• Take dogs to dog parks • Shocked and saddened • Cruise industry judged too harshly • The trees: Contradictions and confusions • The almighty dollar Take dogs to dog parks As I read the letter, “Everyone involved and concerned”
• Take dogs to dog parks
• Shocked and saddened
• Cruise industry judged too harshly
• The trees: Contradictions and confusions
• The almighty dollar
Take dogs to dog parks
As I read the letter, “Everyone involved and concerned” in the letters on Sunday Dec. 23, I just had to start laughing.
Mr. Magruder obviously doesn’t read the paper regularly or comprehend anything he reads. The new path on the Eastside of Kaua‘i that goes from Kapa‘a Boat Ramp to Donkey Beach is and always has been a bike/pedestrian path. It is maintained by the County of Kaua‘i and if you take a look at any County or State parks for that matter you will notice “No Animals Allowed.”
As I read his letter I couldn’t believe what Mr. Magruder believes are true facts. I have to disagree with Mr. Magruder about there being far more dog walkers than bikers or just pedestrians. And the next thing, probably the biggest thing that bugs me, how can he say he has only seen droppings from a dog once, the last time I rode the path on my bike I saw at least 6-8 different spots where dogs have pooped and no one picked it up. This is disgusting and totally gross to me and anyone else riding a bike or just out for a walk.
Don’t get me wrong, I love dogs and in fact have two of my own and would love to walk them on the path but I obey the rules. The next big misconception Mr. Magruder has is that this path has cost him and every other person on Kaua‘i a great deal of money. If he really did his homework he would know the path was built with a federal grant, if we didn’t use it for a bike/pedestrian path we, the island of Kaua‘i would lose the money. So Mr. Magruder, I hope this clears any confusion up for you. You are out NO money because of this bike/pedestrian path.
The next issue I’d like to address are Mr. Magruder’s claims that the bicyclists are reckless and a danger. I am one of those bicyclists … I am not reckless and I myself have had many encounters with pedestrians not being courteous on the path. Many pedestrians and dog walkers think they are the only ones out there on the path, they walk two or four wide so there is no room for a bike to pass safely. Bikes do go a little faster than someone walking if you haven’t noticed, so please be courteous of us.
This path is one of the best things that’s happened to the Eastside of the island lately. Can’t we all be happy and nice to each other out there? If you want a safe and legal place to take your dog please go to the Kaua‘i Humane Society’s dog park. It’s so much fun … the dogs love it! They can play with other dogs and not worry about crazy cars or loose pit bulls or any other aggressive dogs. I know … I take my dogs there; they LOVE it!
Anne Brookstone; Kapa‘a
Shocked and saddened
I am a Canadian who has been coming to Kaua‘i the last 12 years in a row for 4 months at a time.
My wife and I are shocked and saddened by the devastation and development being heaped on Po‘ipu where we stay. Furthermore the infrastructure on the island in general has not kept pace with the amount of tourists or the development, so much so that we will no longer be returning to an island we once thought was one of the most beautiful places in the world. And if other tourists start to think like me what will happen to all your wonderful tourist dollars.
It brings to mind two great sayings — “We have met the enemy and it is us” and “There is no sin except stupidity.”
Dave Swidler; Quebec
Cruise industry judged too harshly
I visit Kaua‘i every 2 to 3 years, and enjoy its tropical old Hawai‘i charm. I also enjoy taking cruises from time to time. I believe some may judge cruise ships, NCL and the cruise industry too harshly.
Mr. Michael Austin may not be aware that modern cruise ships run on cleaner burning diesel fuel already, rather than what he assumes would be greater polluting bunker oil fuel.
Today’s cruise ships work like modern train locomotives; diesel engines power electric generators. These generators supply electricity to giant electric motors that drive the propellers (or a train’s wheels), as well as providing electrical power for the rest of the needs of a ship (AC, lights, galley, laundry, etc.).
I understand NCL and other cruise lines continue to look for cleaner burning diesel fuels and work to further reduce emissions and particulates. After all, they breathe the same air we do!
Casey Brown; Clovis, Calif.
The trees: Contradictions and confusions
We have had numerous contradictions and confusions regarding the Koloa monkeypod trees. Now, would someone please give us accurate facts and clarify the following issues:
Contradiction number 1:
a. The monkeypod trees were planted by the Knudsen family.
b. The monkeypod trees are “volunteers,” self-seeded from the Yamamoto tree across the street.
Contradiction number 2:
a. The trees are 50-100 year old.
b. The trees are younger than 50 years old.
Contradiction number 3:
a. Knudsen Trust will only remove diseased trees; their aim is to keep as many of the existing trees as are viable.
b. There are no diseased trees.
c. 10 (presumably healthy) trees will be transplanted to other locations.
d. 16 trees will be removed.
Contradiction number 4:
a. Tree removal will begin Jan. 2.
b. The Jan. 2 date was fabricated and is without basis in fact.
Contradiction number 5:
a. The Knudsen Trust’s grubbing permit specifies exactly which trees may be removed.
b. No one knows how many or which trees will be removed.
In each set of contradictions, a maximum of one version is accurate. Perhaps, even, none of the versions is accurate.
It is time for clarity and accuracy. Who will help provide it?
Thank you.
Phyllis Albert; Koloa
The almighty dollar
I was born and raised on Kaua‘i and now live out of state. I can’t believe that historic monkeypod trees in Koloa town are going to be cut down due to development. Our lovely landscape is being destroyed because the almighty dollar speaks louder than the people of Kaua‘i.
Mayor Baptiste, you were elected to stand up FOR the people and NOT for the developers.
Donna Bettencourt O’Connor; Mount Laurel, NJ
