Letters to the Editor for Monday — April 19, 2004

• Pro bike paths

• Smoke-free

• Kaua‘i visit

• Abortion

Pro bike paths

I would like to offer some input with regard to beachfront bike paths. First, a good portion of the funds provided to build a bike path on Kaua‘i come to us from the federal government. They were granted for that purpose and as far as I know cannot be used for other “more critical” projects on Kaua‘i. Second, having lived for many years in Southern California, my wife and I enjoyed the top-rank bike and walking path that runs from Santa Monica to Redondo Beach, over 20 miles. This bike and walking path is well used and enjoyed by residents and visitors alike. It provides a safe place for families to exercise together or just enjoy a leisurely stroll along one of the finest beaches there is.

While using the path myself, I have had many opportunities to talk to visitors who were very happy with and impressed by its availability so that they can enjoy one of the true beauties of the area without the noise, exhaust and danger of city automobile traffic. While training for running marathons, my friends and I looked forward to our Saturday-morning jogs from Santa Monica to Redondo Beach. Another result of this path is that it has offered great opportunities for additional retail business. The Southern California path has several outdoor cafes and bike/skate rental businesses tastefully spaced along the path. This could provide more business opportunities to our local residents.

I encourage continuing to find a way for Kaua‘i to compete on this level with other popular oceanfront resorts. I also encourage our residents to take a look next time they visit Southern California and see for themselves the popularity of such a beachfront bike path for residents and visitors alike, and then use this experience in making up their minds about the desirability of one on Kaua‘i.

J. Case

‘Ele‘ele

Smoke-free

I couldn’t help but agree with Tuesday’s article that Kukui Grove Center enjoys an impressive new image and look. But wouldn’t it be an even nicer place if the whole shopping center were smoke-free? I do know of businesses in the shopping center that are unhappy with public smoking in the center and would love a smoke-free environment for all. We especially are offended by the smoking occurring in the new, mostly enclosed food-court area, where many events cater to children. From a business perspective, people I know have mentioned that the second-hand smoke in the center is so bad that they just rush to the store for the product they want rather than browsing the other shops. In short, clean air is good for business. Why not give it a try at the largest shopping center on Kaua‘i?

Jerry Santesteban

Kaua‘i visit

I spent the past two weeks on Kaua‘i, and while visiting read The Garden Island to get a feel for the pulse of the island and learn about events I might otherwise miss. I am compelled to respond to a letter from the Wednesday 3/31 edition in which a local doctor urged the governor to redirect funds from bicycle lanes to highway funding. The writer and I agree on one point — Kaua‘i has a traffic problem. To think that additional highway lanes will solve this problem is not only short-sighted thinking, it’s just plain wrong. Bicycle lanes, increased bus service and any other transportation alternatives to single-occupancy vehicles are the truly viable, long-term solutions to the traffic problem.

The only deterrent for me in considering yet another return visit to beautiful Kaua‘i is the feeling that I need to rent a car and drive wherever I want to go. I did bring a road bike with me on this past and previous trips. I enjoyed wonderful excursions to Waimea Canyon via Kekaha, and all over, from Lihu‘e to Kalaheo to Polihale. Sadly, venturing to the east and north sides of the island seemed too dangerous via bicycle, and just plain unappealing via car. I tried to find information about the island bus system, but couldn’t find a schedule or route information anywhere. There were more restaurants I would love to have tried and more places I would have liked to visit, but the requirement of driving to get there caused me to keep my money in my wallet and stay close to my vacation “home” in Po‘ipu. For the health and well being of your beautiful island and all its residents, please continue to pursue bicycle lanes and other alternative forms of transportation.

Sharon Viner

Bellingham, WA

Abortion

It seems the most dangerous place to be in America today is in a mother’s womb. Every day over 4,000 pre-born babies are forcefully removed by a process called abortion. “Webster’s Encyclopedia of Dictionaries” says abort(tion) means “to fail to bring to fruition.” “Fruition” as used here means the intended results. Applied to a human being, that means a human life is not allowed to mature.

Some say the unborn is merely a fetus. What ever it is, it is there and, therefore, a “being.” Because of it being there, it is a being. It surely is not a non-being. It results from copulation by two human beings, so it is a human. It is not a non-entity or a non-human species; it is rather a pre- born human being. Pro-abortionists say it is merely a fetal matter until is starts breathing. Naturally the question arises: how could a pre-born be considered “a breathing thing?” Modem science has now helped our understanding. The answer is the fetus “breathes” and receives nourishment through the placenta.

At the moment of conception the genes are present that determine whether you will be a tall person, fat person, or in between. Innate in those genes at the same instant of conception are the color of your hair, eyes, skin, sex and a gene determines whether you will be a person who sleeps late or gets up early. 18 weeks later all organs, fingers and toes are formed. A human being is in the process of coming to fruition. There are visible alternatives to abortion. Compassionate help is available. The C.A.R.E. Crisis Pregnancy Center and local churches can be a source of assistance. Explore every option in order to avoid that which many persons later regret. Oh, the advantages of abortion? There are none!

Pastor Chris Metcalf

Lihu‘e