• Make choice in OHA race • It’s not too late • Council candidates can make change • What’s wrong with this picture? Make choice in OHA race I have never voted in Office of Hawaiian Affairs races before, believing
• Make choice in OHA race
• It’s not too late
• Council candidates can make change
• What’s wrong with this picture?
Make choice in OHA race
I have never voted in Office of Hawaiian Affairs races before, believing this was the kuliana of Hawaiians only to shape their destiny. Statewide, all registered voters can vote for OHA seats. And I understand simply, what helps the Hawaiians helps us all. So an informed OHA vote helps everyone.
Now, I understand that if I do not vote, the Maui representative who is on the board will simply be re-elected, mainly due to name recognition. For several reasons, this seems unacceptable. First of all, the other candidate, Blossom Feiteira, has been a mighty force for good in the Hawaiian community. She helped to protest Bank of America’s policies, insuring $150 million in loans for the Hawaiian people, helped to establish Hawaiian Community Assets, and received the Ford Foundation “Leadership for a Changing World” award. Hundreds of Hawaiian families have a home now due to her efforts.
On the other hand, the seated Maui Trustee Boyd Mossman wrote in the OHA newsletter, “Some vocal opponents of recognition say give the OHA trust fund to the Hawaiians and be done with it. Great. Everyone gets $1,000 to spend on booze, drugs, gambling and however they choose to squander their only hope for future posterity.”
I really question his ability to get through this type of mindset to a place of helping the Hawaiian people.
It’s time for a change of heart and mind on the OHA board — and please, vote with me and many others for Blossom Feiteira for Maui Representative, OHA seat.
Maui
It’s not too late
This letter is for all those who think it is too late to do anything about development and traffic. I suggest you take a long vacation on O‘ahu. I lived there for 21/2 years and recently moved to Kaua‘i. Let me tell you — it is too late for them. They have traffic problems you cannot even imagine. There is so little space left due to overdevelopment it isn’t even funny.
We can do something now about our island, but we need more of you that are complaining to actually do something about it, whether it’s going to council or planning meetings, contacting your representatives, and of course voting. If more people would get involved and demand changes instead of sitting back and complaining about what is going on, something might get accomplished. After all, as they say, there is power in numbers.
Lihu‘e
Council candidates can make change
Well, here we go again, another election for Kaua‘i County Council. I’m going to weigh in on the challengers running for the seven seats.
First of all, Mr. George Anderson. You folks on the North Shore know George as an honest, extremely practical and knowledgeable citizen who in his own quiet, unpretentious way, has loved and contributed greatly to the people of Kaua‘i. If you want trust, this is the man. He loves God, his family and country and he can’t be bought.
Next, K.C. Lum. I’ve listened to him. He has real vision and a sense of true care and concern for Kaua‘i. He wants open, transparent government and so do I. A former police chief and longtime public servant would be a huge asset to our council.
How about Billy De Costa? Wow, this man has zeal and conviction and wants to get things done. Although Mr. De Costa may lack the smooth, diplomatic, political approach (good for him), he more than makes that up with good old common sense. We need that urgently.
Monroe Richman is looking out for taxpaying homeowners and sought to do something about our oppressive property tax system by spearheading the “Ohana Tax Amendment,” passed by 60 percent of Kauaian voters and shot down by the current council, which is currently suing us with our own tax money.
Ming Fang is another man who has vision and solid ideas and doesn’t seem the least bit political. I think we’ve got another real good choice here.
All these candidates are worthy of our support. If you have already made up your minds to vote for the status quo, that’s your business. I want change. If you do too, please consider these worthy alternatives to the current crop of deaf, arrogant councimembers who seem to care more about the county government than we the people of the county.
See you at the polls.
Wailua Homesteads
What’s wrong with this picture?
As an avid The Garden Island reader, I have been trying to understand why certain things around here just don’t make any sense.
I do have a theory though.
Has anyone ever run the math on how many of us read the Forum page? I bet those who do are the most informed on island issues, but apparently we are too few to affect change.
Regarding politics: Historically, the total number of registered voters that show up at the polls is pathetic. Realizing other events take place around the island giving voters an opportunity to meet and hear from candidates, I still would wager most of the “informed audience” who attend are Forum readers. Would anyone care to guess how many voters show up at the polls versus voters who read the Forum?
I bet we are outnumbered.
So where do the “other voters” come from? They come from the legions of people who vote as they are told.
Regarding law and order: Am I the only one, or do you agree the bad guys are way ahead of the game? From Police Chief/Commission woes to probation being handed out like candy. From an understaffed and under funded Kaua‘i Police Department to a tragic episode of woman versus pick-up truck junkie. Justice. What justice?
Forum readers are disgusted and full of anger and contempt. The legions, however, go about their day oblivious to what is going on, like the rooster next door that crows at 1 a.m.
Regarding island growth: Pandora’s “Big Box” has already been opened. If it’s not in your back yard, your turf is still country. The traffic, on the other hand, is definitely something Forum readers bitch about. But don’t worry. Our Mayor is on it. His bike trail will take care of it. And by the way, we need all those new visitor accommodations. Where else would the legions get their second or third jobs?
I hope my letter has had an effect on you. Agree or disagree. Amused or angry. Please get off your butts and vote. Talk it up with your co-workers, friends and family. Take them with you to the polls. But don’t stop there. No matter what happens next week, we still have a future to be concerned about. Pass that TGI on to at least one in the legions. You’ll be glad you did.
Lihu’e
