• Why are ‘war zone’ celebrations allowed? • 2013 ominous to Native Hawaiians • Hospital would prescribe nicotine patch if asked Why are ‘war zone’ celebrations allowed? I’m all for a good celebration, party, fiesta, pa‘ina. But I don’t understand
• Why are ‘war zone’ celebrations allowed? • 2013 ominous to Native Hawaiians • Hospital would prescribe nicotine patch if asked
Why are ‘war zone’ celebrations allowed?
I’m all for a good celebration, party, fiesta, pa‘ina. But I don’t understand why twice a year we allow and even encourage people to ignore all common sense, public safety, neighborliness and laws by blowing stuff up.
I feel like I’m in a war zone, but it’s only Wailua! The minutes-long volleys of firecrackers are bad enough, but tolerable. But when those freakin’ bombs go off that literally rattle your windows and bones, my dogs look for somewhere to hide and my toddler gets scared and starts crying. And it’s still hours from midnight!
This isn’t even getting into all the environmental, fire and safety issues associated with these explosion-fests.
I mean seriously, we don’t have a couple days a year when it’s OK to drive drunk or carry your gun around town. Why is this OK?
Come on Kaua‘i, we can do better. Enjoy the public fireworks displays and celebrate safely and sanely at home.
To a happy, healthy and joyous 2013!
Erik Coopersmith
Kapa‘a
2013 ominous to Native Hawaiians
2013 seems to be destined to mark the end of the rights of Native Hawaiians. Their funding source through OHA is becoming funding for all, their lands are being distributed to private interests, and their culture is being molded into what sells best for tourism.
On Kaua‘i the indicator of what is to come is the transfer of the Makaweli Poi Mill out of the hands of a local group of community members and taro farmers and into the hands of the Lehua Poi Company. Local control crumbles to state control because of Act 55.
OHA was set up to assist Native Hawaiians. As such they were to receive 20 percent of the income from the “ceded” lands which were under the control of the DNLR. However, OHA board members are elected by all voting Hawaiians and its resulting membership is a mix that includes at least one who ran on a platform of “OHA for all Hawaiians.”
The “ceded” lands from which OHA was to receive income have been declared “public” lands under the control of the PLDC (Act 55). OHA controls 20 percent of the lands and the other 80 percent is up for grabs. One possibility is that the income from sales could help Abercrombie balance the state budget (but at what long-range cost?).
How did OHA get claim to the Makaweli Poi Mill? Is there money involved in the change of plans? There certainly is money involved in the sale of “public” lands on O‘ahu. What will happen to our open space if all the “ceded” lands end up in the hands of private interests?
Once the capital (land) is gone, it can never be retrieved. Act 55 is just beginning to hit Kaua‘i. Why can the state government rule “public” lands on Kaua‘i? The western part of O‘ahu now looks like Westlake, Calif. Do we want to look like that?
Even the Nationalist Hawaiians have their heads in the sand on this one as their January convention looks at questions of voting rights in the Hawaiian Nation and the legalization of old cultural practices.
When Native Hawaiians lose, so do we. Let’s kill Act 55.
Marjorie Gifford
Princeville
Hospital would prescribe nicotine patch if asked
Hospitals in the U.S., according to policies and procedures, must if requested by a patient prescribe patches to ease withdrawal symptoms.
Besides that there is smoking allowed outside and I have watched them. Just ask.
I applaud Wilcox and their great staff.
Barbara Beissert
Kilauea
