Letters for Monday, November 23, 2009

•More thanking, less whining

•Lost inter-office memo?

• Grateful and thankful

•Teach respect

• Keep weapons locked up

• Forgotten promises

More thanking, less whining

Michael Mcginnis wrote, “The DOT should pause the tree trimming until after the holiday season and stop treating Kaua‘i businesses and residents like second-class citizens.”

Are you kidding me? People are complaining that the trees pose a hazard and the state DOT is just asking for a lawsuit from trees falling on a passing motorist. Now that the DOT is taking action and cutting the hazardous trees down, now people are whining about being inconvenienced.

What’s that saying? Damned if you do, damned if you don’t. I’m sure you’d also say Kaua‘i’s citizens were being treated as second-class citizens were the work not being done.

I can imagine the criticism you’d have for DOT if someone were to get seriously injured or heaven forbid, killed by falling albizia branches.

Having experienced falling albizia trees, right in our backyard on the Big Island, I understand the need to have these hazardous trees cut, before they fall.

Yes, it may be a bit of an inconvenience. But I’m sure you’d have a whole new opinion were one of these branches to crack and fall on you or your family.

Hey, I know… instead of whining about the situation, how’s about thanking the brave souls who are putting their lives in danger, while trying to make the drive through Kalihiwai safer for all motorists?

Francine M. Grace, Lihu‘e

Lost inter-office memo?

Did someone forget to send a memo to the Mayor’s Office that we are spending $1 million of our tax money on advertising to help bring back the tourist industry to Kaua‘i?

We will know if it was money well spent when one of the largest newspapers in the world prints a story about our new landfill. I can see the headline now: Coffee grown in paradise — next to this? Might even be a large picture above the fold.

Oh wait, we had the very same thing happen over 10 years ago. When will we  learn from earlier mistakes?

Rob Abrew, Wailua Homesteads

Grateful and thankful

On Nov. 14, I, along with my coworker and truck driver, were stranded in Hanalei.

I’d like to extend a big mahalo to Alanne and Scott for opening up their house to us, feeding us and letting us sleep over. A big mahalo also to Susan and Dwight for feeding us and letting us watch the UH Warriors football game. Mahalo also to Kylie for letting us know the highway reopened.

Mahalo also to my boss, Ruth, the Lihu‘e supervisor, Junlin, and our family and friends who were concerned and kept checking on us to see if we were alright.

My heartfelt gratitude and appreciation for your kindness, generosity and hospitality! Mahalo, mahalo, mahalo.

Mahalo also to the numerous others, on that Saturday and previously, who offered to house and feed us should the road close. Words cannot express how deeply grateful and thankful I am for all of these angels in my life. I know there were many more people stranded and I hope they found great friends to house them like we did.

Sharla Kalauawa, Kealia

Teach respect

Graffiti might be beautiful art, but definitely not when it’s unwanted and placed on public or private property (“Graffiti is beautiful art,” Letters, Nov. 15).

Boredom is never justification for destruction. Teach the lesson of respect.

Michael Diamant, Kalaheo

Keep weapons locked up

Mr. Vidinha, I’m sorry you lost your weapon (“Personal gains before justice,” Letters, Nov. 15).

I’m a war veteran also. My advice: Keep you weapons in a locked metal box, preferably bolted to the floor.

You’ll probably need permission from your landlord before installing the bolts. Good luck.

Robert Weiner, Kalaheo

Forgotten promises

Am I the only one who has become aware of how many of our president’s campaign promises have not been made or have been pushed back till people will forget he even said them much less implied them as promises?

Doc Smith, Kapahi