• Make Coco Palms site a cultural park • What he has faith in • Loose dogs are the pits • Loss of Rhoades ‘a real tragedy’ Make Coco Palms site a cultural park September 11, 1992 for us on
• Make Coco Palms site a cultural park •
What he has faith in • Loose dogs are the
pits • Loss of Rhoades ‘a real
tragedy’
Make Coco Palms site a cultural park
September 11, 1992 for us on Kaua‘i living here at the time, was an experience few of us can forget. As I drive by the decaying structure known to us as Coco Palms, I am reminded that its effects of long ago are still felt today. While most of the island has rebuilt quickly after that humbling day, the quiet vestige of Coco Palms is our continuing reminder that nature is the one that always prevails. The recent threat of a tsunami again shows us the potential susceptibility a rebuilt hotel would risk. We do know this whole area encompassed by the hotel was once the home of Kaua‘i royalty and that it is perhaps the most sacred of sites to our Kanaka Maoli. It seems reasonable then to suggest that this site be rededicated from one of commercial use to one of remembrance for our own people. A cultural park dedicated to preserving the legacy of Kaua‘i royalty and serving as a location for the promotion of Hawaiian culture would open up much space for road improvements, beach and river users, canoe-club events, private and public parties and events. It would provide at the same time our visitors with a potentially better experience that would draw them back to the island.
Perhaps ‘Iniki came for a reason and perhaps now is the time when county and state leaders should consider other options.
While this idea may not be original, I do feel strongly that it is pono.
William Fritz, Kapa‘a
What he has faith in
I was listening to another candidate telling some reporter on television about how his campaign was based on faith. Faith seems to be popular at election time so if there are any politicians out there looking for my vote I thought I’d mention what I have faith in. My great-grandmother was a New England school teacher born in 1898 and sometime during her 100 years on this planet she decided to become a Christian Scientist. Not those ones that refuse modern medicine, but the kind that believed eventually science would meet religion in proving that there was a god. Now I’m not convinced that this will happen or that it’s even necessary but I look at those engaged in science, physics, chaos theory, string theory, astronomy, quantum theory or whatever theory as doing “spiritual work,” whether they realize it or not, because of what my great-grandmother believed. Those that have “faith” because someone told them to believe some religion at some time I look at as “spiritually lazy.” They seem to be nothing more than sheep herded around in ignorance and happy for it. Good for them if it makes them content, but I’ll put my faith in science. Science is why we live as long as we do thanks to medicine and vaccines. Science is why airplanes and automobiles make global travel possible. Science is why the Hubble telescope shows amazing scenes of our universe and maybe one day science will prove there is a god after all.
Jason Nichols, Koloa
Loose dogs are the pits
I’m sending a letter about issues on dogs. In my neighborhood there are guard dogs and watchdogs; fenced, chained and kenneled. Some are used for hunting, some run loose and a few are pets. All bark. Some more than others, and most get little or no exercise.
I went to walk my dog this evening and my neighbor’s three dogs in my yard again, taking their evening dump, one even next to our home’s entry area. As I continued to leave my home, with my dog on his LEASH, the three dogs proceeded to follow me, one chewing on a DEAD bird! One injured and limping! And all barking, causing all other dogs to go off in the manner of the same….A NEIGHBORHOOD NOISE-FEST! I feel defeated in me trying to get some exercise for my health and on doctor’s orders. Me and my dog WALKING, even in my own yard, I have to dodge other loose dogs, and their “deposits,” or their BARKING as to protect it!
Talking to the neighbors’ 4-year-old daughter summed it up. As I told my dog to “sit” in ‘olelo Hawai‘i, her dog, rolling over on its back in submission (very doubtful any of their dogs are even spayed!!), the girl said, “My dogs don’t know language. My mom hasn’t taught them yet.”
Something to think about…
Aloha no!
K’Lynn Mawae, Anahola
Loss of Rhoades ‘a real tragedy’
I am writing this letter from Turkey where I am vacationing. I just read The Garden Island online and was devastated to hear that Dr. Becky Rhoades was no longer with the Kaua‘i Humane Society ( “Dr. Becky leaves Kaua‘i Humane Society, Sept. 22). She has done a wonderful job in the 10 years she has been with the society. The programs she has initiated have done so much for the welfare of Kaua‘i’s animals. The most important thing she has accomplished is to bring awareness to our community about animal cruelty.
Tonight I spent time tying to get a tourist from Vienna to adopt a beautiful blond lab who is a street dog here in Gerome. The problem in Turkey with abandoned or mistreated animals is overwhelming — many feral dogs and cats. Kaua‘i had the same problem, mostly on the Westside of the island in the ‘60s, ‘70s and ‘80s. Under Dr. Becky the problem has really improved. I do not know why she has left but this is a real tragedy for our island.
Carol Ann Davis, Po‘ipu
