Letters for Monday — January 03, 2005

• Turk

• Tsunami aid

• Koke‘e Plan Decision

• Marching band

• Pot bust

Turk

Thank you for running the story on “Turk” Fukushima written by his brother, Richard, on the front page of The Garden Island (Sunday, December 19, 2004). With so many horrible things in our newspapers and on the airwaves these days, it was heartwarming to read a story about a truly remarkable human being and the caring community he touched.

I live in west Kaua‘i but attend church in Kapa‘a. Every Sunday my family and I would see Turk on the street. We’d often wonder about this older man of slight stature, “Who is this man that walks with such bounce?  Why does he carry a cane but never use it? He seems happy and harmless enough, but is he ok?” Little did I know his story. (Turns out he’s a “calabash” relative of mine – only on Kaua‘i, yeah?!)

I went down to the Hanapepe Library last night where Richard works and thanked him for taking the time to write about his brother’s life. Not only was it a moving and fitting tribute to Turk and the sacrifices he made for our country, but it also spoke highly of the businesses and people of Kaua‘i. That particular story was a high point for me this holiday season. After reading it I was filled with hope…that even in the midst of our island’s multiple problems (worst ice statistics in the state, daily traffic gridlock, spiraling property taxes, people working two or three jobs to make ends meet, etc.), kindness still exists! It cut through the commercialization of Christmas, political cynicism, the war in Iraq, global tragedies, etc. with its simple, uplifting story of love demonstrated and lived.

Again, thank you Garden Island for running the story, thank you Richard for writing it, and thank you people of Kaua‘i for living it!

  Donna Umetsu

‘Ele’ele

Tsunami aid

Please look at this Web site that my brother and I just set up to spread the word about how to make your donations go more directly to tsunami victims, rather than have your money possibly languishing within larger organizations. The Web site details some places to donate through a few of my personal contacts. www.writepath.net – then click on the Rotary logo to get to the page.

 Happy New Year and thanks for your concern.

Pam Brown

Wailua

Koke‘e Plan Decision

The Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) will soon make their decision on the fate of Koke‘e State Park. Their draft Master Plan calls for a gate and an admission fee to the park. It also calls for the removal of the longtime residential community at Kokee. The cabins would be converted to short term rentals for visitors and run by a private contractor for profit.

There is widespread opposition to this plan. A petition opposing parts of the draft plan was widely circulated on the south and west side of Kaua‘i after the public meeting in November. Over 1350 signatures were collected and submitted as written testimony. The petition read:

We the undersigned believe the Master Plan for Koke‘e State Park, as presented by the Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR), should not include a guarded gate or require payment of entry fees. We believe that the plan to remove current residents and replace them with short-term tourist rental units is not in the interest of Kauai or her people.

Koke‘e has always been a place of refuge and refreshment for the people of Kaua‘i. It is a sacred place and source of forest materials needed for many Hawaiian ceremonies and celebrations. Access to Koke‘e should not be denied by the DLNR out of motivations of fear or profit.

We hope that the DLNR will listen to the will of the people when they make their decision on Kokee. Thirteen hundred signatures should not be ignored.

The Board of Land and Natural Resources (BLNR) will hold a meeting on Thursday, January 13th at 5:00 pm at Kauai War Memorial Convention Hall. This meeting will be a briefing to the board about the draft Master Plan for Koke‘e State Park, including the public comments that have been submitted to the board. The next day, on Friday, January 14th at 9:00 am at the Convention Hall, the Board will make a decision on whether or not to accept the draft Master Plan. The public will be allowed to make additional comments on both Thursday and Friday.

If you feel strongly about this issue and want to make your voice heard, then show up to testify, and keep Kokee free!

Linda Pascatore

Hanapepe

Marching band

What an absolute delight it was to see Kauai’s Ku Kilakila perform this morning in the Tournament of Roses parade.   After a chilly, rain-soaked week in Pasadena, New Year’s morning  was miraculously sunny. Our grandstand erupted into wild cheers as the Kauai band paraded by in spectacular fashion.   The uniforms were vibrant, the music was fabulous, the dancers were all smiles. Kudos to everyone for the colossal efforts required to make this trip, this band was definitely the hit of the parade.   We were proud to tell everyone seated near us that our kids went to high school on Kauai!

Happy New Year,

Bruce (Trex Enterprises)

and Washington DC

Pot bust

News in The Garden Island 12-22-04 Article.

Wow! It took four narco cops and almost our whole police patrol force to bust three adults with two ounces of pot and $1,200 (in Christmas money) in their wallets. How many man hours wasted and tax payers dollars on this effort. Marijuana is not a dangerous drug. It is “medicine” to over 1,500 registered users on this island legally. The cops should leave it alone and not bust adults who posses it in any amount.

Toshie Maclaine

Kapa‘a