• Ferry stats, again • Ease of travel • Speak out on ferry • Just some things to think about Ferry stats, again Statistics from the Superferry poll by the Kaua‘i Chamber of Commerce were thrown on the table again
• Ferry stats, again
• Ease of travel
• Speak out on ferry
• Just some things to think about
Ferry stats, again
Statistics from the Superferry poll by the Kaua‘i Chamber of Commerce were thrown on the table again in the article in Thursday’s paper, “Kaua‘i leaders: onus is on ferry to assess.”
I write not to object to the stats, but comment on the simple fact that the chamber survey represented the view of only 64 members.
Weigh that against the 6,000 Kaua‘i residents who sent a message by petition to Gov. Linda Lingle objecting to the Superferry. I noticed that was not mentioned in the article.
I suspect the Superferry is playing PR games now, the new CEO calls for response from the populace, no mechanism in place to measure that response, adds up to same old blind eye to a simple request … complete the Environmental Assessment, then mitigate, then sail.
It is not too late to do the right thing.
Joshua Atkinson
Kapa‘a
Ease of travel
With airfares going through the roof, we need the Superferry more than ever. A humanitarian need was also driven home to us last month. Briefly, air travel can be brutal for people with handicaps or medical problems.
We flew to O‘ahu with friends to help celebrate their grandson’s first birthday. They are about 80 years old. The grandfather is wheelchair-bound. It is painful for him to stand and he cannot walk unaided. Airport security was a nightmare for him. They made him stand while they carefully inspected his wheelchair and while they wanded him and patted him down.
The pain continued once he got to the aircraft door. He had to use seatbacks as handholds and my shoulder for support as he made his way past the first class rows. The painful process was repeated in reverse on O‘ahu as well as for the trip home.
With the Superferry, we could have driven aboard. He would have transferred from the car seat to his wheel chair for the voyage. No painful standing or walking. Ironically, it would have been at least as fast as our trip by air. With the Superferry we’d plan to arrive in Nawiliwili about a half hour before sailing time. After the three hour voyage, it would take a few minutes to disembark but we’d be near the Aloha Tower, just minutes from our hotel in Waikiki. Total time about four hours.
On our actual trip, we arrived at the Lihu‘e airport two hours before flight time. We didn’t want to miss our flight because of security. Truth be told, we did have a 30 minute wait after clearing security before boarding. We were glad for that margin. After the 20 minute flight, it took an hour to get our rental car and return to the Hawaiian terminal and pick our friends up. It was midday and traffic was light. Still, it took over 40 minutes to get to our hotel in Waikiki. Total time just over four hours.
Oh, and there was some good news. The first birthday party was a fabulous family event.
John Love
Kapa‘a
Speak out on ferry
As a homeowner, parent and resident on Kaua‘i, I will again speak up against the institution of the Superferry on the island of Kaua‘i.
There is nothing that has changed the resistance to this imposition on our community. The island of Kaua‘i is not equipped to handle the extra population, cars/traffic, drug trafficking, homeless persons, or invasive species brought over on the tires of automobiles. And, yes, I am fully aware that we already have these issues. How much logical sense does it make to increase all of the existing problems by bringing in an onslaught from other islands?
All of this is totally aside from the Environmental Impact Statement issues and the fact that the Superferry basically bribed its existence into our state to begin with by their “donation” of $380,000 to our state representatives.
So, if anyone is listening to the residents of this island, you all better speak up. The most fair of all ways to get a consensus would be to hold a vote for all registered voters on Kaua‘i only. Otherwise, we are subject to some opinion poll which has certainly never asked me or any of my friends or relatives our opinions.
Thank you, Gary Hooser, for speaking out for us.
Lee Hill
Lihu‘e
Just some things to think about
Since voting in a Democratic Congress in 2006 we have seen:
• Consumer confidence plunge.
• The cost of regular gas approaching $4.00 per gallon (up from $2.50 per gallon).
• Unemployment up from 4.5 percent to 5 percent.
• American households have lost $2.3 trillion in equity (stocks and mutual fund losses).
• Home equity has dropped by $1.2 trillion dollars, and 1 percent of homes are in some type of foreclosure.
Remember, it is Congress which makes the laws, not the president. And it is Congress that has the lower approval rating.
I am reminded of a quote from a great American:
“My friends, we live in the greatest nation in the history of the world. I hope you will join with me as we try to change it.” — Barack Obama.
Yeah … that’s the ticket.
Last year total federal, state and local spending for welfare, medical, food stamps, education and other social services, plus other associated costs encountered due to illegal immigration was $338.3 billion.
And we’re spending too much on fighting wars. Maybe, but were spending way too much on illegal immigrants.
Taxes on individual income for a married couple making $60,000 under former President Clinton was $16,800. Under President Bush, $9,000. I am not looking forward to paying $7,800 per year more in taxes if a Democrat gets back in the White House.
I hope all who vote in November will take time to study and learn about what each candidate is really offering, and not just what the TV pundits tell us.
And oh, by the way, Ted Kennedy is helping block an alternate energy wind farm off the Massachusetts coastline. So much for helping with our dependence on foreign problems.
Dennis Hathaway
Honolulu
