• Proud of lifeguards at memorial • Mahalo to the Irons family • Let drug-users be • What ‘new era?’ Proud of lifeguards at memorial I was “holding the fort” in the unusually quiet Wilcox emergency room during Andy’s service.
• Proud of lifeguards at memorial •
Mahalo to the Irons family • Let
drug-users be • What ‘new era?’
Proud of lifeguards at memorial
I was “holding the fort” in the unusually quiet Wilcox emergency room during Andy’s service. Apparently most everyone was out in Hanalei.
I have talked to several friends about the remarkable memorial to our Andy, and I’ve heard it repeated over and over about how outstanding a job our county lifeguards did. Although I realize that Andy himself was keeping a watchful eye, the fact is that there has never been a more danger-fraught time in Hanalei Bay. There was a north swell about to happen, a rogue set that could have powered in at any moment. There were thousands of people in the water. There were hundreds of children playing on the beach and in the beach wash.
And . . . . there were four county Jet Skis carefully patrolling and keeping a watchful eye on all of this (Nice photo, The Garden Island!). In addition, all of our off-duty lifeguards, as well as many of our off-duty fire fighters, were keeping watch on the shore.
I am very proud about what I’ve heard. Andy’s spirit, too, has to be filled with warmth, not only at the outpouring of love for him, but also at the safety measures that were carried out in his name for the protection of his friends and admirers from around the world.
I only met Andy once (in the ER) and I was very impressed at his openness and warmth and approachability (“Hello, I’m Dr. Downs” led to a sparkling “Hi, I’m Andy,” even though he wasn’t feeling very well that day). I work closely with our county lifeguards. Today I feel very proud of any connection I can claim to have with Andy and with them.
Monty Downs, M.D., Wailua Homesteads
Mahalo to the Irons family
Once again mahalo to the Irons family for another show of giving back (like the Irons Brothers contests).
We are grateful to you for opening your lives to us by hosting a beautiful memorial for Andy!
Mahalo for inviting EVERYONE from everywhere to share in his Kaua‘i farewell celebration.
The pictorial of his life under the tent was beyond compare.
The generosity of having fabulous food served to uncountable thousands was true aloha.
The homegrown entertainment and shared stories were comforting.
The teal-blue ocean was healing and the numbers helped ease the pain.
The grace of your whole family gave strength to us all.
By welcoming us all to share and help in this event with you was a fitting reflection of Andy’s energy.
Andy would be stoked.
Mahalo,
D. Woods, Anahola
Let drug-users be
The war on drugs is another source of irritation for me because it is senseless and a wasteful adventure that cannot be won because human nature won’t allow it.
This war has been going on for over thirty five years. The drug “problem” essentially started when young people rebelled. We called it the “Hippy Movement.” The drug problem could have been a non-problem shortly after it started if the reigning bureaucrats had turned the problem over to the parents of the young adults using drugs. But bureaucrats can’t butt-out of any problem; they must attack all problems with vigor to show that they are needed.
This war has escalated into a major battle where almost every country on earth is involved in one way or another. Each involved country is either in the war against drugs or building their economy on the production of drugs. For lack of a better name, I suggest “World War III” would be appropriate.
It is a major expense for our country. I would venture to say the cost to fight this war was and is enormous considering the scope — both expanding existing agencies and adding new ones. As an example, the jail population has, at least, doubled to house the drug-related “criminals.” We can’t build jails fast enough. All sub states and cities require added facilities, equipment and personnel beyond the normal. Estimating the cost would be almost impossible considering the problem identifying the many hidden costs beyond the obvious. It would be my guess that the total cost would exceed the costs of both the Iraq and Afghanistan war combined if not more. Adding to this, the number of people destroyed by this war, the cost is staggering.
The principles used to come to this conclusion, derived from The Theory of Property, are as follows: “If a demand for a product exists, someone or a consortium will provide it to make a profit.” For those hung up on drugs: “One cannot attack his own property.” This tells us that if anyone wishes to destroy himself by any means, it’s his call. We shouldn’t try to protect anyone from self injury and we should allow them, with no public assistance, to suffer the consequences of their stupidity. Under these conditions, the out-of-control usage of drugs will assuredly diminish precipitously.
Ralph Tamm, Lihu‘e
What ‘new era?’
On the “Forum” page of the 11/14 issue of TGI, in the “In Our Opinion” block, was the heading “A New Era” — referring to the newly elected members of the Kaua‘i County Council.
Hardly “new” — with four (4) re-elected, two (2) having been previous members of the council, and one (1) a newcomer! Sounds like the same old song and dance!
Joe Stoddard, Wailua
