• Don’t phase out paratransit but service • A special island • Parking a disgrace • Great lady of Hawai‘i’s history • Problem solved Don’t phase out paratransit bus service I was alarmed Tuesday morning to read of the “phasing
• Don’t phase out paratransit but
service • A special island
• Parking a disgrace
• Great lady of Hawai‘i’s history
• Problem solved
Don’t phase out paratransit bus service
I was alarmed Tuesday morning to read of the “phasing out” of paratransit services on Kaua‘i (“County still eyeing 2 percent fuel tax to expand bus service”).
What a tragedy for elders who have no other access to necessary activities.
When I’ve ridden the paratransit bus I’ve noted the number of elderly, some in wheelchairs, going to Adult Day Care in Lihu‘e. Others go grocery shopping or to the doctor. Some utilize the service for meeting up with friends or visiting family. The elderly can become depressed and even suicidal unless they have a way to get out and socialize; paratransit provides the way.
My parents, in their late 80s, are starting to make use of paratransit buses on the Mainland now that it’s no longer safe for them to drive. This gives them the independence they need as well as access to medical appointments. That is also the situation of some I’ve spoken with on Kaua‘i.
The vans traveling from Kekaha are usually so full I have to plan ahead to get the early one, so while some routes may be small, with few passengers, others are thriving.
I encourage the council to reconsider phasing out paratransit. It’s much needed on this island as our citizens age and become less able to get around. And perhaps some day you too will need the service; won’t it be good to know it’s available?
Susan J. Campbell, Kalaheo
A special island
I would like to thank the young man from Lihu‘e in the white van who stopped to assist me Sunday afternoon at the 17-mile marker in changing a flat tire on my rental car.
He was gracious with his time and very competent switching out the blown tire with the ‘fake flat’ (whose tire jack had me stymied!). Many thanks also to his patient children who waited while he quickly made the change and carefully tightened things up so that I could drive the car securely back to the airport.
Thank you too, Alamo airport staff, who had me back on the road in minutes and whose first concern was that I was OK.
Kaua‘i has been home away from home for over 25 years and this is another example of why this island will always be so special.
Kathy Miller, Juneau, Alaska
Parking a disgrace
As a regular tourist for the last approximately 18 years, I am very disappointed with the condition of the parking area for Ke‘e Beach which is placarded with an official sign saying “parking.”
This area is only suitable for vehicles that are all-terrain in concept with large wheels in order to give them clearance to go over the large rocks that make up the surface of the area.
The local authorities must have an in with the local garages that have to repair the vehicles that hit bottom trying to park in an area that is designated for parking. Does that sign make them responsible for any damages done?
Considering the number of tourists that go to the beach weekly — I am sure it must be in the thousands — it does not say much for the local authorities idea of looking after the people who bring a lot of the money into the island.
I am sure that these rocks could be removed in order to make a proper parking area, even if it was done one area at a time.
Norm Randall, Vancouver, B.C.
Great lady of Hawai‘i’s history
I can’t help but admire the gracious and talented Lady Ipo and how selflessly she shares her joyous love and energy with our community.
Over so many years she has shown such a strong loving spirit during so many events. What a lovely voice and sweet musician. She must have a formidable schedule most of us could not even dream of meeting!
I think she has a great life story and I hope someday she will put her story in a book that we will truly enjoy reading. Those of us who have heard her sermons have experienced a special moment with a great lady of Hawai‘i’s history.
Karen Navratil, Kapa’a
Problem solved
It’s all in the words.
‘Marriage’ is defined in the Oxford Dictionary Thesaurus as; “The legal union of a man and woman.” Therefore, there can be no gay marriage, according to that definition.
Simple solution: Make up a new word for gay marriage. May I suggest “garriage.” Replacing the “m” in “marriage,” with the “g” from “gay,” hence “garriage.”
Give “garriage” the same respect as marriage, by having a new word, ‘marriage’ remains the same holy bond between man and woman and “garriage” becomes a new institution with a definition all its own.
James “Kimo” Rosen, Kapa‘a
