• Independent linguist needed to edit charter • As it should be • Tragic fall Independent linguist needed to edit charter The recent Charter Review Commission public meeting raised some interesting and important questions regarding civics. Has the mayor, or
• Independent linguist needed to edit charter •
As it should be • Tragic fall
Independent linguist needed to edit charter
The recent Charter Review Commission public meeting raised some interesting and important questions regarding civics.
Has the mayor, or any other elected official, or their agent, contacted any Charter Commission member regarding matters on the agenda, or not on the agenda? This includes the mayor exercising his stated prerogative, demonstrated with the Planning Commission, that he can declare and remove himself as a commission member for any reason at any time.
Who does every commission actually represent? The public interest or the mayor’s or other political or civil service interests? Can, or should, our commissions and boards serve two masters?
How is the public interest defined by our B&Cs, and why is the “coconut wireless” — that is, secret and private communications — seemingly deemed more important and more representative of the public than public testimony?
Review the last Charter Commission meeting for examples of the members’ references to the “wireless,” as well as the recent printed statements made by our respected retired judge informing Mr. Lewis that only by listening in to the “coconut wireless” would he be able to discern the “other side’s” true will.
As a matter of civics, how do our commissions balance public debate with private communications kept secret intending to influence decisions? It is one thing to cite the secrets of the “coconut wireless,” it is quite another to afford the opportunity to examine facts and question conclusions in a public arena.
Regarding the Charter, the actions to correct grammar, spelling, and formatting errors in the Charter begs the question of whether or not changing these errors will also change the legal meaning of the various Charter sections. Changing punctuation, adding or removing a comma, or an apostrophe, or changing a single letter in a word can dramatically alter the meaning of the language.
The County attorneys are employed by either the mayor, or the council. They do not represent, as attorneys, the public interest, rather their legal loyalties are to the officials we elect, appoint, or hire.
Separation of powers — that once commissioners are appointed and sworn in to office they are beholden solely to the public interest, not to the political interests of office holders or other individuals or groups — is a fundamental American civil right stemming in part from “due process.”
The public interest is made clear in writing, from the federal Constitution all the way down to county charters and the written codes, regulations, and written policy statements, such as community plans.
As a matter of civics, what guarantee does the public have that the changes in language and grammar will not change the legal or implied meaning of the various Charter corrections to the political benefit of the employers of the county’s attorneys, whom by law represent various political offices, not the public?
I agree with the need for this review, but oppose doing so without an independent legal linguistic review, the obvious “best practice” for operating a county government.
Lonnie Sykos, Kapa‘a
As it should be
I would appreciate your utmost consideration to support the selection of KipuKai Kuali‘i to the Kaua‘i County Council since Derek Kawakami was selected by the governor as the new representative of the 14th District.
I am familiar with KipuKai’s extensive work background and consistent positive work ethic.
KipuKai was born and raised on Kaua‘i. As you may know, his parents both worked at KipuKai Ranch where they met and married. KipuKai was invited to and received a full scholarship to attend Kamehameha Schools from 7th through 12th grades with consistent excellent grades and behavior. That landed him a full four-year scholarship to University of the Pacific in Stockton, Calif.
For two years he traveled with the talented sing and dance group Up With People. And the rest you all know about his government work in California and throughout the United States until he returned home to Kaua‘i to be near his family and roots.
Please give the vote of the Kaua‘i people that was KipuKai’s as the eighth runner-up in the last Kaua‘i County Council election. Please let the voice of Kaua‘i people speak with the confirmation of KipuKai to replace Mr. Kawakami, as it should be.
Jo Ann Carvalho, Lihu‘e
Tragic fall
It is tragic that two women lost their lives going over the cliff off Kuomo‘o Road.
However, it is a sad precedent to find the state at fault. Many hiking areas and swimming areas on Kaua‘i require very good decision making and personal responsibility for safety.
When the state is found to be at fault it potentially closes off beautiful areas that are deemed to be too dangerous.
Molly Jones, Kapa‘a
