• Bring back night football • Limiting growth is the best way to the future Bring back night football As a pediatrician in west Kauai, I am appalled and angered by the decision to move football games to the daytime in order
• Bring back night football • Limiting growth is the best way to the future
Bring back night football
As a pediatrician in west Kauai, I am appalled and angered by the decision to move football games to the daytime in order to protect shearwater birds.
I have treated at least three children in the past year for heat stroke symptoms while playing under the noontime sun. I know from experience that wearing thick football pads in hot conditions while competing can be very taxing on the body.
In addition, I am sure there are senior citizens who would normally come out to cheer on their grandchildren but may be discouraged by the heat of the day. I’m sure they are also at risk for heat stroke.
I’m not sure what needs to be done to protect the shearwater birds, whether it’s placing down-aiming lights at the stadium, having a protocol on how to deal with birds that lose their way, or arranging the football schedule so that football games are not played on moonless nights. Whatever it is, the football games need to be moved back to nights.
And before anyone dismisses football as “just a game,” keep in mind that through football many of my patients learn discipline, teamwork and toughness. In addition to the benefits of exercise, the game of football keeps many kids from joining gangs or using drugs. Plus, it’s an event where children, adults, and seniors can all get together to cheer on their team.
Football is much more than “just a game.”
Bernard Riola
Waimea
Limiting growth is the best way to the future
Aloha,
Happy New Year. I have lived and loved Kauai for over 40 years. It saddens me to see all the developments being planned for the island. I believe we should limit growth until island infrastructures are improved, mainly our roads and taking a good, hard look at our resources.
The traffic situation has been getting worse each year. Each development brings more cars to our already crowded roads, especially at peak times. Once the developments are here, they are here to stay. Kauai has a unique beauty and is fragile with its resources as well. It behooves all of us to take care of our island and people. What are we leaving for the coming generations if we do not question all the planned growth? Perhaps LPG — limited population growth — would be a far greater idea. Thank you.
Gubby Graham
Kilauea
