• A bypass between Kapa‘a and Hanama‘ulu • Facts about sugar unions •Kaua‘i selling out •Finally, an arrest A bypass between Kapa‘a and Hanama‘ulu We are all concerned about the dangers of the three-lane portion of Kuhio Highway between the
• A bypass between Kapa‘a and Hanama‘ulu
• Facts about sugar unions
•Kaua‘i selling out
•Finally, an arrest
A bypass between Kapa‘a and Hanama‘ulu
We are all concerned about the dangers of the three-lane portion of Kuhio Highway between the Wailua River and Hanama‘ulu. And concerned about the serious disruption to traffic when accidents occur.
It is past time for the state DOT and the County of Kaua‘i to build on the success of the Kapa‘a Temporary Bypass and build another bypass south of Wailua.
The cane haul road running from the Wailua River to the Roberts base yard in Hanama‘ulu has already been set up as a crude emergency bypass road.
Though the pavement is very rough, that bypass served well during the recent tragic accident which forced the closure of Kuhio Highway for nine hours. The county and the state should think outside the box and find a way to make it into a well-paved two-way bypass open 24/7.
That done, the state DOT could discontinue the expensive and dangerous contra-flow operation on Kuhio Highway. The money saved could help pay for the new bypass. The three-lane stretch could be changed into two much wider lanes with a substantial center divider and wider shoulders.
The state and the county should act now to start the process. They are working together to modify the cane haul bridge across the Wailua River to provide a fourth traffic lane.
As it stands now, the northbound approach to the two bridges must be modified to go from three lanes to four lanes at the river’s edge. The design for that approach should include provisions to implement the two-way bypass on the cane haul road.
Then they should focus on finding the funding to build the much-needed Kapa‘a/Hanama‘ulu bypass.
John A. Love, Kapa‘a
Facts about sugar unions
In a letter I wrote to The Garden Island last month (“Union concessions,” Letters, July 15), I mentioned about the unions not taking concessions in their battle with the state over furloughs.
A comment on TGI’s Web site from “manawai” stated my facts weren’t straight when I mentioned that the unions had not been good for the sugar industry. He seems to imply that I blame the unions as solely responsible.
The fact that there is more sugar in sugar beets and sorghum than in sugar cane has also played a major role.
Although the battle over agriculture in Hawai‘i was being waged before the Reciprocity Treaty was signed back in 1875, way before the unions were formed, you might be remiss to deny that they weren’t at least a mitigating factor in the eventual outcome.
Since Ladd and Co. started the first sugar plantation in Koloa in 1835, there have been 119 sugar plantations statewide. With the only two plantations remaining in the state being non-union, and barely surviving, it would seem obvious that the unions were a contributing factor.
Del Monte and Dole started growing pineapple in Hawai‘i in the 1870’s but can now grow and import it from other places cheaper than they can grow it right here in Hawai‘i.
We are bound to the shipping industries for most of our needed products and everybody cringes when they hear the longshoremen say the word “strike.” You’d see a wide margin if you were to compare the wages the longshoremen make to what non-union truck drivers and forklift operators earn.
Those are the “facts.”
Jack Custer, Lihu‘e
Kaua‘i selling out
I agree with Kawika Moke (“GMOs make me sick,” Letters, July 10). Kaua‘i is selling out allowing these GMO companies to commit their crimes against nature, and all of us.
Like Kawika says, look up Monsanto, look up Pioneer, and the rest of them. Their story is really like some science fiction novel. Do a little research folks, they would kill us all for corporate profits.
It’s global, not just Kaua‘i. These companies care not about human beings. In the end they will exterminate us. If you go online and research you will be shocked and appalled.
Joe Metzger, Kalaheo
Finally, an arrest
It was amazing to see that KPD actually apprehended the Kilauea Bakery bandit last month.
Heck, it only took them a little over a month to find this guy who can be seen nearly everyday walking the streets of Kilauea looking to steal something else being that he is a career criminal.
Maybe the next target for KPD should be the ice dealers and users who are destroying this island faster than anyone could have imagined.
Great job done by the men in blue, but please don’t stop there. While you are on a roll, go get them!
Jim Gair, Kilauea
