• Living a plan of action •Superferry could affect Kaua‘i resources •I prescribe appreciation Living a plan of action I am writing in response to the article, “Politicos stump Westside concerns,” which appeared in the Thursday, Oct. 2, 2008, edition
• Living a plan of action
•Superferry could affect Kaua‘i resources
•I prescribe appreciation
Living a plan of action
I am writing in response to the article, “Politicos stump Westside concerns,” which appeared in the Thursday, Oct. 2, 2008, edition of The Garden Island.
In the section subtitled “Visitor industry growth,” the article states, “Candidate Dickie Chang, who entertained the crowd and by far had the most laughs, said a big part of the Westside’s draw is the history of Capt. James Cook, but did not offer a plan of action.”
The fact of the matter is that I have been living a plan of action for more than 20 years in the private sector. First as a hotel concierge and professional activities briefer, and currently as host of Wala‘au with Dickie Chang, I have been educating and sending visitors to the sunny, historic Westside for more than two decades.
I have spoken face to face with thousands of visitors and local residents promoting the businesses and scenic attractions of the Westside from mauka to makai. I have promoted art, souvenirs, the boating industry, agriculture, Kaua‘i-made products, the military, hiking and water safety, and theft protection, to mention just a few. I have supported activities at the West Kauai Technology and Visitor Center, KVMH, PMRF, The Waimea Plantation Cottages, and many mom and pop stores from Hanapepe to Kekaha town. I have also helped promote various events and festivals including the Waimea Town Celebration, the annual Christmas parade and the Save Koke‘e project.
Although this forum was focused on the Westside, I have actually supported the visitor industry islandwide, including the South Shore, Eastside and North Shore.
In regards to my getting the “most laughs,” well, it’s not one of those things — you had to be there. I often use humor to lighten up the mood of public meetings. I felt so comfortable speaking to Westside friends and families that I was relaxed and having a good time. But make no mistake about it, I am serious about serving the people of Kaua‘i and understand the many issues we face as a county and state.
• Dickie Chang, Puhi
Superferry could affect Kaua‘i resources
Maui’s mayor, Charmaine Tavares, says she is “appalled by the reported amount of marine resources that are leaving our island with Superferry passengers.”
In June and July, on a monthly average, 490 pounds of reef fish, 370 pounds of limu, 59 pounds of opihi plus lobster, crab and shrimp showed up at the ferry terminal for transport to O‘ahu. Not every vehicle or passenger is checked, so it is logical to assume the actual numbers are higher.
These statistics can be seen on the Hawai‘i Department of Land and Natural Resources Web site.
Some resources are allowed to pass and some are confiscated with citations issued, in compliance with DLNR regulations and Superferry restrictions. The statistics are made public by the Oversight Task Force Commission, which, along with the daily vehicle inspections by Division of Conservation and Resources Enforcement, was created by an executive order contained in Act II, the special legislation that allows the Superferry to operate without an Environmental Impact Statement as required by section 343 of the Hawai‘i Revised Statutes.
The Oversight Task Force sunsets in December, and funding for DOCARE’s daily inspections ends in December. After that, there will be no state oversight of inspections or reporting to the public. Hawaii Superferry will conduct inspections and report, or not, as it sees fit.
According to Don Heacock, the Kaua‘i district biologist with Division of Aquatic Resources, “many of Kaua‘i’s fishery resources are being overfished, particularly high target species like opihi, he‘e and limu resources. In order to manage nearshore fishery resources sustainably, we need to establish science-based minimum size limits and daily bag limits, allowing only taking for home consumption (non-commercial).”
Here on Kaua‘i we must face the stark reality of a tradeoff that the Superferry brings with it. In exchange for the novelty of driving one’s own car into a Honolulu shopping mall, for instance, our local subsistence food sources, recreation and generations-old traditions will be put at risk. Just as opa‘e and wana were once a staple at island lu‘aus but are now only a memory, gathering opihi for a 1-year-old’s birthday party and gathering maile for a high school graduate’s lei are cherished traditions that may be denied to the next generation if our overburdened resources are exploited even more.
Knowing that O‘ahu’s population exceeds that of Kaua‘i by about 18:1, and that O‘ahu has long since been stripped of its resources, it is critical that an EIS as sanctioned by Section 343 (NOT the mock EIS prescribed by Act II) be conducted before the Superferry is allowed to return to ensure that Kaua‘i will control its resource destiny.
• Kip Goodwin, Kapa‘a
I prescribe appreciation
I’m not a doctor but I think I have the cure for my neighbors with GTB’s (garbage truck blues). A doctor might recommend sleeping pills, but I think my prescription works better and is cheaper and faster.
My first advice is: GET OVER IT! I suspect your rage and frustration is what’s keeping you from going back to sleep. The roosters try to steal my sleep at 5 a.m.; I’ve learned to accept them and now my dreams are barely interrupted.
The sun obnoxiously shines in my window around 6:45 a.m. As much as I’d like to cuss it out, I’ve come to terms with it and now I just smile and go back to sleep.
When I hear the garbage truck, I think, “Did I take the garbage out?” I nod to myself and roll over to snore more.
Secondly, next time they wake you up, go to the window or out to the street, and watch these guys bust their behinds! I used to watch them in awe every Thursday morning because I’ve never seen a county worker work so hard or fast, ever! I now respect the stinking job they have and I wouldn’t want them to have to do this once it really gets hot and miserable outside. I think you’d sleep better if you put yourself in their shoes for five minutes.
Thirdly, appreciate the fact that it’s best for everyone if they are off the streets before everyone leaves for work.
So, that is my advice for curing your GTB’s. Practice an attitude of gratitude and feel blessed that you live on the most beautiful island on earth. Be glad that someone’s picking up your garbage for free. Be grateful that it’s not bombs dropping next to your comfortable bed. If you smile and be thankful, you might (within a few weeks) be able to roll over and go back to sleep. I do.
• Jane Plant, Kapa‘a
