What is local to us?
To me, local means we are ʻohana and we have aoha in our culture.
Ohana means family but like in so many places in our Hawaii nei, the definition of family in Hawaii is very large, because every adult in our Hawaii nei is known as “uncle” and “aunty” and is also a feeling of a culture of family (even though we not bloodly related) who knows you very well and who knows you can do and cannot do.
Aloha is the Hawaiian main word that the Hawaiians always put in their sentences. It means hello, good bye and love. Love is the kindness broadess sense meant compassion and respect. Bring aloha in everything that we do and to every one who we connect with and setting responsibilities for yourself and for others.
The aloha values are similar to our culture lifestyles. ʻAkahai, Lokahi, ʻOluʻolu, Haʻahaʻa and ʻAhonui. This is what we believe with everyone in our local culture, like cheeeeehuuuuteh, then we show our shaka with a boogie man smile.
Shelbi Shimazu, Waimea
Please clean up, improve properties
For decades the residents of Kapaa have been stuck with two sad bookends framing their town. The old rundown Coco Palms and the last commercial spot where Kauai Gardens, Kapaa Fish and Chowder and the Shack stood. Both abandoned and their new owners letting them rot there with no care to at least keep trash or weeds down.
What a pleasant surprise to drive into town now and see the fresh coat of paint on the North parcel. My thanks to the new owner for doing their part and dressing that building up. It shows great intentions when your willing to spend a little money to improve your neighborhood and community where you plan to invest.
That fresh paint was likely a cost out to you as that building will likely need a full renovation but just know that your investment will come back to you double as we in the community will remember that.
Hopefully the owner of Coco Palms notices as well and follows your lead.
Shawn Smith, Kilauea
