• Listen up KIUC, criticisms can be valuable • Visitors benefit, enjoy the bus too • Highway biking is a two way street Listen up KIUC, criticisms can be valuable How petty can KIUC get? In the KIUC vice-chair letter
• Listen up KIUC, criticisms can be valuable • Visitors benefit, enjoy the bus too • Highway biking is a two way street
Listen up KIUC, criticisms can be valuable
How petty can KIUC get?
In the KIUC vice-chair letter (TGI, April 7) attempting to respond to Walter Lewis’ recent article about two pending bills that would affect KIUC, the vice–chair unnecessarily invaded Mr. Lewis privacy by asserting he is not a KIUC member.
Then Jim Kelly, KIUC’s communication director, compounded the situation by arguing that in an article several years ago Mr. Lewis had observed that KIUC had rejected his application for membership for reasons he believed were inappropriate.
OK, so Lewis was not a member of KIUC back then, but any comment on his status now is still an invasion of his privacy.
Also, it is interesting to note that Mr. Kelly chooses to address this privacy issue but he completely ignores my main concern with Mr. TenBruggencate’s contention that the bills “give the PUC new authority over KIUC” whereas only in an unrealistic scenario would one conclude that the power to exempt KIUC from regulation should be considered a new “PUC power.”
He also makes no reference to Mr. Lewis’ very valid point that KIUC members have been left out of any vocal input to influence KIUC’s major transactions, the FERC debacle being just one example.
When will KIUC learn that it should consider criticism and not bluster about with self-serving and frequently inaccurate rebuttals?
Glenn Mickens, Kapa‘a
Visitors benefit, enjoy the bus too
I have been visiting since 1967 and always had rented a car.
On my trip this past week, I decided to only use the Kaua‘i Bus to get around after using shuttle service to get me and my luggage from the airport to my hotel and back.
I discovered the Kaua‘i Bus proved to be more satisfying than renting a car: A ton less expensive (only $25 for a monthly pass), more ecological (getting one more car off the increasingly more crowded road) and I could see more because I didn’t have to focus on driving.
The Kaua‘i Bus took me to all the major points of interest: Hanalei, Waimea, Hanapepe, Kealia Beach, Kapa‘a, Po‘ipu, Kilauea, Civic Center, the airport, etc.
Granted, the bus doesn’t go up to the Waimea Canyon or past Hanalei to Ke‘e Beach, but visitors can go these spots via tours or rent a car for just a day or two.
The point is that a car is really not needed the majority (if any) of the time for visitors, especially those who are returning.
As far as commuters and students go, extra bus lines and more frequent runs would be a real plus and encourage more bus usage.
I would gladly pay more for a bus pass to increase bus service. This service really benefits everyone and the Garden Island as a whole.
I left the island wondering why I never just used the Kaua‘i Bus before. It was lots of fun.
Gary Saylin, Davis, Calif.
Highway biking is a two way street
Mahalo Ms. Leighton for clarifying the laws regarding where bicyclists are supposed to ride, “as far right as is practical.”
This clarification is helpful and seems feasible and easy for all to follow. I myself have made every effort to allow cyclists safe passage and privide more than adequate room in our “shared” lane and although almost all have been aware and conscientious of others, unfortunately many riders do not seem to feel the same way, or seem unaware of the concept of “sharing the lane” altogether.
On numerous occasions over the years I have slowed down and yielded ample room for cyclists only to have them in turn take ownership of the lane them wish to travel as fast as they can pedal.
I have known many riders who brave the roads and most are very vocal about drivers not sharing the lane, but honestly I am not sure all are aware of what that really means.
Granted, we have mostly two lanes around the island so we should all be a little more cautious.
However, it seems like the burden often falls on drivers by default and the riders are given the right of way, even when they are not riding “as far right as practical” and seemingly willfully and intently impeding the flow of traffic, without regard for others.
Again, mahalo for clarifying this and hopefully we will all make a little extra effort to drive and ride with aloha.
Simon Beatty, Princeville
