• Give ‘sustainabilists’ a chance • Voting race or sex is ridiculous • Here we go again • Vote Esaki Give ‘sustainabilists’ a chance I read the letter about the KIUC election in this past Sunday’s paper (“We need balanced
• Give ‘sustainabilists’ a chance
• Voting race or sex is ridiculous
• Here we go again
• Vote Esaki
Give ‘sustainabilists’ a chance
I read the letter about the KIUC election in this past Sunday’s paper (“We need balanced KIUC effort,” Letters, March 2). The author states that it would be a “big mistake” to elect candidates who are driven “completely by the goal of total sustainability.”
Wow, that’s interesting because I am voting for Ben Sullivan and Ken Stokes because they are committed to that vision.
However, neither Sullivan or Stokes claims that wind power is the magic bullet as the letter implies. Both support the green energy biomass plant and other alternatives including hydropower. In fact, I believe both candidates would make very reasonable decisions as they are well educated, experienced, and active in the community.
Also, I found the author’s choice of words like “impose this blight” and “force this on us now,” rather misleading. Both candidates want more open communication and public input. Sullivan was particularly clear at the forum that planning shouldn’t happen in a “back room.” For example, KIUC approved a plan to buy power from a waste incineration plant when it is built with little co-op member input. (Go to Kauai.gov and see the Beck Report.) This idea has many serious drawbacks including cost and pollution. It would also require a steady stream of garbage that might otherwise be recycled, hopefully at curbside.
As far as the author calling windmills “ugly,” I think they are a beautiful sign of change. Anyway, many clear views will still be available for tourists and nature lovers. It’s interesting to note that in the same Sunday paper, there was an article about Colorado’s governor and how proud he is of their new wind farm laboratory. No mention of ruining the mountain views there when clean energy is so important to our future.
Regarding cost, the price of petroleum is going up as will the cost of palm oil with increased demand. Everyday alternative energy becomes more cost effective. I heard on the news just this past week that gas will be over $4 a gallon this spring and truckers on the Mainland are starting to go out of business. I can only imagine what that means for our electric bills. So, let’s give those “sustainabilists” a chance Kaua‘i.
Linda Silva
Kalaheo
Voting race or sex is ridiculous
Our decision as to who we vote for to be the next president of the United States should be based on who we believe would be the best person to lead our country into the future. Voting for a person based on what sex that person is, is sexism, the same as if we refused to vote for a person based on what sex that person is. Voting for a person based on what race that person is, is racism, the same as if we refused to vote for that person because of what race that person is. There are many, many issues to be looked at with which we can compare the candidates’ views. We must decide who we think has the most integrity. We must decide who we think has the intellect to make the best decisions on all of the unknown issues that are sure to come up in the future. Basing our decision on the sex or race of a candidate is nonsense.
Bruce Savage
Kalaheo
Here we go again
On the front page of Monday’s edition, March 3, there was a featured article (with an Associated Press byline) headed “Hawai‘i considers electing president by popular vote.”
In the article, it was stated that “Al Gore lost to President Bush despite receiving the most votes overall” in the 2000 General Election.
What most people (mostly Democrats) choose to forget is that Gore was unable to win the popular vote in his home state of Tennessee. Thus, the electoral votes went to Bush. Had those Tennessee electoral votes been cast for Gore, he would have been elected right then, and the three-ring circus in Florida would have been meaningless regardless of its outcome. The good people of Tennessee who knew Gore best, decided the outcome for all of us.
Also, let’s remember that the people of Arkansas (home to Bill Clinton) also cast their ballots for President Bush. Had those electoral ballots gone for Gore, his margin would have been substantially greater.
There’s an old saying that goes something like this: “If it ain’t broken, don’t fix it.”
Joe Stoddard
Wailua
Vote Esaki
After Hurricane ‘Iniki, when there was no power in Kapa‘a to conduct my new business, Dennis Esaki invited me to work out of his office in Lihu‘e. New to this island, he welcomed me, and he gave me work and encouragement. Dennis was born and raised on Kaua‘i, went away for his education and returned to Kaua‘i to start Esaki Surveying & Mapping which employs 12 persons today.
He has served on the state Housing Finance Corporation, served on the board that helped create KIUC and has contributed to our community in many ways. Behind his low-key approach and humility is a man who has demonstrated leadership and a commitment to a better Kaua‘i.
Please join me in casting one of your votes for Dennis Esaki.
Nadine Nakamura
