• Put ‘real leaders’ on the endangered species list • Who’s the victim at Koloa Camp? • Now is the time to plan for tsunamis • Photovoltaic doesn’t require smart meter Put ‘real leaders’ on the endangered species list I
• Put ‘real leaders’ on the endangered species list • Who’s the victim at Koloa Camp? • Now is the time to plan for tsunamis • Photovoltaic doesn’t require smart meter
Put ‘real leaders’ on the endangered species list
I have two things I’d like to say.
The first is that a kid in Detroit just played Lizzie Bordon on his ex girlfriends mother and her lover. It seems to me that since we have taken God out of our school system, society has gone down hill. I’m not advocating any religion, but how can one advocate legislation of criteria and curriculum but keep morality is off the table?
Second, is that across the nation, municipal governments on every level are asking the populace to make sacrifices. Sacrifices for the good of the local, state and federal economy. Why do I not see them submitting any plans for the concessions they are going to make? Our elected officials get paid more, have far better benefits and drastically better retirement plans than almost any of the constituents they supposedly serve. Shouldn’t they have to kick in an extra 5 percent toward their benefits and retirement plans the same as they expect the unions to do?
My father always told me that real leaders lead by example. The Environmental Protection Agency needs to put “real leaders” on the endangered species list because as it stands right now, they all seem pretty self-serving and greedy.
Joseph Lavery, Kapa‘a
Who’s the victim at Koloa Camp?
I am writing this letter in support of Grove Farm. I believe that the state Legislature and County Council erred in allowing this to become their public issue. It amounts to a “taking” by causing undue cost and aggravation to Grove Farm, which is completely within their rights to develop the land.
The land is already zoned for development approved by the county. This is a private civil matter and they should stay out of it. Why would Grove Farm go through the process of trying to rezone land when it has an appropriate parcel ready?
All this talk about a win-win situation seems to me to be aimed at only a win for the tenants. Grove Farm has already done much more than required. Offering to pay for moving expenses, giving extensions, assisting in putting tenants in contact with government agencies so they can get help. Come on folks, what landlord does that?
The tenants should be thankful to Grove Farm for providing reasonable rent all of these past years. Grove Farm does not have the obligation to continue to provide subsidized housing, especially to the current tenants, who never even worked for the plantation.
Let’s get the facts straight. Grove Farm now has the opportunity to provide homes to 50 people, fix the flood issue, fix the cesspool contamination. I’m not missing the point, I am getting the point and I hope the public does, too.
I wish Grove Farm the best.
Keith Yap, Kapa‘a
Now is the time to plan for tsunamis
April is Tsunami Awareness Month. After the tragic event in Japan, we must ask, “Is the County of Kaua‘i prepared for such an event? The Great Rift off the coast of Oregon is overdue for movement and could create a similar earthquake. If this resulted in a tsunami, the north and east shores of the island could be devastated.
It is not enough to tell residents to check the outdated maps in the phone directories. The rivers and streams would funnel the waves far inland. The bridges would be covered and possibly damaged. Kuhio Highway from Wailua to Kapa‘a would be impassible. Stores, houses, hotels, gas stations, police and fire stations cold all be hit. Possibly the town of Hanalei would be washed out.
Shouldn’t buses for evacuation and emergency equipment be stored at higher ground using the Kapa‘a school grounds and Princeville? Will there be adequate shelters with water and food? If the airport and harbor are hit, how will supplies arrive?
Given some hours of warning, much can be done. But with a major quake on the Big Island, there will be only 20 minutes. With the county budget under review, now is the time to plan. Instead of spending millions on the Parks and Recreation Department, put that money to work as a guarantee for the life and safety of our people.
Frederick Wells, Kapa‘a
Photovoltaic doesn’t require smart meter
In reply to Mr. Gates and Mr. Seavers comments in Wednesday’s “Letters to the Editor” on smart meters: Photovoltaic does not need a smart meter to be operational, but a bi-directional meter is needed.
Kaua‘i Island Utility Cooperative admitted as much at last week’s Board of Directors meeting, but their excuse for insisting on smart meters was that they just didn’t “carry” the bi-directional meter any longer.
They installed a smart meter without informing me when I had photovoltaic added to my house. At the meeting, I expressed my opposition to having a smart meter until a long-term study convinces me that they are harmless. There are both pro and con opinions out there but no long-term studies, so I want a choice.
KIUC CEO David Bissel assured me that they would get bi-directional meters and change mine as they have done on other residences. A registered letter with return of service is being prepared to assure that the change will occur.
Rich Hoeppner, Kaua‘i
