An open letter to Mayor Bernard Carvalho Jr. and Police Chief Darryl Perry: Tonight the world will watch the 84th Annual Academy Awards where the movie “Descendants” will be highlighted five times because of its five nominations by the academy.
An open letter to Mayor Bernard Carvalho Jr. and Police Chief Darryl Perry:
Tonight the world will watch the 84th Annual Academy Awards where the movie “Descendants” will be highlighted five times because of its five nominations by the academy.
Win or lose, over the next few weeks, sales and rentals of this movie will skyrocket as people once again will look upon the beauty of our island as a backdrop to another major motion picture. This is something good for Kaua‘i.
During that time some will contemplate traveling here and search the Web inquiring as to what kind of place Kaua‘i is. In that, they will come across the current headlines, TV news stories, Web blogs and the like.
That does no one honor, nordoes it truly reflect the “aloha” of Kaua‘i or the outstanding gentlemen that I personally know that you both are. This is not good for Kaua‘i.
I not only know you, but I respect you both, am friends with you both and truly do believe that both of you care about the people of Kaua‘i and want what is in the best interests of our people.
You may differ in your opinion on how that is best served, and that is OK, but knowing and working with you personally, I know your hearts are for our people.
Tourism aside, our own Kaua‘i ‘ohana is hurting over this, and none wish to travel back through the mud of days gone by. Our residents are left to speculate, choose sides and cast judgment because it isn’t really clear as to what is all involved.
No one wants this, nor do I believe either of you want it, either.
So I come to you as a friend and invite you both to sit down in a neutral place like my office or somewhere you feel comfortable and work this out as two local boys who both want what is best for our island.
I, as your friend, will remain objective, confidential and impartial as a mediator for you both to share your hearts, frustrations and concerns.
Whether you agree, or agree to disagree, pono needs to take place and your citizens, officers and visitors must see that we have a united front — not a divided one. They need to see we can still operate as the great county that we are and resolve our difference in an appropriate manner and leave the opala behind.
You are leaders, and you both can be an example of how things can be done instead of how things shouldn’t be done.
We need your leadership now and look to you. I publicly and humbly ask you as your friend, on behalf of all our citizens, if you both would consider meeting with me.
I believe it can only bring healing and benefit everyone. I await your reply.
• Tom Iannucci was a Kaua‘i County police commissioner from January 2005 until January 2012. He is pastor of Breath of Life Christian Ministries in Lihu‘e.
