• Remember those who died • Oil’s unprecedented challenges • Immigrants toil for freedom • Caucasian angst Remember those who died In response to Jason Nichols’ letter (“Scale back the Navy,” Letters, May 26) in the observed Memorial Day issue
• Remember those who died
• Oil’s unprecedented challenges
• Immigrants toil for freedom
• Caucasian angst
Remember those who died
In response to Jason Nichols’ letter (“Scale back the Navy,” Letters, May 26) in the observed Memorial Day issue of The Garden Island where he states: “With the current energy crises facing the U.S and the globe, is maintaining the massive fuel consuming force of the Navy really in our best interest?”
Apparently Nichols is not aware the “primary” reason government exists is to provide for the national defense of our country.
Nichols said: “I think the Navy and other military branches should scale back war training and focus resources on relief work and humanitarian missions.”
I have no idea who Nichols thinks will defend this country if our military becomes the Red Cross for the world.
He should understand that our freedom and way of life has been paid for with the blood of those who gave their service and lives in the formation and continued defense of this country. It has been a long but continuous effort starting with those who founded this country, who passed the torch to succeeding generations. Pretty basic Nichols. I hope you went to the Veterans Cemetery at Hanapepe Monday and paid your respects to those that gave their all for this country.
Dick Godbehere
Kapa‘a
Oil’s unprecedented challenges
Many thanks to The Garden Island and Ben Sullivan for the Guest Viewpoint “Kauai over a barrel,” May 25.
Public discussion of peak oil is generally seen as alarmist, defeatist and politically counterproductive. Many activists promoting sustainability acknowledge that current strategies may be inadequate.
What is worth saving? What are the limits of our capacity?
We must act now.
We must commit to concrete actions and projects. We must protect not only ourselves but also the future generations.
The simultaneous onset of climate change and the peaking of the global oil supply represent unprecedented challenges. Some have the opinion that any efforts at transition at this point are too little too late. We must pursue all options for renewable energy so that appropriate infrastructure is in place. We are racing against overwhelming odds.
The Kauai Island Utility Cooperative board of directors, which now has two vacant seats, is tackling problems of unprecedented scale. Ben Sullivan has continually demonstrated that he can be of great value to the board as they tackle the tasks before them. I earnestly urge that the board appoint Ben Sullivan and in doing so, uphold the votes of over 3,000 members who endorse him.
David Ward
Lihu‘e
Immigrants toil for freedom
Yes, yes we know that alien immigration is illegal yet we keep using such people as cheap labor and having our tax dollars give them shelter (“Kaua‘i to be overrun by illegal immigrants?,” Letters, May 22).
California is, and a few other states are, very well known to have immigrants for cheap labor, but did you ever wonder about the food you eat?
One way or another, the ones we call aliens, or the “illegals” are the people who are breaking their backs to provide services that many people wouldn’t dream of doing.
Immigrants put their love, blood, sweat and tears into trying to provide and care for their families. They want the dream … no, they have the dream.
Do many of you know what that dream is? There may be many reasons but this is the biggest reason to come to America … freedom.
No? Don’t believe me.
Well when you go to the store, you have the choice (the key word being “choice”) to purchase what you want.
Immigrants fight in the fields with their labor to try and provide a choice of want.
Note that these are three important things we, as humans, need:
• Shelter
• Food
• Clothing
Ask yourself this question: “Can I have another bowl please?”
These people work hard to provide us with the food that keeps us alive, to clean what we take for granted.
God blessed people in their own ways. We have two hands to pick up after ourselves. We have two legs so that we can get up to face the new day.
No offense to those who may not have the right to do so.
I’m saying that whether we are of legal status or illegal status, people are people.
“Ye have done unto my brethren ye have done it unto me.” Think about that.
I’d give whatever tax dollar from my check to provide a meal for my family, from the food of which was harvested by immigrants.
These people also have a chance to become U.S citizens, so what will we do then, should that happen?
Say that they are not welcomed here?
They of whom become legal, become equal to our standards? Why does it change from “Go away” to “Oh please won’t you come in”?
Kaimana Kuahiwinui
Anahola
Caucasian angst
It is unfortunate that Kaua‘i is experiencing more and more crime. I have lived here for years and I am Caucasian. I am very proactive in supporting the community and putting together fundraisers etc.
I am deeply disturbed how The Garden Island uses the word “Caucasian” when describing potential criminals in the news.
Would you see an article stating “Today a brown-skinned person committed a crime and/or robbed a bank?”
No, most likely not. Nor would The Garden Island say, “A Pacific Islander committed a crime today.”
Despite the fact that I have lived here for many years, I still experience discrimination because of my skin color. I struggle all the time to be accepted in the work place, at the store and at social events.
I would hope that someday Kauaians will realize the only people who have the right to ownership of the soil here are Hawaiians. But nobody has the right to treat Caucasians so poorly. I feel horrible that these crimes are being committed lately and hope it stops.
I hate to see crime and the things that are happening in O‘ahu come to Kaua‘i. I always say that someone with very tan skin or brown skin could easily move to Kaua‘i and pick up “pidgin” and fit right in, but if you have blonde hair or fair skin you will never fit in.
Mary Holly
‘Ele‘ele
