• Small-box bellyache • Two minutes can make a difference • Questions that demand answers • A truly unique solution • A fitting tribute Small-box bellyache I also grew up on the Westside like Mr. Shiraishi. And at our times
• Small-box bellyache
• Two minutes can make a difference
• Questions that demand answers
• A truly unique solution
• A fitting tribute
Small-box bellyache
I also grew up on the Westside like Mr. Shiraishi. And at our times Kawakami’s owned the big-box stores. Ishihara was the small-box store. Mr. Shiraishi owned all those stores, most of them still exist (even with the Foodland, Star Market and Safeway here). The only reason why a handful of stores closed is because no one wanted to carry on the family business. They turned to better job opportunities like becoming lawyers, doctors, etc.
Kawakami’s, why not build a big-box store, too, in Lihu‘e, with better, lower prices? This New Year, Kawakami’s closed all the Big Save stores. Ishihara’s was closed. So all of the west-, east-, north- and southsiders jam-packed the Wal-Mart store. A lot of tourists were there, too. That is why Super Wal-Mart would be good for Kauaians. If Kawakami’s had a store open at least till 2 p.m., most likely a lot of us would have stayed on the Westside.
On this note, Kawakami’s and Ishihara’s, don’t go opposing big-box and then sticking your foot in your mouth by not helping your loyal, old-time customers. We need to buy little items during those days, too. It’s the little things that count to make money in your trade of business.
Mr. Shiraishi, “Super” doesn’t mean that they want to shut down every small store. It means more availability and lower prices, more savings and more things for your money.
Kawakami’s and Ishihara’s, stop your bellyaching. Drop your prices and you’ll do good for many more years.
Howard Tolbe
‘Ele‘ele
Two minutes can make a difference
For years now, at least once a month, I stop at KIUC and pay my electric bill. Most of the time a very nice lady named Gayle took my payment. The whole process never took more than two minutes, but in that short time, Gayle was always very friendly, smiled and thanked me for coming in. After awhile I began to feel I knew Gayle even though the process was always the same. “Hi, Thank you, see you next month.”
Monday I went in to pay my bill. Gayle wasn’t there. As I was paying my bill, I noticed a picture of Gayle behind the cashier. I asked her why Gayle’s picture was there. She looked at me with a very hurt look in her eyes and said that Gayle had passed away last Friday.
By the time I got to my car, tears were streaming down my face. I did not know Gayle at all outside of KIUC, but she was a person, who, in just two minutes a month, could make you very fond of her and appreciate how nice and courteous she treated you. I will really miss Gayle and I will say prayers for her family and friends as I’m sure those who really knew and loved her are devastated.
If we all could be that kind to each other and make such an impression to others in just two minutes a month, what a great world it would be.
Aloha Gayle.
Bob Jasper
Kapa‘a
Questions that demand answers
Will collisions or noise from Superferry harm whales? (Yes, says Pacific Whale Foundation.)
Who will see that Superferry keeps promises to protect the environment?
Will Strykers travel on Superferry?
Will freight be slowed by Superferry?
Where will almost 900 people and 300 cars go if a ferry doesn’t sail?
Where are the traffic studies?
Sierra Club asked for written answers to 20-odd questions like these, in advance, when Superferry proposed a meeting with us.
Superferry sent no answers. But they still wanted to meet.
We proposed bringing someone knowledgeable about whale strikes, and a tape recorder.
Superferry never replied.
It appears Sierra Club won’t get answers from Superferry. But State legislators will — if they pass bills for a Superferry Environmental Impact Statement.
Please contact sens@capitol.hawaii.gov and reps@capitol.hawaii.gov to support Senate Bill 1276 and House Bill 702.
Mahalo.
Cory (Martha) Harden
Sierra Club, Moku Loa group, Hilo
A truly unique solution
It is really troubling to follow the ups and downs of the plans for large development on the island such as the Waipouli projects.
I have a solution to the problem. We should start a petition to have both the Planning Commission and the County Council — along with the mayor — committed to the state mental hospitals. I think they are all certifiably insane (wink, wink).
How can any of them allege they are following the will of the people when it seems clear by far the majority of local residents are against any more large developments? They certainly aren’t building them for the local people. The units being built at the harbor Marriott start at $l.5 million and the single-family residences at $4.5 million. Certainly not affordable housing.
They all espouse that they are for controlled development, which simply means they will approve any development that has a lot of money behind it.
Before the next election we should ask each candidate to sign a pledge to support a moratorium on any multi-family development for three years.
As to insanity, how can any person in their right mind allege that the project in Waipouli will do anything except make traffic in Kapa‘a more dreadful?
Has it ever occurred to any of these people that a council from 20 to 30 years ago may have made a big mistake by zoning land as resort? Let’s all say at once: Rezoning. There are many instances where ag land has been rezoned to residences. Is there some law that says once land is zoned resort, development must be approved? I don’t think so. This entire process is very troubling.
As for me I would vote to send them to the hospital.
Bob Yount
Kalaheo
A fitting tribute
I’d like to see the Koke‘e Discovery Center be renamed for David Boynton. It would be a fitting tribute to one of Koke‘e’s best friends.
Rest in peace, David.
Robert Rekward
Kalaheo
