• In support of POHAKU • Money-driven grief • ‘They paved paradise to put up a parking lot’ • In support of POHAKU I am a community addiction recovery specialist. I would like to comment on a story about Harold
• In support of POHAKU • Money-driven grief • ‘They paved paradise to put up a parking lot’ •
In support of POHAKU
I am a community addiction recovery specialist. I would like to comment on a story about Harold Sembrano, (TGI, Sept. 14), a repeat and convicted drug offender, who is scheduled to be diverted from prison and placed in an in-residence drug rehabilitation facility. This is part of a revolutionary program in Hawai‘i. Similar programs, such as the local P.O.H.A.K.U. effort, are yielding superior outcomes from traditional methods. Critically important today, these diversion strategies save taxpayers money.
New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie (R), recently discussed a similar proposal for his state. Incarcerating a non-violent drug offender costs state taxpayers $46,000 per year with extremely poor outcomes. Diverting offenders to in-residence rehabilitation facilities costs about $24,000 per year. As outcomes are far better, and taxpayers save about half the cost, this should be a popular proposal.
Kaua’i County Prosecuting Attorney, Ms. Shaylene Iseri-Carvalho, directs the county P.O.H.A.K.U. program: Productive Optimism Helps All Kaua’i Unite. She has demonstrated strong leadership in this revolutionary effort.
Eligible participants attend public responsibility classes related to Hawaiian-based values, perform cultural community service projects and pay restitution (if applicable) instead of facing conviction and the possible punishment of fines, probation, and/or incarceration.
There have been numerous criticisms recently of Ms. Iseri-Carvalho. It’s frequently pointed out one must break a few eggs to make an omelet. People resist change; government resists even more.
P.O.H.A.K.U. saves you, taxpayers, money. Yet money cannot be the sole factor when discussing public safety — we must be concerned about outcomes as well. P.O.H.A.K.U. outcomes appear superior. Prison is a proven failure and society frequently picks up the tab of jailed offenders for life.
I urge Kauaians to support Shaylene Iseri-Carvalho and the P.O.H.A.K.U. program this November. We must move forward, not turn back. It’s a matter of our tax money and safety.
Mahalo nui loa,
Scott Goold
Koloa
Money-driven grief
Regarding the article “Calif. teen’s family sues tourist, Aloha Jet Ski”: I find that as of late, everyone seems to be sue happy. It seems ridiculous for anyone but the operator of the Jet Ski to be at fault. If I were in the place of the victim’s family, I would have been fine with Tyson Dagley going to jail because it was his fault, but to sue the company that supplied the Jet Ski is ridiculous. This shows how money-driven people are these days, that even after the death of a family member they would still be looking at the money.
Elijah Martiney
Lihu‘e
‘They paved paradise to put up a parking lot’
There is an understandable amount of buzz about the potential impact of the development along the Hanalei ridge, which I am also concerned about and opposed to.
I would like to point out that the Hanalei side of Kapaka Road in Princeville Ag, behind the old Pooku Stables, has also been sold and is open for development. Although smaller in size, it will impact local traffic and the view plane from Hanalei. These potential structures (five homes in all) will likely be visible from Hanalei. The approximately 150-acre site contains much conservation land for the native birds and wildlife and also houses Pooku Heiau and should be protected. Fifteen years ago there was a sizable population of Pueo owls that lived around the Pooku Heiau, now only a few are seen.
I am a 32-year resident of the North Shore of Kaua‘i and a past member of the Master Plan Committee in Princeville. These are the first developments that have truly concerned me in terms of the impact of their density and the lack of respect being shown for the ‘aina. I am especially alarmed about the potential for development of 120 units on the Hanalei Ridge with our already insufficient infrastructure.
As it stands now: How long does it take to turn out from Princeville onto Kuhio Highway?
How many times do we need to circle Foodland attempting to find parking?
How long will we really want to live on this North Shore as the fabric of it could be forever altered?
Will this be a place where our descendants will be want to live?
Will this even remain an inviting tourist destination if it becomes over developed such as Maui and O‘ahu?
The traffic that we see now descending and ascending the hill between Hanalei bridge and Princeville could become a permanent logjam — not because of hill side reconstruction but simply because of constipated over loaded roadways.
To quote Joni Mitchell “they paved paradise to put up a parking lot.”
This could become the catch phrase for our beloved North Shore if we allow rampant development.
Petrina Blakely
Princeville
