Kauai primary election re-cap

While I’m sure Council Chair Mel Rapozo will put up a valiant fight, the bookies in Chinatown are no doubt giving heavy odds in favor of Councilmember Derek Kawakami being elected Kauai’s next mayor on Nov. 6 in the general election.

Be sure to vote – and know what candidates stand for

The clock ticks on the most consequential county election Kauai has ever staged. The primary is Saturday. Regular registration ends this afternoon at 4 p.m., but you can register at your assigned polling place and still vote between when the polls open at 7 a.m. and close at 6 p.m.

Candidates need to offer specific solutions

Having read the ideas put forth by the council candidates in the recent Garden Isle newspaper article, I was struck with the lack of real, detailed solutions that were put forth by any of thecandidates.

Koloa plantation era ‘Landmarks in Time’

Places and people from the past often survive through personal memory, sites, objects, community effort or by pure chance, all of which remind one of the importance of history as the foundation of our daily lives.

The voter non-voter conundrum

I often find myself wondering how I can get the attention of the non-voter. Should I yell, or beg or attempt to shame them? Should I tell them their vote really does matter even though nothing ever seems to change? Should I tell them that all politicians are not crooked and many do truly care about the future of our community?

Island should accommodate all people

As a repeat guest on your spectacular isle, which I dearly love, I’ve written letters voicing my concerns about the need for improvements in your meeting the needs of the disabled/elderly visitors.

In politics and football, America needs to stand united

America’s second Civil War is in full bloom. The president’s press secretary, Sarah Huckabee Sanders, recently went out to dine at the Red Hen restaurant in Virginia with seven family members and was asked to leave because she worked for POTUS.

Time to end the convoys, open the road

Dear Mayor Carvalho, The convoys between Waikoko and Wainiha on the North Shore have gone from an initial necessity to an ongoing, unnecessary headache for those living in Haena and Wainiha. This is an avoidable situation and a waste of taxpayer money to man the convoys.

Work together to take care of this kuleana

On April 14, 2018, Kauai experienced an unprecedented 50 inches of rain within a 24-hour period. Termed “rain bomb,” the torrential rain caused many residents from Haena, Wainiha, Hanalei, Anahola, Keapana and Koloa severe flooding, resulting in significant damage.

Five steps to reduce the cost of housing on Kauai

Affordable housing can’t be defined simply by the cold efficiency of a government equation. It should mean that you can work just one full-time job and afford to own a home. It should mean that you can buy groceries, take a vacation and spend your weekends and evenings with your children without worrying about how you’re going to afford your rent or mortgage next month.

Beware of the doggy in this Year of the Dog

Dogs have been in Hawaii since the first canoes landed. Think of the dogtooth adornments on view at our museums, which may point to ilio (dogs) being both friend and food. On Kauai in Wailua, there is even a street named Haleilio, or House of the Dog. Ilio could also be used as a metaphor for clouds in oli and mele, chant and song. That much this writer knows.