• Drugs in paradise • Who is us? • Comment on a comment • Weir did not deserve insults Drugs in paradise I am involved with drug prevention at a half dozen law enforcement agencies. Based on my experience, we
• Drugs in paradise
• Who is us?
• Comment on a comment
• Weir did not deserve insults
Drugs in paradise
I am involved with drug prevention at a half dozen law enforcement agencies. Based on my experience, we are about to open the floodgates to drug traffickers via the superferry. While it’s difficult to transport drugs on the airplanes, the Superferry will provide an unfettered conduit for transportation of major quantities of drugs both to and from Kaua‘i. While there has never been a confirmed meth lab on Kaua‘i, there are dozens on neighboring islands. Wake up, Kaua‘i!
Having recognized this two years ago, we had a conference call on the matter. In attendance was a Superferry executive, a KPD officer, a county council member, and a representative from DOT. I stated my concerns:
1) Kaua‘i is in deep trouble regarding drug use and distribution.
2) KPD has neither the resources or training to combat the increased trafficking from the new Superferry.
3) Wanting to be part of the solution, I offered two trained drug search dogs, and full-time training for two officers — a $60,000 cost. In my estimation, it would take four full-time officers to inspect the cars en route, so this was a matching offer. They cannot be visually inspected for hidden drugs, but dogs can do the trick.
We were thanked politely for our offer, and never heard a word again from the Superferry executives.
Fastforward two years:
a) Kauai has had the largest marijuana farm drug bust in the state history, over 6,000 plants
b) 4,000 grams of meth have been confiscated
c) 6,000 grams of cocaine have been confiscated
d ) KPD is still understaffed by 20 officers, and has no drug dogs
And no action plan by the Superferry to stop the imminent flow of deadly drugs to Kaua‘i. An inconvenient truth, conveniently forgotten.
Let me put these drug amounts into context. Assuming only 10 percent of drugs are confiscated, then the Kaua‘i usage has been 100,000 grams, or 2 million lines of meth/coke. If a user averaged 2 lines/day for the past two years, that means we may have 1,250 users on Kaua‘i — 2 percent of the resident population. This is a major problem.
AGAIN, wanting to be part of the solution, I will donate FOUR drug dogs and training for FOUR officers to inspect cars while being transported on the Superferry. We will bear the current cost of $125,000, IF the program is in place BEFORE the Superferry starts up again. No more excuses. I challenge the Superferry to institute an effective drug policy for the sake of all the children of Kaua‘i, before the Superferry becomes the SUPER-DRUG-CONDUIT. The Superferry injunction should NOT be removed UNTIL there is an effective drug policy in place.
Mr. Garibaldi, as an Admiral in the US Navy, you swore to protect the citizens of the finest country in the world. Now as a civilian, you still have that responsibility, as do we all. We can not trade a boat for lives. Please don’t tell me how much this will cost per week — the investment funding is in place, OUR tax dollars have paid/guaranteed $200 million of this project, and you were warned of this problem two years ago. I am not making a statement for or against the superferry. However, I AM staunchly antidrug, pro-children, and pro-Kaua‘i.
Your Honourable Judge Joseph Cardoza: I humbly implore you to put the safety of the citizens of Hawai‘i above the financial interests of a business enterprise — an enterprise subsidized by our very own state and federal tax dollars.
Larry Bowman
Kealia
Who is us?
I think that the editor made a poor choice today. The letter “Stale Island Breath” in The Garden Island is a clear-cut case of defamation. While we don’t have to like the opinion of others, it is beyond good taste and civility to lambaste another person for publishing his ideas and the results of meetings. And this is what the above letter writer did. I feel pity for those who could not find any good ideas in Juan Wilson’s articles about sustainability. And I feel twice as pity for those who found them insulting. Please, don’t put the words into Juan Wilson’s mouth; he is quite a good and independent speaker.
And as to his ideas — keep them coming. It is time that someone take the initiative to suggest choices for the people on this island. Maybe they are better than the ones our corporate controlled government propagates. The letter writer closes his writing with these words: “…but leave the rest of us alone…” I don’t know who the “us” is, but the solution is easy: if the shirt does not fit, don’t wear it; in other words if you don’t like it, turn the page.
János Samu
Kalaheo
Comment on a comment
In response to (“A comment on elitist calling an elitist ‘elitist,’” Letters, Nov. 9). Obviously Chris Bielle didn’t read or comprehend the letter she/he was commenting on. If she/he even thought about what R.S. Weir was saying it would make total sense.
Do you really want someone else telling you what you can and can’t do with your property or your life for that matter? If you do then you should go live in China.
Another thing is if you don’t know the facts about someone then don’t go making false statements. R.S. Weir does not sell houses as you stated and he is not a developer. He builds homes for people like you and I and he is one of the nicest, most generous men around.
As far as the governor goes … we all now what you are refering to … the Superferry. Let it rest already, we need alternate transportation between the islands, we have for years now. If you are one of those who thinks homeless and surfers are going to come here and take what we have, wake up!
You’ve got to be kidding. When was the last time you saw a homeless be able to afford a $100 one-way trip to an outter island when you have go! Airlines selling ticket for $1! Everyone needs to stop complaining and this island, state, and world for that matter would be a better place!
Anne Brookstone
Kapa‘a
Weir did not deserve insults
Greedy is an offensive and defamatory word. R.S. Weir was referred to as greedy by a writer in Friday’s opinion section. Attacking his freedom of free speech by insulting him is not the American way. Civil dialogue would be more appropriate.
Randy Weir does build high-end beautiful homes and it is his God-given gift and a definite contribution to Kaua‘i. He has roots in Kaua‘i and I believe his goals are for the overall betterment of Kaua‘i and its citizens.
Although, he did not build my home, I did confer with him many years ago and found his advice to be most helpful, insightful, and useful.
Randy Weir is a fine gentleman and should never be insulted by derogatory and defamatory words; which, are not true.
Armin Rapaport MD
Anahola
