•Visitor contamination •Don’t leave us, Kimo •Thank you, Kaua‘i •More walking, less talking •‘Furlough Friday’ programs exempted Visitor contamination I wrote a thank you letter to Kaua‘i (“Mahalo, Kaua‘i,” Letters, Oct. 7) and was accused of being racist. I did
•Visitor contamination
•Don’t leave us, Kimo
•Thank you, Kaua‘i
•More walking, less talking
•‘Furlough Friday’ programs exempted
Visitor contamination
I wrote a thank you letter to Kaua‘i (“Mahalo, Kaua‘i,” Letters, Oct. 7) and was accused of being racist.
I did not mean to sound racist. I was raised to treat everyone as I wish to be treated. The only times we ran into rude people were at a burger place and when we stopped for a drink in Hanalei. And those people were haoles.
Only the Menehune really have the right to complain. Wasn’t it their land before the Tahitians arrived? I am sure the Menehune wished the Tahitians would have stayed in designated areas.
I saved for over a year for this trip because I don’t make a lot of money. How am I to know what a VDA is? It sounds like some kind of sexually transmitted disease.
By the way, I gave two local keiki a ride to Princeville with reef rash; isn’t Princeville a VDA?
The place we rented was not in a neighborhood, so no keiki or families to disturb. Know the facts. It was being offered by a reputable company.
If you have problems with vacation rentals, don’t take it out on visitors, talk to your elected officials. I am only using what is available. If I wanted to stay with a ton of people where it is warm in September I would have gone to New York City.
I will come again because I enjoyed my visit. If visitors have to be corralled to avoid contaminating someone, many will not visit. Thank you to those who supported my letter.
Steven Aksamit, Puayllup, Wash.
Don’t leave us, Kimo
Every morning I turn on my computer, grab a cup of (Kaua‘i) coffee and go straight to The Garden Island Forum page and scroll down to see who has written letters to the editor.
Mr. Rosen, you are one of the people I will read first! I enjoy your “most inner thoughts.” Don’t leave us!
Cathy Parker, Los Angeles, Calif.
Thank you, Kaua‘i
A couple of weeks ago, I had a serious, one-car accident which came close to claiming my life.
Immediately after the moment of impact, I was conscious, but in a lot of pain and could barely breathe. (Later I found out that I had broken my sternum, in addition to other injuries). In that moment, I hovered in a strange dimension between life and death, and for an instant, I thought that this was the end of my life.
I rolled out of my car and onto the ground; literally, within a couple of minutes a car stopped and several people got out, coming to my aid. I was in shock, and frightened; they sat down around me, held my hands and started praying to Jesus for my well-being (while waiting for the ambulance to arrive). In those few moments, I found myself calming just a little bit, and felt embraced by a Loving Presence.
Minutes later the ambulance arrived and I was taken to Wilcox Memorial Hospital; shortly thereafter I was medivaced to Queen’s Hospital.
So, I would like to take this opportunity to thank those wonderful people who stopped to pray with me. I found out later that they were from Calvary Chapel. I will forever be indebted to them for their prayers during this powerful time of need.
Additionally, I would like to thank the ambulance emergency medical team which provided such gentle, yet capable and knowledgeable support during my journey to Wilcox, as well to the team that medivaced me to Queen’s Hospital.
I am so impressed with the quality of attention I received during this harrowing experience.
Thank you, Kaua’i, and thank you everyone who assisted me so capably; I send love and infinite blessings to all.
Richard (Diamond) Moll, Kapa‘a
More walking, less talking
I’d like to echo the Oct. 14 letter “Talk, talk, talk.”
Joan Peers hit the nail on the head. That’s all KIUC seems to do to lessen our dependence on fossil fuels. Talk is cheaper for them and is hitting us hard in our pocketbook.
KIUC, start doing the walk. Use more of what has been provided for us naturally (sun, wind and water). It’s a lot cleaner for the environment.
Howard Tolbe, ‘Ele‘ele
‘Furlough Friday’ programs exempted
As Kaua‘i parents of public school children seek ways to provide organized activities for their keiki on “Furlough Fridays,” the state Department of Human Services will be part of the solution.
DHS is proactively lessening the impact of the furlough days on our children by discussing creative options with the private and nonprofit organizations that are interested in offering student programs, including educational support, physical activities, arts, crafts and music.
In most cases, a childcare license will not be needed. DHS’ generous child care license exemptions will most likely apply to these new programs – such as those offered once a week for less than six hours.
So far, DHS has issued license exemptions for every “Furlough Friday” request we have received.
If it appears as though a license is required by law, a DHS child care program specialist will work closely with the organization or individual to suggest program modifications that will qualify for a license exemption.
It is in the best interest of everyone that our public school children are engaged in safe and academically enriching activities when their teachers are on furlough. DHS will continue being part of the solution as we move forward during these challenging times.
Lillian Koller, Human Services Director
