• Those in need of aloha • Marketing v. infrastructure • Koke‘e cabin plea Those in need of aloha I would like to comment on Sunday’s editorial, “Will we, as an island, buy into the ‘us and them’ mentality,” In
• Those in need of aloha
• Marketing v. infrastructure
• Koke‘e cabin plea
Those in need of aloha
I would like to comment on Sunday’s editorial, “Will we, as an island, buy into the ‘us and them’ mentality,” In Our Voices, Jan. 20:
I think the author does not really understand, although I commend him/her for trying.
I am going to give my opinion on the questions that were posed.
Kaua‘i can come to terms with itself when developers and more importantly, our elected officials and county employees do what is best for Kaua‘i.
What’s best for Kaua‘i in the long term, not just in the short term.
Kaua‘i markets itself by remaining as pure and as beautiful as visitors have always found it, which is why they keep coming back.
Obviously the point of no return for Kaua‘i will come to fruition if allowed.
The editorial misses the point on anger at visitors.
Visitors are treated the same as any other person on Kaua‘i. If you are obnoxious, then you are not liked.
Anyone can become the target of resentment.
The editorial quotes, “Man arrested for threatening developer,” “Assault arrest follows crash,” “Superferry sets off the battle of Kaua‘i.”
As if these are undercurrents of something larger, connected and mysterious.
Two of them are connected, but vaguely.
“Man threatens developer” and “Superferry battle” came about because our governor and mayor care more about the wealthy and big business than they do about the locals.
That is a fact. Whether or not they were ignored does not change the fact.
“Man assaults visitor” might be because man was driving as he should, and then his car was flipped upside down by someone who could have prevented it, and man was probably in shock.
And maybe just below the surface he was thinking about how visitors come out here every year and kill someone because they are not paying attention and driving as they should be doing by law.
That can be frustrating. If you had a family member or friend who was killed by a visitor who came out here and drove irresponsibly, then you could understand his frustration.
I was driving in my open Jeep behind a local in a pickup truck on Maui and a visitor in the opposite lane was driving and pointing out something and crossed the line on the highway and killed the local. It happened right in front of me.
Only when we try to understand, will we have the ability to understand.
The resentment that the editorial ponders probably comes from the perceived assault on the people of Kaua‘i.
It talks about zoning on Kaua‘i. Zoning on Kaua‘i is constantly being changed into something that benefits the very few.
Is “violence and assault,” the editorial wonders, an answer or tactic?
Or is it a reflection of frustration? A reflection of panic?
Aloha is not dead. The problem for those who care about Kaua‘i is that there are too many people who are working hard to hurt Kaua‘i (and Hawai‘i) that have absolutely no aloha.
Some of them were born here and some of them come here to make money.
Government leaders, local politicians and state and county officials who care more about money, power and big business buddies then Kaua‘i.
For some of these people, aloha was never even alive.
Dennis Chaquette
Kapa‘a
Marketing v. infrastructure
Regarding “Will we, as an island, buy into the ‘us and them’ mentality,” In Our Voices, Jan. 20: In expression of my opinion to this editorial, I agree that proper infrastructure will help solve the negative resentments due to traffic and overrun areas for tourists and residents alike.
The editorial also strikes a great point that “our local government is not doing enough to protect the rural nature of the island.” I see the situation as kind of backwards. We are spending millions of dollars to sell Kaua‘i to the world of tourists yet we have neglected to build the infrastructure fast enough to handle it. The column then goes on to say that the infrastructure is largely carried out by private business with the approval from local government. In my opinion this is where our problems stem from.
We have a huge red-tape government with too many executive sessions, constantly being on the defense with inside and outside counsel to protect themselves from their selves, and to see that they are making the right decisions on approving the private sector to build the roads and infrastructure that will immensely help residents and tourists alike. Solution: Create a law that keeps the government from making the decisions involving traffic, infrastructure and, while you are at it, affordable housing.
Look at the way the process works. We elect a broad spectrum of talented residents to our council government. Because of past priority decision making, it proves that they are not necessarily educated to a professional level on making critical decisions on our future traffic and infrastructure solutions.
We spend a million dollars plus a year for a professional college head coach for our football team with proven results. It’s time we look at our priorities and find the necessary professionals from the private sector to get the same results for future traffic and infrastructure solutions. In closing, those of you with resentment please don’t bite the hand that feeds us. The new Burger King commercial took the Whopper off its menu to to see what would happen. Can you just imagine the outcome if we stopped the tourists from visiting here.
Steven Martin
Kapa‘a
Koke‘e cabin plea
In 1985, the state held an auction for the Koke‘e State Park leases and cabins. It was a disaster. Many local families were displaced from their beloved cabins, and some burned or removed them in anger. Several historic cabins were destroyed and replaced with modern homes owned by off-island auction winners, and several lots were simply left for the jungle to reclaim when “highest bidders” defaulted on their lease payments entirely and simply walked away. It ended up being a losing proposition all the way around, and bad feelings still exist to this day.
And yet the DLNR again intends to hold another auction for the leases and cabins in Koke‘e and Waimea Canyon State parks. After all the years of planning, public meetings and Land Board deliberations, they can’t come up with anything better than the tried-and-failed solution of a public auction.
Koke‘e State Park was created primarily for the benefit and enjoyment of the people of Kaua‘i. As we see rampant development on the rest of the island, Koke‘e is becoming one of the last places for local folks to truly “get away from it all.” Many of the cabins are shared widely with friends and family and through the “coconut wireless.”
There is a better answer where everybody wins. Due to attrition, there are only about 80 cabins still being leased in Koke‘e. Under existing historic preservation laws, the state has the ability right now to negotiate new leases with these current lessees. The lease rates could be raised an appropriate amount to increase revenues, which is clearly one of the state’s goals.
If they really feel the need to have an auction, several new areas could be opened up for long-term leases, allowing additional cabins to be built. Perhaps the area around Pu‘u o Kila Reservoir would be an ideal recreation zone, allowing local families to be right near fishing and hunting, as well as the numerous other Koke‘e activities. Several families could “hui up” to build a cabin, maintain it and enjoy it. As well, the DLNR has many abandoned but salvageable cabins that could be handled in a similar fashion, increasing access almost immediately, and adding to the state’s coffers. There is no need to take peoples’ mountain cabins.
The Land Board and new DLNR Chairwoman Laura Thielen need Kauaians’ guidance.
They have said they will hold a meeting on Kaua‘i soon, and listen to the wishes of Kaua‘i’s people on this issue. Please let them know we want to preserve the rustic, humble cabins in Koke‘e, and make sure there is continued access for “real” Kauaians.
I know we’re all tired of meetings and testimony and causes, but please hang in there on this one. It’s so very important to save this historic community for current and future generations.
Erik Coopersmith
Waimea
