• Dennis keeps Kaua‘i, Kaua‘i • Aloha lives • Don’t let ADU sunset • Breathe, slow down • School shootings disturbing Dennis keeps Kaua‘i, Kaua‘i Reading Georgia Mossman’s tribute to Jean Holmes (The Garden Island, Sept. 5) reminds me of
• Dennis keeps Kaua‘i, Kaua‘i
• Aloha lives
• Don’t let ADU sunset
• Breathe, slow down
• School shootings disturbing
Dennis keeps Kaua‘i, Kaua‘i
Reading Georgia Mossman’s tribute to Jean Holmes (The Garden Island, Sept. 5) reminds me of another reporter who remembers that The Garden Island’s target audience is first and foremost the people of Kaua‘i … the folks who make this island “home.” They’ve made it a paradise that has politicians jumping on the “Keep Kaua‘i, Kaua‘i” bandwagon. Kaua‘i is much more than its unspoiled natural beauty. It is the everyday people who work, volunteer, and think of the whole island as home and ohana. It is the everyday people who live by “local” values: who respect others and the ‘aina, who work together for the good of all and especially for the sake of the children, and who are humble and loyal.
Like Jean Holmes before him, Dennis Fujimoto provides us with glimpses of real, local news gathered and delivered in real, local style. He is perpetuating a local culture that is disappearing with the advent of the “Me” Generation and its need for instant “more is better” gratification.
His photos and his stories feature the “rich and famous” of Kauai — not those rich with material wealth but those rich with the spirit of giving and aloha.
Thank you, Dennis, for bringing out the best in us, reminding us of what is truly important, enhancing our capacity to help ourselves and our community, and keeping Kaua‘i, Kaua‘i.
- Suzanne Kashiwaeda
Kalaheo
Aloha lives
On our current trip to your beautiful Garden Island, we had the misfortune to encounter mechanical problems with our vehicle near to the resort of Po‘ipu.
This unfortunate occurrence, whilst an inconvenience initially, gave us an opportunity to sample the legendary “aloha” spirit firsthand.
Back home in England, the sight of a broken down vehicle would produce an apathetic response from any passers by, leaving the stricken driver to rectify the problem alone.
However the response by your wonderful people to our dilemma changed our cynical outlook forever and showed us that human decency is not dead but living here in Kaua‘i.
From the tour bus driver who crawled under the vehicle to try to rectify the problem, the lady in the National Botanical Garden Visitors Centre who selflessly gave us her time, telephone and endless patience, the passing motorists who assisted in our futile attempts in push-starting the vehicle, to the adjacent neighbor who provided not only water but words of encouragement. I send to all of you our heartfelt thanks and appreciation.
Don’t let ADU sunset
With much of the community’s focus in recent weeks on the ongoing nurse’s strike and the recent primary elections, it seems that the fast-approaching scheduled sunset of the ADU ordinance has been all but forgotten. As landowners and conscientious community members, We must not forget. And, we must not let our elected officials, members of the Kaua‘i County Council, forget.
The County Council has scheduled its first public hearing on the issue for this coming Wednesday, Oct. 11, at 1 p.m. at the Historic County Building. The purpose of this hearing is to hear testimony from members of the public regarding the scheduled sunset of the ordinance. This is the time for those directly affected by the sunset of the ordinance to speak.
If you own land from 1 to 5 acres, and if it’s zoned either agricultural or open, then you are directly affected by the sunset of this ordinance. If the ordinance is not extended, then, as of Dec. 31, you will lose your right to build an additional dwelling unit (ADU) on your property. This is true even if your land is a kuleana.
Take action. Let your voice be heard.
Breathe, slow down
I was recently rear-ended by someone not paying attention. My son hit someone who ran a red light. Both of our cars were totaled — we were fine, although shaken. I have seen several potential accidents in the past several months here on Kaua‘i, more than in all the 20 years I have lived here. And we all have seen and read about the several traffic accidents that have claimed lives. Just this week outside Kilauea there have been three major accidents.
My point?
Slow down.
Slow down and pay attention.
So often I have had cars or trucks tailgating me (while I was going the speed limit) and then have them race by me at the first opportunity (legal or not) — only to arrive at the next light miles down the highway and see them two cars in front of me.
What is the rush? Calm down. Breathe. Drive slowly and attentively.
If you are visiting our island, pull over if you are confused or unsure or just want to look. Plan less to do in a day so that you are not racing about to do it all.
If you live here, take a moment to remember why you moved here in the first place. I bet it wasn’t to hurry and get anywhere faster.
Let’s all just get where we are going without incident.
School shootings disturbing
Editor’s note: Air riflery is a highly organized, sanctioned, sporting event. It is sanctioned by the Hawaii High School Athletic Association and the Kaua‘i Interscholastic Federation. We do not portray students with firearms on a regular basis, what we do portray is students taking part in a sanctioned school athletic event.
It has certainly been disturbing news reading of all the campus killings by either students with guns or unknown visitors to schools with guns. In the past month alone I have read of four such incidents. And in a recent issue of The Garden Island where one of these tragedies was reported was another photo of one of our students at school holding a rifle at target practice. This seems to be a regular feature of TGI showing students with firearms. In light of all the recent news I find it insensitive and cruel. Surely there are other sports less dangerous to our students and society that can be reported and photographed by your staff.
