Letters for Sunday, September 26, 2021

Lawmakers thank all involved in Kealia roundabout

At the end of July, with little fanfare, the new Kapa‘a Stream bridge and roundabout were completed.

The project replaced a bridge that was structurally deficient and fixed the dangerous intersection at Kuhio Highway and Mailihuna Road. A new, pedestrian-friendly sidewalk along the new bridge, circular rock wall at the roundabout and landscaping were added, making this area safer and visually pleasing for all.

We would like to acknowledge the Federal Highway Administration’s Central Federal Lands Division (FHWA-CFL), which designed and constructed the project; the State Department of Transportation Highway Division Kaua‘i District Office’s Larry Dill, Ray McCormick and Randall Haraguchi for providing project oversight; Russ Carlson of CFL for providing construction oversight; and Ivan Kibei and his crew at Hawaiian Dredging for their hard work and dedication to improve the safety, traffic flow and aesthetics on the Eastside.

Mahalo for your team effort! This is the second roundabout on a state highway on Kaua‘i, and we hope it won’t be the last.

State Rep. Nadine Nakamura, State Senate President Ron Kouchi

Medicaid funding for Guam, territories might expire

Congress must extend Medicaid funding in Guam, U.S. territories by Sept. 30.

As an American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network advocate and cancer survivor, I know the importance of quality, affordable health coverage to fight cancer, and the importance of programs like Medicaid to ensure access to health care.

Medicaid funding in the U.S. territories is in jeopardy unless Congress acts by Sept. 30. A bill passed by the House Energy & Commerce Committee would extend funding in Guam and other territories — helping to address long-term funding issues that threaten access to health care and funding for their hospitals. I’m originally from Guam, and still have family and loved one there, so I urge Senators Schatz and Hirono and Congressmen Kahele and Case to support this effort.

Congress must extend this funding and find a long-term solution for this lifesaving health-insurance program. It’s critical to reduce health and cancer disparities, improve cancer outcomes and save more lives.

People in Guam are counting on your support.

Uri Martos, Lihu‘e

Romeros delivered more than newspapers

Remembering the wonderful Robert and Winona Romero who have delivered our newspaper for all the many years we have lived on Kaua‘i.

Robert and Winona retired recently due to health issues. They are sorely missed, not just because we miss the paper arriving in time for our morning breakfast and coffee, but because we miss knowing that on occasion we would have the opportunity to visit with them for a few minutes during their delivery duties.

Robert and Winona delivered to over 600 households on Kaua‘i. They enjoyed their work, their customers and their time together getting the job done. Lovely, happy people. They truly are a special couple and I am disappointed that The Garden Island did not take it upon themselves to place an article of appreciation in the paper.

So, here it is from us, and we know also from the hearts of many of their 600 customers. It has been less-than-perfect getting our paper three days late and all three days at once. and on one occasion late in the afternoon, but the knowledge that the Romeros health required they leave unexpectedly and would have been on the job if they could has made it bearable.

We will hang in there with The Garden Island paper due to the years of excellent and personalized service provided by Robert and Winona. Wishing them good health and happy trails.

We appreciate the difficulty in replacing the Romero team and thank those carriers pitching in trying to keep all 600 of us happy. I am sure this will eventually work out.

Mahalo nui loa.

Doris and Wally Jayne, Kapa‘a