• ‘Kimo’s World’ wrong about Kauai • Political feud results in wasted money • Gender wage gap slight for Hawaii women
‘Kimo’s World’ wrong about Kauai
In regards to Kimo’s World (TGI, April 7), if this waste of space and ink is allowed to continue in our newspaper, at least rename his column to something more appropriate, like, Kimo’s One Man’s Personal Opinion. There is nothing humorous or intelligent about his tongue-in-cheek insults to the Hawaiian Islands, its people and culture. Got a few questions on some of Kimo’s opinionated ramblings.
Hawaii: It is not an island state, that would be more like Staten Island in New York. The Hawaiian Islands are a fragile archipelago in the middle of the Pacific Ocean that happens to be governed by the US of A. Each island is unique in its own special way, that’s kind of what makes it paradise.
Superferry: It was not stopped by the “antis.” It was stopped by the concerned local population. Remember, there was never an EPA study performed. It would have brought a multitude of cars that Kauai roads could not, and still cannot, handle. There is also the threat of an influx of homeless, drugs, the mongoose, decimation of our native habitat and the arrival of more invasive species. Still want to bring a super-duper ferry over here?
Food: Appears Kimo’s idea of good food in the islands is dining at McDonald’s, Costco or some other fast-food franchise. Look around. There are hundreds of local restaurants owned by local residents serving great food at a low cost. Instead of patronizing some giant Mainland corporation, why not sit down in a friendly little restaurant, eat some home grown food and support the local population?
Antis: Don’t think that would be liberal Mainland newcomers fighting to keep Kauai the way it is. Antis, kind of like Kimo, would be the ones that want to change everything about Kauai and make it bigger and faster. Missing that big city lifestyle? How about Oahu, Maui or New York? No change needed.
Kauai, at present, is still pretty much a quiet, laid back, family oriented island. Why not keep it that way?
If someone, anyone, is truly dissatisfied with Kauai’s food, people, transportation or indigenous animals, why are you here? Why?
Life is to short to be unhappy. Please, go make yourself happy.
Mika Ashley-Hollinger
Kilauea
Political feud results in wasted money
Two hundred and ninety thousand dollars? How many of us are going to make that much over the next five years? So, because of a political feud, our tax dollars are going toward a settlement so we don’t have to waste more dollars on litigation?
What troubles me most is that in every facet of the private sector you need some sort of credentials or a degree to hold down a job, but any idiot who can sign an X on an application to run for office is eligible. That becomes horrendously clear given our present representation. I am inclined to think not one of them could hold down a job in the private sector that garnished the wages our taxes pay them.
Joseph Lavey
Kapaa
Gender wage gap slight for Hawaii women
In Monday’s The Garden Island, there was an excellent article entitled “Study shows gender wage gap still exists.” The article really points out the need to always read the entire article. In the beginning of the article, a report by the National Partnership for Women and Families showed a gender gap costing women in Hawaii nearly $8,000 per year.
But the important point in equality is to receive equal pay for the same job. As one reads on, the newly released national study on wage disparity notes that in Hawaii “The difference between similarly skilled employees was 17 cents per hour between males and females” with Hawaii having the sixth smallest difference among the 50 states. 17 cents per hour equals $353.60 per year (.17 times 2,080 hours (40 hours times 52 weeks). While there should be no difference at all, the figure of $353.60 per year is a far cry from the inflammatory $8,000. The goal — and hope — is that there be absolutely no wage disparity between similarly skilled employees, but Hawaii seems to be getting close.
Joe Frisinger
Princeville
