Ige’s relaxing restrictions makes more questions
Amid all of the chaos and uproar regarding the upcoming change in policy issued by Gov. David Ige, there seems to be quite a lot of speculation.
Will Mayor Derek Kawakami change the current requirements for our gyms, bars, and restaurants to require vax or a negative test upon entry in order to increase the ever-coveted operational capacity?
One thing to remember, that the Star-Advertiser also made sure to make front and center news, the requirements offered by Ige STILL maintain 6 feet of social distancing indoors. Alas, businesses can’t operate at full capacity while still maintaining 6 feet of social distancing, regardless of said policy change.
Also, a small inquiry: Are there really enough restaurants on island that would be able to strongly benefit from Ige’s caveat to lax social distancing in outdoor dining settings if Kawakami implemented vax/pre-test for our businesses?
Kara Thrace, Kalaheo
Again, homeless kupuna gets short end of stick
I would like to respond to the article in your Nov. 2, 2021, edition titled “DLNR Sweeps Wailua Encampment” with no author identified. I found it very offensive and riddled with untruths. The article states that the campers were given notice “more than a month ago” when they were only given two weeks’ notice to move.
According to our Kaua‘i district land agent, Alison Neustein, campers are not allowed on state conservation lands. She states that her department has received complaints about this camp over the past year. The 20 kupuna and their caregivers were moved there only two months ago after their last sweep from Lydgate.
Also, she states that there were “no sanitary facilities” although our group provided a portable lua and the campers built a shower. The campers and volunteers cleaned the area and made it attractive and livable. Then she goes on to blame our kupuna for stealing water from neighbors with no proof and only suspicion. Then she has the audacity to state that many campers have refused shelter or transitional housing. Last time I checked there is no shelter or transitional housing available for these folks.
I participated in a zoom meeting on Oct. 22, 2021, facilitated by Kamealoha Smith of Ho‘omana along with Alison Neustein as well as many community members working on houseless solutions. During this meeting, Ms. Neustein had no answers or solutions for us as she is rather new to the job and needs to “do her research.” Well, Ms. Neustein did you find any answers to our questions or better yet did you identify a suitable piece of land for these kupuna to move to?
Barbara Penn, Healing Kauai’s Houseless and Community Needs, Wailua Homesteads
