• Considerations for the path • Thanks for the honesty Considerations for the path I have fond memories from more than 30 years ago, of walking and exercising my dogs along the very stretch of coast that now is home
• Considerations for the path
• Thanks for the honesty
Considerations for the path
I have fond memories from more than 30 years ago, of walking and exercising my dogs along the very stretch of coast that now is home to our walking/bike path. Three generations of dogs, to be exact. Yes, back in the day, hardly anyone leashed their dogs, and i’ll go ahead and admit it, no one I saw, including myself, cleaned up after them.
Fast-forward a few decades and times have changed and there’s talk of putting in a lovely walking/ bike path along the same old haul-cane road. Amidst much discussion and haranguing regarding funding, legality, set-backs and the like, I do remember some mention of whether horses should be allowed or not. No mention of dogs that I remember. I did see a petition that was pro-dog access on my vet’s wall and I did sign it. I was then and am still now in favor of the path. What a natural thing to do — basically improve access and conditions on a wonderfully unique stretch of coast that has been used since nearly forever by many people here on Kaua‘i for exercise for both humans and canines (and to some extent, horses also).
So now I am reading that this new paved path that was made to benefit everyone willing to utilize it, is now off-limits to a significant proportion of the people that not only were in support of it, but that have been utilizing that area to walk their dogs since way before the path was even imagined. Is the county really expecting me to take a walk on the path, then drive home, pick up my dog and endure (and add to ) traffic to get to the Humane Society’s dog park, three or four times a week, in order to exercise my dog? If so, then the county has not enhanced my life but has detracted from it, leaving me with a feeling of empty loss — something that us long-time locals are becoming all too familiar with.
Restrictions on dogs in county parks makes sense. I would not want my kids swinging on swings being accosted by strange dogs anymore than strange people. Nor would I want them to step into feces or roll in urine while they wrestle in the grass.
The Path is not a park in those regards. What is it’s main focus? What is it’s main purpose ? Not soccer, not little league, not any playground activities. Its designed and created for the purpose of walking and bike riding. Of these two activities, walking extends quite naturally to walking the dog. I would wager good money that a good amount of folks might at times feel too lazy to go for a walk — were it not for that fact that Fido needs to go for his walk also. To deny this is to deny reality.
Are there problems with having dogs and humans in such close proximity ? Yes. What are they ? Obviously, the top two are safety and sanitation. How can they be effectively managed so that the public as a whole can best utilize and enjoy the Path ?
1) Safety :
a. We have a leash law — let’s strictly enforce it. Better yet allow only 4-foot leashes, and ban the much more common 6-foot leashes on the Path. Four footers allow for much greater control over our animals.
b. Ensure that dog-walking path users “heel” their dogs properly, keeping dogs close to owner’s sides and disallowing them from roaming back and forth, in and out of the path of fellow walkers/bikers.
2) Sanitation :
a. Hold people accountable for the mess their animals make. Many are, but sadly many more are not, as can be witnessed every day at almost any beach island-wide where owners “look the other way” while their off-leash dogs soil the beach, and then dont bother picking up — if we are lucky they might kick a bit of sand over the feces, leaving it for some unsuspecting child to dig up.
Again, I believe we need to manage the Path not as a county park with it’s attendant playground and soccer fields. Rather, it should be looked at more as what it really is — the most beautiful stretch of sidewalk on the island. I am looking forward to much more productive discourse on this topic in the hope that it will lead to a positive change of attitude and ordinance.
Stan Koga
Kapa‘a
Thanks for the honesty
This letter is to sincerely thank an unknown person who found my purse on Feb. 11 at Kmart in the shopping cart and returned it to Kmart’s customer desk.
On that day I had gone shopping and I was parked in the handicap parking stall, and when I was ready to leave, it started to rain and I hurried to get things in my car and inadvertently left my purse sitting in the top of the wagon. I then went on home. When I arrived home, I realized I forgot my purse in the wagon and I was frantic.
I prayed so hard that an honest person would find it and return it to Kmart, but I sincerely had my doubts. I mean I know there are many honest people on Kaua‘i, but there are also many that are not. I prayed all the way to Kmart. When I went inside to inquire, knowing it would be a miracle if anyone turned it in, there it was sitting on the counter on the other side of the desk. I was so happy I was near tears. The young lady behind the desk said she didn’t have time to open the bag to see to whom it belonged to so that she could contact that person. You have restored my faith in the wonderful people of Kaua‘i and from the bottom of my heart I am so grateful to you.
I wish you would let me know who you are because I would like to show my deepest gratitude for what you have done. You can contact me at The Garden Island newspaper at 245-3681 ext. 259. May God bless you and your family. You don’t know how much it meant to me to have my purse returned.
Kathleen Ladera
