Letters for Nov. 19, 2015

Letters for Nov. 19, 2015

Don’t turn back on refugees

In response to James “Kimo” Rosen (Nov. 18, TGI letter to the editor). Well, I agree with you that we should work to reduce our homeless population, not welcoming Syrian refugees would just be giving more ammunition to the terrorists. I applaud Gov. Ige for understanding federal and international law better than most of his 50 co-workers in other governor’s seats.

German refugees during World War II, have you never heard the name Albert Einstein? Yes this country did allow German Jewish refugees during World War II, probably not enough.

Internationally speaking the damage is probably already done, “Sorry the U.S. doesn’t want to welcome us, now where do we turn?”

Please understand the facts. Refugees apply for refugee status through the UN, while they wait overseas, it is a 24-to-48 month process to check and entering this country as a refugee is the hardest way to get to the U.S.

Never mind they will probably not come to Hawaii, simply because it is too expensive to move them here.

JB Foucault

Lihue

Tourists are not Kauai’s ‘problem’

In regards to a Nov. 17 letter where tourists are referenced as a “problem,” I take great exception in being thought of as a problem. I’ve been coming to Kauai annually since 1975 and lived there from 1982 through ’86. Each year I spend close to $10,000 to visit the island I cherish more than anywhere.

Tourists are not your problem but your lifeline. Corporations, developers and government are to blame for most of the problems by allowing more growth in hotels and various other accommodations.

You could easily put a cap on the number of ‘problems’(tourists) on the island at any given time, if the greed for more taxes wasn’t as prevalent.

I couldn’t and wouldn’t want to imagine what the unemployment percentage would be like on the island without tourists.

Over the last 10 or so years, I’m increasingly hearing, seeing and feeling more disdain for tourists that I believe is unwarranted. Don’t bite the hand that feeds you.

John Marconato

Vancouver, B.C.

Coach Philip Rapozo a great man

As the Kapaa football team prepares for the championship game this Friday, Coach Philip Rapozo should be lauded for something besides his great coaching. On Saturday, he and his family made it possible for my ailing father, Wayne Watanabe, to attend the game.

My father, former teacher, counselor, football coach, and principal of Kapaa High, is in the advanced stages of Alzheimer’s.

The disease has progressed tremendously over the past few years, so much so that it is difficult for us to spend much time with him outside of his care home, Puakea, because he may become agitated or confused, as is common with patients with advanced Alzheimer’s.

My father has dedicated his life to helping others, and football and Kapaa School have always been among his greatest passions. Although it has been several years since he has been able to attend a football game, we wanted to try and take him to at least one more. Coach Rapozo and his family went out of their way to reserve a special spot for us to make this happen.

At halftime, our whole family was brought to tears as Coach Rapozo, his staff, and the entire team came and shook my dad’s hand. With tears in his eyes, he had the most genuine smile we have seen in years.

From the Watanabe, Cobb-Adams, and Vivas ‘ohana, we are forever grateful for that day, and we wish the Warriors the best of luck.

Coach Rapozo and his boys are a true class act.

Puanani Cobb-Adams

Anahola