• Hanalei burglary, ping ponging • Timeout needed by seed companies • Middle East situation complex • Honored to be your police chief • HCDA may not be a good neighbor for OHA • Hanalei burglary, ping ponging I can
• Hanalei burglary, ping ponging • Timeout needed by seed companies • Middle East situation complex • Honored to be your police chief • HCDA may not be a good neighbor for OHA •
Hanalei burglary, ping ponging
I can see the writing on the wall, our police department lacks the resources to follow up and be aggressive when an opportunity to make an arrest occurs like this one. I don’t blame them. They either can or cannot, based on what policies and resources they are given.
It seems that the victims might just have the resources. But here is what will happen sooner or later. One of these tech-savvy victims is going to trap one of these burglars and take the law into their own hands. How can we avoid this?
Our policies need to change. There needs to be a more aggressive approach and our law enforcement needs to be given more leeway into following on these opportunities.
If this was an Amber Alert, the police would be on these pings like hunters on a pig. We are either serious about getting these guys, or we are not.
Since tourism is the bread and butter of our economy, maybe a public campaign in all the tourist Internet sites warning visitors that they will be targeted for burglaries, car break-ins, etc., and our island lacks the resources to protect them, or at the very least to catch the perpetrators, would be good. Maybe that might urge us to change our policies.
I am not judging. I am just saying.
Thomas McCall
Anahola
Timeout needed by seed companies
It was truly astonishing to read the quote in The Garden Island from the director of the association of seed companies, (Sunday, Sept. 29), in regard to the County Council’s work on Bill 2491. Ms. Maluafiti, the director, said, “The council needs to take a timeout.”
I know all about “timeouts.” My daughter imposes them on my toddler grandchildren when they have tantrums or other poor behavior.
For the representative of the seed companies to use this concept in describing our County Council is unbelievable. This kind of condescending and arrogant stance has been evident throughout the struggle concerning Bill 2491. Remember when the seed company representatives would not even reply to questions from council members?
Somebody does need a timeout. And it is not the council.
Nancy Norelli
Princeville
Middle East situation complex
I like to read Walter Lewis’s postings with their insightful analyses of the inner workings of Kauai government. With his recent posting “President takes too many missteps in the Middle East” (TGI, 9/27/13), he’s ventured a little far from his beach, out of his depth.
After decrying events in Egypt, Libya and Syria, Mr. Lewis criticizes the President for not effecting different outcomes. This might have been possible for a president in the past when nations and alliances were better defined and internally stable. But in today’s complex geopolitical turmoil U.S., might makes right diplomacy is obsolete and dangerous.
Obama was expected to restore foreign policy credibility after the post 9/11 G.W. Bush debacle, but intensified drone attacks on countries the U.S. is not at war with, a war on whistle blowers and failure to close Guantanamo have tarnished that credibility.
That notwithstanding, he is now threading a needle trying to resolve fractious and tragic crises in the Middle East. All parties, and that includes our military men and women, would be well served if the armchair patriots would give it a rest.
On the subject of Benghazi, Mr. Lewis is correct to describe it as an isolated and endangered outpost. That begs the question; Why were American government personnel in that remote and lawless corner of Libya? Was it to conduct diplomacy? Or was it cover for a CIA black ops site?
Either way, Mr. Lewis’s analysis is correct: The U.S. should not endeavor to be the world’s policeman.
Kip Goodwin
Kapaa
Honored to be your police chief
This Tuesday marks my sixth anniversary as your chief of police and as you know, there have many challenges as well as successes.
I would like to take this moment to express my sincere appreciation to the men and women of the Kauai Police Department, to those who have stood by my side through thick and thin, and to all of you for your continued support.
I truly believe I have been blessed and honored to serve you, the people of Kauai and Niihau.
Darryl Perry
Lihue
HCDA may not be a good neighbor for OHA
In 2012, when the Office of Hawaiian Affairs received its Kakaako lands in our settlement with the state over past-due ceded land revenues, OHA was not apprised that the state’s Hawaii Community Development Authority (HCDA) planned to lease the harbor in Kakaako for 50 years to a California-based marina operator and increase the boats slips from 144 to 243, or that they had plans to put “finger piers” across our waterfront property.
For the past year, OHA has been negotiating with HCDA to get them to compromise on their plans to put “finger piers” in front of OHA’s Fisherman’s Wharf property. On Aug. 5, OHA received a letter from HCDA stating they will not make any compromises to their plans and expects OHA to be a “good neighbor” and accept their plan for our property.
OHA must continue to object to the current finger piers design and not fall victim to HCDA’s threats. If HCDA goes forward with signing any lease, OHA should consider suing the HCDA.
OHA should also appeal to the state Legislature to revisit the powers it has given to HCDA and, if necessary, start a community-based campaign to reform the HCDA and prevent any further irresponsible development.
HCDA doesn’t appear to understand true Hawaiian values and the desires of the broader community regarding Kakaako.
If HCDA is really concerned about getting the maximum dollars for Kakaako, they would not be leasing the whole harbor to a mainland developer for 50-years for only $45 million. This measly figure is criminal! The state will lose out as well as OHA beneficiaries. So who is really benefiting from this deal? Time to ask questions of the HCDA and the state!
Rowena M. Akana
Trustee-at-Large
Office of Hawaiian Affairs
Honolulu
