• Get involved, save more trees • Open hearts and minds needed • Ain’t we nice guys? Get involved, save more trees If Koloa’s monkeypod trees are integral to the nature of Koloa, why on Earth did you let the
• Get involved, save more trees
• Open hearts and minds needed
• Ain’t we nice guys?
Get involved, save more trees
If Koloa’s monkeypod trees are integral to the nature of Koloa, why on Earth did you let the property get zoned in a way that would put their removal in the hands of a developer? Where were the candlelight vigils? Where were the protests? Where were the letters? Where were you when you had your opportunity to be part of the process and make a difference?
Having served in the past as chairman of my community’s Planning Commission and Zoning Board, then as its Zoning Administrator, I can venture an informed guess: virtually all of you were sitting at home ignoring the vital planning process shaping your community’s future. Oh sure, you may have complained that your elected officials were worthless and the island was going to hell, but did you get off your butt and actually get involved at the point in time when you could really make a difference? Hell no – that would have required foresight and effort. You had a chance to shape the future of your island and you blew it. And you know what? This is the way it seems to go everywhere; people ignore the planning process when the vision of your community’s future is being formed … then complain like crazy when the vision becomes reality.
Will these trees be felled? Probably.
You want to keep more from falling? Get involved with your government. See what it’ll take to make your vision for Kaua‘i a reality then work like crazy to make it happen. Do it now. If you don’t … well, better make sure you have plenty of candles.
David Poppe
Nauvoo, Ill.
Open hearts and minds needed
Today, on Kaua‘i, are we allowed to ask questions or express our personal opinions which may in fact support a development, without being labeled the enemy?
Let’s hope so.
With few, or no letters finding anything attractive about the proposed Shops at Koloa, I’m wondering if this might be true.
Here goes: Since I was asked to support a number of my well-intentioned friends of the “Save the Trees of Koloa” effort, I decided to find out what I could about the situation before I joined them. Of course I love those big trees having lived on the South Shore and owned two businesses in Koloa town I have driven by them for 35 years.
The first thing I learned is that I came into the picture late as the initial meetings were held a few years ago. I did attend a meeting in Koloa town of people interested in saving the trees in early December. At that meeting two things struck me: one, that there were few local people there (I know, probably at work because it was during working hours) and second, the constant airing of: “Now that the county had given the developers the green light to proceed, due to the results of the recent lawsuit, there would be changes all over the place.” I tried to figure if the real concern was with the trees or development in general.
Since I hadn’t seen the plans, I tried to get copies of them to review myself. Granted, this was not easy as they were not available at the Planning Department as promised by the developer’s representative. But with a few more calls to the same rep, a set of renderings and aerial photographs showing the location of the proposed buildings and trees was distributed to the Koloa area merchants and other interested parties in late December. Frankly I was impressed with the low density buildings and the amount of foliage in the development. I specifically asked if the park-like setting on the corner of Maluhia and Koloa roads would mean that we could sit under those monkeypod trees (replaced with older field stock or not) rather than staring at an empty, overgrown lot that it is now. The answer was “Yes, just as the plan shows.” And the answers to all other questions I had made the project seem very attractive in my opinion. Yes, of course I would love to save all the trees, but sometimes you have to learn to give and take.
So, as I drove by the protesters each day, or read the letters and e-mails, I wanted to write letters asking how many of those people had actually seen and understood the landscape plans and the development plans before holding their candles? (I understand that even more formal plans are now available). Had they compared the number of “trees” in these plans with those in any other commercial areas in Koloa town? This new project is “green” with trees; both those left and those to be replaced. Had they ever tried to maintain any area with huge monkeypods overhanging parking lots and buildings? It appears to me that the developers are trying hard to make this work.
But I respect the many community members and thought there must be some reason more folks don’t feel this way. I figured no letter was as important as having the community leaders meet with the developers and work on finding middle ground. The community had been working on this for a long time and my hope was that it would finally happen soon.
Now, with today’s news, it appears that a meeting did happen and it wasn’t successful as there is going to be another vigil.
I respect everyone’s right to fight for what they believe in, and this is what I believe: Progress is bound to come to Koloa and I feel that this may be a good plan for the area. I urge the leaders of the community and developers to continue to meet with open hearts and minds. I urge the protesters to have faith in our leaders so when it is said and done you will not feel defeated and angry but rather satisfied that you may have saved a few trees if not all.
I miss the days of good debate, negotiation, compromise if necessary, and working toward a solution with respect for everyone in attendance. Yes, I meant to write compromise.
Nancy Grantham
Lawa‘i
Ain’t we nice guys?
Since Jan. 6, I have been hearing and reading in the American media that three Iranian small boats threatened three United States Navy ships in international waters. They dropped white boxes in the ocean and sent a terroristic message. Then they left the area. Hmmm.
I kept wondering what would have happened if one day two of my buddies and I got into our small boats and approached the Superferry on its way from O‘ahu to Maui, let’s say to a distance of 200 to 500 yards dropping a few white boxes in the water and sending a message to the Superferry through the radio, “I am coming to you … you will explode after … minutes.” That is the way it allegedly happened in the Persian Gulf. To stop wondering I decided to get some expert opinion. I asked a retired U.S. Coast Guard officer. He said “We would have blown you out of the water. This is a terroristic threat on the highest level.”
I then asked: “But if we turned around with our boats and fled?”
“Then we’d have given you a chase and apprehended you nuts,” he said.
To make sure, I also asked a policeman friend. His answer was that depending on the situation, if they hadn’t shot us right away, they would have arrested us or seeing us flee they would have turned the island upside down to find us.
Amazing.
Despite the most serious terroristic threat the US Navy did not fire at the Iranian small boats, nor did any attempt to stop them, and did not even fish out or blow up those mysterious white boxes in the water. Instead they just complained to the world. Is this the official version of another urban legend, or are we just such nice guys, far away from Kaua‘i?
János Samu
Kalaheo
