• Documenting the voyage • I am peeved • Be responsible drivers • Public transportation • Ignorance is bliss Documenting the voyage Monday’s article “Paddling journey links Hawaiian Islands,” A1, July 14, was very well written. And nice photos by
• Documenting the voyage
• I am peeved
• Be responsible drivers
• Public transportation
• Ignorance is bliss
Documenting the voyage
Monday’s article “Paddling journey links Hawaiian Islands,” A1, July 14, was very well written. And nice photos by Bob Kaden.
I’ve been there for almost all of the departures and arrivals for the various legs of these voyages over the years. This 2008 event was the most outstanding. The hour-and-a-half blessing ceremony produced feelings that you were there with ancient Hawaiians, their protocol and their chanting. This was a very in-depth, intensive blessing.
By good fortune, Matt Muirhead’s mom, Sally Muirhead, my sister, was there for her first time to witness the whole event right up to the last minute when the escort vessel finally departed around 7 p.m. Sally’s son Matt has been on all the many voyages and is an outstanding athlete.
For those who wish to follow this voyage on the Web, go to www.hocvs.com
I am fortunate on this voyage to be part of the film crew: “B” videographer, they call me, with my HD Panasonic HVX200. The Soul Fabric Films team is producing a documentary to cover the whole history of these outrigger canoe paddling voyages. They said the most important shot for me was their departure, as all of their cameras would be with them on board the Lady Alice. Well, they had a two-hour delay in hoisting the outrigger canoe on board the Lady Alice. Sally and I waited it out for the departure shot. When we got home at 7:30 p.m. there was a phone message telling me I could leave early … scrub the departure shot. Too late. Got it anyway.
Now to film their return on or about July 21 to Hanalei Bay.
I believe there was a name left off of the list of paddlers in the TGI story. I met George Lingle from Kailua, O‘ahu, who said he was invited at the last minute to be a part of the paddling crew (no relation to Gov. Lingle).
Alan Faye
Hanalei
I am peeved
As I sit here and write this letter it makes me mad all over again. This may just be a pet peeve of mine but it really bothers me when people mow their yard and blow all the trimmings onto the road so that we as walkers, bikers or just driving our car have to drive through all of it. A perfect example is on Kuamo‘o Road, just as you get to the top of the “S” turns after the Wailua Country Store. There is a large piece of property on your right-hand side, it is the same piece of property that has the guard rail on the inside of the turn where there is no drop off or dangerous edge. This person that mows his grass almost weekly has no regard for any person walking, biking, or driving on the road there. He faces his mower so that all the clippings fly out onto the road leaving the shoulder full of dried-up grass. As a biker and walker I will not ride through it because you never know what could be under it, a nail, thorns, or even a centipede. So that leaves the road, which is very dangerous there because of the ridiculous guard rail and the people who speed up and down Kuamo‘o Road. If only someone like this got out and used our highways and roads for exercise, he would understand how irritating it is. There are many other people who do this, which makes no sense. Why can’t they leave the clippings on their property? Would they rather litter our public property? If you do this, please think about it and stop … right now. Have respect for other people, you aren’t the only person in the world.
Allie Valverde
Kapa‘a
Be responsible drivers
In response to the article “Man dies in Wailua crash,” A1, July 10: This story should be a wake-up call to all of the other drivers on our roads who routinely pass on double yellow lines, among other irresponsible driving behaviors.
At least two or three times a week I am passed on double yellow lines by locals/residents. I obey the speed limits and even go 5 mph over the speed limit, so it really makes me mad when I see this. The 24-year-old in the story only killed himself, but he hurt a lot of other people — he’s just lucky he didn’t kill anyone else but himself. Our drivers need to stop being in such a hurry and start being a lot more responsible. Start leaving 10 minutes earlier instead of rushing around to get to where you’re going. And stop talking on your cell phones while you’re driving.
Contrary to your own belief, you cannot drive and talk on the phone at the same time. You may not realize it, but you are either driving over the lines, way too fast or cutting other people off. Your conversation can wait until you are parked. Is it really worth risking your life or someone else’s to discuss what’s for dinner?
Rusty Baker
Lihu‘e
Public transportation
When living in Kaua‘i in 1992, after Hurricane ‘Iniki, there was no county bus service. We all hitch-hiked all over with no bad outcome.
So, it’s against the law. Don’t put your thumb up. Just show the shaka. You’re not hitching, just being friendly.
Aubrey Johnston
Port Orange, Florida
Ignorance is bliss
You have got to be kidding, Don Paul. Your letter (“The Cost of Protest,” Letters, July 13) shows me you have a lot of streets on the Mainland named in your honor (one way). If you think the heroic action of the wave riders of Kaua‘i was anything other than honorable and heroic, let me enlighten you.
Everyone knows the “Hawaiian Superfailure” was in violation of state environmental law when it tried to enter the harbor at Nawiliwili. Well, except maybe you, “Mr. One Way.”
I am not going to go over all the real facts with you since you seem to believe your list of four reasons are more important than a list of negative impacts that will affect the lifestyle of thousands of your fellow citizens. How could you possibly understand?
I also know that The Garden Island will never print this rebuttal, since it is not in their best interest to go against one of their biggest advertisers. Why else would they print such a sorry one-way letter as yours?
It would seem The Garden Island has trouble with the real facts also. Have you seen any negative reporting about the HSF on their pages?
I rest my case.
Thankfully the Port of Nawiliwili is on ceded lands, and belongs to the Kingdom of Hawai‘i. I am positive in the near future when the Reinstated Government of Hawai‘i takes control of all its lands, we’ll have heard the last of the “Hawaiian Stupid Ferry.” Don’t worry, Mr. Editor of The Garden Island, since you are the only newspaper on the island at the moment, you’ll still have advertisers, and readers to spend their hard-earned money on your newspaper.
Joseph Crocona
Kalaheo
