• Facing our fears • Where’s the aloha spirit? • Golf course fees Facing our fears Many letters have been written to the Forum, and many meetings have taken place recently concerning the expansion and the very existence of the
• Facing our fears •
Where’s the aloha spirit? • Golf course
fees
Facing our fears
Many letters have been written to the Forum, and many meetings have taken place recently concerning the expansion and the very existence of the Pacific Missile Range Facility (PMRF) at Mana on the west side of Kaua‘i. I wrote some of those letters myself.
The range of opinion and positions taken is all over the map, as one would expect, with some folks dependent upon the Navy base for their livelihood, to people who would want to see the base gone forever from these shores, to those who have to be armed to the teeth to feel a sense of security — at whatever the cost.
No matter what you feel about the issue of the expanding militarization of Kaua‘i, and beyond that to the endless global war path America seems to be on, please come with an open mind to the Kapa‘a Public Library at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday.
You will hear an amazing panel of scientists and experts in the field of missiles, weapons in space, and global military expansion.
There will be time allotted for questions and answers. Everyone’s mana‘o will be respected.
The purpose of this panel is to offer perspectives not found in the corporate news, and to stimulate new ways of thinking about how to bring our tax money back home to our healthcare, education and other domestic needs.
For all the people of Kaua‘i, this will be a public forum to learn and discuss real concerns of folks working and living in and around military bases — like carcinogenic working conditions, or the fact that the U.S. military has been identified as the biggest polluter in the world.
And, the deeply spiritual questions of why do we need to be a part of the killing of so many innocents, why do we need to occupy so many countries, why do we have over 1,000 military bases in 177 countries?
That’s practically every country in the world.
Whatever your view, the military is the Tyrannosaurus in the room, and we all have our names on the bottom line when one of those drones slams into a wedding party, or an Aegis missile starts a war, or even triggers the next American-made nuclear holocaust.
Fred Dente, Kapa‘a
Where’s the aloha spirit?
On Saturday, driving up Kumu Road, between mile markers 2 and 3, my car made strange noises and I pulled over off the road.
I proceeded to try to hitch a ride – standing by my car to get to a friend’s home to deal with the situation.
I am a woman, well-dressed and over 60, and I don’t think threatening in any way.
A good 15 minutes elapsed, and over 50 vehicles passed me.
A young woman going in the opposite direction waved at me, and a few minutes later came back to me.
I believe her name was Karen — in a green car — and drove me up to where I wanted to go. Thank you so much.
But I wonder where the aloha spirit has gone.
A few years ago, I think lots of people would have stopped to aid an obviously distressed elder. AAA came to my rescue and a very helpful individual, Kalani Lee, was most courteous.
Diane Tilley, Hanalei
Golf course fees
My husband and I are residents of Kauai and enjoy the many benefits given to the residents who live here and pay taxes.
Good friends of ours have a condo here as a second home and a vacation rental.
They come and spend several months here during the year. Here is what happened to them.
One of the golf courses they attempted to play on held a drawing for a very special rate for a round of golf.
To their surprise, their name was drawn.
Upon contacting them to take advantage of playing the course they were told they could not use the prize because they were not considered residents of Kauai.
Here are the facts. They are paying real estate taxes that are considerably higher than if they were residents.
When they are off island, the condo is rented to many guests that play golf. The guests pay the full fare. They bring business to the island by spending money with the local merchants.
I know to play Wailua and receive the local rate you have to be a resident.
But I think as a property owner you should qualify for some of the special rates given at other golf courses.
There should be a distinction made between someone owning property here and living here for several months and tourists who only come for a week or two.
Sonja King, Kapa‘a
