and express your support for him to release the CIP Act 162/09 grant-in-aid to Kaua‘i Planning & Action Alliance. Funds must be released by June 2011 or they will lapse.
Diane Zachary, President and chief executive officer
Kaua‘i Planning & Action Alliance, Lihu‘e
