• The people are the heart • Dominion defined • Has the answer • Credit where credit is due The people are the heart I have sat by now for weeks and read and listened about the future of these
• The people are the heart
• Dominion defined
• Has the answer
• Credit where credit is due
The people are the heart
I have sat by now for weeks and read and listened about the future of these trees. I would like to know some things from the people who are protesting in their behalf.
First: Aren’t they on private property? I’m sure if someone wanted to build a house there and cut the trees down no one would have a word to say about it. You protesters have no right to say anything about the developers. They have all the right to do what they want with the property. If they wanted to turn it into a dump, then so be it.
I have lived in Koloa all my life. I have yet to see anyone sitting under the trees eating or reading a book or just enjoying themselves. What you gonna sit on? The fence or dirt ground?
The first thing you see when you come into Koloa is the large empty lot, the field with the weeds so high that you can’t see anything else, trees blown over and the rest of the trees. Now that’s real pretty, isn’t it?
You say you are the spokespeople for the trees. Well, what about the pine trees. Don’t they matter? I don’t see anyone saying “Save the pines.” What, they not good enough for you? No, I think it’s all about getting your name in the paper.
You people say it’s about the heritage of the island and the ways. If this is true in your hearts then why don’t you go donate your time to the nursing home and the homebound people, and talk to our elders, the ones who have been here 80-plus years. Talk to them about the old way, visit with them and let them know that they are not forgotten. They can tell and educate you more than a tree. I mean, since you have all this time to stand around and stir people up. Or is it that you just want your name and picture in the paper? You really don’t want to know about heritage and history.
It’s the same people all the time I see making a stink. Go do some good. Talk to the elders. Besides, I hear people say that the trees are the heart of Koloa. I always thought it was the people that were the heart.
John Hendrickson, Koloa
Dominion defined
This is in response to the letter “Dominion over all the earth,” Letters, Jan. 5: The letter states, dominion “means mankind is allowed by God to cut trees down.”
I don’t think so.
My dictionary states that dominion is the exercise of control, rule, or sovereignty over a territory. And since we are a democratic society, let the people decide, have a community meeting and decide the issue of what to do with the trees.
We are a nation of the people, by the people, for the people. Just because they own the land doesn’t give them carte blanche (unrestricted power) to cut down the trees.
Koloa, Po‘ipu, Kaua‘i is developing so fast, with many more people, cars and houses being built. Same old pothole-ridden roads though. Weliweli Tract road is a roller coaster, crack ridden embarrassment. Our local government is unable to provide decent roads.
The Kaua‘i we knew in the 1950s and 1960s is gone, a pleasant memory. The developers and bulldozers we’ve eluded are here on Kaua‘i carving out homes for the rich.
Well, thank god we live on Kaua‘i anyway, the sun is shining, birds are singing and the ocean is calling. God bless everyone. Plant more trees. No, we didn’t have a Christmas tree this year or any other. Haven’t since I left home 40-plus years ago.
The biggest change in our lives is the increase in people. More people are coming, every day, more cars on the road. It’s time to retire and enjoy more digging in the garden. Plant more papayas, mangos, and lychee in your own yard. Aloha.
Kawika Makaweli, Kekaha
Has the answer
An answer to Ed Coll’s question, “Why does the state of Hawai‘i err as a matter of law” may be found in the statement, “absolute power corrupts absolutely.”
The governor, her appointees, the state government have a plan, the economic development of the state government of Hawai‘i. We are growing in many ways.
I wish you all a Happy New Year and hope everyone gets what they really need: love, peace, food, friends and a happy life.
Growth with aloha, love one another and treat everyone better than you wish to be treated. Feeling good comes when you work and play to make the world a better place for everyone.
Let your actions be inspired by God and do not succumb to selfish desire and passion. Doing good will bring joy to your life.
Ua mau ke ea o ka aina i ka pono. The life of the land is preserved in righteousness.
Do what is right for the glory of God and pave all the potholes while you’re at it.
Aloha and Happy New Year.
David Boyer, Kekaha
Credit where credit is due
I’d like to comment on the news article “Philippine national hero honored,” published in The Garden Island newspaper dated Jan. 2 on page A9.
To set the records straight, I’d like to quote a sentence from a letter to Ms. Lynn Smith, president of the Kaua‘i Chamber of Commerce dated Aug. 11, 1981. The letter was written recommending Ms. Rosalina Arzadon for the “Aloha Spirit Award.” I quote in part: “Through her efforts, President Marcos and Mrs. Marcos of the Philippines are sending to Kaua‘i a statue of a National Hero of the Philippines Revolution, Dr. Jose Rizal.”
This statue (the first one) was later vandalized by unknown persons or person. It was later replaced by the present statue, again, through the effort of Ms. Arzadon who was a close friend of the Marcoses.
The erection of the present monument, the stand and tile surrounding it was done through the effort of John Arzadon Construction.
Not to mention Ms. Arzadon is a great injustice to her as one who has dedicated her life to the betterment of the Filipino community, and instrumental in getting the statues of Dr. Jose Rizal.
Lucia Valentin, Lihu‘e
