Letters for Monday, January 1, 2006

• Snuffed out

• Oversimplifijustification

• Koke‘e and cabins

• Child of the ‘aina

• Givin’ on a Saturday afternoon

Snuffed out

I thought snuff films were considered pornographic. I’m not so much concerned with the indignity visited upon Saddam Hussein, having his hanging viewed by the world, but I feel that the sleazy depths to which the media descends in broadcasting this kind of morbid curiosity compromises the dignity of humanity and I am abhorred by it.

Kapa‘a

Oversimplifijustification

I have been noticing that the letters to the editor concerning the big box ordinance seem to be oversimplifying the debate by saying it comes down to a choice between a Wal-Mart or no Wal-Mart. I think this is a mistake.

Under the proposed ordinance, stores like Wal-Mart and Kmart will still be able to come to Kaua‘i, as long as they do not exceed 75,000 square feet. Kaua‘i is a unique place and it has challenges that most other places on the Mainland will never face.

We have a finite amount of land space. We have a tropical environment that hosts a varied number of species not found in many other places in the world. We have a rural character that should shun gaudy developments which would radically alter our island and make us like any other place in the world.

In a word, we are unique.

The big box ordinance will protect that uniqueness while allowing Kaua‘i residents to pick from a variety of shopping options.

Lihu‘e

Koke‘e and cabins

I thought it likely Mr. Coopersmith (“The fight for Koke‘e,” Letters, Dec. 26) would pau-friend with me after my Dec. 22 letter regarding Koke‘e.

My loss, I’m sure. I realize my views on Koke‘e are hurtful to leaseholders like him, and all I can say by way of apology is that I mean nothing personal. I do not apologize for my views, however.

I still think the plea to leave Koke‘e alone really does translate to mean leave the leaseholders alone. Allow me to be clear on my views. I am not against private leaseholdings at Koke‘e, only on the length of the leases. Quality time at Koke‘e, by which I mean more than sending the kids for a week at Camp Sloggett, needs to be experienced much more widely among Kauaians to strengthen the people’s deep caring for that place, which ultimately is Koke‘e’s only protection. I am not against compensation to leaseholders if leases must be surrendered, for there must be some payment to encourage leaving the properties in good repair. I am against full compensation, which would break the bank.

I very much consider myself a Kauaian, even though most of my professional work was on the Mainland. I have been coming back to Kaua‘i, and Koke‘e, almost yearly. Though I do conservation work in San Diego, my heart remains on Kaua‘i, where my family has been for generations. My love for Koke‘e began when Koke‘e was not yet even a territorial park. I do not doubt at all the leaseholders’ love for Koke‘e, and I fully expect they will be fighting all the way to protect their way of life. Though we may not see eye to eye, we are all fighting to protect Koke‘e.

Yes, really.

If I underestimate the degree of caring among Kauaians for Koke‘e, then I stand to be corrected. My understanding comes from the one meeting I was able to attend, and from reading the papers on the rest. Most Kauaians I know, though, find the Koke‘e issue only of passing interest, which I attribute to a lack of vesting in that place. In the ’50s Koke‘e was saved from industrial — though only partially from military — interests, mainly because the schemes were not convincing enough regarding profitability, all while conservationists’ arguments were barely considered.

I ask that if those forces were to arise again, say for the war on terrorism or to bolster tourism or new tech industries on Kaua‘i, and this time with the promise of hundreds of new jobs including in Honolulu, would those who now care for Koke‘e as a special place be enough to stem the onslaught? It is all about economics. That is why I would like to see a greater circulation of Koke‘e leases among Kauaians — to increase the vesting.

But I am not one who would want such a lease. I have had my turn.

San Diego, Calif./Kalaheo

Child of the ‘aina

Out of the mouths of babes! Michelle Wie donates computers to a public elementary school on O‘ahu in mid-November as a result of news reports that week which gave homelessness statistics. Wie feared that children who live in the area, where there is a high rate of homelessness, may not have the resources to do their homework after school. We could learn a lot from this young woman, who definitely is an asset to Hawai‘i.

Michelle may not yet have won a major championship in golf, but she is, without a doubt, a true champion.

Anahola

Givin’ on a Saturday afternoon

Getting off a plane on Saturday morning after a thrilling night at Aloha Stadium for the Division II Championship football game, I headed straight to Kukui Grove Shopping Center for a good cause.

During the holiday season it gets really tough for a lot of families here on Kaua‘i. Being part of Sassy and G Magazine Teen Board was a way to give back to the community. On Dec. 2 the mall was filled with happy families, smiling faces and entertainment.

Hats off to Ron Mizutani of KHON2 News for coming to Kaua‘i to do the Lokahi Giving Project. He did an excellent job getting people to fill shopping carts with toys, food and everything you can imagine for the families in need when the holidays come around. It was nice to see people giving monetary donations, too.

Thanks goes out to the Sassy and G Magazine members for helping with the arts and crafts section, where they did a lot of activities with the children. Kaulana, the magician and emcee, helped out by challenging the crowd to see how much money could be raised in one minute. A representative from the Salvation Army was beside him to receive the cash. In one minute, the community raised a total of $127 and some change. It was a sight to see! I mean, people were coming up and giving $20 bills and everything.

Lastly, I would like to thank the community at large for making Kaua‘i a great and better place.

Live aloha, give aloha.