Letters for Sunday, November 11, 2007

• It’s about self-destruction

• Others deserve attack letters

• Mrs. Blair cares

• Where are the protesters?

• Bring on the ‘brawl’

• Open letter to homeowners

It’s about self-destruction

During the past year I have listened to several people voice their demands about how the Superferry must operate and sum up by saying, “I am not against the Superferry.”

It is amazing how people can think that telling a lie directly to my face will convince me that the rest of what they say is true. Such a message is provided by Mr. Bowman (11/10/2007, Letters). After a hysterical rant about how Superferry will destroy Kaua‘i’s children he writes: “I am not making a statement for or against the Superferry.”

Mr. Bowman is mad at those who run Superferry because they won’t take on a law enforcement role. He needs to direct his attention to those who run law enforcement. Whether they accept his gift of drug-sniffing dogs or not, he needs to remove the strings attached. The community appreciates Mr. Bowman’s gifts but, he doesn’t get to direct their use. This applies to giftngiving at all levels.

Recently, the DOE faced the issue of drug-sniffing dogs in Hawai‘i’s high schools. Both sides in the issue thought the outcome would “destroy Hawai‘i’s children.” The matter of drugs is a matter of self-destruction. Drug-sniffing dogs are not going to save or destroy anyone.

Peter Antonson

Wailua

Others deserve attack letters

The Garden Island seems to delight in publishing personal attack letters (R. S. Weir, “Stale Island Breath”) which then incite a flurry of letters both for and against the attacker and/or attacked.

Mr. Weir’s disdain, bordering on paranoia, for almost any form of government regulation (e.g., anti-smoking laws and zoning ordinances) has been well-documented in the Forum and would not seem to merit continual repetition. In the present instance, although he is by all accounts a fine builder, his concentration on multi-million dollar second and third homes for conspicuously consuming mainlanders calls into question his qualifications to discuss sustainability. I welcome future contributions from Juan Wilson, who did not warrant this abusive letter, and who consistently makes cogent and prescient observations on Island issues.

The Garden Island would better serve public interest publishing “attack letters” on more deserving recipients, such as our state Transportation Department director Barry Fukunaga. This public official claims “attorney-client privilege” in refusing to answer the straightforward question of his dealings with the Attorney General prior to his (Fukunaga’s) decision to exempt the Superferry from a legally required EA study. It could be pointed out to Fukunaga that attorney-client privilege is reserved for past and future felons from the Illinois Governor’s office and not for those in our state government who are accountable for public disclosure on decision-making processes.

Robin Clark

Kalaheo

Mrs. Blair cares

A huge mahalo to Mrs. Blair at the Kukui Grove 4 theaters who shows true Aloha spirit in caring about her patrons’ welfare as evidenced by the newly painted yellow-edged steps on the mauka side of the complex.

This action is especially helpful for us seniors with diminishing/ed eye-sight and depth perception. Mrs. Blair sets a shining example for other businesses to meet access/egress needs of their customers with disabilities, regardless of customers’age.

Again, a warm aloha and mahalo from us Sun Village seniors and our fellow Kaua‘i seniors, island-wide!

Alice Parker

Lihu‘e

Where are the protesters?

This morning (Nov. 10) while driving to work I was listening to the radio. On the news there was an announcement that “on the Norwegian Cruiseline there were 400 passengers stricken by some unknown virus docked at Honolulu.”

In a couple days they (NC) are allowed to continue their cruise to the neighboring islands. (Maui and Kaua‘i) When they arrive at Nawiliwili the only stipulation is that the passengers stay on board for 24 hours (one whole day … whoopee!) Then, what? They (the passengers) can leave the boat and spread their virus all over Kaua‘i.

For Maui, what is Judge Cardosa doing to stop these people from going off and spread this sickness to the people on Maui?

For Kaua‘i, are 1000 Friends and the protesters (including surfers too!) going out to stop the Norwegian Cruise Line from docking? Boy, I sure hope these brave souls go out to stop the boat or they’re all waha! (mouth)

Here’s a cause for protesters and Judge Cardosa to be concerned. So, go out and be a friend (unless you guys are not friends anymore) and stop the Norwegian Cruise line from entering our harbor.

Howard Tolbe

‘Ele‘ele

Bring on the ‘brawl’

All right, that’s it.

Enough already with the bickering back and forth. Let’s just give the Superferry supporters and the protesters boxing gloves and settle it once and for all.

Call it “The Aloha Super Brawl.”

Roger Olsen

Lawa‘i

Open letter to homeowners

I am writing this letter to inform homeowners that they may qualify for tax exemptions if they live in their home. I’ve been a Kaua‘i resident for 15 years and was just informed of that recently. When I purchased my home in 2000, my county taxes were $580 per year. This year they were $3,182. I had no idea that they were rising because they were buried in my mortgage payments. The county tax office said my realtor should have advised me of the exemptions at the time of the purchase but he never did. Neither did the title company, the mortgage broker or my accountant. How else was I to know if the professionals handling my property did not inform me? Isn’t that what they get paid for — to advise?

After doing the math, I realized I’d lost $6,483 and there is no recourse. The tax office isn’t going to give it back! Even though I can prove I’ve lived in my home all these years. I don’t know how many people are unaware of these exemptions and are burdened by tax increases caused by the rising value of real estate. But if my letter can help one person to save their money, then it is worth it.

Janet Eisenbach

Hanalei