• Van pooling could ease traffic woes • Kauai’s jewel given chance to shine • Obama leading U.S. in wrong direction Van pooling could ease traffic woes Here’s an idea for traffic reduction that would be quick to implement —
• Van pooling could ease traffic woes • Kauai’s jewel given chance to shine • Obama leading U.S. in wrong direction
Van pooling could ease traffic woes
Here’s an idea for traffic reduction that would be quick to implement — van pooling programs sponsored by large employers such as hotels and government.
A company I worked for on the Mainland sponsored a program like this, and I really enjoyed participating in it. It was a great alternative to driving to work inch by inch on the expressways and more convenient than taking public transportation.
One of the people in the pool served as the driver, and in return, got to use the van for his or her own purposes when not commuting. Five other people picked up along the commuting route were daily riders. We each contributed a small amount monthly to defray a portion of the costs of the program — and benefited from reduced expenses for gas and wear and tear on our cars.
This program worked well for people who had regular working schedules and many people made some new friends from different departments. It reduced the number of cars necessary to transport these commuters by over 80 percent.
If there are any successful programs like this on Kauai now, it would be great to hear about them. If not, how about a pilot program sponsored by an employer with green ideals and a desire to do something good for residents and visitors?
Larry Watts
Kalaheo
Kauai’s jewel given chance to shine
With the approval of our County Council Dec. 18, Coco Palms was given a chance to shine again. Coco Palms Hui, LLC was allowed a window of opportunity of 24 months to bring Coco Palms back as a destination hotel and cultural center. Over 20 years of hope and intention has passed that never produced a result. For 20 years, Coco Palms sat in disarray, yet remained a catalysis for people coming or returning to Kauai. It sat as a jewel in the rough.
Anne Punohu made several valuable statements in her Forum comments Dec. 19. Her thoughts and concerns about the land and the history of the grounds Coco Palms Hui, LLC is entrusted to rebuild upon, all have some merit for consideration as plans are being developed. I agree a tribute to the past in the form of a museum needs to be discussed as part of this project. Uncle Larry is a valuable resource for facts and memorabilia of Coco Palms, and if asked and has time, would probably be glad to assist with a museum effort. Coco Palms has always had culture as part of what attracted visitors to it. Cultural walks and historical artifact sites should be planned and incorporated into what happens on the grounds of Coco Palms. I hope Anne will have an opportunity to meet with the partners of Coco Palms Hui, LLC to share her ideas as the planning is underway. The sooner the better.
As Coco Palms, the jewel, shines again it will emit financial contributions to our county in taxes, wages from those employed, residual profits for other Kauai businesses and a focal point for cultural discussion, discovery and entertainment. Finally, visitors will experience our culture, our music and aloha while on sacred ground that has once again regained its prominence.
Lopaka Koukonei
Lihue
Obama leading U.S. in wrong direction
As President Obama continues his usurpation of political power undermining the rule of law including the United States Constitution, Congress fails to take its constitutional given right to impeach him, who must be stopped before his transformation of America becomes permanent. He is exceptionally incompetent and arrogant in his governance of this great nation, threatening the general welfare of the “life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness” of every American and making them more and more like his subjects.
The Affordable Care Act (“Obamacare”) is such an example of compelling dictatorial control to determine every American of their health care to be policed by the IRS. Obamacare is a direct frontal assault against American liberty, and the IRS is like the Gestapo of Obama’s wanting legacy no matter the cost and price to the welfare of Americans, especially to the seniors for which Medicare is soon to be a thing of the past with the illegal seizing of $716 billion from it, and the continuing seizing of Medicare monies all to fund Obamacare. Obamacare threatens the survival of the middle class as well as those it purports to help to gain a sense of “distributive health equality of services and accessibility.”
Already millions of the middle class are feeling the repercussions of Obamacare on individuals’ health insurances, which many were satisfied with.
Obama does not care how his actions are detrimental to the United States and to America’s national security because his domestic and foreign policies are utter failures.
Drew Kosora
Honolulu
