• Dog debate disappointing • Burial-ground building makes for bad karma • Remembering Bryan • Since when does police chief interpret law? • Building up, not out, an idea for Wal-Mart Dog debate disappointing I was extremely disappointed when I
• Dog debate disappointing
• Burial-ground building makes for bad karma
• Remembering Bryan
• Since when does police chief interpret law?
• Building up, not out, an idea for Wal-Mart
Dog debate disappointing
I was extremely disappointed when I read the recent June 25 article “Dog debate continues.” I feel that those council members who are opposed to allowing dogs on the coastal path are making their best attempt to paint a dismal picture.
Councilman Mel Rapozo stated, “You are asking me to approve a bill that could cause a kid [who feels threatened by a dog] to jump off a cliff.” He also stated, “We’re talking about a path that is dangerous.”
Where are the parents of “said hypothetical kid”? What if, instead of the dog this kid is scared of, he simply is riding too fast on his bike, skids and falls off this “rocky cliff”? Perhaps we should ban kids from the path as well if it is so dangerous.
This article mentions that the meeting also provided Iseri-Carvalho and Rapozo a chance to publicly tackle Kaua‘i Humane Society Director Becky Rhoades’ “zero liability” comments she made at the public hearing. What the article failed to mention is that Councilwoman Iseri-Carvalho left the meeting promptly after role call, came back for the last half of Dr. Rhoades testimony, and then did not return to the meeting until the end of the public hearing.
Those of us who took the time out of our day to present our case to the County Council were insulted by Iseri-Carvalho’s lack of interest.
We are fortunate to have successful models of multi-use paths throughout the United States. Not one of which bans dogs and on many of which, walking dogs is encouraged.
We need to stop thinking so negatively about our furry companions. They have earned the title “man’s best friend” and deserve to walk by our side on our beautiful coastal path.
Stephanie Krieger
Kapa’a
Burial-ground building makes for bad karma
The story of the guy who wants to build on top of the ancient Hawaiians’ final resting spot has kept my attention. I don’t get it.
Building on top of old burial grounds is the stuff of Hollywood horror films. Remember “Poltergeist”?
I’m not saying if he goes forward, his adorable little daughter will get sucked into his big screen … but nothing good can come out of it.
There’s been so much negative, sad and confused energy directed toward him I wonder how he sleeps at night?
Come on, guy, do the right thing. Walk away from this … let it go … it’s not meant to be, obviously. Your karma, the ‘aina and the island would be so happy if you abandoned this plan. And the ancient islanders — they would be smiling.
Rebecca Gorsline
Kapa‘a
Remembering Bryan
It was in May 1987 when I first arrived on Kaua‘i to become the GM of Garden Isle Cablevision. After checking in at the Wailua Bay View, I walked across the road to the small convenience store to get a few things, and the first person I met on Kaua‘i (except for the Bay View front-desk person) was Bryan Baptiste.
He asked me why I was there, and when I told him he offered to save me a Sunday newspaper every week, which he did for many years. I never imagined he would one day become mayor of Kaua‘i. We remained friends over the years, and when he was considering running for mayor, he called me and asked me if I thought he had a chance of winning. I told him that based on what I was hearing people say, he would be the winner for sure.
He not only won the election, he won the hearts of the people. The most anyone can ask for is to go out a winner.
Thanks for everything, Bryan. I, like the countless thousands of lives you touched, will never forget you.
William Bernard Harkins
Hyde Park, Vt.
Since when does police chief interpret law?
Since when does the police chief interpret the law? My understanding is that the Legislature writes laws and the judiciary interprets them to assure compliance with the constitution and resolve any disputes. The police are part of the executive branch of government whose duty is to enforce the laws as written by the legislative branch and interpreted by the judicial branch.
In theory, at least on TV, the police have to go to a judge to get a warrant before acting.
In the matter of the house being built in Wainiha, the courts have given the long-suffering land owners permission to start building. Then, at the last minute, our police chief has unilaterally decided that some other interpretation of law forbids such activity and used his officers to halt construction.
Does this mean that only Native Hawaiian protesters are protected under our newly mandated police state?
Perhaps our new police chief is planning to run for the county council, or mayor, or governor — or dictator?
Stan Godes
Hanalei
Building up, not out, an idea for Wal-Mart
Has Wal-Mart ever given a thought to building up to a second-story level for its superstore? This way they won’t have use any more land.
They might consider going three stories to create a ground-level parking lot.
With that in mind, it shouldn’t be any problem because the super-Wal-Mart building won’t be any higher than Wilcox Memorial Hospital/Kaua‘i Medical Center.
We want to shop for groceries at a smaller amount (than bulk store) and pay cheaper prices than at any of the smaller stores.
Howard Tolbe
‘Ele‘ele
