• Levee lunacy • Levee lessons • Politicians, work together • Ferry conditions compromised • Sue over sunshine Levee lunacy I just read the article about the Hanapepe levees (“Residents eye Hanapepe levees,” A1, Dec. 8). It said “the Army
• Levee lunacy
• Levee lessons
• Politicians, work together
• Ferry conditions compromised
• Sue over sunshine
Levee lunacy
I just read the article about the Hanapepe levees (“Residents eye Hanapepe levees,” A1, Dec. 8). It said “the Army Corps instructed the Kauai Public Works department to remove the vegetation from the banks of the levee.” It also says “nothing has been done to prepare the levees for the planting of new vegetation.” Later in the article it says “County Engineer Donald Fujimoto stated that the Public Works Department had no budget for replanting the levee.”
There is a statement by Public Works chief of field operations and maintenance that says “We are working on erosion control measures that include installing a temporary irrigation system and planting ground cover.”
How on earth could any of those involved in this have gone ahead with the removal of the vegetation from these banks without a plan for immediate replanting? Without vegetation the banks will erode. The weather won’t wait until we get around to it. This can’t be done sometime in the future. Have we learned nothing from the Kaloko Dam failure? Large amounts of water can cause catastrophic disasters. We must wake up and treat these water systems as a number one concern.
There is not enough money for replanting the levee? Is the asylum running the show?
Bruce Savage
Hanapepe
Levee lessons
My husband and I have been residents of Waimea Valley for two years. Serious concerns of the levee have been growing since the county began its “project” last summer. They began by mowing down vegetation and spraying herbicide. When the herbicide was applied there was no public notification, no spray signs, no REI, nothing to warn us, which is illegal. As soon as the spray truck had passed, children and adults oblivious to the danger of chemicals climbed the levee and resumed their activities. These sprays continued until every living plant was dead. Although loose dirt was brought in to fill the low spots, with no ground cover and dry conditions the levee began to erode from wind. All day long you could see red clouds and dirt devils blowing onto our lanais and into our homes. The county’s solution to this was to bring a large tanker truck and water down the dirt every few days. This was ineffective. Now that the rains have returned, so have small amounts of the grass and weeds. The exposed dirt has washed out into the street. This project appears to have had no forward thinking or future planning. Something must be done before the existing structure is damaged beyond repair. Now that the work has been completed to remove the major structural threats, the project needs to follow through and replant a healthy, drought resistant ground cover. A minimum amount of research would reveal a number of fine plant candidates.
I hesitate to question the judgment of the Army Corp of Engineers, but even a small child could tell you that bare dirt at the top of a hill will wash away in the rain.
Jenn Weathersbee
Waimea
Politicians, work together
In response to Gordon “Doc” Smith’s letter (“Why does Hawaii have problems?” Letters, Dec. 9):
Gordon Smith, you have answered your own questions the minute you brought the words Democrat, Republican, or political party into your letter. It seems every critical decision made in our state is always politically driven. I believe the reason we don’t have all the best education, best quality teachers and most available health care is because of our elected politicians spending most of their time fighting over the issues and how things should be done. Politicians are the problem. The majority of them will not step out of their party boxes and “join hands” (what a concept that would be) to solve problems. It has always been that way, and because of the stupidity of those actions it will always be a loss to us here as well as nationwide. Remember Ross Perot? He was to be the answer to the two-party-bickering-getting-nowhere system. When it came closer to the elections he realized everything he wanted to do for this country would never fly because he would never get the support of Republicans or Democrats in congress. The country lost out and the bickering continues as we see it today. Just look at the Superferry saga. Look back at all the local politicians who instigated the disrespectful scene when the Superferry first arrived, and then again when our governor and her staff came to talk to the citizens. Our mayor is a Republican. Did he embarrass the people with negative actions? No.
I’m a firm believer that if the rude politicians who caused all the uproar were Republicans the disrespectful scene would probably not have happened. In closing, if General Motors Corporation board of directors were broken up as Republicans or Democrats they would go bankrupt. The only reason our government doesn’t is because we keep working our butts off to keep it funded with tax dollars. When our politicians can step out of their party boxes and work hand and hand together, that will be the only way we will see our problems being solved.
Steven Martin
Wailua
Ferry conditions compromised
When the plaintiffs were negotiating with Gov. Linda Lingle and Superferry for the Conditions required by Act 2, they compromised in good faith, giving up many important mitigations to get the 13 knots in 100 fathoms or less. Superferry’s New York investor fought them every step of the way.
When they left the room, they were under the impression they had a deal.
The next day they found that the 13 knots had been changed to 25 knots, whale season was down to January to April, and the phrase “if feasible” made the whole thing unenforceable. Lingle then presented this as the result of consultation with us.
DLNR requires 10 knots when whales are present and we all know whale season starts in November and extends to May. Superferry is going to more than double and triple the safe speed.
In Act 2, the so-called EIS is a sham. It says: “… the rationale for proceeding with an action, notwithstanding unavoidable effects, shall be clearly set forth in this section.”
In other words, the EIS will explain why Lingle has to continue her current policies of allowing reckless speed through whales and not funding any ag inspectors. That’s all Act 2 requires, an explanation of why Lingle will allow the harm.
Act 2’s EIS is merely a PR effort aimed at dismissing the very real (and according to sworn court testimony) irreparable harm the Superferry will do to our ocean and islands with its current policies.
Karen Chun
Paia, Maui
Sue over sunshine
Walter Lewis’ piece (“County closes doors often,” A Better Kaua‘i, Dec. 8) and Horace Steossel’s letter (“Council executive sessions,” Letters, Dec. 8) in Saturday’s Forum alleging that the County Council rampantly violates state and county sunshine laws raises the question of who can do anything about it. I see, looking at the state sunshine law, that “any person” can sue the council to enforce the law and, better yet, that if a citizen sues and wins, the law provides for attorneys fees and costs.
Charley Foster
Lihu‘e
