Letters for Saturday, January 6, 2007

• Mahalo, Mr. Poe

• Sensationalism at the expense of KPD

• Enough choices

• The vast voidn

• Mahalo from A Tow In Paradise

Mahalo, Mr. Poe

My respect, aloha, admiration go out to Mr. Poe (“Poe helps clean state park to protect the land,” TGI, Jan. 5).

Not only is he keeping one of our island treasures beautiful; he himself is an island treasure. It is (unfortunately) rare to find a human with such a gift as Mr. Poe’s. I’d like to say, though, that I do not believe for a second that he does it mostly for the tourists. I know that us local people who drive past that area do notice when it’s kept up and how beautiful the area is.

So remember, people of Kaua‘i, he does this for everyone who glimpses this sacred site. Please contact the public should you need assistance with any of your supplies. I’m sure there would be plenty who would be willing to help you.

Thank you, Mr. Poe, for your contribution. Your contributions and efforts offer invaluable lessons to our youngsters (and adults!) that often will not be learned in any educational institution.

Once again — thank you Mr. Poe. Happy New Year.

Kapa‘a

Sensationalism at the expense of KPD

Amanda C. Gregg’s article “Resident accuses cop of brutality” (TGI, Jan. 2) does a disservice to the Kaua‘i Police and to our community. She has taken an accusation made by Lamont Jameson that he was assaulted and his supposed intention “to file an assault complaint (sometime) this week” and made it a newsworthy item. We don’t know what happened. The article reflects only Mr. Jameson’s statements on the incident. We have nothing from the officer he alleges assaulted him. The officer will write a report of the incident and it won’t appear in the press. Procedures will follow that will allow adjudication of the alleged incident. Both parties will have an opportunity to state their side of the incident. For now however, the community is left with a headline of “cop brutality.”

These “cops” are your neighbors. Many have families. Are they brutal people? No. They are asked to perform a difficult role for us dealing with a segment of life that I dare say most of us would prefer not to notice. They are responders in a high-stress, low-compensation profession. To write an article that plays on the brutality theme with only accusations to support the article is a disservice to KPD and to the officer named. It would have been sufficient to report the incident as an altercation at ‘Anini Beach Park. This would acknowledge the event. To follow the case through the system reporting on its outcome would be professional reporting. What we have in Ms. Gregg’s article is sensationalism and a disservice to the officer, KPD and our community.

Chaplain KPD, Lihu‘e

Editor’s note: Lt. Ale Quibilan, acting assistant chief of the patrol services bureau, was interviewed and could only comment on procedural questions, as mentioned in paragraphs 14-22. The officer in question was not contacted or interviewed because KPD and the County of Kaua‘i have very specific procedural limitations on releasing information.

Enough choices

I just wanted to say a few words about the big box issue. I was able to get everything I needed to live comfortably before we had any big box stores. I do go to some of the bigger stores occasionally to buy TP and other household items, but if this was not an option I would pay the extra few cents and get them at my local market. I think we have enough choices and that any more would threaten our island’s character and put the small stores out of business. They do not have the ability to get the good deals and bulk rate prices that these huge companies get. I do not mind paying a little more if it means that Kaua‘i’s character can be preserved. People are so hungry for convenience! They are going to convenience themselves right out of a beautiful place to live. Kaua‘i is such a special place; we need to do what we can to save it from being ruined!

Koloa

The vast void

Mahalo, Jon Letman, for your moving tribute to Michael Van De Veer (“Michael on my heart,” Guest Voice, Dec. 31).

I met Michael three years ago at a Thanksgiving dinner. I had no idea who he was but the conversation was so completely elevating that I told someone later it was the best Thanksgiving I had ever had. So after that I naturally began listening to his “Out of the Box” program on KKCR. Like Letman I became “an avid listener and admirer but disinclined to call in.”

He was more than a breath of fresh air for Kaua‘i. The only word that really seems to fit is enlightened. No matter how dismal things appeared whether globally or locally he never failed to offer hope and inspire action, and eloquently so. I sometimes thought this man should run for office. But while keenly aware of political issues, Michael had no desire to be a politician. Though he loved Kaua‘i, he also felt compelled to shine a light on desperate issues on the other side of the world. His desire to help was as big as his heart.

Losing Michael last year somehow reminds me of the loss of Steve Irwin, the Crocodile Hunter, in that both men died heroically, trying to help the world.

Shortly before he left for Nepal I spoke with Michael briefly about an issue I thought very important to get on the air. He said, “You’ll do it when you’re ready.” I can’t imagine being ready now. The void he has left is too vast. He is irreplaceable.

Princeville

Mahalo from A Tow In Paradise

For the 16th year, A Tow In Paradise offered a free tow home during the holidays for those who had too much to drink. We towed the person and their vehicle to their home, no questions, no hassles and no charge.

Mahalo to family and friends, The Garden Island and the many radio stations that helped to get the message out.

Hopefully people will remember through the year to call a tow truck and pay for the tow to keep a drunk driver off the road.

Kapa‘a

Editor’s note: Mahalo from TGI to you, Mr. Ridgley, as well as all the drivers who took you up on your generous service.