• Find out what we’re really about • In spite of the people • South Shore complaining • Leave us alone • Thanks, Dr. Sal Find out what we’re really about I’d like to respond to the letter from Suzanne
• Find out what we’re really about • In spite of the people • South Shore complaining • Leave us alone • Thanks, Dr. Sal
Find out what we’re really about
I’d like to respond to the letter from Suzanne Woodruff posted in Sunday’s paper regarding KIUC “sponsoring” Democracy Now on KKCR Kaua‘i Community Radio. While her issue is more directed towards KIUC, she used KKCR to illustrate a point that I feel was patently unfair to us.
To be clear, KIUC actually does not sponsor a single program. Their underwriting acknowledgment happens to air during Democracy Now, but it also airs during other programs as well. Generally, businesses and organizations who support KKCR through underwriting provide their support to the radio station as a whole and not to individual programs.
Community radio provides an alternative to commercial radio and an important service to the community by providing a “voice” to all community groups — both conservative and liberal. For example, KKCR includes programs that originate from Ke Kula Ni‘ihau O Kekaha on the Westside and from Kaua‘i Community College in Lihu‘e. These are Hawaiian language programs that fit our mission of preserving, perpetuating and celebrating Hawaiian culture. Where else can you hear programs broadcast in the Hawaiian language?
In addition, KKCR is currently partnered with the Malie Foundation to celebrate 2010 as “The Year of Hawaiian Language” and with the Garden Island Arts Council to promote Hawaiian artists and to support their theme of “The Stories Behind the Songs.”
Over the past year, we have also offered our airwaves to other nonprofits to spread the word about the good work that they do. These include the Kaua‘i Food Bank, Kaua‘i United Way, Kaua‘i Humane Society, Kaua‘i Surfrider Foundation, Ho‘ola Lahui, Na Ki‘ai O Koke‘e, and many, many others too numerous to list.
By supporting KKCR, our members and underwriters help support all groups on Kaua‘i. I invite Suzanne to come visit KKCR and find out what we’re really about.
Jerry Brocklehurst, KKCR General Manager
In spite of the people
After reading the article about how they want to redefine the power structure so the mayor can choose commission department heads, I was appalled, but not surprised.
Using the words “weak” and “strengthen” they describe the current situation and the desired change. But what the Mayor was really doing is having someone other than himself introduce an idea so he can just agree with them and he basically says “I want more power!”
It’s very similar to the way he used the term “balance” when removing Rolf Bieber from his post. It was just a legalese term saying “You’re making trouble by doing your job correctly and I only want you in there if you play the game by my rules.”
Rolf was only responding the way he was supposed to with regards to ethics in government, but if you really go about that position as it should be done, you will upset the current way our “leaders” conduct business and they won’t stand for that because the truth makes them look bad.
But I say thank you, Rolf, for continuing to be the whistleblower, even from outside of the wrestling arena.
Watch out, soon they will pass legislation giving them the right to wear crowns and be the only ones permitted to carry and use laser guns. What was created as government “of the people, by the people and for the people” has turned into “at the people, to the people and in spite of the people.”
Jack Custer, Lihu‘e
South Shore complaining
In response to Gerald Rapozo, I can’t believe that I am writing to the Forum either. Don’t take what one person says for the opinion of the rest of the South Shore residents.
My family and neighbors are very happy that the Police Department is finally enforcing the traffic rules.
Maybe they can start enforcing between 5 and 7 a.m. from the eastern bypass road to the Hyatt on Po‘ipu Road. Example: Early delivery trucks, commercial haulers and workers are driving much faster than the 25 mph speed limit.
Kathie Bedwell, Koloa
Leave us alone
I’ll add my 2 cents on the police presence on the South Shore.
I have heard of tickets for speeding only slightly above the speed limit, inspection just a couple days over due, having insurance, just not actually having the card, etc. It’s this kind of ticky-tack stuff that makes it feel more like harassment than protection.
These tickets are going to responsible drivers when maybe a warning would be more appropriate. I can’t help but feel they are simply trying to generate revenue.
I fully support KPD in maintaining a presence on the south side, stopping vacation rental break-ins, looking for drunk drivers, getting dangerous drivers off the road, reminding everyone to slow down. But leave those who are not creating any danger alone!
Roger Barques, Koloa
Thanks, Dr. Sal
It was tragic to hear of the fire and then sudden homelessness of the residents in Kilauea. While we applaud the fire department and the Red Cross for their services, let us not forget that a neighbor, Dr. Salvatore Abbruzzese, was the actual first responder after he woke up to see the flames.
Before he finished washing his face, he ran into the home and pulled out the sleeping residents with another neighbor.
In addition to being a fantastic doctor, Dr. Sal is also a hero among us.
Ingrid Middleton, Kapa‘a
