As community members worldwide reel from the disaster in Japan, Kaua‘i visitors and locals alike continue to share their sentiments. Here is a sample of what you have had to say on the issue as compiled from letters to the
As community members worldwide reel from the disaster in Japan, Kaua‘i visitors and locals alike continue to share their sentiments.
Here is a sample of what you have had to say on the issue as compiled from letters to the editor and comments posted online at www.thegardenisland.com since the earthquake-triggered tsunami last week sparked the still-unfolding catastrophe:
JustinCase (online): “Thank God Kaua‘i had the least amount of damage. We’ve had enough devastation with the hurricanes. But this disaster points to needed improvements in our tsunami preparations. Boats should go out to deeper waters to avoid the kind of damage seen at other harbors such as those on O’ahu and Maui. Secondly, things that can float away such as dumpsters should be moved inland as quickly as possible. There was ample time for the county & state to respond. We got lucky this time, but we can do better.”
Gordon Oswald (LTE): “Well, I’m sitting in a hotel in Nagoya, Japan after touring Japan for the past two weeks.
I got very close to the disaster and have seen first hand the response, integrity, honor and goodness of the people here in the midst of perhaps the greatest tragedy to strike this wonderful country since World War II. …
I have seen a society that has rallied in honor to help their fellow man on levels not experienced in my lifetime in any other country on earth where there’s been a comparable disaster. I can’t think of one country that’s experienced even half of the pain being experienced here where looting, shooting, stealing, raping and countless atrocities didn’t occur. …
I spoke to audiences of hundreds of people giving them my offer of support and watched tears flow in audiences hundreds of miles from the disaster out of concern for their Japanese brothers and sisters.
Japan is showing the world by their example what it really means to be human, honorable, and unselfish.”
Esatiene (online): “Seeing the videos of Japan, it is apparent that with earthquake epicenters located within short distances and shorter warning times, there is actually nothing one can do to be prepared — even running (or driving) for your life is somewhat futile.
A tsunami like that which hit Honshu Island in Japan, if it were to hit Kapa‘a or any other part of or coastline of Hawai‘i would cause an entire wipe-out. At least here we can ‘run for the hills’ to save lives. But to return to a wiped out village or town or city would be mentally and socially an overwhelming ransack. …
At least for Hawai‘i with large distances from the Pacific Rim of Fire (and earthquake centers) there has been sufficient warning time … Good to hear the U.S. Navy is responding to lend assistance.”
Francine Grace (LTE): “I would just like to send out a very big mahalo to the staff of KONG Radio (the official Civil Defense station) for keeping all of us on Kaua‘i well-informed during the big tsunami scare March 10. …
I have no idea where Ron Wiley gets all that energy from, he’s like the Energizer Bunny, he keeps going and going! …
We are so fortunate to have KONG radio and its staff who is always willing to go the extra mile to keep the residents of Kaua‘i safe during any type of emergency.
Thank you also to Beth Tokioka of the Mayor’s Office for the updates. Don’t know what we would have done without all of you and I bet everyone is now prepared for hurricane season with all their prepared emergency kits.”
Ssdavies (online): “As one who evacuated to Kokee for the second time, I just want to say how calm and well done these evacuation are done. The people of Kaua‘i should be proud. My thoughts and prayers are with all the pple of Japan and their loved ones.”
Gary Saylin (LTE): “Nuclear power is unsafe and not worth the gamble. Just look at what is happening in Japan right now. Chernobyl and Three Mile Island are other examples that nuclear power is just too dangerous.
Dependence upon fossil fuels is not the answer either. Coal is too dirty, the use of hydraulic fracturing (fracking) to extract natural gas is not worth the pollution to the environment and oil just means more wars, rising costs and damage to our natural resources (The Gulf, Exxon Valdez spill in Prince William Sound, Alaska).
We need to focus on renewable resources (wind, solar, etc.) that are clean and safe. …
We can’t keep on living at such a high consumption rate. It isn’t fair to the future generations.”
John Zwiebel (LTE): “Even in the face of the catastrophe in Japan, President Obama is still insisting that America needs nuclear power. OK, perhaps he is right. If construction, management, and operation remains outside of the control of a ‘for profit’ corporation, I may support his position.
If Obama insists that the “free market” will provide the best nuclear option — like BP was the best option in the Gulf of Mexico — there is no way I will be able to support him.”
Carl and Ginger Vertrees (LTE): “When we evacuated Pono Kai on Thursday night we were among the first to arrive at Kapa‘a High School. We were greeted by both the principal and vice principal who greeted us as if they were inviting us in to their home. Two classrooms were open, and they opened additional classrooms as more people arrived.
The principal made coffee for his guests, we had televisions to keep us informed, and restrooms nearby. It was a pleasant way to make the most of an unfortunate situation.”
