I read a story in the Garden Island news April 1 titled, “Something to squawk about.” It went on to talk about a grassroots group that petitioned the U.S. government to place the wild chickens of Kauai on its endangered
I read a story in the Garden Island news April 1 titled, “Something to squawk about.” It went on to talk about a grassroots group that petitioned the U.S. government to place the wild chickens of Kauai on its endangered species list. I read the story halfway through until I saw the authors name of April Fuhl and realized it was an April Fools’ joke. The irony of the story is it was believable because it sounded like something the “antis”’ might actually push for. Many TGI online commenters believed it to be true, they say many of earnest word is spoken in jest.
The newest rant for Kauai “antis” is no dairy. Previously, it was no ferry. Just like a landfill nobody seems to want, the dairy in their backyard.
A win-win situation might be a dairy on a ferry. This way, the cows are in nobody’s backyard. The ferry would always be full, thus not allowing the homeless or drug addicts to ride the ferry as was the concern of many antis. I always thought to myself, how strange that drug addicts or homeless will not fly? I never quite understood that concept.
(Yes, I am being facetious to try and make my point!)
If some entrepreneur wants to open a dairy farm business, let them do so: This is America. If they can make a buck, employ people and operate according to state and federal guidelines, so be it. Many are acting like this dairy farm project is a nuclear power plant.
The subject of ferry boats is much more complex. Hawaii is an island state with over 1 million people. For the more than 1 million people, there is currently only one major airline offering public transportation off the islands. A previous private venture called the “Superferry” failed before it even had a chance. This was do to political unrest and protest.
Hawaii is in need of another form of public transportation to travel off island. Many people are afraid to fly, many physically challenged people would have an easier time boarding a ferry boat in their own vehicles rather than going through all the stresses of an airport. Ferry service would also lower prices of cargo ships and would allow families an affordable means to visit friends and family on neighbor islands. For many, including myself, we could take our bicycles and bicycle all over the great state of Hawaii.
Just as the county of Kauai subsidizes The Kauai Bus and the city of Honolulu does likewise, a state ferry could also be subsidized to help offset costs.
The states of Alaska and Washington have incredible state ferry services.
The ferries are inexpensive for walk-ons and a little more if you bring a vehicle. The ferries are there for travel, cargo, convenience, disasters and to keep democracy. A democracy should not allow a monopoly airline to continue charging outrageous fares.
I am proposing and hoping the Hawaii Senate or Congress introduces a bill for islandwide ferry transportation subsidized by the state.
How can an island state in the year 2014 with a population over 1 million not allow for a ferry system? Cruise ships continue to visit our islands, yet they are much more polluting than any ferry boat.
A ferry boat system is long overdue. A dairy on a ferry might sound crazy, but so does an island state with more than 1 million people but without a ferry.
Remember the antis are basically against any new development, even if there’s a need. Most antis are transplants from the Mainland — most are liberal. The antis are usually active in politics and one of the first things they do upon relocating to a new community is register to vote. Locals need to do the same and follow suit.
Many have given up on the political process, and for good reason. There is a large number of born-and-raised locals who want progress but are afraid to speak.
It’s time to say yes to so many things. Please register to vote, and speak your mind. The silent majority can no longer remain silent. Yes is not a dirty word.
The dairy man’s motto goes like this, “Be kind to udders!” With that said, I vote yes to a dairy and a ferry!
• James “Kimo” Rosen is a retired professional photographer living in Kapa’a with his best friend Obama Da Dog, Rosen also blogs as a hobby; http://www.dakinetalk.blogspot.com/
