People can be good
I ride along the bike path often, after work, just to relax, get some exercise and enjoy the coast. I normally don’t wear a helmet. But I learned a lesson recently when I skidded into some mud and lost control of my bike. One minute I was zooming along at my usual pace, and the next I lay unconscious on the path.
Fortunately, a young couple was coming up from Donkey Beach when I had my accident. They were my guardian angels. He helped me stay conscious and she flagged down the ambulance when it came. I am so grateful to them for helping me because, truly, I was at the mercy of whatever came my way. With their help, I only had to stay in the hospital one night and most of my cuts and bruises have healed. I have learned that the bike path can be quite treacherous after the rain and it is best to wear a helmet just in case.
With so much bad news on a daily basis, especially if you watch network television (I don’t) it is important to be reminded that people are good.
A few days later our dog was scared from gunshots nearby (a neighbor shooting chickens who were eating their bananas-still green!) and our beloved dog, Coco, ran up the road and out onto the highway. Traffic stopped six-deep on both sides, according to my friend and co-teacher who didn’t know that it was our dog, and still stopped her car, called, “Come on boy!” and let him hop in her back seat.
Fortunately, he was wearing a dog tag so we could come and pick him up. This story especially warmed the hearts of the third graders that I teach who also knew this teacher. People are good and when we are in difficult situations, whether it is an escaped dog or a bad accident on our bike, it is so nice to be reassured that someone along the way, some stranger, may do the kind thing, the right thing, and help, just because that’s what we do.
I will wear my helmet from now on and we are keeping our dog inside when we go away. But even with all the caution, the world is an unpredictable place and we are bound to stumble along the way. I am so glad to live on an island among people that care enough to help.
P.S. Kristina is still waiting for her bike to be returned to her. Bring it by the school any time!
Kristina Kenegos, Kapaa Elementary School teacher
I hope the police came to visit the local shooting his gun in a residential area. Typical.
“But this is Kauai. This is not the Mainland. Stop trying to make Mainland rules!”
When you are living in the past like hillbillies, then yea,…..anarchy is not really good for the common good.
Great stories, glad you AND Coco are okay. What happened to your bike?
A human head hitting the concrete has a similar effect as a raw egg being dropped from about six feet. I ride motorcycle and bicycle and ALWAYS wear a helmet.
Hey Jake
1 who said it was in a residential neighborhood?
2 who said it was a local?
3 clown
Hey jakey. Good job being mean and downgrading an accident vicim. You is one mean faka