Letters for Thursday, April 30, 2009

• Demolish Coco Palms site and grow a garden

• Kaua‘i path is a waste of our money

• Time to move beyond campaign slogans

Demolish Coco Palms site and grow a garden     

David Penhallow’s letter of April 25 regarding the creation of a park on the Coco Palms site came as a breath of fresh air. 

His vision was stated so clearly and thoroughly that anyone who lives on Kaua‘i, or who has ever visited the island, would certainly agree with what he proposes. 

To go ahead with the plans that Penhallow has so carefully laid out, the first thing to consider would be the disposal of the sadly decaying old buildings that were once the lovely Coco Palms hotel. My vision of how to accomplish this may be of help.

First, the buildings could be demolished where they stand and rather than hauling the debris to an almost full landfill, or creating another dumpsite on Kaua‘i’s precious land, the rubble could be left in place and be put to good use where it is. 

The demolished remains of the old buildings could be crushed up, then pushed, piled and shaped into a good-sized berm that would run parallel to the highway.  The berm could be covered with greenwaste mulch and soil, then one of Kaua‘i’s landscape artists could be chosen to select groundcovers, shrubs and trees to plant on the berm, thereby transforming it into an attractive tropical feature separating the highway from the park. 

Driving by, we would see a lovely verdant raised garden beyond which we would see Deborah Kapule’s ancient coconut trees in all their majesty.

The terribly dilapidated buildings that have stood by the highway since Hurricane Iniki roared across Kaua‘i in 1992 will be gone, and if Penhallow’s vision comes true, there will be no hotel/timeshare/condo buildings marring the beautiful scenery of the park. Also, I imagine Grace Guslander would approve of this renovation whole heartedly. 

How the county would fund the demolition of the embarrassing old eyesore is anybody’s guess.

Ann Jensen, Hanalei

Kaua‘i path is a waste  of our money

For the record, let me say that I am not opposed to bike paths per se. I am opposed to this ill-planned, ill-conceived path on Kaua‘i that is costing us taxpayers millions of dollars.

And yes, even certain members of the council are quick to point out that “our” county cost will only be 20 percent of the total (still a stealth figure) whereas the feds will pick up 80 percent of the tab. But why try and separate the money — no matter which pocket it comes from it is still our money.

One recent article to the Forum, “Ride, ride, ride your bikes” on April 23, asked where the bike path is that was built 35 years ago? It is still there along our highway and the signs read “Bike Lane” and if one wishes any factual information about this project then please contact Joe Rosa who was the state inspector on the job when it was built. He is a strong opponent of duplicating this failed project and can back up every word he says.

I once wrote an a letter where I stated that I challenge the leaders of this project to do an in-depth island-wide survey of how many people want and will benefit from the millions being spent on it. In fact, this study should have been done on its prospective usage before work was ever started. I still offer this challenge today.

We are trying to retrofit a path into an area already over congested unlike other paths that were programmed into the master plan before construction or the open space was available to accommodate a path.

Money is a finite object, particularly now, so let us not spend it on designs, consultants, and construction of a project that will not benefit the majority of our people.

Glenn Mickens, Kapa‘a

Time to move beyond campaign slogans

With sustainability efforts, practices and procedures in the forefront as we grapple with what’s possible, affordable, available and doable, this may be the time to seriously consider what can or cannot be done.

For instance, concerning the WRE plans and proposals that have been previously turned down, is it in our best interests to have that offer scrutinized carefully, and, if found to be favorable with respect to lessening our dependency on imported fossil fuel for our energy and transportation needs, be further pursued for the welfare and benefit of Kaua‘i?

There are investment dollars and jobs that come with the offer. Aren’t those plus factors worth a careful review?

Is it possible to look beyond “business-as-usual-practices” in the political arena and/or the status quo of the inner circle of “shakers and movers” to bring about effective and positive paradigm shifts in the way things are accomplished?

“Together we can!” and “Yes, we can!” should be more than successful campaign slogans. These are the buzz words that are in the hearts and minds of the grassroots constituency eager for changes.

Jose Bulatao Jr., Kekaha