Letters for Tuesday, Dec. 3, 2013

• Holiday thoughts for December • Kawakami for mayor • Circus proved to be entertaining

Holiday thoughts for December

We of AARP are the older generation and have fond memories of growing up and having families. Some of us are veterans and have experienced being away from family and loved ones. At that time we were much occupied with military duty, but became somewhat tearful during the end-of-year holiday season.

My father was Army. I lived with him two years in Germany then in Ft. Sill, Okla., after he was reassigned. In 1955 I joined the Navy (first sailor in the history of my family) and traveled to San Diego for training. Here is the sad part. I didn’t see my parents for 12 years. I didn’t know that my folks did another tour in Germany, one in New England and one in Japan. We lost contact with each other. I hope something like that never happens to a veteran.

Now, this Christmas season, which started on Turkey Day, is a good time to honor our veterans. How do we honor our veterans, who throughout the history of the United States have left their loved ones to fight for our freedom that we take for granted? When the American flag passes and when our national anthem is played, we should always remove our hat and place our hand over our heart. Many Americans don’t do that. Maybe we seniors of AARP can teach them by setting an example. We also need to tell our children and grandchildren what is expected of them to show love for our country and the veterans who made sure we lived in a country that offers so many freedoms.

 We have many veterans living on our small island under the sun and north of the equator at 22 degrees north latitude. Honor them by thanking them whenever you see them and cry with them whenever you see them on TV, they will feel your love and gratitude.

Stu Burley

Lawai Valley

Kawakami for mayor

I support Derek Kawakami for mayor of the County of Kauai and Niihau in 2014. Yes, I am well aware that Derek has never stated any interest in the job and that he is serving at the state level. But I believe that things are in such a state here that we urgently need him. Now, there are several other candidates whom I also think would be wonderful as mayor, but they may need to cut their teeth on the council first. Some of the others I also think would be wonderful, we urgently need to stay on the council and continue their good works there.

Derek, to me, is the most logical choice for mayor, and I believe that there are also several well-qualified people who could aptly fill the chair in Honolulu, not that he isn’t doing a wonderful job there.

But, we have a situation here, and we truly need a young, forward-thinking person, born and raised here, who isn’t part of that whole “old school entrenched” system, who has a young ohana, and is truly concerned about the lives and condition of the people of Kauai, who never condescends the people and always treats them with absolute respect and never makes light of their concerns.

He was absolutely exemplary on the council and conducted himself with amazing deportment, even when others at the table were having a difficult time reining their emotions in. Derek was always cool, calm and collected. He spoke softly and with intelligence

I feel that the current mayor has had a wonderful opportunity to serve, but three terms for any mayor is too much. He has been in office since 2008, and I am truly hoping that Derek may consider entering the mayoral race. I feel that he can garner the votes, the support and the momentum to gain the mayoral seat.

I believe that we truly need a change in our county government, on many fronts, and I believe that Derek best represents the true face of modern Kauai. He understands the plight of the people and is empathetic to real Kauai folks. He is amazingly respectful to kupuna and respects authority, but is polite, articulate, and well-mannered, and also respects the people.

He does not yell, or get flustered or frustrated. He is extremely calm, and yet he feels things deeply and passionately. He is an independent thinker, and can weigh issues just fine for himself, while at the same time taking advice, but not letting it override his natural common sense and intelligence and education on the issues that most affect us on a daily basis here. He is approachable, likable and knows how to present himself at all times with decorum and grace.

If Derek were to run, I would be the first one to get out there and campaign for him. What do you say, Derek? There are so many that would like to see you take this step. Many of us believe that you are ready, and up for this challenge. Many of us are more than willing to support you 100 percent.

Aloha, please consider it. And no, he had no idea I was going to write this. My thoughts are my own. I just felt like expressing what I felt about who an alternate mayoral candidate could be for the upcoming election after giving it much thought.

Anne Punohu

Kapaa

Circus proved to be entertaining

I wanted to take a moment to acknowledge the cast and crew of the Modern American Circus that performed at KCC a couple of weeks ago. We were fortunate to help sponsor such a great event, which was presented to the keiki and families of Kauai. If you did not get the opportunity to see this circus, you missed a world-class, professional and entertaining group of third- and fourth-generation acrobats, gymnasts and clowns that had the crowds at the edge of their seats the entire time! It was so much fun for us to see the families coming out to an event designed especially for them, and that will provide a lasting memory for years to come.

Many thanks to Carl, Steve and the many talented cast and crew that put this production on so well.

Hopefully they will be able to return next year. In addition, they were kind enough to donate 26 cases of soda they had left over to the Child and Family Service charity of Kapaa.

JC Crouch

Store Manager

Kauai Harley-Davidson