• Road sign costs • On Obama and the GOP • More on bike path • Protecting island’s watersheds Road sign costs Just a thought: How much does it cost the taxpayers to put up an irrelevant road sign? I
• Road sign costs • On Obama and the
GOP •
More on bike path • Protecting island’s
watersheds
Road sign costs
Just a thought: How much does it cost the taxpayers to put up an irrelevant road sign?
I have never in my years anywhere seen the need for a road sign that indicates “Begin Rumble Strip, then “End Rumble Strip.”
Does the Department of Transportation think we don’t have enough brains to either see the reflective strips or, if we drive on them, hear them?
How much money went into the purchase and installation of these superfluous signs that have as much use as signs that say “Begin Road” and “End Road?”
It took several months of excruciating traffic while the Kapa“a bypass was closed. When it opened and I started driving on it again, I asked myself, “What did they do?”
Then I noticed a sign, “Begin Rumble Strip.” Oh my goodness.
Even if this was part of the federal incentive and didn’t cost the county anything, I would’ve preferred a road sign that said “Aloha. Drive safely and have a nice day.”
Donna Alalem, Kapa‘a
On Obama and the GOP
When I read Mr. Burns’ letter on “Obama’s spending orgy,” I was shocked when I read the sentence: “The Republicans bear no responsibility for this at all.” Who was in power when all the deregulation took place (Reagan, that resulted in the financial collapse in 2008 (Bush), that brought about the $800 billion bailout of the banks (Bush)?
Who started the illegal wars to fight criminals instead of countries (Bush, Cheney, Rumsfeld)?
However, Mr. Burns, Obama has carried on what the other party started, and has violated every campaign promise he ever made.
There is no difference in the two parties; they are all corrupt, are beholden to corporations and have absolutely no regard for the Constitution.
Rich Hoeppner, Kapa‘a
More on bike path
The letter I wrote (Letters: Jan. 22) was cut in half. The main subject of path etiquette was edited out. My dream of a small bike path from Keaila Beach to Anahola was to save one of the most spectacular panoramas and ironwood forests in Hawaii. Through the Kaua‘i Bicycle Club, this vision became a concept that grew.
Jim Rosin’s “Keep the ideas coming” letter is very true. Everybody wants the truth, but nobody wants to hear it.
Mr. Tolbe’s pipe dream fantasy is a fallacious mirage.
On Waimea Canyon Road, 500 feet up at the one-mile marker is a viewpoint.
Then the next mile goes straight up, 500 feet, to the water tanks. He should park his car at the houses and try to walk up, but remember, he has said he’s never even been on the Kapa‘a path.
This is from the same guy that drives from ‘Ele‘ele to Waipouli Foodland just to save 10 cents, when he could walk a mile to Big Save ‘Ele‘ele from his house in ‘Ele‘ele.
Maybe he’s got stock invested in Chevron.
To get back to the point, at three miles up, another 500 feet, within two miles, is another viewpoint for cars.
Then a slow climb to the five-mile point where Koke‘e Road can be seen.
The one-mile gap between the roads is not level land. It goes down and up.
As a physically impaired cyclist, forced on to the highway, I go up one mile on the Waimea side once a week — three miles up maybe four times a year.
Even when I was a CAT 1 racer and NORBA champ, this was a hard training ride. Howard, I hope and pray you check your brakes.
Bobby Ritch
Kaua‘i Bicycle Club, ‘Ele‘ele
Protecting island’s watersheds
It was thrilling to watch Gov. Abercrombie deliver his state message, especially where it may relate to watershed activities in the Puna District, Wailuanuiahoano. There is a lot to protect.
The entire region is identified as the most spiritual in the island chain with a very rich ancient history in cultivation and waterways.
I am seriously concerned with planned projects earmarked for Coco Palms, as well as the fishpond in this section of the ahupua’a, and that includes the jail/golf course stretch or Opaeka’a/Wailua Falls.
I am motivated towards seeing that no further Iwi are disturbed or disinterred for the purpose of septic system installation, and that sensitivity of these already identified ancient sites and areas manage to remain as is.
The state Department of Transportation has plans which include taking down the roadside two-story building towards the outside makai buildings/fish pond, extending parallel and well beyond the treatment plant across from the Shell Station to Kuamo‘o stoplight and elongating the now confusing south bound lane markings from the Kapa’a bypass road.
A watershed meeting is at 5 p.m. Feb. 8 at Kamalani Bridge. Share your mana‘o, and together we will persevere.
Debra Kekaualua, Kapa‘a
