•It doesn’t take a genius •See for yourself •Farmer-chef bond It doesn’t take a genius If I were governor, I could solve all of our problems in five minutes, and it doesn’t take a genius or expensive studies. First, initiate
•It doesn’t take a genius
•See for yourself
•Farmer-chef bond
It doesn’t take a genius
If I were governor, I could solve all of our problems in five minutes, and it doesn’t take a genius or expensive studies.
First, initiate a statewide lottery and use the proceeds to pay our teachers and librarians without furlough days.
Legalize gay marriage in Hawai‘i as that will bring more guests to the Island who spend more money in our hotels, shops and restaurants and use the proceeds to find alternative energy solutions and lower our dependency on foreign oil.
Legalize and tax marijuana and use the proceeds to widen and maintain our roads and infrastructure.
None of my proposals will raise our taxes and none involve a 50 cent per gallon raise at the gas pumps.
Finally, let’s tax those people who let their dogs run loose on the beach and do not pick up after them. I love to walk on the beach, but have been chased on numerous occasions by dogs without leashes. State law says no animals are allowed on the beach and there is a fine of $500. Let’s enforce this law. We could use that money for more lifeguards to prevent drownings.
Richard L. Turner, Princeville
See for yourself
Thank you Judge Laureta and The Garden Island for keeping this dialogue going about our government converting to a county manager system, (“Real reasons,” Letters, Jan. 14). This is a very important issue and the people need to know both sides.
As the Nov. 29 TGI editorial said, the easiest way to decide this issue is to put it on the ballot and “then we’ll let the people decide.”
For over a month we have been considering the issue of whether an amendment to our county charter to provide for a county manager system would improve the quality of government of our island.
I am disturbed by Laureta’s methodology in examining this issue.
Judge, you refer to points that have been made in TGI articles, some of them by me, as to the merits of the CM system. There are many other sources of information. But you seem unwilling to bestir yourself to consider anything beyond what has been given to you in the paper. Is that how you decided cases brought before you as a judge?
You raised a question as to the legality of a CM system for Kaua‘i. You are a lawyer. Why don’t you look at the constitution, the state laws and applicable cases and decide for yourself?
You say that the points presented don’t state that actions or inaction of our government officials violate our charter. Why is it necessary that there be criminal conduct to justify a change to a better system?
You conclude saying that my reason for a governmental system change is not based on any deficiency in the charter but rather the governance of Kaua‘i. Our federal constitution has been amended nearly 30 times. The real inquiry is not whether the document was deficient, but whether it can be improved.
Our county government now functions inefficiently. I have watched the council complain about failures by the administration and vice versa. Do you think our solid waste disposal problems are well handled? Do you believe our public works performance on our 300 miles of public roads is efficiently planned. Do you approve of our traffic problems? These deficiencies are not the reason to make a change but having a better system would serve to resolve them.
The lengthy list of problems in our present system are real. Electing better people would help, but so would having a better structure.
I have tried to help your analysis of this important matter. If you have any questions for which you can’t find the answer just let me know and I will do what I can. But I would encourage you to pursue your own investigation. When you have I believe you will conclude as I have that a manager system would provide a better framework for our governance.
Glenn Mickens, Kapa‘a
Farmer-chef bond
There’s a very informative video put together by Flyn Ford being shown on Hoike that was filmed at Kaua‘i’s first Locavore Pa‘ina.
The video explains a lot about our event and the concept of the Locavore Challenge. The challenge for residents is to feed ourselves and our families using as many locally grown foods as possible. Local tastes better and is better for you!
The chef’s challenge was to present an eye-appealing, appetizing dish using a variety of locally grown produce to compliment a meat as the protein. And just to make it more challenging, they had only a few days to decide what to do with the variety cut they were assigned and the produce they had available.
The chefs rose to the challenge. They were the stars. We farmers and ranchers were the supporting cast. The food was fabulous and the farmer-chef connection was strengthened. It was a lovely afternoon of good music, good company, promoting local agriculture, and being a locavore!
I just wanted to extend my personal gratitude to all, especially to the friends and supporters who bought tickets to come and enjoy with us. There’s so much more we didn’t have time to do. We need to do it again!
Valerie Kaneshiro, Koloa
