• Community dismayed at ‘tagging’ • The price of miscommunication • The waste of taste • The current state of our nation Community dismayed at ‘tagging’ On Wednesday, June 11, sometime in the afternoon between 3 p.m. and 6 p.m.,
• Community dismayed at ‘tagging’
• The price of miscommunication
• The waste of taste
• The current state of our nation
Community dismayed at ‘tagging’
On Wednesday, June 11, sometime in the afternoon between 3 p.m. and 6 p.m., someone maliciously “tagged” the dumpster located on the grounds of the West Kauai United Methodist Church located on the corner of ‘Elepaio and Pueo streets in the midst of a quiet and peaceful neighborhood.
A year ago, town residents staged a silent march to express their disdain about graffiti appearing on the smokestack of our now-abandoned mill and on several buildings in town. Unfortunately, one of the buildings has been re-tagged. More markings have also appeared at the mill site.
Are we dismayed? Yes. Are we disappointed? Naturally.
At the same time, however, it is our observation that the majority of people in Kekaha are respectful, decent folks. In spite of the surge of new residents moving into Kekaha, an ambiance of friendliness and helpfulness has been retained. In fact, Kekaha residents are in the midst of planning for the return of a Fourth of July celebration with many volunteers pitching in their time to coordinate the event.
Likewise, we will maintain a positive approach in dealing with this act of negativity. As church members, we will keep open hearts, open minds and open doors.
Jose Bulatao Jr.
Kekaha
The price of miscommunication
Wow! Where has all the garbage gone?
When I heard that the “Taste of Kauai” event was working hard on a “zero waste” concept, I was very glad to hear it. I like the bagasse products from corn and sugar byproducts that will and do degrade much more completely and effectively than plastics and styrofoam. I personally have never attended the event, but I know that thousands of folks do, generating thousands of pounds of rubbish.
But I must say, that hearing that 20,000 pounds of compostable material ended up in the landfill despite the hard work and best of plans of many made me feel saddened, although not at all shocked. It truly is a typical and perfect illustration of how one small piece of misinformation is passed from one person (in this case the truck dispatcher) to another (the truck driver) on this island, and the next thing you know, you’re buried in 10 tons of rubbish.
Even though I grew up mostly on the Mainland, I’m originally from O‘ahu, my roots are here, and I feel happy and blessed to live on Kaua‘i for the past several years. I pray for better successes in the future in communications for the sake of the ‘aina.
Mahalo for good intentions and efforts made.
Paullie Purdy
Kapa‘a/Waimea
The waste of taste
As one of the many volunteers for the “zero waste” project of separating the garbage into recycling and/or composting, and waste, I am very … no, extremely satisfied with the efforts of all those who participated in this landmark event. This has proven that such efforts will make a difference in the future of our island. And to Garden Island Disposal, “No worries brah, we all human and make mistake, eh?”
We get ‘um right next time.
Chad Deal
Princeville
The current state of our nation
The U.S. dollar has been falling since 2000. And because of that, foreign investors are quickly buying up U.S. companies, properties and buildings in America.
On Dec. 13, 2006, the U.S. 30-year Treasury note had an interest rate of 5.375 percent.
Just the net interest alone on the U.S. national debt to be paid out was approximately $240 billion in fiscal years 2007 and 2008.
We have been spending $10 billion to $12 billion a month for the last five years to be paid back with interest for the next 30 years.
American debt started with the Revolutionary War, because wars cost a lot of money.
Between 2000 and 2008, the debt doubled.
Going more in debt in the last three years than America grew in debt between 1850 and 1980.
Currently, China holds over $1 trillion in dollar denominated assets, the value of the U.S. dollar could change dramatically should China ever choose to divest itself of a large portion of those reserves in a short period of time.
China alone could help send us into another depression if they cashed in on the T-Bills and T-Bonds that we sold them over the last seven years.
What happens to a company when it cannot be bailed out anymore? Does that company keep afloat or does it cease to exist?
In our case, we would just become very poor and go back to the depression days, not having anything to help us out when we retire (like Social Security checks).
As it is, retirees have been going to Florida or Mexico, and when Florida becomes too expensive, then our only option will be to move to a third world country when we retire because we will have very little money to live on.
Voting is not a fool’s ballgame. At least it shouldn’t be.
When we elect our fellow Americans to do a job, it is in our best interest and the best interest of our children, to hire or vote in the best person for the job, not just vote for someone who is on our political team.
Because one way or the other, all of us will pay one day when a manager who is mediocre or just plain bad is hired to do a job that affects our own lives.
Whether it’s on Kaua‘i, O‘ahu or in Washington.
Dennis Chaquette
Kapa‘a
