Letters for Monday, January 21, 2008

• Lessons of protest

• One ferry, many names

• Tar and feather me

Lessons of protest

I was very surprised and somewhat embarrassed to find myself the subject of a front-page article in Friday’s The Garden Island (“Man arrested for threatening developer,” A1, Jan. 18) after I was arrested for having sent an e-mail, which was perceived as a “death threat,” to the developer of The Shops at Koloa.

For the record, I had actually turned myself into the police several days before I was arrested, after reading an article in TGI on Jan. 11 which made reference to the e-mail but did not identify me by name.

Also for the record, the policemen I dealt with were courteous and very professional, and my first-ever ride in the back seat of a patrol car was very “educational” and would almost have been fun, had I not been on my way to my first-ever “booking.”

More importantly, I would like to clarify that the e-mail in question was in no way intended as a threat from myself or anyone else, but I am the first to admit that it was poorly and stupidly worded.

Before I was arrested, I had sent a second e-mail to the developer apologizing for my actions, and assuring him that I truly did not mean to threaten him or anyone else at his company.

I also tried to explain why I did what I did. I told him that I have lived and worked on the South Shore of Kaua‘i for most of my 30-plus years on the island, and that I had become extremely saddened and frustrated as I do my daily drive to work through the horrible mess that was once Po‘ipu.

I wrote that I love my home passionately and, like nearly everyone else I know, am disgusted and angered at the onslaught of greedy and poorly planned development which is now changing it irrevocably.

I then explained that my message to him was thoughtless and just plain wrong, and had arisen from the anger and profound sense of loss that I have been experiencing on a daily basis. Not excuses, just reasons.

I would also like to emphasize that I am in no way connected with any of the individuals or groups that are currently working to save the monkeypod trees that are being threatened with removal, as I know that they are also people who love their community but are conducting their protests in positive, legal, and, shall we say, less “threatening” ways. Kudos to all of you for what you are doing, and I sincerely apologize if my actions have cast a negative light on an already difficult situation.

My feelings about what is happening in Koloa and Po‘ipu have not changed one iota as a result of these recent incidents, but my feelings on how to deal with the situation have done a complete “180.”

I let my anger get the better of my good judgment, and I would share what I’ve learned with all of you current or would-be protesters out there. By all means, let ‘em know what you think and feel, but keep it positive, keep it respectful, and keep it legal.

Andy Johnston

Kalaheo

One ferry, many names

So just where is that “silent majority” of Superferry supporters?

Come out, come out, wherever you aren’t, and put your money where your opinion page letters were. Jump into your vehicular motion and drive it to the ocean or pass a basket around the casket. Sail that Pukerferry.

HSF needs $650,000 weekly to operate. Gov. Linda Lingle can hold “Alakai” to her breast for only so long and then somebody has to pay for the formula. Who is buying the bailbuckets and bilge pumps to keep Sinkerferry afloat?

Is it really, after all the BS and no EIS, going to prove to be the Stupidferry, Fiascoferry, Stinkerferry, or the Blooperferry and maybe become Trooperferry? It was Securityferry for a month or so, but I’m currently calling it Suckerferry; Hawaiian taxpayers got suckered big time. How soon before Lingle starts throwing good money after bad?

Pacific Business News reported today (Jan. 18) that HSF officials sent a letter on Dec. 21 to the Public Utilities Commission stating that they are operating in an “emergency situation” with so few passengers and vehicles that they are apparently experiencing financial difficulties. Imagine that.

They are only carrying 60-70 passengers and 25-30 vehicles each way, and that is with the cheapo $39 fare. Remember, it seats 866 plebeians and stables 250 chariots, and they said they needed 410 heads and 150 motors to break even.

It may not be a Lemonferry but sure tastes sour to me. Can you say bye-bye to the Alakai?

Kenny Hultquist

Lahaina, Maui

Tar and feather me

I guess I must be a really bad, bad horrible person.

I’ve had these evil thoughts for the last few months. You see, for the past few years I’ve been lucky enough to get tickets to go to the Pro-Bowl on O‘ahu. It’s been a wonderful experience every year except for one thing. It’s really hard to go to O‘ahu and experience my own tailgate party in a rent-a-car and no family over there. So since last year I’ve had this wild fantasy. I thought maybe, just maybe I might be able to do it properly. You know, load up my truck with my tent, table, chairs, cooler and my gas grill (I’m allergic to charcoal) and go over on the Superferry (Oh what bad, criminal thoughts).

Think of all the invasive species I’d be taking to O‘ahu (my truck has never been off-road and isn’t covered in mud): My gas grill dripping steak “spooge” all over the Aloha Stadium parking lot with Kaua‘i smoked meat, Goteborg sausage, Kaua‘i chocolates, Kaua‘i “Nuts or What” (pun intended), Tip Top cookies, Wongs Lilikoi Chiffon Pie, Kauai Poi …

I guess I should just be arrested, have all my things confiscated and my truck beaten on as a welcome.

Think about the bad invasive species I’d be brining back: Sensually Yours, Fredrick’s, William Sonoma, Tori Richards, Y-Hata Smoke Duck Breasts, Executive Chef and more.

Oh the devastation I’d bring to Kaua‘i. Well maybe I should just drive out to the North Shore, tar and feather myself and tie myself to a tree so that the “vocal majority” can beat me properly and put some sense into my head. Oh well, maybe next year I can ruin the world.

Tom Leighton

Kapa‘a