• Visit to Israel • Seat belts • Bike path • Supports Mickens • Teen problems Visit to Israel In her recent trip to Israel, Governor Lingle saw how this miraculous nation has made the desert bloom and become one
• Visit to Israel
• Seat belts
• Bike path
• Supports Mickens
• Teen problems
Visit to Israel
In her recent trip to Israel, Governor Lingle saw how this miraculous nation has made the desert bloom and become one of the leading technological nations in the world. Like us here in Hawai‘i, Israel has overcome geographical isolation to thrive and depend on agriculture, technology, alternative energy, and the military. With its population of six million people compared with Hawai‘i’s 1.5 million, it stands as a model and a shining light from which we can learn valuable lessons.
How did Israel get isolated? In 1947 the United Nations declared a compromise, two-state solution in Palestine, as both Jews and Arabs laid claim to it. Israel accepted this solution, but the Arabs did not. The seven surrounding Arab nations of 50 million people (at that time) invaded a land the size of Rhode Island, and tried to decimate the 600,000 Jews. After winning a nearly two-year battle, Israel became a fledgling independent state. Today, after four more wars with the Arab countries, “Island Israel” finds itself in an ocean of 140 million Arabs, many of whom unfortunately would still like to “throw the Jews into the Mediterranean Sea.”
Governor Lingle mentioned marveling at meeting on her trip the only democratically elected Arab woman in the world, which includes even the 40 Muslim nations: she’s a member of the Israeli parliament! Throughout its growth Israel has found a way to integrate harmoniously all the various cultures within it and allow them to thrive, as we have done here in Hawai‘i. Let us learn to become even more of a shining light from this sister state half a world away, Island Israel. Thank you Governor Lingle for having the wisdom to visit the Jewish state and learn first-hand the many ways we can improve our economy and quality of life here in our beloved Hawaiian islands.
Orion “Ori” Kopelman
Kula, Maui
Seat belts
In the very-unfortunate crash that killed Princess Diana and her boy friend Dodi al-Fayed, one person lived. He was riding in what used to be called the “death seat,” the front passenger seat. It was called this because usually the person to die was the front-seat passenger, not the driver.
In the Princess Di accident three people died, one lived. The one that lived was riding in the “death seat,” but, and this is an important but, he was buckled up. No one else was wearing their seat belt. Remember this was one of those big German cars that was probably safer than any car made, and the only person to live was buckled up.
It’s not “cool” to die because one wants to feel unencumbered. So, wear that seat belt to save your life, not to keep from getting a ticket.
Dr. Gordon “Doc” Smith
Kapa‘a
Bike path
Since this runaway train — AKA the bike/pedestrian path — is back on the front page of The Garden Island (6/27), it is time to look at reality. Instead of clear tracks ahead for the train, we are now seeing some very serious obstacles, the largest of which is that building this path “to enhance recreational opportunities for the Lihu‘e and Kawaihau districts,” as Mayor Baptiste said, is, under federal guidelines, (what I see as) illegal. The federal mandate clearly says, “no bicycle project may be carried out under this section unless the secretary has determined that such bicycle project will be principally for transportation rather than recreational purposes.”
In fact, in the 6/24 article “Kaua‘i Bus adding bike racks,” it said, “(The) Baptiste administration has pushed for the completion of the project (bike path) to enhance recreational opportunities.” Nowhere in these words has the administration used the word “transportation,” knowing full well that this path will never be used to get people out of their vehicles, which is the purpose of this federal mandate.
Remember that we have had a bike path along our highways for years, and seldom used, so why are we even thinking about spending millions of federal funds to build another one?
Outside of being a feel-good project by those pushing it, why are we building it? As stated above, it is illegal to build it for recreational purposes. No one wishes to address the maintenance funds needed (look at the Gateway Project problems), and the land acquisition and the proposed routes are logistical problems of monumental concerns. As a citizen in Kalaheo told me, “build more bypasses, not bike paths.”
Glenn Mickens
Kapa‘a
Supports Mickens
You’re so right.
Mr. Mickens’ “Gateway Project” letter (The Garden Island Monday, June 26), hit the nail square on the head. It’s obvious these projects on our beautiful island, either built by volunteers or paid for by state/federal funds, cannot be maintained by volunteers. We’re to learn from history, not repeat it. This growth allowed by the administration should be and must be manned by other than volunteers. This maintenance should be funded either by the county or by the private sector. But, by all means, volunteer support should be encouraged.
Certainly, some of our beach-walkers pick-up trash along their walk. They put this trash in bags, but have nowhere to deposit these bags at dumpsters. Trash cans get over-filled very fast, so more trash cans are really not the answer; a help, yes. Sometimes these volunteers pick up so many bags of trash they cannot carry them off the beach. They put this trash in a central location on the beach, then call the county for help. It’s time for the administration to show us Kauaians and our visitors that they care! The tourist bureau, using our tax money, advertises Kaua‘i as a showcase of beauty. Some of that tax money needs to go back to this County to help keep Kaua‘i beautiful.
Bob Moldovan
Wailua Houselots
Teen problems
The problems that we face today concern everyone. Problems like teen pregnancy, drugs, domestics, and underage drinking. Drugs stand out more then the rest of these. We have kids in the second grade smoking marijuana and people smoking drugs in front of there infant babies. People are getting arrested for drug abuse and for selling it.
The next biggest problem is teen pregnancy. This year the percent for teen pregnancy went up ten percent. Most of these occur between the age of 14-16. And I don’t think their parents push them about them getting pregnant. It’s sad to see someone I know pregnant because they know what they’re getting into. I know what that feels like, because I know people who have a kid my age have a lot more problems to worry about now then they did before.
Jonalyn Olores
Waimea High School
