• Thanks for the guiding inspiration • Park idea, brilliant • Ladies’ room challenge • Humbled by respect Thanks for the guiding inspiration malama, the spirit of being pono in a caring way, was the guiding inspiration that Carol Lovell
• Thanks for the guiding inspiration
• Park idea, brilliant
• Ladies’ room challenge
• Humbled by respect
Thanks for the guiding inspiration
malama, the spirit of being pono in a caring way, was the guiding inspiration that Carol Lovell embodied and expressed as Director of the Kaua‘i Museum. Now with her decision to retire from the directorship, we wish to take this opportunity to acknowledge our appreciation for her years of fulfilling this leadership position with professionalism and warmth.
Her door was always open to the community, visitors and staff. Her zeal for furthering the education of volunteers, staff members and the public in everything that concerns Kaua‘i, Ni‘ihau and the Hawaiian culture remained paramount. Even with a small staff and limited budget, she sought and found ways to safeguard tradition and create pathways to the future.
As former staff members we saw how the power of dignity and a hands-on attitude were the active principles she maintained on a daily basis. We shall never forget how she made the sacredness of malama the guiding truth of her tenure as the director.
Thank you, Carol Lovell, for being such a genuine role model. Thank you, Margaret Lovett, collections curator and Noelani Pomroy, membership chairperson, for the service you provided the Kaua‘i Museum as you also prepare for retirement. May you, Carol, and you, Margaret, lady of lauhala weaving and splendid cultural exhibits, and you, Noelani, of detailed records and sensitive flower arrangements, have every blessing for the next stage of your lives.
A hearty welcome to all the new staff members who will carry on the work of cultural authenticity and refinement that is the hallmark of the Kaua‘i Museum.
Keahi Felix and Marta Birchard, former staff members
Hilo, Big Island
Park idea, brilliant
Coco Palms Park. Much mahalo to Sherwood Conant for bringing this issue up (“Coco Plams park?” Letters, Jan. 24). The best idea I’ve heard in a long time.
But how to do it? Where to get the money to pay for it? Who could take on such a project? Could this dream that so many Kauaians have long held ever become a reality? My opinion is yes, with the right leadership it is possible. Every politician on the island is aware of this idea. (Sen.) Gary Hooser made his views known on the issue years ago. At the time he whole-heartedly promoted the idea. I believe council members look positively on this possibility. And the great part about it is that it has been done before, right here in Hawai‘i. One example is Pupukea-Paumalu on the North Shore of O‘ahu. It took the concerted effort of a lot of folks and the genius of an organization called “The Trust for Public Land.” Go to their Web site at www.tpl.org and search under “Hawai‘i.” You’ll see that it is possible and not just a dream. But we need the leadership of our local politicians. It could be just the thing to quell all their bickering and instead celebrate one of the island’s most historically relevant landmarks and beautiful natural landscapes.
Michael Smith
Kapa‘a
Ladies’ room challenge
Recently we attended Shanghai Circus at the War Memorial Convention (Hall) and I am now compelled to write you regarding the ladies’ bathrooms. After seeing the ladies meet the challenge of going in and out of those stalls, I thought I would lobby to have the doors open to the outside of the stalls. Being normal in size, it took me awhile to get in and come out, let alone the pregnant lady and the oversized ladies. We wondered what the architect or engineer might have been thinking when the restroom was planned.
It would be a great service if changes could be made. And yes, once I know whom to call regarding reinstalling those doors, I will do so.
Perhaps a letter to the editor might help facilitate matters?
Lyn Chan
Millbrae, Calif.
Humbled by respect
I had the privilege of attending a (Coastal Zone Management) workshop in O‘ahu the other day and I humbly learned the true meaning of respect. Every person there was part of a community that had different goals, different obstacles, different opinions. While sitting there listening to everyone talk, I opened my mind and got over where someone might have been from, what the color of their skin was, how many months have they been in Hawai‘i. I opened my mind and truly listened and heard what each one of them was saying and although I didn’t agree with some, I felt this overwhelming amount of respect. Respect for everyone in that room, each one of those individuals who is truly in love with the island that they reside on and is doing everything in their power to protect the treasure that they hold so close to their heart. We all might never agree with the theories that our neighbor might hold, we might think they do things in some crazy out-of-whack way, but if our neighbors are doing everything in their power to preserve and protect the island we call home — all differences aside how can we not show respect.
Kuulei Santos
Hanapepe
