• It’ll all work out • The right course • Woes of Koloa • Goodbye trees • Confirm interim director It’ll all work out A lot of the talk surrounding the Superferry goes like this: “I’m not against the Superferry.
• It’ll all work out
• The right course
• Woes of Koloa
• Goodbye trees
• Confirm interim director
It’ll all work out
A lot of the talk surrounding the Superferry goes like this: “I’m not against the Superferry. I want them to get the Environmental Impact Statement. I just want them to do things right.”
But this morning, while taking my daily constitution, I couldn’t help but wonder, “Is that really what it’s all about, or is it something more fundamental?”
Far be it from me to generalize but, generally speaking, people fall into one of two categories: either you think the protection of the environment is something worth sacrificing for; or you don’t. Of course, everyone says they’re for the environment, just as we like to say we’re for freedom, justice and the American way. Even that rotund fellow on the radio who, when not poking fun of people with Parkinson’s, openly mocks environmental activists would never claim to be anything other than for the environment. Even if he were introspect enough to admit to himself that, in reality, he couldn’t care less about nature, he would advertise this fact no sooner than that tall Irish political commentator would admit to being a proudly ignorant bigot. I can tell you from experience, some people find such politically incorrect talk off-putting. Especially chicks.
No, truly being for anything — be it freedom, justice, the American way, the environment, or anything else — means you’d be willing to give something up, something you’d like to have, in order to protect it. That’s what separates being for something, in a way that really matters, from idle chatter. So as we talk about the EIS and the Legislature and the technicalities of proper procedure, I wonder if we’re not actually speaking on behalf of a larger philosophical position — that some things matter more than non-stop economic growth and commerce and convenience. Either way, both sides can feel good about this: once the remaining wilderness has been completely wiped off the planet, none of us, and none of our children, will have to bicker about nature or the environment ever, ever again.
Alistair McManis
Lawa‘i
The right course
We citizens must recognize the problems presented by the Superferry and address them now.
It will not be easy because there are powerful special interests at work here. Are short-term profits more important than the planet we leave for our children and grandchildren? The potential damage to the environment is being shoved aside. The Superferry is all about super-capitalism, corruption and destruction of our environmental laws. The HSF has powerful friends in Washington and in Honolulu. Powerful enough as evidenced by the recent actions by our governor and various officials. But our democratic system of laws will prevail, if we the people will continue to stand up and make our voices heard.
What our state urgently needs from its political and business leaders is visionary thinking about the transport needs of the future. This ship on steroids was designed for high speed military transport.
Its extreme fuel consumption, 6,600 gallons of diesel for one-way, is not economically viable in the coming oil depleted world. The twin hulls that go 14 feet below the ocean surface will slice through whales and Monk Seals like a hot knife through butter at 40 mph. Don’t we have environmental laws to protect our endangered species? Sensible and courageous action by our leaders that protects our environment for our future generations can set the ferry on the right course. Out of here.
David Ward
Lihu‘e
Woes of Koloa
My family has lived in Koloa for four generations. I am at college now and often boast about my hometown and how wonderful it is to live there. I always talk about the people and their closeness with one another. I sometimes speak of the way parents don’t fear that their kids are out alone.
To allow this — as I see it — overdevelopment is doing the town an injustice. I am not against progress, but I try to weigh the costs along with it. As a community, should we allow this marketplace to increase the traffic in Koloa? To remove the trees? To increase the garbage on the street? I hope not. Are we willing, as a community and as an island, to allow more development in Koloa at the cost of losing the town’s spirit? Old Koloa Town has a history to it. You feel it as you walk through town. I believe that in this case the cons definitely outweigh the pros. If you can in all honesty tell me that this development is in the best interest of the town and the island, I don’t think that you have lived in Koloa long enough.
Garrett Sakimae
Koloa
Goodbye trees
Thanks to a major “screw-up” by our county’s Planning Department/Commission, Koloa is about to lose several of its longtime members of the community — 12 monkeypod trees.
To some, they’re just trees, but to our community, they represent a lot more. When they are removed, Koloa Town will be scarred for a very long time. I am extremely disappointed that, once again, our government has let the people of Kaua‘i down.
How could this happen? How do we know it won’t happen again? I sure hope the person responsible for the “error” from not following the approval process has been reprimanded, or even better, fired. I also hope that the developer has trouble sleeping at night knowing he is responsible for killing these magnificent trees that give us all life.
Betsy Rivers
Lihu‘e
Confirm interim director
There is another issue besides the Superferry in the special session which will effect the environment. Laura Thielen, the interim Director of the Department of Land and Natural Resources, will be up for Senate confirmation.
This has gotten no attention although she will be head of the state’s most important environmental agency. I have been a member of and given money to many pro-environmental organizations over the years. I have known Laura for over 18 years. She is smart, capable, well educated and cares about the environment. She is a good choice and should be confirmed.
Joe P. Moss
Lihu‘e
