• Bridge funding boondoggle • Environmentalist are changing • Superferry not a cargo hauler Bridge funding boondoggle Dennis Fujimoto’s fine, informative article “Kilauea Bridge is coming down” (A1, April 30) should open a lot of eyes and raise many questions.
• Bridge funding boondoggle
• Environmentalist are changing
• Superferry not a cargo hauler
Bridge funding boondoggle
Dennis Fujimoto’s fine, informative article “Kilauea Bridge is coming down” (A1, April 30) should open a lot of eyes and raise many questions.
The article states, “Work on the replacement bridge started in early March and is expected to be completed by January 2009 at a cost of $12.8 million. Of that amount, $10.8 million was derived from Federal Highway Administration funds administered by the Department of Transportation, and $2.6 million will be the county’s share.”
For the record, let’s make sure everyone understands this “federal funds” and “county funds” scenario. There are those in the administration and in the public sector who want us to believe that federal money is “free” money — nothing could be further from the truth. Tax money is tax money and no matter which pocket it comes from it is still our money. So don’t be confused by the administration’s smoke screen saying that “our” share of any joint federal/county project is only 20 percent, whereas it is 100 percent of our money paying for it, as it is for this Kilauea Bridge and other Kaua‘i bridges that are on the drawing boards.
There are now four bridges built on Kaua‘i that are of the modular, pre-fabricated type. They are federally and state approved and are classified as permanent or however the customer wants them to be.
These bridges can be put in place within 24 hours as was done with the Wainiha bridges Nos. 1, 2, and 3.
And one of the companies that makes this type of bridge is documented as saying that they could put this Kilauea Bridge in place for under $1 million … wow.
Why would we spend 12 times as much for a bridge that a company that builds bridges around the world could build for this much less?
Councilman Mel Rapozo has vocally (and on his blog) expressed his concern as to why millions of our tax dollars are literally being wasted and is demanding answers. Councilwoman Shaylene Iseri-Carvalho and Chair Kaipo Asing are also trying to get accountability for what is happening and hopefully they will get to the bottom of this waste — all of them should be highly commended.
Public Works has given the council figures of $10 million and more to rebuild the Puuopae and Opaeka‘a Bridges. These numbers are outrageous considering that these bridges are built over small streams. And the Opaeka‘a Bridge is in such bad condition that it could collapse at any time, but, as Councilman Rapozo said, this administration still fails to take appropriate action for a disaster that is waiting to happen.
We desperately need change. Waste and inaction like this are only small examples of a government in turmoil and why, we, the people, need to have a county manager type government to replace the strong-mayor type.
Glenn Mickens
Kapa‘a
Environmentalist are changing
It seems that to some the term environmentalist means an angry, trouble-making, self-righteous, self-anointed expert, pushing an agenda on everyone. But, I believe this is changing now.
Let’s face it. Anyone can find “scientific evidence” to back up a particular point of view. But how can you argue against just being responsible? Lots of people are very proud of their rights to do or not to do things. Take recycling. You do have the right not to recycle, but is it responsible?
The landfill on this island will be at capacity in December of THIS year! Yes, they will find a new spot for a landfill. But this island is only so big. Aren’t we responsible to keep as much garbage out of the landfill as possible? To throw out cardboard, aluminum cans, plastics and green waste is just plain lazy.
Here’s some “scientific evidence” — google it. A plastic bottle actually never decomposes; it just breaks down into a plastic soup. These plastics end up in the ocean if not properly recycled. There is a patch of garbage out there in the ocean that is twice the size of Texas. There was more plastic than plankton in water samples taken from this patch. We are putting a plastic bag over the ocean and suffocating it. So, unless we want to be surfing in hazmat suits, we better start taking steps to fix it. Doesn’t it seem better to put forth some small effort now than deal with the possible repercussions of this later?
Some folks believe that environmentalists think all development and growth is bad. Tearing out trees to pour asphalt is doing irreversible damage. However, as an environmentalist, I know that growth must happen. But it must happen in a responsible way. To build more resorts, timeshare and luxury homes on Kaua‘i without proper traffic control, landfill capacity and curbside recycling is irresponsible. How about the new Shops at Koloa Town ban plastic shopping bags? Then maybe others will follow suit. It’s a step in the right direction, easy to do, and it helps protect our oceans. Refuse plastic!
The old cliché that environmentalists are all dead-beat, unmotivated, granola-eating (although I do love granola), tree-hugging, hippie burnouts is gone. The “environmentalists” that are here now are well-educated, passionate people, and the next generation will be even smarter. These are the foot soldiers for the environment. These young kids will rise through the political system. They will have seats on the County Council, Planning Department and so on, all the way to the White House. Laws will be in place to enforce recycling, ban plastics and encourage responsibility for the environment. Some states and cities already have these laws. The term “environmentalists” will be gone. It will just be the way everyone lives.
I guess I will close my letter like a true peace-loving environmentalist. Save the whales, save the ocean, recycle, peace and live aloha.
Dave Fletcher
Kalaheo
Superferry not a cargo hauler
Several letters have suggested using the Superferry to carry cargo to Kaua‘i.
To the best of my knowledge, the Superferry is tariffed by the Public Utilities Commission as a passenger vessel only, so it can’t be simply loaded up with Love’s Bread or other cargo for Kaua‘i.
Each vehicle must have a driver, and since the driver might have to stay overnight, costs for sending bread would increase greatly.
Nor are the ports equipped to handle container freight from the Superferry.
Larry Geller
Honolulu
