Mahalo, Westside water crew
Last week, I had been notified that the water would be turned off at our condo on Lawa‘i Road as a buried line and valve needed necessary replacement. The water department crew arrived promptly and began its work.
I was disappointed but not surprised to see that they had to remove a hedge of song of India bushes that had been planted a couple of years ago to lessen the sound from traffic on the adjacent road. I requested that they not destroy the plants, as I thought I might be able to replant them after they concluded their work. The job was finished later in the afternoon and I was about to check and remind them to leave the plants intact. Much to my surprise, I found that the crew was in the process of digging holes and replanting the bushes before leaving the work site.
Frequently, public-sector employees are unnecessarily criticized and maligned by the general public. I wish to take this opportunity to publicly thank the Westside water department crew for their thoughtfulness and professionalism in fixing the water issue on time as promised. But I particularly want to thank them for adding a bit of Christmas cheer to the residents of our condo complex by replanting these bushes.
Mahalo nui loa.
Andy Murphy, Koloa
Pandemic pop quiz #4
I will take the COVID-19 vaccine as soon as possible because:
1. I have a personal friend who had COVID-19 and got really sick from it.
2. I think vaccines are a great boon to modern medicine.
3. Anyone who questions vaccines is an idiot.
4. All of the above
I won’t take the COVID-19 vaccine because:
1. I want to wait and see if anyone suffers long-term side affects from it.
2. The RNA-altering aspects of the vaccine bother me.
3. I don’t know anyone who has had COVID-19, so I am not scared of it at all.
4. Oh, no, it’s you again. Leave me alone, I am watching “Wheel of Fortune.”
People who are for vaccinations:
1. Are condescending towards anyone who is not pro-vaccination.
2. Think their opinion is correct and belittle anyone who has a different point of view.
3. Use terms like “irrational” and “unscientific” to describe anyone who questions vaccinations.
4. Dismiss reports that vaccines have injured many children permanently.
5. I am too busy watching NFL football to answer this.
Questionable aspects of the pandemic include:
1. Questions about how statistics are calculated, including the death rate and the accuracy of testing using the PCR test.
2. Questions about how the long-term effect of the pandemic may permanently damage the economy and individual freedoms.
3. Questions about who may be behind the pandemic and may actually want to create upheaval, i.e., the Trojan-Horse concept.
4. Questions about the juggernaut of public-health policy as formulated and promoted by the medical and media establishments.
5. Questions about the accuracy of stating that people who are asymptomatic can spread COVID-19.
6. Questions about the legality of extended emergency orders that have crippled small businesses.
7. Oh go away. I just watched Hill do a back flip into the end zone. What a great game.
The pandemic is:
1. Nearly over because the vaccine is here.
2. We have to wait and see what the final effect of the pandemic is, economically, politically and socially.
3. It’s just a case of the Emperor’s New Clothes. The whole thing is a fabrication to manipulate billions of people.
4. Bug off. I just watched Lamar Jackson come out of the locker room and save the day in the final quarter.
Well, here again are the correct answers: Ha, I am no dummy. It is clearly the last answer to each question.
Molly Jones, Kealia
Many thanks or ‘Ai Pono Challenge success
This open letter is to share my deep gratitude for the 262 registered participants and over-two-dozen businesses, restaurants, farmers and partners that participated during the 1st ‘Ai Pono Challenge (Eat Local Kaua‘i) during the week of Nov. 8 to 14.
The ‘Ai Pono Challenge was a personal way to help support local food systems by shopping at farmer’ markets, eating at restaurants featuring locally-sourced ingredients, supporting our local hunters, fishermen, poultry, egg and pork producers. Also, celebrating the diverse communities here on Kaua‘i, backyard gardeners, farmers and gatherers that use sustainable practices.
Thank you to the County of Kaua‘i and the Kupa‘a Resilience Project for your support in helping us by getting the word out. Thank you, Mayor Kawakami, for giving us a “shout out” during a few of your daily live updates on social media prior to and during the challenge. Mahalo nui to the farmers’ markets: Waipa Foundation, Kealia Market, Kapa‘a Sunhine Market, Anaina Hou; Hanapepe farmers’ market and the farmers’ market at Hale Puna in Waimea. These were markets where I was able to pass out printed hats with our logo to registered participants.
Mahalo nui to those who went above and beyond to take the challenge and personally push themselves to do 100% local-sourced. You can find the photos on our website as well as the winners of the challenge at hapahi.org.
I would also like to personally thank Malama Kaua‘i, which through its Aloha ‘Aina Workforce Program (CARES-Act-funded) and my host agency, Hawai‘i Alliance for Progressive Action, for providing this ‘Ai Pono Challenge coordinator position to be able to move this project forward. Mahalo to Fern Holland and Anne Frederick, who provided me with many hours of tech training and cultivating new skills within this position that will make me thrive.
In closing, I challenge us, the residents of Kaua‘i, to do our own inventory of locally-sourced foods in our areas, communities and ‘ahupua‘a. Celebrate your farmers, fishermen, hunters and gatherers. In times of urgency, like this summer and fall, I urge each of us to look at our food systems locally and statewide. Where do we see that changes are needed? How can we do a better job at feeding our island and its residents? Who is ready to work on more-sustainable food systems? What exactly are we waiting for?
Lorilani Keohokalole, ‘Ai Pono Challenge, Eat Local Kaua‘i 2020 coordinator resident in moku of Ko‘olau, Anahola
