• New Year’s resolutions • Community input sought? • Bicycle gender • 1984 revisited New Year’s resolutions It’s the end of another year, and whether you realize it or not, the price of oil is back up to $90 a
• New Year’s resolutions • Community input sought? • Bicycle
gender • 1984 revisited
New Year’s resolutions
It’s the end of another year, and whether you realize it or not, the price of oil is back up to $90 a barrel for the first time since the early days of the financial crisis. Throughout most of 2010 oil was around $80 a barrel but then crept up as the economy started to recover.
Citi Futures predicts that oil will be at $93 by the end of next year, and others have predicted the cost to be more than $100.
Economists suggest that when fuel costs exceed six percent of home budgets there will be financial difficulties. Because the state of Hawaii is so dependent on oil we are paying about nine percent or more of our home budgets on fuel costs — three times more than individuals on the Mainland.
The future does not look good: Energy may be as important as tourism to our island’s economy in the years ahead.
What should we do?
Start by making a News Years resolution to accomplish one or more of the of the following:
Reduce KIUC bills: Install a solar water heater, start a solar electric system, buy only energy star appliances, replace light bulbs with CFL units, use a clothesline, and turn off lights.
Reduce transportation costs: Keep correct pressure in car tires, carpool, ride the bus, walk or ride a bike, and buy a hybrid or an electric car.
Change your behavior: Start a garden, buy local products, recycle, work toward achieving zero waste.
Think what an impact on your life style an extra 3-5 percent of your budget would have if you could spend it for yourself or your family rather than for fuel. As oil prices remain high or continue to rise, our main recourse is to conserve and use renewable, low-cost resources.
Please consider a New Year’s resolution this year to achieve one or more of the above goals in 2011.
Best wishes for a Happy Sustainable New Year.
Doug Wilmore, Kilauea
Community input sought?
I am referring to the news release by Kaua‘i Fire Department Chief Robert Westerman, in “partnership” with the state Department of Transportation, to discuss the relocation of the lifeguard stand in Kekaha.
We already had this meeting with you, the Department of Transportation and the Army Corps of Engineers. Did you forget? Or are you just blowing off the 700 signatures submitted by the people of Kekaha.
We do not want the lifeguard stand moved. To move the lifeguard stand 300 yards would move it to the most dangerous part of the beach. Which would be hazardous for our children to swim there, but is also a danger because of all the resident/tourist traffic at Mac Arthur park.
The lifeguard stand was put where it was because “you” decided it was also the best place for the protection of the public.
Also discussed in the meeting was “your” failure to consult with the Army Corps of Engineers on the proper procedures.
It was explained to you and the community at that meeting what had to be done to correct and conform to the Army Corps of Engineers specifications, so we could leave the lifeguard stand where it is.
The community of Kekaha wants to have the problems fixed. And the Army Corps of Engineers did not state that it “must” be relocated as you imply in your release, the problems can be corrected.
You either value money more than the lives of our children or are trying to cover up your screw up.
Karen Ramos, Waimea
Bicycle gender
Have you ever wondered why boys’ bikes have a bar straight across from the seat to the handlebar section and girls bikes do not have that bar?
It seems to reason it should be just the opposite. Boys bikes should not have that bar, it’s prone for danger to the groin area. In contrast the open space of the girl’s bike would be added protection for the males.
Why not make all bikes the same, is it time for bicycle liberation or shall it remain don’t ask don’t tell?
James “Kimo” Rosen, Kapa‘a
1984 revisited
The decision of Walmart corporation and the Department of Homeland Security to install video monitors at the checkout stand, with a message from Janet Napolitano, should send shivers down the spine of anyone who has read 1984, or anyone who isn’t in favor of totalitarianism.
The “If you see something, say something” campaign will have a video message from Ms. Napolitano at every Walmart counter in the U.S. asking Americans to report suspicious activity. The message does not specify what activity is suspicious.
Is this what America has come to? Under the guise of security from the terrorism bogeyman, the U.S. government is teaming up with a major corporation to employ the same techniques of turning the population on each other that were used in Mao’s China, Hitler’s Germany, and The Communist USSR.
Americans better wake up. We are descending into a police state where we are all suspects, and the 4th Amendment is no longer relevant.
I call on our council to oppose the body scanners and intrusive pat downs at the airport, and I implore Kaua‘i’s people to not shop at Walmart if they implement these monitors.
The price of freedom is eternal vigilance, and these are local ways we can resist this type of tyranny. I only hope that our country can turn around, but I fear that we are beyond the point of no return with the Patriot Act, warrantless wiretapping of U.S. citizens, torture, renditions, checkpoints, etc.
Rick Goding, Waimea
