• TVR bill undermines HRS • Until we meet again • ‘Stand for Democracy’ TVR bill undermines HRS Growing up here on Kaua‘i, I was always taught to return borrowed property in better condition than when I received it. I
• TVR bill undermines HRS • Until we meet again • ‘Stand for Democracy’
TVR bill undermines HRS
Growing up here on Kaua‘i, I was always taught to return borrowed property in better condition than when I received it. I can remember cleaning my cousins’ toys after using them, washing my grandfather’s car after driving it around the block, cleaning all the fishing equipment borrowed from a friend after a weekend fishing expedition, cleaning all the woks that we borrowed to cook malasadas at the County Fair, and cleaning up the beach after a campout. There was never a question about taking care of property that belonged to others. We were the stewards of the borrowed property while the property was in our possession. This is a great practice and that was passed on to me by my parents, and their parents, and their parents, etc.
On Wednesday, the Kaua‘i County Council passed a bill that will allow illegal vacation rentals to continue to operate on Kaua‘i’s precious agriculture lands. Although Chapter 205 of the Hawai‘i Revised Statutes clearly prohibits the use of agriculture lands for the purpose of vacation rentals, and provides for a process for illegal vacation rental owners to apply for a special use permit, Councilmember Tim Bynum introduced this bill to allow these illegal vacation rental owners to operate legally under County law. Council Chair Kaipo Asing and Councilmember Derek Kawakami voted against the bill, but Councilmembers Furfaro, Kaneshiro, Bynum, Chang and Kawahara voted to approve it. The bill passed and will be going to Mayor Carvalho for his signature.
As a result of this bill, we will not be passing these lands to the next generation in better condition than when we got them. We will have effectively taken out a huge chunk of agriculture lands from this precious island that ironically is called the Garden Island. We have not acted as good stewards of these lands. Remember, we are all only visitors here. We have a relatively short time here on Earth, and we must preserve and protect this “borrowed” place that we call Kaua‘i.
This bill will cause the increase in property values of agricultural lands making it even more difficult, if not impossible, for true farmers to acquire lands to farm on. The most disturbing part of this bill is that it punishes all of the local families that have had agriculture lands in their families for generations. Because they chose to follow the laws and not build anything other than farm dwellings on their properties, they are forever prohibited from having a revenue-generating vacation rental on their property. For those investors that chose to violate Chapter 205, as well as their Farm Dwelling Agreements, and use their agriculture lands for vacation rentals, they are now “permitted” to continue. This is a travesty for the agriculture industry on Kaua‘i.
This bill undermines the intent of Chapter 205 of the Hawai‘i Revised Statutes, which was enacted to preserve agriculture lands throughout the State. This bill must not become law. I hope that Mayor Carvalho quickly vetoes this bill.
Mel Rapozo, Lihu‘e
Until we meet again
The world lost a very special person on Friday. A young life taken by a tragic accident.
On a bad day you could sit with him and the sun would come out and everything seemed to be fine. He could only see the best in people and like a child, was anxious to learn everything.
He loved people, animals and nature. His true love was to collect sunrise shells and bring our the beauty for all to share.
His light has gone out on this earth but his memory will shine forever.
Alex you will be missed, thank you for being you. You gave us all hope by knowing you. Maybe this world was not ready for you but you have touched so many hearts and we are all wiser for knowing you.
Alex Texeira, we love and miss you, until we meet again…
Geoff Culverhouse, Hanalei
‘Stand for Democracy’
The U.S. Supreme Court has freed corporations to control our government by changing the “rules” from “one man-one vote” to “all the votes you can buy.”
The “Citizens United” decision confirms that corporations are “persons” and as such, guaranteed those liberties defined in the U.S. Constitution.
As “people,” corporations are now allowed to donate unlimited amounts of money to whomever they want to see elected.
For example, Target Corporation — yes the discount retailer — has given $150,000 to “Minnesota Forward,” which will be used to support the very right-wing Tom Emmer in his race for governor.
MN Forward, funded only by corporations — not real people — claims to be for job creation; but like many corporate-sponsored organizations, it is mostly interested in “tax reform.”
The same “tax reform” that the Republicans in Congress are pushing. No taxes on the rich to save Social Security. No taxes on multi-million-dollar estates so your station in life is a birthright, not how well you do your job. In the world MN Forward envisions, all men are not created equal.
It is time for Kaua‘i to “Stand for Democracy.” Sign the pledge at www.standfordemocracy.org. Join the rally in front of the old court house at 3 p.m. Aug. 10.
John Zwiebel, Kalaheo
