• None but the brave • Guide does not promote Queen’s Path • Shame and outrage • Excitement of poop bags • Performer’s violin taken None but the brave This letter is late in coming, for which I apologize (sorry
• None but the brave
• Guide does not promote Queen’s Path
• Shame and outrage
• Excitement of poop bags
• Performer’s violin taken
None but the brave
This letter is late in coming, for which I apologize (sorry Sam), but nevertheless, came to fruition.
The story had to be told.
I’m very happy and proud to know that we have extremely brave men and women watching over us wherever we may go here on our beautiful island paradise. I’ve always read, or heard, about tales of unheralded bravery by way of our Fire Department, lifeguards, Coast Guard, fish and wildlife, police, Civil Air Patrol, etcetera, along with all the family and friends who tirelessly searched for one of our own.
This time I witnessed first-hand, unselfishness, and bravery above and beyond anything I’ve ever seen. Unfortunately, it did not end in a way we all would have liked. But something miraculous happened in the search process.
Men and women who put their own lives in real danger, by sacrificing their bodies in trying to find a fellow human being, hour after hour, day after day, never giving up. I’ve seen these real life heroes searching in the dark near dangerous cliffs, getting pounded into the rocks, with waves and currents so powerful it gave me “chicken skin.”
The search for Shiz Nakashima was an amazing feat through well-coordinated organizing efforts from everyone involved.
These fine people did it not just because it was their job, but because they care. Some did it on their own time for love. They were constantly pushing themselves, diving deeper, searching underwater caves, going where mere mortals dare not go. Only the brave and unselfish heroes could muster that type of courage.
From just a regular guy like me, I humbly thank you for being our unsung heroes of Kaua‘i.
I don’t remember all the agencies involved, or all the names of the brave men and women, but you know who you are, you’re my heroes. Kaua‘i can rest easy knowing that on any given day all of you great people have our back.
Mahalo plenty.
• Alan “King” Kimura, Princeville
Guide does not promote Queen’s Path
The recent Kauai County Council action regarding warnings about Queen’s Bath where two recent tragic drownings occurred is urgently needed.
I would like to set the record straight about our book, the Kauai Underground Guide (which is the original guidebook to Kaua‘i) with 18 editions in print since 1980.
The Kauai Underground Guide has never recommended Queen’s Bath to visitors, for safety reasons.
The Kauai Underground Guide takes very seriously its responsibility to keep tourists safe while visiting the island. We devote many pages in the book to beach safety and outline detailed precautions for all beaches, in particular treacherous locations like Larsen’s, Lumahai, and Hanakapiaia.
Unique among Kauai guidebooks, The Kauai Underground Guide devotes all its profits to organizations on the island benefiting children (Hale Opio, YWCA Family Violence Shelter, Friends of Children’s Justice among others).
This is our family’s way to give back to the island we love, and with our partner Keali‘i Reichel whose music CD is packaged in our book, we have raised close to $100,000 for children on Kaua‘i in our Kauai Underground Guide Campaign for Kids. Our progress towards this achievement has been documented several times in The Garden Island.
We believe guidebook writers have a special responsibility to the community they serve. It’s not only a matter of selling books and making money, it’s a matter of trust.
• Lenore Horowitz, Kapa‘a
Shame and outrage
In reference to The Garden Island’s Nov. 25 story on the County Council, “First council meeting a little rocky.”
I would be ashamed to be one of the four — what a disgusting display of raw greed for power.
I’m outraged, how about you?
The most disgusting part for me is that they don’t even have a shred of honor or respect for the people’s clear desire for change. Instead we have the good old boys — just like in the days when everything was taken care of at “headquarters.”
When Kaipo Asing shows up with a list, it’s pretty clear that this has been decided somewhere else and that the whole council hasn’t been consulted.
Thank you, Luke Shanahan, for covering this meeting and really telling the “whole story.”
We have so many really pressing issues facing the county, the last thing we need is “same-old, same-old.”
I think it’s time that “We the People” stand up and say “No more.” If anyone is interested in trying to legally remove these four from office, please contact me.
• Judie Lundborg, Kapa‘a
Excitement of poop bags
After counting down the days my four-legged friend (on her 6-foot leash) and I enjoyed a wonderful walk on the Eastside path Monday morning.
Thank you so much to everyone instrumental in making that happen.
It’s hard to believe that you could get excited about the appearance of poop bag stations. The Kauai Humane Society was very generous to supply them.
I also discovered that this will be a great opportunity for visitors to get a dog fix while they’re away from home.
Let’s respect the path so that we’ll always be welcome. See you out there.
• Kim Manchester & Keeley, Lihu‘e
Performer’s violin taken
On Friday and Saturday nights, the Lao Tizer band performed two benefit concerts for the Imaginarium, the new Kauai Children’s Discovery Museum.
This band won the national smooth jazz artist award. They are incredible musicians. Their performance was spectacular. Karen Briggs, Yanni’s violinist, made a special appearance. She waived her standard performance fee and appeared for a fraction of her normal charge. It was a very gracious gesture in support of the Imaginarium. She was doing something wonderful to support opportunities for the children of the island. We are so fortunate that artists of this caliber were willing to come here and support the Imaginarium.
Today (Monday), Karen Briggs was at Maha‘ulepu Beach and someone threw a lava rock through the back window of her parked car and stole her violin and three of her bows. How can something like this happen on our beautiful island? How can people be so cruel to kind and wonderful people? If anyone has any information, it is important that they contact the police immediately.
• Ron Horoshko and Mona Clark, Kalaheo
