• Kaua‘i vets turned away • Brescia’s 15 failed BTPs • Mentally ill should not be shunned • Just another tourist Kaua‘i vets turned away Last Thursday at the Kaua‘i Veterans Center, we apologize to the veterans, widows and friends
• Kaua‘i vets turned away • Brescia’s 15 failed BTPs • Mentally ill should not be shunned • Just another tourist
Kaua‘i vets turned away
Last Thursday at the Kaua‘i Veterans Center, we apologize to the veterans, widows and friends (some angry) who tried to attend the morning and evening sessions to the Free V.A. Aid and Attendance Seminar without reservations, sponsored by U.S. Benefits Analysis, Inc.
Thanks to our advertising ad in The Garden Island we had an overwhelming response, however, the room that was assigned to us, has a maximum capacity to seat 42 (the reason for pre-reservation request).
The non-service connected pension benefits to veterans provides up to a maximum of $23,396 annual tax-free benefit. To learn how to qualify, we invite veterans, widows and children of veterans to attend our March Free V.A. Aid and Attendance Seminar at the Lihu‘e Library, scheduled for 10 a.m., March 16. Reservations are required; call 635-9929.
Nelson Secretario, Lihu‘e
Brescia’s 15 failed BTPs
“Preservation,” according to HAR 13-300-2, is defined as “the form of mitigation that sets forth appropriate treatment of historic properties, burial sites, or human skeletal remains which are to be preserved in place.”
In the report from Dega for Brescia it states: “… These are appropriate methods for Preservation, given the ultimate directive supplied to us by the KNIBC: preserve each burial in place in perpetuity.”
Has anyone, the judge or other than the developer/archaeologist clarified what “appropriate” means or to whom it is appropriate?
Wouldn’t it seem that someone who has submitted 15 final burial treatment plans that have been rejected can’t get it right and is in no position to be determining the interpretation of “appropriate”?
It obviously isn’t “appropriate” to the other side. Brescia’s rep uses examples of when a community deemed it “appropriate” to “relocate” but that is the wrong example. It does not properly address visitation in any way.
And then Brescia’s report says “Preservation,” according to HAR 13-300-2, is defined as “the form of mitigation that sets forth appropriate treatment of historic properties, burial sites, or human skeletal remains which are to be preserved in place.”
Under this definition, the current Plan fulfills “preservation” through the stated goal of preserving the burials in place in perpetuity. The main thrust is that all 30 burials lie in their original context, within their original soil matrices, within the original location of their interment hundreds of years ago.
The second main point is that measures have been taken to avoid any disturbance to these burials through current construction work. By approving this plan, protection will be afforded well into the future during uses of the parcel.
I guess it was a one-sided mitigation if there’s such a thing.
It addresses the physical aspects of a burial and not the spiritual aspect which in reality is the main thrust and kind of the whole argument.
Elaine Dunbar, Lihu‘e
Mentally ill should not be shunned
I applaud the column “Support falls short for mentally ill program.” (Leading Voices, Jan. 26) It was thoughtful, succinct, knowledgeable, and mostly all true!
I am very aware of the “stigma” placed on mental illness. I know it comes from fear. Fear based on ignorance.
Most families only need to look back one or two generations to find a relative with this illness. And, it is an illness! We do not laugh or joke about diabetes or heart disease, but because some of the symptoms of the mentally ill person are bizarre — we shun them.
I would let anyone know, that if they only had one day to deal with “voices” or “delusions”, and then on top of that, to be looked down on – they would know true horror.
I have had mental illness in my family for generations, and usually do not speak of it, unless someone says an unkind or ignorant statement.
I would ask you to look up the statistics on this brain disorder, and see how often it occurs in the general population. Then you will be truly informed.
I profoundly thank all agencies on Kaua‘i, who deal with the mentally ill on a daily basis — Helping Hands Hawai‘i, Kaua‘i Community Mental Health and it’s wonderful staff and doctors, Mahelona Hospital Psych Unit, with its caring nurses, and all other agencies who give so much of their time and effort.
Thank you, Brian Schatz, for your informative column.
Anne Welsh, Kilauea
Just another tourist
I was born and raised on Kaua‘i and now live on the Mainland. I have fond memories of Kaua‘i and visit at least once a year.
Until this year, my wife and I enjoyed Wailua Golf Course and played at least eight rounds per visit (collectively). On our last visit — Jan. 12 through Jan. 27 — I played only one round at Wailua and that round was played there because I was committed to play with friends who currently reside on Kaua‘i.
It was MLK Day and reluctantly I paid my $70 green fee (my friends, I assumed, paid their $20). I am now a tourist, and when I paid my green fee, I felt fleeced and taken. Who wouldn’t?
I later found out that my friends pay a monthly fee of $60! Yes, I got fleeced!
Russ Hada, Portland, Ore.
