•Big trucks are OK •50 percent fireworks tax? •Allow dogs on entire path Big trucks are OK With all this commotion the community has put on lifted trucks, I feel is just ridiculous. (“Bumper height violators to appear in court,”
•Big trucks are OK
•50 percent fireworks tax?
•Allow dogs on entire path
Big trucks are OK
With all this commotion the community has put on lifted trucks, I feel is just ridiculous. (“Bumper height violators to appear in court,” The Garden Island, March 3)
I understand that some trucks may be at outrageous heights but for the most part I see nothing wrong as long as the driver is responsible and takes precautions with mud flaps and reasonable tires to prevent flying debris.
As for the bumper height, I do not understand what that has to do with anything. It does not obstruct any views, and if it does, it would also make most commercial trucks illegal as well.
As for driving on the beach — it is a privilege that we “locals” have, given that it is done in the right place with the right driver behind the wheel. If we are no longer allowed to drive on the beach at all, then to me, that should only be at certain beaches.
Kaua‘i has the longest white sand beach in the state of Hawai‘i (Polihale) and is known for the least crowded beaches and if we are not able to enjoy its length and seclusion, we will all be cramped up like sardines on Waikiki beach. That is not what Kaua‘i is known for.
— Gina Fujimura, Hanapepe
50 percent fireworks tax?
I read that the Hawai‘i Legislature is trying to impose another tax on the people of the state. This time it’s a 50 percent tax on the sale of fireworks.
Let’s see now. If I get a permit to burn fireworks — not the illegal ones, just the legal ones — because I am a law-abiding citizen, now I’ll have to pay a 50 percent tax on that.
Or I could buy the illegal ones out the car trunk of the guy down the road. I don’t need a permit because burning these is against the law anyway and from what I hear, you have to be caught with the thing practically in your hand to get arrested. How are they going to catch me with it in my hand after I have already shot the thing in the air?
Maybe the police need more money so they can pay their officers for the overtime needed so we can have more of them on duty on Christmas, New Year’s and 4th of July. The extra money can come from that 50 percent tax that the state is charging all the law-abiding citizens that want to burn legal fireworks.
Doesn’t make a lot of sense, does it?
— Larry Arruda, Lihu‘e
Allow dogs on entire path
I am writing in response to “There’s nothing wrong with dogs.” (Letters, Jan. 21)
Within the past year, there have been changes regarding the multi-use path on the Eastside and whether people are permitted to walk their dogs along it.
I believe that people do have the right to walk their dogs wherever they want. Now of course they shouldn’t be going in stores or bothering people, but anywhere on beaches or community coastal paths should be allowed as long as the dog owners act responsible and control their dogs.
The dogs need to be on leashes no longer than 6 feet and “poop bags” must be visible and accessible. A single person can only hold two dogs at a time and the dogs have to be under control at all times. If a dog ever gets out of control, the owner must remove the dog from the path and/or beach. As long as dog owners go along with and respect these regulations, we, the community of dog owners, should have the right to walk our dogs on the remarkable coastal path.
At the end of 2008, owners were not permitted to walk their dogs along any area of the coastal path. Now we are only permitted to walk with our dogs along the section of the path that goes from Kapa‘a to Kealia. I have a dog and walk regularly with my family on the path. This is very enjoyable for all of us and we enjoy it even more when we have our wonderful, adored, and cherished dog along. I know of many other families on the island that feel the same way about their dog and have a desire to give them proper exercise.
As I continue to use the path I notice an increase in numbers of people using it when they are permitted to walk with their dogs. Obviously, it is a strong desire of the community. Ever since a short section of the path was reopened to dog owners, the community has taken the matter seriously. The path has been clean of feces and dogs have been kept under control while happily giving exercise to their owners.
My point is that the community of dog owners deserves a larger span of the coastal path to walk their dogs. We have clearly proven ourselves to be responsible citizens.
I would ask the citizens and county government of Kaua‘i take action in allowing responsible dog owners to enjoy the use of the entire coastal path.
— Joy Claypoole, Eighth grade, Phillip Steinbacher’s class, Island School
