• Report the whole ‘Taste’ story • On mandating solar hot-water heaters • An ounce of prevention … • On Hanapepe Salt Pond management plan Report the whole ‘Taste’ story If I remember correctly from what I saw last year
• Report the whole ‘Taste’ story
• On mandating solar hot-water heaters
• An ounce of prevention …
• On Hanapepe Salt Pond management plan
Report the whole ‘Taste’ story
If I remember correctly from what I saw last year during this incident — all inebriated wine tasting aside — I remember quite distinctly that it was also a power-tripping police officer who was throwing his weight around with a slew of thuggish police officers at his side yet again (“Taste of Hawaii responds to incident,” A1, March 25).
Rather horrifying buzz-kill if you ask me.
Let’s practice good journalism in reporting what happened on both sides, instead of favoring the side of the Kauai Police Department, who leaps at the chance to increase their record of brutality tactics when someone accidentally sneezes in a large crowd.
I’m positive there are a lot of other people who were there, who thought the whole situation could have been handled a lot better had police maintained control instead of opting for an action brawl amongst a crowd with a refined pallet.
Maybe those hotheads like the headlines. If I were Police Chief Darryl Perry I might encourage the Taste of Hawaii to hire private security on their next go-around to save the police force unnecessary embarrassment.
Now if you could kindly point me in the direction of a good pinot noir. Hic-cup!
Jonathan Maxwell,
Kapa‘a
On mandating solar hot-water heaters
Kaua‘i County Council member JoAnn Yukimura wants to mandate solar hot-water heaters be installed in new homes based on her belief in the future directions of energy prices. (“County to explore solar water heater mandate,” A1, March 23).
The thing is, if councilmember Yukimura were correct in her market predictions, she ought to mandate that everyone in the county purchase petroleum futures. That way she would not just shield us from rising energy prices, but she could instead take credit not only for ending poverty on the island but also for making us all into millionaires.
What she really ought to mandate is that all the “peak oil” theory adherents not be allowed to impose their beliefs on the rest of us but instead be forced to put their money where their mouths are and go long on oil, purchasing either petroleum futures or stock in the industry.
That way those with a personal belief in the ultimate direction of prices can — if they are correct — benefit by their market analysis. But if they are wrong and energy prices instead continue to do what they have done throughout history — fluctuate — then they have not imposed the burden of their amateur prognosticating on the rest of the community.
Charley Foster,
Lihu‘e
An ounce of prevention …
What a sad, tragic, recent, weekend on the waters of Kaua‘i. Our hearts go out to those who lost someone close.
Here are some simple common-sense water safety suggestions, offered in a friendly, helpful spirit:
• Have a capable buddy along; medical or other emergencies happen at unpredictable times and a helping hand can make all the difference.
• Use good judgment; paddlers, whether kayakers, canoeists, or stand-up board riders, please, build your skills in safe, confined bodies of water before venturing into dangerous and unprotected coastal and open ocean waters. Our calm water rivers are a beautiful and safe place to have fun, enjoy great scenery and learn skills. Be sure that the location and conditions you choose to paddle in are appropriate for your level of skill, fitness and water experience.
• Always keep in mind that the wind and sea conditions can change for the worse quickly. Check the weather forecast before you go out. Be sensitive to changes in wind speed or direction and be prepared to cut your outing short if necessary for the sake of safety.
• Use basic safety equipment and you can recover from a huli (capsize event), or most other bad situations. That would be a paddle leash, personal flotation device, length of rope, and communications device. A paddle leash will keep you connected to your kayak, board, or canoe. A PFD will keep you afloat if you get separated. Rope can be used to tie people and vessels together. A cellphone in a big heavy-duty ZipLoc bag can be a life saver. Better yet, a hand-held waterproof VHF radio is well worth the price. Maybe more items are appropriate for what you do; build a safety kit and take it with you every time.
• Think it through and have a plan. What will you do if there is a situation in your group such as a huli, asthma attack, or other emergency? Anticipate, prepare accordingly and be ready to act.
• Don’t forget to let someone responsible know where you are going, and when you plan to return.
The paddle leash might be the single most important piece of safety equipment you can have. It could be as simple as a short piece of rope. It’s so easy to fall over. The wind can blow your paddle-powered vessel beyond your reach in a flash. But if you have a line attached to your paddle or ankle, it’s natural and easy to stay with your kayak, board, or canoe, and stay afloat and safe.
Be sure to take advantage of the many helpful information sources available; talk to lifeguards, your local paddling club members, and people at the many island surf and paddling shops.
Please avoid preventable tragedies with common sense, and enjoy our waters in a safe appropriate way.
Rick Haviland, >br> Po‘ipu
On Hanapepe Salt Pond management plan
I was happy to read about the two free events for the Hanapepe Salt Ponds in The Garden Island (“Two salt ponds events set for today,” A2, March 24). Thanks to all those involved, the speakers, salt makers, kupuna, Kauai Historical Society, local community and state leaders who want to preserve a 1,000-year-old practice of salt making.
Coincidentally, discussion and decision making on HCR117, authored by Rep. Roland Sagum, is on-going until May 1. It requests that community and agencies meet and develop a Hanapepe Salt Pond resource management plan, that this management revitalization plan include consultation with local Hawaiian practitioners and kupuna, protection measures for the Hawaiian community presently mining salt, and the long-term protection of these ponds.
In the meantime, I suggest that all the libraries on Kaua‘i make this special educational event available to all their communities and througout the state of Hawai‘i. I wish they would come to the Kapolei Library.
Genara Campos,
Kapolei
