• Lucky pets live on Kaua‘i • Let’s do it right • Political will • Where’s the bumper sticker? • Legislators make the laws Lucky pets live on Kaua‘i I had mid-morning business at the Kaua‘i Humane Society this past
• Lucky pets live on Kaua‘i
• Let’s do it right
• Political will
• Where’s the bumper sticker?
• Legislators make the laws
Lucky pets live on Kaua‘i
I had mid-morning business at the Kaua‘i Humane Society this past Saturday, and instead of just business as usual, I was treated to a near-circus atmosphere between the wonderful activity at dog parks, the many adoptions happening and the general wonderful humor and compassion created now over years by Dr. Becky Rhoades and her great staff. What a wonderful entity we have in our KHS. A far cry from so many places — our very lucky pets!!
Su Haynes
Kapa‘a
Let’s do it right
Kudos to Michael Kline’s well-articulated perspectives regarding the No Child Left Behind fiasco that has negatively impacted the education system in the United States. As “well-intended” as it may have been, it is ridiculous to measure “success” by test scores that will only create comparisons between the abilities of students to respond to an evaluation instrument that cannot and should not be considered as “valid” for the masses.
Why? Simply because we are individually and distinctively different in our capabilities, interests, talents and skills. The business of education should be to nurture that interest to learn, to pursue, to develop and to acquire. Some will be able to attain academic achievement. Some will be able to respond to intellectual stimuli. Some will seek creative outlets. Some will achieve mastery in manual dexterity. Some will be prone to scientific explorations. Some will need to hone survival skills.
All should be encouraged to be self-sufficient. All should be directed toward being compassionate with one another. All should become aware that there are times and places for regimentation and exactitude and times and places for being free-spirited and spontaneous.
Teaching and learning are lifetime experiences. The education system was once a pathway for the privileged. It has now become a highway for the masses.
Let’s do it right. It should not be a “one-size-fits-all” approach in the quest to bring a measure of success to each child.
Jose Bulatao Jr.
Kekaha
Political will
Looked at from an historical perspective, business activity on planet Earth in relation to our environment has caused the pollution of our land, the pollution of our waters, the pollution of the sky and, indirectly, the killing-off of thousands of life forms in the land and in the ocean. Now the pollution of our atmosphere has the potential to end life on earth as we know it.
All of this pollution is man-made and caused by the unwillingness of policy makers and businesses to value our environment and give it priority. The example of the Superferry is just one of thousands of political and business decisions that are attempting to put the needs of business first and the needs of the environment second by minimizing, discounting and ignoring the environmental effects of the business.
This is no longer a valid approach! This is not pono! This is not acceptable! Not only do we need strong environmental laws, we need government officials, bureaucrats and legislators with the vision and strength of character to enforce them!
It seems that Gov. Lingle, the DOT and various bureaucrats and legislators absolutely refuse to understand the need to make our precious environment a priority even though the Hawai‘i Supreme Court has ruled 5-0 that an EA/EIS is required before the Superferry can operate. It seems they are willing to cast aside our environmental laws so that the Superferry officers, who have exercised poor business and environmental judgment, can prevail and make a profit!
This is not a good choice for Hawai‘i in our view! It is our deepest hope that love and respect for the environment will prevail and Superferry will leave Hawai‘i unless it agrees to a complete stop of all activity until an EA/EIS is completed and all changes needed are implemented. Any compromise on this very important issue is at the expense of our environment and is thus unacceptable!
Sylvia Partridge
Merilyn Liggett
Princeville
Where’s the bumper sticker?
Aloha to those who respect Kaua‘i. According to the article written by Tomas Alex (Oct. 9, Los Angeles Times), John Garibaldi, chief executive of Hawaii Superferry Inc., says he envisions an initial fleet of three or four ships. If they’re built like the first one, each will be capable of carrying 866 passengers and 286 cars per trip.
The plan was to make a daily Honolulu-to-Maui round trip in the morning and Honolulu-to-Kaua‘i in the afternoon. A second ferry would add a daily run to the Big Island. The number of trips would increase as more vessels were added.
It’s hard to find words to describe how I feel. The more the Superferry saga plays out the more frustrated I become! I just sent Judge Cardoza a thank you card for taking four weeks of his time and energy to listen and review the Superferry’s request to continue to operate while an EA is prepared. No EA, no sail. The law is quite clear.
Mahalo for making the right decision, Judge Cardoza. Now Gov. Lingle wants to have our legislators call a special session to make a new law to make the lawless lawful. Where can I get my “Impeach Da Governor “bumper sticker?
Marcia Sacco
Kapa‘a
Legislators make the laws
For some time, there has been much dialog, back and forth, as to whether or not the Superferry should operate within our Hawaiian waters. There has also, on occasion, been considerable anger directed toward Gov. Linda Lingle. At this time it appears that our state Legislature will endeavor to solve this dilemma.
As I recall, our nation is a Democratic Republic and consists of three branches: executive, legislative and judicial. It is only the legislative branch that has the power to enact laws — not the executive nor the judicial. The government of the state of Hawai‘i also operates in this same fashion and, hopefully, our Legislature will soon meet to come up with an answer.
Therefore, this is the time to look towards Kaua‘i’s delegation — Sen. Gary Hooser, Reps. Hermina Morita, James Tokioka and Roland Sagum — for it is they who will aid in making the laws that will determine whether or not the Superferry lives, or dies, and not the Governor!
In conclusion, here’s a “tip of the old fedora” to kama‘aina Paul Lemke for his excellent letter in Friday’s (Oct. 12) edition of The Garden Island. Mahalo, Paul
Joe Stoddard
Kapa‘a
