I just read about the committee that is looking at what to do about retaining Kauai’s environment and lifestyle.
We have been visiting Kauai since 1974 and have watched all the devastating changes that happen every year on the island. I can no longer look a local in the eye because of what we have done to your island.
I am so happy that the powers that be are finally going to take action.
We would be willing never to visit Kauai again if the committee put on restrictions limiting tourists and preserved the island and the environment for the local Hawaiian people.
Then today I read about Zuckerberg buying more land. I would like to suggest a few ideas.
No. 1 — Limit the number of tourists allowed to come to Kauai. Our numbers are destroying your paradise. The locals are getting taxed to death to maintain all the infrastructure that we make necessary.
No. 2 — When you do limit the number of visitors, also add at least $100 per person landing fee to help pay for infrastructure that we make necessary. People who can afford to come to Kauai can afford an additional landing fee.
No. 3 — Do not allow mainlanders or out of country people to buy land on Kauai. Make it so long-time residents, 30 years or more are the only people who can buy property on Kauai and they have to be permanent residents. Then locals and their children will be able to grow up and be able to afford to buy their own place to raise their families. The way it is now, wealthy people price everything out of the reach of local people. Costa Rica does not allow non-Costa Ricans to buy oceanfront property. That is a start, but should cover all land on the island. If the Zuckerberg example doesn’t wake you up, nothing will.
No. 4 — Limit the number of rental cars allowed on the island. We can slow down and enjoy the scenery by walking or taking shuttle service.
No. 5 — Don’t give permits for any more vacation rentals. People who buy properties and come down for 2 or three months and then rent out their property are the cause of locals not being able to buy property.
No. 6 — Require all businesses, such as Costco, not to sell over packaged food like hard plastic that will never deteriorate, just for a salad or fruit or a drink. Businesses should be responsible for taking back their pollution and pay to have it recycled. The price of food is unbelievable. I don’t know how a regular family can afford to feed their family.
Please make it possible for the Kauaians to be able to stay on the island and live a comfortable lifestyle and preserve their beautiful paradise.
I will give up my opportunity to come there if there is a restriction on tourism. If i don’t make the cut and cannot come back at least I know it is for the good of the island and it’s people. There is still time to save your island and your locals if you take action immediately. Read the writing on the wall before it’s too late.
•••
Linda and Adrian Place live in Calgary. Alberta.
so don’t come, problem solved!
Nice sentiment but 2 problems: half of your suggestions are illegal under state and federal laws. How can you prevent US citizens from buying a home on Kauai? Any law attempting that ban would be immediately ruled unconstitutional. Likewise, you can’t just refuse to allow tourists to fly to Kauai. That is also illegal. Secondly, you offer no specifics on how you propose to make it possible for “Kauaians” , whoever and whatever that means, to be able to afford to stay on the Island. I see untold problems with that premise: who qualifies as a Kauaian and how to you proposed to help them stay on the Island. Have the rest of the taxpayers pay for their houses? I don’t think so. Anyway, the other suggestions such as cracking down on illegal vacation rentals are viable and should be pursued.
Nice list Linda & Adrian. Just one problem: your prescriptions are basically tyrannical in nature and more of a dictatorship thing. (you know, like North Korea) America is a free country with no restrictions to interstate commerce, movement etc. You might want to read our constitution before putting your ignorance of liberty and freedom on display.
Get a grip and drop the guilt trip while you’re at it. If you can’t do that, remember that your trips here are voluntary…just stay home or go somewhere else if it assuages your unfounded guilt.
RG DeSoto
That is 100% true….ok new administration let’s make it happen..
NO EXCUSES PLEASE
ÑAloha Kakou,
Much of these welcomed ideas have been said before in people’s comments or letters to the editors.
But Mr. Zuckerberg just bought more land on Kaua’i…? It didn’t mention if it was a 1/2 acre or a 1,000, seems there’s even an urgency for $$$ Billionaires to buy enough land for their children…now that he is a local…resident.
1. Limit Visitors? Just what would be effective. What if I want my GrandMother to come visit is she eliminated from our OHANA party, and does she pay the $100. Her ID has a different last name from myself, would she need a notarized letter to land here showing proof of kinship. And what about family emergencies and need to arrive on Kaua’i…?
2.) An ARRIVAL (Landing Fee) FEE has been brought up before, is that legal? Would it shoot ourselve in the foot…? Where would it be paid, at the Airport, or Nawiliwili Harbor for passenger ships putting passengers on island for day trips only. For state facilities HONOLULU would need to get involved as in the entire legislature, and would it spark Maui, Big Island, Molokai, Lanai jealousy? Don’t they have traffic and road repair problems too? And whose to say the $$$ will not go to “PET” projects and “PET” contractors.
