• Defend Hanalei, speak out at meeting tonight • Mahalo to chief of police for speaking out • ‘Tis the season to support local theater Defend Hanalei, speak out at meeting tonight As many of you are aware, there is
• Defend Hanalei, speak out at meeting tonight • Mahalo to chief of police for speaking out • ‘Tis the season to support local theater
Defend Hanalei, speak out at meeting tonight
As many of you are aware, there is a major new development planned for Hanalei Ridge. The development plans include 34 CPR mansions plus 86 luxury resort cottages, with 25 of the mansions lining the length of the ridge directly over the river. This specific area is located adjacent to Blackpot Beach, at the end of Hanalei Bay.
This change will permanently alter the natural beauty of Hanalei. These added houses will also stress the already overdeveloped/overpopulated area of Princeville.
These new additions will create light at night which will have a negative effect on seabirds as well as destroy their essential habitat (at night seabirds use light from the moon and stars to navigate, find food, tend their nests and avoid predators; and scientists have observed that bright lights can disorient seabirds, causing injury or death). The silt from construction will further pollute the estuary below, as well as suffocate what little bit of living coral reef is left.
Also pollution and runoff from increased development can damage the fragile intertidal zone through the introduction of contaminants. And when the houses are occupied there will be a tremendous increase in pollution in the river and ocean below. I am in awe that the DLNR is not demanding an environmental impact study.
This is a very beautiful area and I can understand why billionaire developer Pierre Omidyar would want to develop it. However, if you have ever looked through a local real estate magazine you would realize that there are already hundreds of beautiful vacant houses for sale, why destroy this beautiful place for a few more? If Omidyar feels the need to develop, maybe he should go to O‘ahu.
And yes, short-term, it would create some jobs, but then we will have to live with this abhorrent eyesore. So if you are interested in helping preserve the natural beauty of Hanalei as well as the unique and fragile ecosystem, or just want to learn more about what they are planning, come to Hanalei Elementary School cafeteria at 6 p.m. today (Nov.13). Please show your support, show the strength of our community, show that Kaua‘i is not for sale.
Lyra Drouin
Kapa‘a
Mahalo to chief of police for speaking out
Congratulations, Chief Perry, for your outstanding letter to the Forum of Nov. 6, “Police chief speaks out.”
Your comments were made due to the recent ruling by 5th Circuit Judge Valenciano saying that our mayor has the legal right to discipline the chief of police and not our Police Commission.
Your statements are accurate, very clear and make a lot of sense.
As you said, “In order for this system to work, the chief of police must remain untainted by outside political influences to allow for criminal investigations to be conducted in a fair and impartial manner.”
Hopefully you and our fine Police Commission will appeal this unjust ruling and get a decision that shows fairness and balance and keeps politics out of the decision making.
No one person in a democracy should have dictatorial powers over boards and commissions or any of our appointed or elected officials, and this decision as it now stands is certainly a step in that direction.
Glenn Mickens
Kapa‘a
‘Tis the season to support local theater
There are many ways for you to serve your community. A couple of great ways are to participate in, or support, live musical theater, especially when it supports, educates and entertains children. Please do yourself a big favor and plan on attending HCT’s “Scrooge, the Musical” which started Nov. 9 and runs for three weekends at the War Memorial Convention Center, with Ed Eaton directing. There are Friday and Saturday evening shows at 7 p.m. and Sunday matinees at 4 p.m.
Bring the whole family and friends!
With a cast and crew numbering over 75, and starring seasoned veterans like Jeff Demma as Scrooge, Ross Martineau as Tom Jenkins, Ron Wood (aka Fredan Alfonso) as Jacob Marley, Nestor Figueroa as Bob Cratchit, and introducing Caleb Plowman as Tiny Tim, this production promises to entertain, and at a price that is easy to afford.
Tickets good for any performance are available for $10 from cast members, $12 at select outlets, or $15 at the door. Children 3 and under are free.
Admission to the Nov. 11 Sunday Benefit Matinee is just $6 plus a canned or monetary donation to the Kaua‘i Food Banks and Salvation Army. Nov. 11 Benefit Performance tickets are available from cast and crew or at the door only.
Please e-mail debra@sleepinggiant.com for more information.
Bruce Fehring
Kilauea
