Football schedule discussion takes flight

As expected, the change to the 2010 KIF football schedule has drawn a pretty loud response from the community.

The tradition of Friday night football is on hold, at least for this season, which has ruffled the feathers of some parents, players and spectators.

The decision, made mainly to assist in the continued existence of the Newell’s Shearwater, as well as avoid potential legal issues if one or more were harmed, has created two main arguments.

1) How can we consider a football game more important than nature and our environment?

2) How can we consider a bird more important than the well-being of our kids?

I’m not ready to interject my own opinions on whether or not this change seemed to be necessary because I’m still in the process of covering the story and trying to hear from a number of different voices.

But I will say this: The worst approach to discussing this issue is to be dismissive.

If there is one thing that bothers me to no end, it is simply tossing aside someone else’s argument or opinion without putting any truly constructive thought into what they have to say.

Those in favor of the measure seem to feel that in addition to looking out for a native bird, the best example we can provide for our children is to instill a level of appreciation for nature and for a species on the brink of extinction.

Those opposed to the change are concerned about the impact it will now have on their family weekend activities, consequently eliminating some availability and creating a Friday night with more opportunity for kids to get into trouble.

Both are totally understandable, when looked at through the other’s eyes.

I doubt many people are really in favor of willingly eliminating a species (other than my lack of remorse if there were to be no more Yankee fans), so those unaffected by the change probably don’t grasp how a switch from Friday to Saturday is anything but a no-brainer.

Conversely, parents who are trying to keep a positive family environment intact are baffled at how a random bird that gets confused by shiny objects is taking precedence over what they believe to be the well-being of Kaua‘i keiki.

This isn’t anything new. Human nature basically insists that our immediate reaction to any event is how it affects us.

My first thought when I found out about the change was I would no longer have to rush back to the office to make deadline after football games. I might even get to replace my typical sprint to the car with a leisurely stroll and even stop to grab some grub on the way.

From the county’s perspective, it’s not hard to see why they opted to eliminate the lights. If one “take” can invoke a federal indictment, they might as well just get rid of that potential.

The point is that everyone first considers their own perspective, then usually struggles to consider another. There’s nothing wrong with that, as long as it remains just a temporary outlook.

But once we engage in a debate, to just dismiss someone’s sentiment as naive, ignorant, immoral, etc., without at least attempting to understand their position is counterproductive.

So keep the discussion going. Reach out to the one another, voice your opinion, your pleasure, your displeasure. But let’s not just scream our message and then cover our ears while yelling “la, la, la, la, la.”