Though it is a great idea resurfacing at this time, Airline tickets are already a burden for cost and an extra $100 per person could preclude families from seeing Kaua’i. Again who collects the $100 and where is it collected?
An extra $100 would not irritate many and would mark Kaua’i as a súper place to visit. Yosemite National Park also limits their visitors. So as mentioned years ago in the Garden Island that we make all of Kaua’i a COUNTY PARK with limitations. With enough $100 County Park Arrival Fees it could lead to a reduction in individual property taxes.
3.) Many foreign countries do not allow foreigners to own land, homes, or businesses, though people get around this by leasing for 25 or 50 years with lease renewal options, or having local partners in business, a boon to the local. But to do this here may require a Federal Act of Congress…good luck, Washington is having bigger problems than one overrun county. Seems unlikely they would restrict land ownership rights from foreigners when illegal aliens have the right to enter our country and go on welfare we pay for with our taxes, well at least all you Democrat’s want that, is that true?
4.) Limit Rental Cars. Great idea, but replace those cars with family owned (already world wide) use of vans, jeeepneys, tuk tucks, multicabs, or trikes, etc., but have them pick up and drop off anywhere to convenience locals and visitors both. Do not have big busses that have to stop at certain bus stops, let smaller vehicles take passengers right to the front door of homes and the big or small “boxes” and even make Tutu happy…and let families bring home an income without the County being the middle man lowering family income, register the vehicle and let the families operate transportation on the free enterprise system, supply and demand, etc., and make it so the smaller vehicles remain in their designated towns so every town has plenty local transportation and form home to businesses and beaches, and the bigger vehicles like vans and jeepneys can go between towns, while the big County busses are available for long distance or between towns. Inside town visitors would be attracted to the smaller vehicles, for most visitors they have never seen a trike, tuk tuk, or multicab…another potential draw to visit Kaua’i would be it’s always available unique transportation and no waiting up to an hour. That alone is worth an extra Arrival Fee.
5.) From all the furor it seems unlikely, but Is Kaua’i still giving out Vacation Rental Permits? One candidate claimed there is nothing that can be done to stop vacation rentals…amazing, even Americans have rights to their private property.
6.). This idea along with trustees in jail to be stationed 7 days a week at refuse and recycle locations to assist Tutu and all to empty their vehicles and sort recycle and toss refuse, saving the line up of waiting cars and trucks and difficulty for some residents to bring refuse and recyclables. It would also increase recycling and reduce the landfill of recycle stuff with the trash.
So yes the Big Boxes and large Grocery stores should have bins for plastic, cardboard, etc. Readily available in their parking lots for immediate recycle.
Much of this seems like naysaying, but look at them as known hurdles to overcome but still move forward to make these improvements to protect Kaua’i.
Mahalo,
Charles
No worries, We are active! People, pack your bags. We are not, never have been america nor american. As soon as you figure out the u.s. Ruse, the u.s. warring with hawaii-nei and our people, you will see we are NOT bound by americas pitiful constipation. The words “truth and integrity” has everything needed to oust the occupiers, en masse! 90-exit strategy belongs only to your kind, those that are scayed they cannot take their hale, much less their land with them. It is not for sale, and all of you who voted are complicit with the evil that has inundated this island! We coming, prepare and dont get involved in the menial crosshairs of american government skankin!
Nice comments from someone who’s been contributing to the problem for 45 years. Why did you bother coming in the first place?
So, your “solutions” are: 1) to restrict freedom of movement within national borders; 2) to restrict the right to purchase certain goods or to live in certain areas, based upon ethnicity; 3) to enforce ethnic discrimination using the powers of law and government.
I can’t help but fear what your “Final Solution” to larger problems might look like.
A $100 fee upon arrival would add a few dollars to the county treasury but make little difference in addressing Kauai’s overcrowding. There’s an old remedy that says if you want less of something, tax it.
Start by adding a $100 a day fee to every room rental or house, condo or villa accommodation.
The would make vacations more expensive resulting in fewer visitors or shorter stays. The money could be used to build affordable housing for long time residents.
Rental cars must include a daily user fee of $50. This would likely cut back on the traffic congestion across the island. The money could be used for transportation services.
Debra…please learn how to write a coherent sentence, paragraph and learn some fundamental grammar. Or, at the very least, proof read your posts. As written they are nonsense.
RG DeSoto
RG,
Perhaps you could offer your own skills to help Debra…
Meanwhile, kind Canadians, please realize that your sentiments and suggestions are appreciated but not necessary because we have a STRATEGIC PLAN that the Americans don’t want you to know about @
HAWAIIANKINGDOM.ORG
Aloha and visit us again soon