• Making allowance • Who does our governor represent? • Perfect in the calm • Do we want county manager system? Making allowance Jay Taylor says that the Legislature enacts laws (“Remember the constitution,” Letters, Oct. 18). He is correct.
• Making allowance
• Who does our governor represent?
• Perfect in the calm
• Do we want county manager system?
Making allowance
Jay Taylor says that the Legislature enacts laws (“Remember the constitution,” Letters, Oct. 18). He is correct. However, another function of the Legislature is to make amendments to flawed laws. If a crime is permitted and the judge ruled that the perpetrator be set free because of a flawed law, would it not be proper for the Legislature to make corrections? The Legislature will make corrections in its next session. In the meanwhile, because they know about this flawed law and because they know the majority wants the Superferry, they will be making allowance for it to sail.
Calvin Nakamura
Honolulu
Who does our governor represent?
I must be naive as I thought our Governor whom we elected to office was an official to represent the people of the state of Hawai‘i. The last few months have demonstrated just how wrong I am. She appears to be a senior representative of the Hawaii Superferry. She has dedicated her time and staff to dodge the laws of our state so that the Superferry can violate our environment.
The state Supreme Court’s ruling that an environmental assessment is necessary clearly demonstrates that laws have been violated. Our Maui Judge ruled that the Superferry can’t operate until an environmental study, as required by law, is completed.
Now Gov. Lingle is again working overtime for the Superferry Corporation at our expense. She is seeking a special session of the state Legislature to change the laws which the Superferry and Department of Transportation have violated. She has no respect for the Supreme Court decisions. She is wasting our tax dollars in support of a single corporation. One must wonder, “Why?”
This is a government we all should be afraid of, a government of the worst kind, one that will circumvent current law for a giant corporation. A governor that turned the weapons of our military on its own citizens who protested the violation of state laws by the Superferry, Hawai‘i Department of Transportation and her office. The governor stole our harbor from the citizens of Hawai‘i and is giving it to the Superferry.
Our U.S. Coast Guard was all too eager to turn its power against civilians on Kaua‘i. This Coast Guard, in anticipation of a protest, brought in numerous additional watercraft to make war against us. It is rumored that along with the additional watercraft, they also brought “holding pens” to lock up any civilian they determined to be in violation of their special boundaries for Superferry. The U.S. Coast Guard invoked this “Martial Law” to remove our right to access the Nawiliwili Harbor when the Superferry is present.
What kind of military is so willing to turn its weapons on the civilians of the United States. Be afraid of this kind of military and the government that directs them. This is the kind of government we have gone to war to protect ourselves against.
Initially I was neutral on the Superferry issue. These recent abuses of government powers have caused me to become adamantly opposed to the Hawaii Superferry, our U.S Coast Guard and elected officials working to help Superferry violate our laws.
Kenneth DaVico
Kapa‘a
Perfect in the calm
I am commenting on Lloyd Miya-shiro’s letter (“Watchyootink,” Letters, Oct. 17).
Lloyd, I read your comments in letter titled “Watchyootink.”
I think you made some great points. We should all think about what “Perfect in the Calm” means to us, then relate those thoughts to certain issues facing Kaua‘i. Keep up the good work.
Branden E. Shumate
Koloa
Do we want county manager system?
The Charter Commission met on Sept. 24 and is making its leisurely way toward a second meeting on Oct. 22.
I sent the following testimony to the commission and I ask others who want a chance to vote on a county manager proposal to send your comments or questions to the commission’s secretary. Jonathan Chun is chairman and Leonard Vierra is vice-chairman of the commission:
“I believe that the voters have a right to vote on a county manager proposal in 2008, to take effect in 2010 if approved, and I ask the commission to provide that opportunity.
If you have reviewed the records of the last commission, you know that a county manager proposal holds top priority among the items forwarded to you by that commission from its unfinished business and that public testimony strongly supported a ballot proposal for a county manager position.
In view of the opposition and/or silence on the subject of a county manager system among the county’s political leaders, I remind you that the charter commission, in accordance with your charter mandate, holds a countervailing responsibility and power in our system of self-government. You are appointed by the mayor and approved by the council, but your role is one of representing the people. Although you depend on administrative support, you are not an arm of the administration but are tasked solely with recommending changes in the people’s charter. Where the people have spoken, as they have in the matter of a county manager proposal, I suggest that their voice takes precedence.
I believe the record will show that never before has a proposal receiving the kind of popular support given to the county manager idea during the term of the last commission been withheld from the ballot. For you to exercise your power and responsibility by withholding a proposal for a second time would, I believe, represent dereliction of duty in the eyes of the public you represent.
As one who closely followed the work of the last commission, it is my opinion that you will need outside assistance if you are to place a county manager proposal on the ballot in 2008. Assistance in the form of information and professional guidance is readily available from the International City/County Management Association, and I urge you to make contact with the association promptly.
I conclude with best wishes for your success in this most fundamental of our self-governing processes.”
Horace Stoessel
Kapa‘a
