• It pays to be rich • Share the road • Still no drug treatment center for Kauaians • The real driving distraction It pays to be rich Shame shame shame on Mayor Carvalho for bulldozing the homes of Native
• It pays to be rich • Share the road • Still no drug treatment center for Kauaians • The real driving distraction
It pays to be rich
Shame shame shame on Mayor Carvalho for bulldozing the homes of Native Hawaiian landowners in Wainiha. (“County bulldozes Hawaiian dwellings on Wainiha Bay,” The Garden Island, Feb. 5)
These people had lived good sustainable lives farming and fishing for the past 50 years. To destroy their homes on the very land which was stolen by American occupiers is an outrageous injustice. Now, where do they go?
In contrast to the obvious Wainiha landgrab is the county’s failure to stop Joseph Brecia from illegally building a luxury home in Naue on top of ancient Hawaiian graves.
The native Hawaiians of Wainiha who lost their homes to county bulldozers are not rich and broke no laws. Joseph Brescia is very rich. Evidently, it pays to be wealthy when blatantly evading and breaking the law on Kaua‘i.
The tragedy of Wainiha and Naue most likely could have been avoided if we the people had exercised studious care in electing intelligent and conscientious candidates unafraid to seek justice for all by speaking out against injustice.
Brady Carpenter, Kapa‘a
Share the road
Where sidewalks are provided, it is unlawful for any pedestrian to walk along and upon adjacent roadway, bicycle lane, or bicycle path.
Where sidewalks are not provided, pedestrians walking along and upon any roadway, when practical, walk only on the left side of the roadway or its shoulder facing traffic from the opposite direction.
The above two statements are the law.
This letter is mainly for the person driving on Thursday in Lihu‘e that used vulgar symbols and profanity because I was running with a stroller and child alongside the road, but this letter should also be a reminder to all drivers to “share” the road with pedestrians.
When there is no sidewalk, I can walk or run along the left side of the road. Why should you be angry with me? Did I force you to obey the law for two to three seconds and slow down (yield) and go around me safely?
I suggest you review the Hawai‘i Driver’s Manual including pages 57-58, which state “bad” driving habits; from my brief encounter with you I observed laziness, impatience, arrogance (“He has little or no respect for traffic laws or rights-of-way of other drivers or pedestrians”) and ignorance.
Please everyone remember to drive safely and watch for pedestrians. Maybe it’s not a law but I would also encourage more mature adults to act mature and not use vulgarity and or profanity especially when small children are involved.
Nic Clark, Lihu‘e
Still no drug treatment center for Kauaians
Somehow it just does not seem fair! I have spent the last nine months mostly alone and spent most of my life savings traveling back and forth to O‘ahu in order to try and keep a relationship alive.
Why? Because our island lacks any legitimate and/or acceptable treatment center for women attempting to control and eliminate drug addiction from their lives! How sad is that?
Personally, it seems unfair to the point that hearing about a “5-star” treatment center operating here, with acclaimed staff and an obviously multi-million-dollar facility just a few miles away, makes me feel physically ill! (“‘5-star’ treatment center to open soon near Kilauea,” The Garden Island, Feb. 9)
Worse yet, to find that this center is catering to rich people, not residents, and knowing what my loved one and I have had to endure on O‘ahu for the last nine months in a very good, but very strict and restrictive residential program, plus a six-month stay in a “clean-and-sober” house in impoverished and unfamiliar Kalihi, makes me very angry and feeling even more depressed than usual.
We ask, beg, demand and force our citizens to comply with the law or face consequences.
I sincerely wonder what the consequences should be for those who are either not willing or not able to provide “proper” help for our own children, families and friends for treatment within reach of those who love them, but easily accept wealthy strangers with the same problems living in luxury on our island home. Sad.
John Owens, Lihu‘e
The real driving distraction
I disagree with the council’s decision regarding the electronics ban. (“Electronics banned for drivers,” The Garden Island, Feb. 4)
Although many studies indicate cell phone use impairs drivers, recent studies show no accident reduction in areas that have enacted similar bans. (“Study: Ban may not reduce crashes,” TGI, Feb. 3)
Responsible drivers can decide when conditions allow to tune the radio, roll up the window, adjust the air conditioning, or continue a conversation. Irresponsible drivers will continue to have/cause accidents.
Banning the responsible use of cell phones will only inconvenience the responsible users. If the County Council is truly concerned with reducing driver distractions, I suggest they address the distraction caused by dozens of folks standing alongside the highways for the distinct purpose of distracting drivers, by waving signs and encouraging unnecessary horn honking.
This could be accomplished without legislation if they all just agree to discontinue the dangerous and irritating practice.
Ellis Brooks, Koloa
