More and more, The Garden Island reads like an organ of propaganda rather than the voice of the community. Case in point: Your editorial (Dec. 3, “Curb vandalism by limiting park hours”) advocating nighttime closure of county parks might have
More and more, The Garden Island reads like an organ of propaganda rather than the voice of the community.
Case in point: Your editorial (Dec. 3, “Curb vandalism by limiting park hours”) advocating nighttime closure of county parks might have been mistaken for satire had it not been so maddeningly in earnest.
Does The Garden Island actually believe that limiting access to our beachparks would be a “big hit with the public?” The editorial goes on to assert that there are few legitimate “after-dark activities.” Really? Okay, maybe that’s the case if it’s winter and you’re in Chicago or Seattle or Minneapolis. Maybe.
But here in the islands, we’re blessed with a climate which encourages enjoyment of the outdoors year-round, and yes, even after dark.
Who on Kaua’i would be willing to give up such simple (and unsupervised) pleasures as fishing under the stars, a bonfire shared with good friends, an evening potluck or just a walk, solitary or otherwise, on a moonlit beach? Are these not legitimate activities?
We rely on free and easy access to our county parks as an essential link to Kauai’s unique lifestyle. While it may be a comfort to some that, in your editor’s words, “an innocent walk in the park would draw a lighter punishment than, say, vandalism,” this reader, for one, would protest vigorously any move by our local government to close our parks at night, and I suspect I am not alone.
The Garden island seems to think that such a proposal is a reasonable price to pay for “vandalism-free parks.” I beg to differ, and if that makes me one of the riff-raff it condescends to, then make me a card-carrying member.
Citizens of Kaua’i, listen up: We must not give up something so precious over the cost of a few broken toilets.
P.S. By all means, go with the stainless steel fixtures. On that, we can agree.
RICHARD STREET, Kapa’a
