Letters for Sunday, December 17, 2006

• This team has heart

• What about the residents at that meeting?

• Buying time

• Behold, the future

• No vacation rental,forced sales

• Let’s get along

This team has heart

In response to the article about the Kapa‘a High basketball tournament (“Kapa‘a splits hoops opener,” Sports, Dec. 15) I’d like to point out that the Island School JV team is made up of a majority of eighth-graders and a few ninth-graders. They are participating in the KIF this season as an exhibition team, in preparation for officially entering the KIF as a JV team next year season. It may be a bit disheartening for these boys, who have the guts to take on boys older and more experienced than they, to have their debut game described (rather briefly) as a romp, without further clarification. I look forward to watching this very young team grow and develop, and become a serious competitor in the KIF.

Kapa‘a

What about the residents at that meeting?

The article in Wednesday’s paper (“Big box battle wages on in front of Planning Commission,” Front page, Dec. 13) seemed to be completely one sided and omitted the fact that over 60 Kaua‘i residents came to the hearing to voice their support for the ordinance to limit the size of retail stores on Kaua‘i. It is completely unfair to characterize the debate over this ordinance as strictly Big Save and Ishihara Market versus Wal-Mart. To do so is an affront to the people who took time out of their day to have their voices heard.

There were dozens of community members who spoke of the need to preserve Kaua‘i’s rural character, to not let our precious ‘aina be overrun with unnecessary development that will increase traffic significantly, bring more crime to the islands, and hurt our local retailers — many of which have been here for generations. I’m not opposed to Wal-Mart or Costco or Kmart coming to Kaua‘i, but I am strongly opposed to Mainland stores coming to our home and building monstrosities that are over four football fields in length while all the while chipping away at the qualities of Kaua‘i that make it such a great place to live.

It’s been said that progress is inevitable and I support progress. But I also support development that makes sense and is responsible. The instant gratification of low prices is too high a price to pay, when we have to mortgage the future of this island with irresponsible growth.

Lihu‘e

Buying time

On Dec. 8, the Hawaiian Superferry purchased an entire hour of time on a local radio station as “community outreach.” As you may know, the HSF is due to strike the coasts of the Hawaiian Islands next June or July. What proceeded was another saccharine sweet conversation (with a paid moderator) in a controlled, insular environment which did not allow any phone calls, while avoiding any in-depth examination into the serious issues surrounding the Superferry project. Once again the important discussion of the EIS was glossed over with the vacuous promise of “we’ll get back to that subject later.” Of course the EIS was never discussed again.

The passionate feelings evoked by the intrusion of the HSF to Kaua‘i does not come from a select group of anti-development fanatics, but rather from a groundswell of a broad spectrum of increasingly concerned Kauaians over the nature of inappropriate development on an island that is quickly losing its uniqueness as a quiet, mostly rural community characterized by its aloha spirit.

Careful examination of the facts suggests strongly that the HSF will prove to be an anathema for our precious island home.

The truth behind the friendly veneer of the HSF would make a great story for good investigative journalism. We live in a time where corruption is being unearthed at all levels of government and our island is no exception. It is only a matter of time before the glaring spotlight of the national media shines upon Kaua‘i, and the deceptions that simmer behind the sugar-coated platitudes of the HSF are exposed.

Soon we will know the truth, for in the immortal words of Hamlet, “The play’s the thing, wherein (I’ll) catch the conscience of the King.” All will be revealed. Stay tuned. The HSF is not a done deal.

Kapa‘a

Behold, the future

Cars, boats, trains, buses, airplanes, rocketships, telephones, cell phones, electricity, TVs, microwaves, answering machines, cameras, fax machines, computers, CDs, DVDs, iPods, the internet — technology is awesome.

The Superferry is well overdue, this is the 21st century and we live on an island.

Competition, lower prices, alternative means … and yes, the cruise ships, Matson, Young Brothers and our many fisherman are out on the water daily. Close your eyes, relax, be positive, enjoy and look forward to the future.

Kapa‘a

No vacation rental,forced sales

Regarding the proposed vacation rental legislation — the equation is simple. Restricting my ability to have my house in vacation rental will force me to sell. I get a huge profit, all the property taxes go up, the community gets another non-local property owner and what have we gained? We don’t have a more cohesive community, we don’t have more affordable rentals and we have kept visitors from visiting.

Haena

Let’s get along

I have to agree with A.R. Hill of Kapa‘a (“More on the ‘n’ word,” Letters, Dec. 14).

I see signs all over the place to “respect the locals” — are you saying you’re entitled to more respect than the visitors? As they say, you need to give respect in order to get respect. And what’s with “ainokea”? Doesn’t this kind of attitude go against the spirit of aloha? We need to find a way to get along with each other, no matter what race, religion, politicial beliefs, age or gender. And as far as I’m concerned, just being a long-time resident doesn’t necessarily make you a “local.” The new people who come here to live, who are helping their community, their neighbors, their schools, their churches, and our environment should be considered “local.” It’s the spirit of caring about others that makes this a great place to live. Those who “nokea” should move to L.A. with the others who “nokea.”

Betsy Rivers

Lihu‘e