Letters for Friday, January 23, 2009

• Maybe TVR enforcement is ‘selective favoritism’

• Consider all the factors before issuing citations

• An open letter to elected representatives

• Dogs reflect their owners

Maybe TVR enforcement is ‘selective favoritism’

I’d like to respond to Michaelle Edwards cry of unfairness regarding the vacation rentals (“Vacation rental law is unfair,” Letters, Jan. 22).

Her argument is pitful: “This was clearly selective enforcement … was really unfair to not grandfather in the ag land vacation rentals …” She goes on to justify this reasoning that many of the small organic farmers on ag land will not be able to make ends meet and “these folks have been paying their taxes, growing food …”

Well, so what? They knew it was illegal when they erected their “income” houses on ag land. Just as the situation with the Pflueger dam area, they knew it was unpermitted to build homes in the spillway. But they thought they could get away with it.

I have no pity for these people. I don’t hear Edwards crying about the fact that the Hawaiians have been paying tax also but to another government not even of their own. And that these are their lands that she and all the rest of the illegal squatters are squeezing their illicit incomes from and complaining about unfairness. And that they have been trying to grow food too, except she isn’t bothered these are stolen lands and water.

Please check out Mel Rapozo’s Web site as it explains the law under Section 205-5(b)(2).

So as far as “selective enforcement” maybe it should be “selective favoritism” to some folks.

In Hawai‘i, let’s just agree not to get into discussions about “fairness.” OK?

• Elaine Dunbar, Lihu‘e

Consider all the factors before issuing citations

As long as I have been a resident of Kaua‘i, I have always enjoyed reading the letters to the editor in order to hear people vent and express their views regarding political, cultural and social issues. Never have I been tempted to rebut or otherwise express myself in this forum.

When I read Dr. Skip Rush’s “Horrors of Hanalei Bay” (Letters, Jan. 19), I had two reactions.

First, the views expressed seemed to be hypocritical and self-serving. One of his dogs is very anti-social and aggressive. His dogs are sometimes off leash at Hanalei and have been known to accompany him to the pavilion county park on Saturday mornings for his tai chi class.

My second reaction was to let sleeping dogs lie.

I now feel unable to keep my feelings (shared by many other dog owners on the North Shore) to myself. Apparently as a result of the aforementioned letter the humane society is vigilantly patrolling Hanalei in the early mornings.

If the intent of the humane society is to address the alleged horrors occurring at Hanalei, the time to patrol is not in the early morning. The most responsible, caring dog owners can be seen walking/socializing their dogs in the morning at Hanalei.  

Kids being trampled, dogs being maimed, owners without leashes and plastic bags, and unattended dogs must be issues that occur when Dr. Rush walks his dogs.

My only experience with a humane society officer was five to six years ago near the pier. I was walking my golden retriever in the early morning enjoying the water.  The officer approached me and explained the leash law and asked to see the dog’s license.

He noted how well behaved my dog was and said he would not typically cite this type of animal. I thanked him and walked the dog home on leash. I left with a positive feeling about the individual and the society.

This spirit of aloha seems not to exist presently. Perhaps, making judgments regarding the dog’s/owner’s behavior, presence of leash, license, and bags for pick up, is a bit optimistic but if the humane society is interested in responsibility of animal ownership or lack thereof, then perhaps these factors should be considered prior to citations being issued.

• Don Montgomery, Hanalei

An open letter to elected representatives

Honorable Sens. Akaka and Inouye, Reps. Hirono and Abercombie, and Mayor Carvalho:

The people of this state and Kaua‘i have entrusted you with their affairs. By the laws of Hawai‘i and the Charter of Kaua‘i you are to represent the people who have elected you to your distinguished offices.

Since we facilitated your being placed in your current position, may we respectfully ask you to publicly reveal your position on the current appeal attempt by Gov. Linda Lingle in the ceded lands case.

Please tell us if you support Lingle’s action to go to Washington, D.C., to the U.S. Supreme Court with the intent to request to turn over the decision of the Hawai‘i Supreme Court on the ceded lands issue.

We and thousands of Kaua‘i residents are eager to know.

Being this issue is current, you already must have formed your opinion, so you just need to let The Garden Island know it within the week and let them inform your constituents — we deserve that much.

Mahalo nui loa!

• János Samu, Katy Rose and  Raymond Catania, Co-founders of Kaua‘i Alliance of Peace and Social Justice

Dogs reflect their owners

You cannot judge a person by the color of their skin or what religion they practice or don’t practice, but you most definitely can judge a person by the actions of their dog.

Have you ever noticed that people that keep dogs tied up, bark constantly and grit their teeth as you walk by are usually that type of person themselves? People think pit bulls are mean dogs … if the owner has a chip on their shoulder and they are mean, the dog will be mean. I have actually witnessed loving pit bulls that come from a loving home.

When a person has an obedient dog, it represents the owner as being decent and obedient.

When a person has a loving dog, it means that person is full of love and passion.

For all the recent letters about indecent behavior of dogs, please remember it’s not the dogs to blame if they are out of control, it’s their indecent out-of-control masters.

• James ‘Kimo” Rosen, Kapa‘a