• Graffiti busters Graffiti busters A rash of graffiti spray painting has hit Waimea High School and Kapa‘a High School, as well as other public areas on Kaua‘i. The graffiti now needs to be painted over and cleaned up at
• Graffiti busters
Graffiti busters
A rash of graffiti spray painting has hit Waimea High School and Kapa‘a High School, as well as other public areas on Kaua‘i.
The graffiti now needs to be painted over and cleaned up at great expense to taxpayers, giving some midnight artists a cheap thrill at spraying their wannabe art on school walls.
Graffiti is a destructive practice. One that shouts of rebellion and discord. It is out of step with cultural practices of Hawai‘i, and reflects the lifestyle of murderous gangs found in California and other areas of the Mainland. It also reflects the culture of “Ice” and other illicit drugs.
Imagine what an ali‘i would do to someone who desecrated his village in ancient Hawai‘i.
Those apprehended at Waimea for spray painting at the high school should face the full force of the law for what they have done.
While some crimes affect a few people, a crime like graffiti affects large groups of people. It erodes pride in one’s community, lowers the value and pride of a town.
The way to stop this practice is to heavily penalize those caught doing it. While some might offer the excuse of spring fever or end of school hi-jinks, those students with a desire to paint can find other outlets for their art. There are a number of ways to express your artistic vision on Kaua‘i beyond destroying property. Such artwork is short lived too, while a carefully done painting or photograph will live on and be an item of pride for the artist and the community.
Let’s not let our community dip down to the lowest common denominator. It’s time to again fight against the spread of graffiti and those who spread it.
