• On traffic plans • On reverse sticker shock • Renewable energy vote • Experience to remember On traffic plans This is a response to Ms. Ann Leighton’s letter of Aug. 10, that responded to the commentary titled “Where is
• On traffic plans
• On reverse sticker shock
• Renewable energy vote
• Experience to remember
On traffic plans
This is a response to Ms. Ann Leighton’s letter of Aug. 10, that responded to the commentary titled “Where is Waipouli traffic plan?”
I share the sentiments of Ms. Ann Leighton, from Lihu‘e, on zoning and traffic. The citizens of the greater Koloa area were concerned over the “unprecedented traffic loads,” drainage and congestion that loomed on the horizon. Today, we are experiencing multiple developments occurring simultaneously in Koloa, Po‘ipu and Kukui‘ula. Zoning on lands being developed today occurred in 1972. All of this zoning was land banked for 35 years. In the last few years, Kaua‘i was discovered and, money, more importantly, became cheap to obtain. One family began to divest itself of its assets, i.e., its lands. These lands are east and south of Po‘ipu Road and in and around Koloa town. They represent 12 of the 13 developments presently or soon to be in progress here. These large parcels of 1972-zoned lands are being held by the trust and the present developers. Little thought was given to the problems that side-by-side development would bring, how it would impact the quality of life and how it would change the lifestyle of their neighbors. Koloa had two choices. It could berate the county and our elected officials and blame them for our predicament. Or, it could take proactive measures and work with these officials to find a solution. We joined forces with the area developers, the Po‘ipu Beach Resort Association, Koloa town merchants and the Koloa Community Association. The developers agreed to privately fund the Koloa Community Association, which in turn retained the best transportation planning firm in America. After many well-attended public workshops, meetings with the county administration and Mayor Bryan Baptiste, the state Highways Division, developers and the Kaua‘i County Council, we finally arrived at a final draft of the Koloa/Po‘ipu Area Circulation Plan. This plan was gifted to the county in April, 2007. Last Wednesday, Aug. 7, the county accepted this gift. We are not out of the woods yet. We have to work out the details, funding sources and implementation. We will rise to this task with the dedication it took to bring our plan this far. The developers have promised to join with the county to financially support the implementation of this plan. It will be a 15-year process.
The problems are also our kuleana and we need to extend aloha to our officials and help them to help us. We can get through this if we all share responsibility and assume our civic duty.
TK Blake
Koloa
On reverse sticker shock
Suzanne Woodruff wrote in the Aug. 15 forum that she experienced “reverse sticker shock” on a recent trip to the Mainland. Ms. Woodruff, have you forgotten where you live? You are out in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, for heaven’s sake. There are no roads for easy and cheap transportation of the goods you consume. The reason things are more expensive here is because they have to be shipped here from somewhere else that is at least 2,000 miles away. It is not because the county won’t allow stores to expand to gargantuan proportions. If Wal-Mart won’t ship their goods now, what makes you think they would ship them here if a Supercenter were opened? It isn’t logical. There are a number of companies I have tried to purchase items from that don’t ship to Hawai‘i, so I don’t shop at those places. I find someone who will, or I do without that thing. That’s just the nature of the beast, and you accepted that fact implicitly when you decided to move here. Deal with it. I’m sure you can find someone that sells exercise bikes that will ship the thing to Hawai‘i if you would just take the time to look and stop acting like everything will be at your fingertips and at the price you want whenever you want. You aren’t on the Mainland, so stop assuming that you are going to or should have all the amenities of the Mainland at Mainland prices.
How long now has it been painfully common knowledge that goods are more expensive here than on the Mainland? At least two decades, I would imagine. Why do people keeping dredging up these obvious comments about things being cheaper on the Mainland as if it is some earth-shattering revelation? Goodness gracious, stop it already!
Michael Mann
‘Ele‘ele
Renewable energy vote
I would like to thank Congresswoman Mazie Hirono, for supporting efforts to expand our use of clean and renewable energy during a recent vote in the House. Thanks to her vote during the energy bill debate, the House passed an amendment that requires 15 percent of our electricity to come from renewable sources like wind and solar by 2020.
Renewable sources of electricity like wind and solar power are essential to solving global warming and achieving energy independence. Recent studies have also found that a renewable energy standard will save consumers money and create jobs. This vote was not only a vote for clean energy that is good for our environment, but also a vote that is good for the economy and our pocketbook both locally and nationally. People in Hawai‘i should be proud. Thank you, Congresswoman Mazie Hirono.
Mary Lu Kelley
Kalaheo
Experience to remember
Recently I read that “Tropic Thunder” is being filmed on Kaua‘i.
My husband is 73 and I am 69.
He has beautiful snow-white hair and is very photogenic.
Both he and I appeared in a few episodes of “Magnum, P.I.” while living on O‘ahu several years ago.
We returned to the Mainland to be closer to grandchildren.
We have since appeared in a few local TV commercials here.
I will never forget the wonderful experience of working as an extra for Universal. The people there from the casting director, film crew, directors, cast, were so kind and professional.
It is something we shall remember the rest of our lives.
If you are fortunate enough to be cast, savour the moment. it is a true blessing that not many people have the opportunity to experience.
Joyce Russell
Walbridge, Ohio
