On behalf of my grandchildren
Dear Kamala Harris, While we have not met in person, I am compelled to reach out and share with you my thoughts, which I know are held by many others across the nation.
Single-test system won’t work
Dear Governor Ige; The successful quarantine system established on Kaua‘i in the months since the outbreak of the pandemic has once again saved Kaua‘i.
Great Lockdown Crash of 2020 a wakeup call for Hawai‘i
Warren Buffett once said, “You only learn who has been swimming naked when the tide goes out.”
We must not let this virus control us
I studied statistics during a semester back in my college days. We were drilled with the fact even in those days back in the early ’70s that the media usually sidestepped the truth.
Why a single test is not good enough
The September 29th Garden Island describes two COVID cases that were picked up as positive on Kaua‘i. It describes how the cases were related to mainland travel but fortunately neither case was contagious during the time they were traveling to Kaua‘i. The article states they became contagious while they were in quarantine and therefore did not pose a risk to the other travelers. That is very good news but it is important to point out that as of October 15th this good news story could have turned into a very bad news story.
‘Poisoning Paradise:’ A look back at Bill 2491
Seven years ago, on Sept. 27, 2013, after a marathon, 13-hour hearing, the Kaua‘i County Council Committee on Agriculture and Economic Development, of which I was the chair, passed out of committee Bill 2491 “as amended.”
O‘ahu has thousands of cases, Kaua‘i’s reopening plan the same
Aside from a few small island nations, Kaua‘i’s per capita COVID-19 cases are the lowest in the world. Last week, it was even lower than New Zealand, whose COVID response has been exemplary.
Protect human rights, wear a mask
Decades ago, I was a passenger in a car that was struck broadside by another vehicle.
Safe, speedy reopening of economy is chamber’s goal
In January, as the new chair of the Kaua‘i Chamber of Commerce, I came into the role anticipating a year of opportunity and growth for our member businesses.
Payroll tax change will not harm seniors
A recent letter to the editor said that the payroll tax cut will harm seniors. Is this a true statement? Let’s look at the facts.
Finding meaning for Hawai‘i
“Life can only be understood backwards; but it must be lived forwards.” — Søren Kierkegaard. Everybody knows that good times do not last forever. Thankfully, neither do bad times. The best time to plan for the future is when the sun is shining. The second best time is when it is not.
‘Work-arounds’ possible with property taxes
So just what can the County Council do anyway? Increasingly, this is the question I am getting from friends and neighbors. Frequently it is preceded by “I know they are responsible for balancing the budget, for setting property tax rates, and that they regulate land use, but what does that mean and what can they actually do?”
Arsonist rumor spreads hate, fear
In Friday’s TGIForum, one of your readers posted a letter to expose the “radical left-wing groups” he claimed have been setting fires in California and Oregon. Can we please get beyond name-calling? What has happened to our compassion and Aloha spirit? People have lost their homes and their lives.
Some words for the governor about the quarantine
Dear Governor Ige; Have you ever had to self-isolate for 14 days? No? Thankfully, me neither.
Let’s find a way to resume our productive lives
I read with interest the letter published Sept. 16 by Janet Eisenbach.
Please think of others and wear a mask
This is in response to Ms. Eisenbach’s letter, “Life is not without risks” (TGI Forum, Wednesday, Sept. 16).
Our choice of words makes a difference
I read Dennis Fujimoto’s story with great interest, as I am an active part of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing community. I appreciate that the East Kaua‘i Lions is helping the Department of Education staff and Kaua‘i’s students facilitate the clear mask concept.
Automatic voter registration and voter education
Hawaii had a record voter turnout during the primary election of August 8th, 2020 with 51.2% of registered voters actually casting a vote. In the 2018 primary election the number was 38.6%. For Kauai County the numbers were 49.7% and 43.3%, respectively.
Many things to consider this election
“It’s the economy, stupid” is the common explanation for which party prevails in presidential elections.
Kauai: Sheltered from the storm
We are in the midst of a global pandemic, and our economy is on the edge of collapse. Sparked by violent acts of racial injustice and fueled by the ever increasing economic disparity between the 1% and everybody else, people across the United States and around the world are gathering and marching by the tens of thousands.