• Chili lover mourns a loss • Get with the program • Too early for civility • Kaua‘i’s not Maui, but it’s getting close • If local schools were mandatory … • Sympathizes with frustration over billing Chili lover mourns
• Chili lover mourns a loss
• Get with the program
• Too early for civility
• Kaua‘i’s not Maui, but it’s getting close
• If local schools were mandatory …
• Sympathizes with frustration over billing
Chili lover mourns a loss
A short time after Costco opened on Kaua‘i, I went shopping there and bought an eight-pack of Cattle Drive chili with beans. It turned out to be the best store-bought chili that I have ever tasted. This is important because I consider myself to be a chili con carne expert.
I have won first prize at many cookoffs. Next to a good laulau with sour poi, chili is my favorite lunch. I like it with rice, Hawaiian style, on hot dogs and hamburgers, and even as sauce over pasta dishes.
Imagine my consternation when Cattle Drive Chili was recalled because it allegedly made some people on the Mainland sick. I guess the FDA doesn’t have much choice, except to play it safe until the situation is cleared up, but that’s little consolation to chili lovers such as I am. Right now now, I’m back to cooking my own again. Meanwhile Costco has to dump two tons of the best canned chili in the world.
Auwe no ho‘i e.
Harry Boranian
Lihu‘e
Get with the program
Can anyone tell us why every new building permit does not require a solar water heater to be installed?
The $280 million spent by KIUC could have paid for a solar electric system on every home on Kaua‘i. The county needs to lead by example and install theses systems on all their buildings and require them on all new commercial construction, plus encourage them on all residences by offering a generous property tax credit for those who choose to take immediate action to reduce our use of oil.
The county could also require curbside recycling, outlaw incandescent light bulbs and ban all non-biodegradable plastic from our island.
Come on, folks, go green, get with the program and show some leadership.
Michael Wells
Kapa‘a
Too early for civility
Bob Yount wrote a letter calling for rational discussions of national issues, including the current administration, without the incessant name-calling now so prevalent.
In fact, there are always two (or more) sides to any issue and our country is deeply split. Bob’s call to cease invective and actually talk to each other seems long overdue.
But then Craig Millett responded by accusing the president of disdain for citizens as well as being a coward (?) and liar — without providing any specifics or willingness to discuss the issue.
I’m sorry, Bob — but it seems that your overture toward sanity is premature.
More’s the pity.
Stan Godes
Hanalei
Kaua‘i’s not Maui, but it’s getting close
Maui? Scott Richman, no, no, no.
I left Maui 15 years ago because I couldn’t stand the traffic and moved to Kaua‘i, the most beautiful place I’ve ever been.
Unfortunately, we are close to surpassing Maui in traffic. We have a county council and planning commission that could obviously care less. Megaresorts are being built all over the island. Adding cars, cars, cars and more cars.
Yesterday I drove the 26 miles to Lihu‘e from Kilauea. It took an hour and 15 minutes. Barely crawling along in bumper-to-bumper traffic. It felt like the road from Lahaina to Hana. As it was a bit humid, I had my air conditioning on and my car kept overheating. All this on a Saturday.
Now comes the Superferry capable of carrying 860 passengers, and an 282 additional cars. Fortunately I don’t live near Nawiliwili Harbor. But most of those additional cars will find our North Shore.
I wouldn’t live anywhere else as this council hasn’t had enough time to ruin the entire island.
So come on over, you have an advantage over most, as you’re used to Maui traffic.
Billy Whelan
Kapa‘a
If local schools were mandatory …
As a foster parent of 11 children and one natural child who attended public schools, I would like to add my comments to the discussion of the public school system.
One of the boys was taking a class and was flunking. His teacher told him if he washed her car she would give him a C. He did and got his C. He was also very behind in math and was scheduled to take algebra, because he already had his math requirements to graduate, his DHS worker took him out of the math class. Both his counselor and Bill and I were really upset about this but we were over-ruled.
More than 50% of our teachers with school age children send them to private schools. Even Sen. Gary Hooser sent his children to private schools. Perhaps if it were mandatory that teachers and legislators send their children to local schools, our schools would not be ranked 50th in the nation.
Bill and JoAnne Georgi
Kalaheo
Sympathizes with frustration over billing
I sympathize with Wendy Akita and Sue Caberto (Letters, 8/21/07 Frustrated by KMC billing). My billing experience with Hawai‘i Pacific Health, parent of Kaua‘i Medical Center, is even more ridiculous.
I recently received for the first time a bill from HPH claiming $3.72 due, sent from Dubuque, Iowa, for medical services rendered nearly a year ago. I turned the bill over to the entity responsible for it.
The initial bill I received for $3.72 also was a “final notice” and a “last request for payment.” A threat was made that my account “will be sent to the collection agency.”
Concluding that HPH really means business, I proposed that the obligation be met at the rate of 10 cents per month until paid off. I also proposed that HPH send us a receipt crediting us with each 10-cent monthly payment.
Jack Stephens
Lihu‘e
