• A few questions for new leaders • Don’t dump electronics illegally • Mahalo Andy • Mahalo for help with corn maze • Applauds improved permitting system A few questions for new leaders And now that we’re heading towards new
• A few questions for new leaders •
Don’t dump electronics illegally • Mahalo
Andy • Mahalo for help with corn maze •
Applauds improved permitting system
A few questions for new leaders
And now that we’re heading towards new horizons with different people in charge and in control of what will happen to our finite natural resources, permit me to raise some intriguing questions and concerns:
1. What will happen with the thousands of acres of ceded lands in the far-west area of the island of Kaua‘i? Will these lands remain in agricultural activity? What might be done about the freshwater springs that dot the area?
2. Will watershed councils become “front and center” in monitoring and maintaining regional precedence practices to protect and preserve what we have?
3. Do we need to review and/or readjust the ways in which accessibility to pristine, isolated places (from mauka to makai) are being used for recreational or urbanization purposes? What laws do we have in place which can be effectively enforced if over-use, abuse, or misuse of our resources occur?
4. What collaborative efforts should we all engage in to actualize ways in which we can grow our own food, and at the same time, become less dependent on the use of imported fossil fuel to meet our needs and demands for energy? In the process of balancing what we may perceive to be our rights to “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness” with our responsibilities to “malama ‘aina,” we must be mindful of what is “pono,” not only for ourselves, but for future generations, as well.
Sincerely,
Jose Bulatao Jr., Kekaha
Don’t dump electronics illegally
I want to thank Kaua‘i County for offering e-recycling at Kaua‘i Community College last Saturday. I saved a large, broken TV waiting for this event to dispose of it properly rather than send to our landfill which is already an issue for our beautiful island. On Monday as I was walking the dog on Pu‘upilo Road, I noticed a TV discarded roadside with the garbage cans only two days after the e recycle event. I have also witnessed TVs and other electronics being thrown into the Kapa‘a transfer station. I hope the ones complaining about where the next landfill might be located are better stewards of the land than most. Please, those of you who have broken TVs, computers, or other electronics, store them in your carport for awhile and wait for the next e-recycle event to dispose of properly. And if you see me walking my King Charles Spaniel on Pu‘upilo Road and would like assistance with disposal let me know. I would be happy to store and dispose of your electronic waste. And if you don’t live near me, I hope there is someone in your neighborhood who would be willing to help out. It is everyone’s responsibility to respect the land.
Sharon Verity, Kapa‘a
Mahalo Andy
I have a special memory I’d like to share about Andy Irons. Being part of a Southern California surfing family, Andy’s name along with Kelly’s (Slater) were “household,” almost like they lived with us or something. As soon as my son caught his first wave Andy became his idol. Fuel TV, 808, surf television a constant in our household. Andy’s moves, a treat for the eyes, amazingly fluid, lines across the wave like no other.
While on vacation here several years ago we parked in the lot at Pine Trees and my son recognized Andy’s truck. He was in the water so fast just to get a glimpse of the legend, his idol. Andy was out in the water shreddin’ it in those famous black-and-white diamond trunks. My little boy paddled out as far as he could at the time to just get close enough to watch Andy, me with my telephoto lens on the beach trying to capture two sets of black-diamond trunks in the same frame. The real Andy Irons and the “wannabe Andy.” Every time I washed those trunks I remembered how stoked my son was that day. We are grateful to now live on this island. Especially now, so that we can in our own way honor Andy and the gifts he gave to surfing. Mahalo, Andy.
Pam Druary and family, Princeville
Mahalo for help with corn maze
On behalf of all of the staff and volunteers from Kaua‘i Christian Fellowship who helped run the 2010 Corn Maze I would like to say thank you to the wonderful people of Kaua‘i who came in droves to get lost and a bit creeped out in the corn. It was a joy to see families having fun together and to experience the sweet attitude of so many who went through the maze, joined us for the Grand Opening celebration or just hung around the campus while their keikis played in the jump house.
While our team worked hard on this unique event, the Corn Maze would not be possible without the generosity and cooperation of Grove Farm, Pioneer Hi-Bred, AJAR and BASF Plant Science. These fine companies are really the ones to thank if you and your family enjoyed the Corn Maze this year.
Rick Bundschuh, Lawa‘i
Applauds improved permitting system
The good mayor, Mayor Carvalho, made a commitment to work on our permit system for the betterment of our residences and businesses.
Just recently, an application was filed for a solar facility site in Kapa‘a. From the time of the filing of the application, through the public-hearing process, and acquiring the building permit, a time frame of three months had past. Construction of the solar facility is anticipated to be completed in early January at the latest. With the commitment of the mayor and the earnest efforts of his department personnel, this 3.5-acre, solar-facility site will be up and running within 5.5 months since the application was filed. The construction industry commends the mayor and his department personnel for making improvements to the County’s permitting system.
Ron Agor, Lihu‘e
