• We need Rainforth • All I need are the papers • Don’t give up We need Rainforth So, according to The Garden Island Mayor-elect Bernard Carvalho is hiring Eugene Jimenez as our new director of the Housing Agency. With
• We need Rainforth
• All I need are the papers
• Don’t give up
We need Rainforth
So, according to The Garden Island Mayor-elect Bernard Carvalho is hiring Eugene Jimenez as our new director of the Housing Agency.
With all due respect to Mr. Jimenez, I do not know this gentleman, but I do know the man that he is going to replace, Ken Rainforth.
Having attended council meetings through three administrations, I can honestly say without any reservations that Ken Rainforth is, to quote a very learned friend of mine, “the most praised and extraordinary skilled and competent department head” that any of our administrations have ever had.
Ken had the utmost respect from not only the people who worked for him but from the council members he testified before. When he walked into the council chambers to speak on an agenda item, it was truly a breath of fresh air listening to his testimony. There was no double talk or “I will have to get back to you,” only factual answers.
He and his assistant were completely prepared to answer all and any questions that were presented to them. In fact, they would even give added information to the council that went above and beyond what was asked of them.
Members of the public who saw the amazing competence of Mr. Rainforth (amazing for government anyway) told council members to stop wasting their time and Ken’s time by having him testify because he was already addressing any and all of these problems.
There are really not enough superlatives or accolades to give Ken Rainforth for the service he has given to the people of Kaua‘i who are desperate for housing. Being in charge of an agency that is so complex and so critical for the welfare of its citizens is monumental and yet Ken and his staff have handled it. To see this extraordinary person step in and handle a job of this scope is truly amazing.
Mayor-elect Carvalho, the people on Kaua‘i and those in government who know and have worked with Ken Rainforth implore you to keep him as our housing director. Give Mr. Jimenez any position that is needed and that he is qualified for but please do not terminate Ken Rainforth.
• Glenn Mickens, Kapa‘a
All I need are the papers
To the person who stole my bag from the furniture store in Rice Street:
It is with great sadness that at this magnificent time of the year such a terrible thing has happened to me. On Saturday, Nov. 29, I was in the furniture store and put my bag down next to a desk. Someone took it.
Whoever you are I ask you to please hear me. All I need returned is the paperwork inside the bag. Two months ago I lost someone I loved and had all their important documents and tax information in there. I need it back. I don’t care about any of the other contents.
The lord has blessed me with the ability to care and accept others regardless of color, size, status or ability. Because of this I forgive you. Due to your hardships I understand your need. The turn of the economy and lost jobs has guided some of us into drastic measures to make ends meet.
My belongings have become your possessions and I pray that they have brought you comfort, but your actions have brought my family sleepless nights and unpleasantness. During this time of giving and sharing, I humbly ask you to keep all that you need, but please return to my family what you don’t need.
No questions will be asked, just thankfulness and blessings on you and your family this holiday season. Please call Bea Raco at 245-6369.
• Bea Raco
Don’t give up
I would like to add a tid-bit that was told to me direct from the fisherman’s mouth in O‘ahu. Some will come and wipe us out. They will take the opihi, limu, weke and more. I have been told this and I believe them.
One letter writer states, “Well it’s only 400 pounds of fish.” Are you so simple minded? Have you ever gone diving, kayaking along the reef, fishing, done anything in the water to know what 400 pounds of fish looks like? That’s 200-400 fish whether it be manini’s, chub’s, tako’s whatever. We cannot, as a small community, allow this to happen.
My friend says, “But it’s easier for me to take my kids and their surfboards to O‘ahu.”
Yes, the “me” generation, the MySpace, Facebook idiots who can’t see beyond their noses, willing to give up something they don’t even know that’s there.
Let the ferry come with the people but leave their autos behind. We can’t afford one pound of fish, one opihi to be snatched up and taken to be eaten or sold in O‘ahu. I am a recent newcomer to Kaua‘i only lived here since the mid-80s, fishing, diving, kayaking, selling cars, but there is one thing I know for sure: If the ferry is allowed to come and some O‘ahu boys start hitting the reef at Kalihiwai Bay trying to take the opihi to O‘ahu, there are gonna be some major misunderstandings, I kid you not.
I say no way to the ferry and if you care about our marine environment, you will too.
• Victor Lawson, Lihu‘e
