• Rose column employs mistaken concepts • Make a difference in an animal’s life • Too much development Rose column employs mistaken concepts When a person writes about public affairs, disagreement and criticism are expected. But what is objectionable about the
• Rose column employs mistaken concepts
• Make a difference in an animal’s life
• Too much development
Rose column employs mistaken concepts
When a person writes about public affairs, disagreement and criticism are expected. But what is objectionable about the column by Katy Rose (“Time to stop pretending,” Forum, Feb. 25) is that her criticism is predicated on statements not made in my article.
A comparison of what I said and her contentions may be useful.
Rose contended that my article was about the effect of cultural influences on Kaua‘i politics and life. Not quite. My comments were limited to some relationships between culture and our government.
Rose argued that my article addressed the influence of “local culture” on political decisions. In fact I never used that term, and my purpose was to discuss the impact of culture in general on governmental actions
Rose talked about a trend among haoles of “conflating” criticism of government with criticism of local culture and local people of color. My dictionary does not contain the word “conflating” and my comments were not intended as criticism of local culture or of local people.
Employing her mistaken concept that my article was directed to local culture and local people of color Rose erroneously concludes that my principal point was to perpetuate the myth that white people were victims of racial oppression. To the contrary. My view is that people of all races and cultures are disserved by a government that is guided by cultural factors rather than reason and merit.
Attempting to be a thought reader, Rose asserts that the farthest thing in my mind is the impact of colonialism on Hawaii that shaped conditions for all people here. I don’t know how Rose uses that term, but my dictionary defines colonialism as the policy of a nation to acquire overseas dependencies. The birth of the American nation was its opposition to colonialism. America was formed by expansions into acquired territories that became states. Hawai‘i was in that pattern.
Rose complains that I am “co-opting the framework of ‘civil rights’ and employing simplistic notions of ‘color blindness’ to support an assertion of white privilege”. I can admire the turgidity of her language style but all I said was that ultimately we will be best served by a color blind environment. My article did not state or intend any doctrine of white privilege.
My article did not say as Rose contends that the problems with our government are based on discrimination against haoles.
Rose is articulate and has every right to have and present her views. But on multiple occasions she has misstated what I said and has used the misstatements to further her contentions. At minimum her work is unprincipled and it may well be libelous. If she is an honorable person she will publicly acknowledge her misrepresentations.
• Walter Lewis, Princeville
Make a difference in an animal’s life
On a recent vacation to Kaua‘i, we encountered three feral cats (wild or homeless) kittens living around our condominium complex.
We wanted to trap them, have them spayed or neutered, and then release them back. This process is referred to as “TNR” — trap/neuter/release. In trying to help these kittens, we learned there is a significant feral cat problem on Kaua‘i.
Our hometown of Calistoga, Calif., was overrun with feral cats years ago. The Calistoga Cat action team (C-CAT) was formed by volunteers and, with the cooperation of local veterinarians, was able to bring the feral cat population under control using an ongoing TNR program.
Once neutered, the cats on occasion can become pets, but most are released either back to their original location or into one of many feral cat colonies where they are fed daily by volunteers. Neutered and well-fed feral cats naturally form peaceful living groups which in turn provide them security. We always strive to locate the cats where they can live their lives out, but stopping the reproduction cycle is the main objective and the key to success.
There is a wonderful nonprofit organization already on your island — Kaua‘i Feral Cats. They helped us with the three kittens, one of which is already enjoying life as a household pet. They are all volunteers and are ready to help anyone with a feral cat problem. But they greatly need the community’s help in return.
If you can volunteer or donate money, call them at 808-822-7141. You can make a difference in an animal’s life, starting in your own backyard.
• Lily Hitchcock, Calistoga, Calif.
Too much development
The problem is not that there are not enough rental cars (“Rental shortages frustrate visitors,” The Garden Island, Feb. 27).
Look at the traffic. We have too many cars already. The problem is too many hotel rooms. Too much development.
Show of hands: Anybody on the road right now think we need more cars on the roads?
• Roger Olsen, Lihu‘e
