Letters to the Editor for Sunday — February 22, 2004

• NTBG praise

• Electric cart troubles

• Wailua accidents

NTBG praise

I am very appreciative and flattered by the generous letter from Suzanne W.S. Matsumoto that appeared in your “Letters to the Editor” section on February 3. However, in all honesty, the accolades should really be given to the director of Limahuli Garden, Chipper Wickman, and his small but very dedicated staff. With the help of few conscientious volunteers, they keep the garden in pristine condition and are continually upgrading and adding amenities and plants to further beautify this sacred historic landmark. I merely get to share and enjoy the results of their labors with both residents and visitors. Limahuli is free to all Hawai‘i residents every Sunday, so I encourage any Kauaian who hasn’t had the opportunity to experience this very special garden to make the time to visit there. Both guided and self-guided tours are offered, but I highly recommend that you call ahead.

Chipper and his wife Hauole are dedicating their lives to the preservation and propagation of endangered plants with emphasis on Hawai‘i’s native plants. He is currently the Acting Director of the entire National Tropical Botanical Gardens, which is headquartered in Lawa‘i, so that all five gardens and the four preserves that now comprise the N.T.B.G. are getting the benefit of his rare expertise and mana.

Peter W. Dease

Koloa

Electric cart troubles

I recently had a very large major surgery that required several procedures. Unfortunately life’s mundane errands still have to be done. I went grocery shopping in Kapa‘a and needed to use the electric cart to get around. Never having used this device before I was very unskilled in the operation. I must have instantly become invisible, every one either ran into me or in front of me, it did not make shopping a pleasant experience. I am only thankful that my situation is temporary, but how about the handicapped that must use this method to get around in stores, etc. everyday. People we need to be more considerate, how much of a challenge this is to the handicapped on a daily basis without ambulatory people hindering instead of helping.

Sandra Alexander

Kilauea

Wailua accidents

The loss of lives in the two recent traffic collisions on Kuhio highway at the entrances of the Wailua golf course and correctional center demonstrates an urgent need for strict enforcement of posted speed limits and the installation of traffic signal lights at that juncture. Because of the absence of police enforcement, the law of the jungle now prevails along this blood alley and cars are being driven daily at excessive speeds and without due attention to the safety of entering or exiting vehicles at that area. We can only speculate whether these fatalities could have been avoided by these measures, but one thing is certain: in the absence of such signal lights and police enforcement, our community and its visitors face the risk of further bloodshed from high speed traffic collisions at these entrances. Senator Hooser and the rest of our Kaua‘i legislative team would serve our people well by securing the necessary appropriation for immediate installation of these signal lights.

Ted Erum, Jr.

Kapa‘a