Letters for Friday, January 22, 2010

• Everything OK in Koke‘e • Thanks, Doc • Mahalo from A Tow In Paradise

Everything OK in Koke‘e

It’s OK in Koke‘e. No, really, it is. But I can say that there is a wealth of misinformation floating around about Koke‘e and the cabins leases, and the circumstances in the park and its state of affairs.

I recently assured a co-worker that Koke‘e is not running rampant with druggies and other “bad” people, and it is still “safe” for families. I have spent time for the past five-plus years enjoying time at my partner’s (Erik Coopersmith) Koke‘e cabin and have been witnessing the various issues surrounding the park.

There are errors even in the corrections to the Jan. 10 story in The Garden Island. (“Koke‘e cabin lessees may have escaped property taxes”)

Ms. Baris is in error — there actually are new 20-year leases in place with the cabins that were, until 2005 owned by the lessees, when the state “reclaimed” the cabins.

Erik did point out to me, however, that there are new “letters” on the current lease he just paid for 2010 that read special permit instead of general lease. How the state will choose to play with semantics as it has many times in the past. Just ask the Hawaiians.

Anyway, back property taxes on property now owned by the state? The state of Hawai‘i is either bucking for another lawsuit on this one, or else just throwing gasoline on already burning issues.

And, to address the allegations of “criminals running rampant” in Koke‘e, it’s scare tactics to support an entry gate. And, to Mr. Ron Agor, “your wealth of ignorance is astounding.” I’m calling shenanigans on this.

Paullie Purdy, Waimea

Thanks, Doc

I lived in a tent outdoors on Kaua‘i for five years and was never bitten by a spider or centipede. Now I have a comfortable apartment with all the amenities one could want.

On a night where I had just eaten my first Kaua‘i wild chicken, I prayed I would make it through the night without getting sick from the chicken, my prayer was answered. However there was another problem to be, that I could never could had imagined.

I awoke in the middle of the night with a stinking pain in my neck, it got worse, I took off my sweat shirt I was sleeping in, and a centipede fell out, it bit me in the neck and arm pit, I was hurting. The pain was excruciating and getting worse instead of getting better.

I live alone with my dog, so I called 911, they advised to not panic and asked if I wanted an ambulance, I told them I live two minutes from a hospital emergency room and they advised if I could, to go to emergency.

You can see the hospital from my backyard, I proceeded to walk, and although a short walk of two minutes it seemed to take forever.

The hospital was expecting and I was the only one there, they rushed me through the paperwork and was able to see a doctor within five minutes of my arrival.

The doctor had never seen a centipede bite with such a firm grip, and right next to my Adam’s apple, of which could had been deadly just a centimeter closer.

They injected my neck with Marcaine, a numbing agent that many dentists use. The numbing should last around six hours and the venomous sting should last around four hours is what I was told, the pain was relieved.

Then I began to sweat and became dizzy and faint, the doctor got me to lay down and covered my forehead with a cold towel. I was told I probably fainted because of seeing a needle go into my neck, not because of the bite itself.

The nurse told me centipedes like bedding, and if you live on Kaua‘i, you should always shake out your bedding before retiring for the evening, or that matter anytime. Ironically I had just changed my bedding the day before.

I would like to thank Dr. Pokroy and nurse Linda who work at Mahelona emergency, graveyard shift, for their prompt attention to a scary and life-threatening matter.

Having a restful sleep will never be the same.

James “Kimo” Rosen, Kapa‘a

Mahalo from A Tow In Paradise

For the 19th year, A Tow In Paradise offered a free tow home during the holidays for those who had too much to drink.

We towed the person and their vechicle to their home, no questions, no hassles and no charge. We all participated.

Thanks to family, friends and radio stations especially KQNG for the many announcements. Ron Morin, Senter Petroleum also offered fuel donation. We all joined together to save lives.

Again for the 19th year, it was a great way to end the year and to begin a new one.

Roger and Carol Ridgley, Kapa‘a