What’s up, Westside

So, what’s cooking out here in the far west of Kaua‘i?

Are the folks as laid back and easy going as they seem to be?

They love barbecuing on their backyard grills while they’re coping with the kids burning rubber every now and then just to stir things up a little bit. Are they as nonchalant as all that?

Or, are things happening just beneath the surface, and it takes a bit of tuning in to the coconut wireless humming with bits and pieces of information that’s bristling with heaping portions of facts and figures mixed in with spicy speculations that add zest to the realm of possibilities about what’s happening out here on the Westside?

Like anything else, it depends on who’s doing the talking and whether it’s just bubbles or the unadulterated truth.

So, for whatever it’s worth, I’ve been invited to share my personal perspectives in hopes that when others read what I’ve written, they can verify, clarify, and/or justify why, where we are headed, and how we’re going to get there, and when, or just plainly tell me to go fly a kite. Also, it’s the local-style approach of observing what’s happening and presenting an opinion on the sense or the lack thereof on the matter, so you’ll get a lot of that, too.

For instance, a lot is going on at the Kikiaola Small Boat Harbor. It’ll be bigger and better, fur sure. But, what’s going on? Is the work on the harbor having a negative impact on the coastline fronting Kekaha? When the harbor was built years ago, the portions of the beach actually totally disappeared. Kaumuali’i Highway eroded away by the crashing waves and it took several years before the road was restored.

Now, the same thing is happening again. Come by and drive on that highway. Come and see for yourself exactly where there is no beach left, and ask along with many of us, “Why? What’s happening? Who is responsible? How can this be remedied? Who’s going to pay for all that?” Inquiring minds want to know.

Then, there is the problem of the water project on the highway between Waimea and Kekaha. The work crew has been on it for years. They dig and place the pipes where they belong. Then, a leak occurs. They dig it up, repair what’s been broken, and continue with their work. And, another leak occurs. Again and again. Some people say, “The pressure is too strong.” “They gotta use a bigger pipe.” I don’t know. I’m not an engineer. But, don’t you think they might have figured that out if that were truly so? And if not, can anyone explain why the same thing happens over and over like a broken phonograph record? Inquiring minds are asking.

Someone recently made the observation, saying, “Like it or lump it, the Robinson family has been instrumental in keeping west Kaua‘i in a rural-agrarian setting for decades. It’s because of them that the Westside has been able to retain open space along the highway from Hanapepe to Mana and to the hillsides that stretch into the Olokele and Waimea Canyons and to our beloved Koke‘e as well.”

Of course, a lot of people are wondering about whatever happened to the Kapalawai resort project that was supposed to transform a portion of the Robinson lands to a world-class, one-of-a-kind visitor destination experience which was to include the restoration of a genuine fish pond and the inter-active ambiance of the Westside community with our visitors.

People are voicing their concerns about what will happen to Kaumakani Village, and especially to the old-timers who still live in their homes there.

Recently, a focus on what’s happening on Ni‘ihau was featured on Channel 2 which was an “eye-opener” for the world to actually get to see close-ups on people, lifestyles and the presence of the U.S. Navy in their midst. And, when they are good and ready, they’ll let us know what else is going on with respect to their other vast land holdings here on Kaua‘i.

With the PMRF anchored in Mana beyond Kaua‘i’s only landfill situated near Kekaha and having a bit of space up in Koke‘e, the juxtaposition of modern technology in the midst of our iconic landmarks of distinctive magnificence (Polihale Beach and Kalalau Lookout) is a study in mixed metaphors to the nth degree. A study of contrasts, for days.

Moreso, Waimea town is sprucing up with a Main Street plan. Rental accommodations for visitors seeking the sunny Westside continue to proliferate. The Kekaha mill smoke stack towers over the town in silent vigil, waiting for economic stirrings. The Hanapepe Salt Ponds yearn to be saved from encroaching development plans that threaten to contaminate the fragile system of producing sea salt. The demand for residential needs are being met with urban neighborhoods sprouting between ‘Ele‘ele and Kalaheo. The GMO seed companies have made some moves. Cottage industries are quietly flourishing. More and more people are finding “good reason” to move out west. The maternity ward at KVMH continues to be “booked for business.”

So, while some folks are barbecuing in their backyards drinking their beer and some kids are carousing aimlessly, bored and sadly, some of them high on illicit drugs and while some are “talking story” and making comments about what’s happening on the roadside and at the beach fronts, while still others speculate about life as the sugar plantation era truly ends, while studies in contrasts persist as life goes on … Tell me, what do you think?

• Jose Bulatao Jr. is a community activist and long-time resident of Kekaha.