• Grumpy Humphrey, listen here • Where’s your head? • Not routine incidents • Fuel switch may avoid litigation Grumpy Humphrey, listen here John Humphrey would appear to be one of the “grumpy people” who writes needless letters (“Much ado
• Grumpy Humphrey, listen here
• Where’s your head?
• Not routine incidents
• Fuel switch may avoid litigation
Grumpy Humphrey, listen here
John Humphrey would appear to be one of the “grumpy people” who writes needless letters (“Much ado about nothing,” Letters, Feb. 11).
As a visitor to Kaua‘i from Northern Canada my opinion is apparently unwelcome. But Mr. Humphrey, maybe you can learn from an outsider’s suggestions. My husband and I love to visit this island and treat the land and people with respect. The one rather shocking situation we find is the lack of aggressive recycling. In our little backwater town of 3,000 people, we are able to recycle everything but styrofoam — and we do. Our province of Alberta has an active recycling campaign called “Reduce-Reuse-Recycle.” Here it is very difficult to recycle. We almost needed a map to find the bins at Kapa‘a — and then what they accept is very limited — only some paper, cardboard, and No. 1 and No. 2 plastic — which eliminates plastic bags (therefore allowing many of them to blow around in the wind), tin cans, blister packaging etc. Neither the condo where we are staying, nor any hotel I am aware of, encourages on-site recycling. Everything goes into the trash, next stop the landfill. We would like to help you keep your island beautiful and think you could maybe learn from other states or countries with realistic programs in place to reduce the amount of trash produced daily.
Barbara Byers
Fairview, Alberta, Canada
Where’s your head?
This letter is in response to John Humphrey’s letter (“Much ado about nothing,” Letters, Feb. 11):
I think Mr. Humphrey was sitting in front of a mirror while writing his letter. As I’m reading along, it seems he too has an extreme problem writing letters that point out problems, offer solutions, and share comments on the issues facing Kaua‘i. As of today he joins the club as one of the few grumpy people who write with topics that have nothing to do with Kaua‘i. I even think it was nice of The Garden Island newspaper to even print such a bashing letter as his.
Mr. Humphrey also wants us to believe that he should have the controls over what people write about regardless of what is on his or her mind. Who died and left you in charge, Mr. Humphrey? You are the one who should keep his eye on the ball, and head in the game, please. And if you don’t like the score, don’t read it.
Steven Martin
Kapa‘a
Not routine incidents
In response to the article “Teachers request more info on chemical spraying,” A1, Feb. 8:
I support the teachers who band together in the “struggle to be heard” regarding pesticide poisoning of the school children. The poison in the spray product and the teachers’ great efforts should raise the conscience of the whole community, including those who use the poison. These true and repeated pesticide spraying incidences have disrupted the environment and the lives of all the witnesses involved — that’s you, me and the farmer. This is not a routine incident, there is sickness involved. Ultimately, for the “good” of all, this has escalated into proposing a bill, SB3170, to protect everyone, including the users, from being poisoned sick. The result of the spraying incidences should be focused on the impacts of the pesticides that were being used, what made the children “poor in health” and how can specific pesticides be less volatile. We have laws for blood tests and blood alcohol levels on the scene for intoxication. Why can’t we have a better reporting system? Why can’t we have tests for pesticide levels?
Remember how many of us grew up in a community surrounded by pesticides? How our fathers handled the poison residue with their bare hands? If we “told,” Apo, daddy, or uncle, was going to lose his job. Why didn’t anyone care back then? Why didn’t anyone ask what is wrong and how can it be done right? Why didn’t anyone take responsibility back then, and up until now, for causing the damages we are suffering now? Cancer, lupus, leukemia, high blood pressure, mental illness, Bell’s palsy, dermatitis, only to mention a few. Well, guess what? Intimidation tactics no longer work. We have inalienable rights. SB3170 can give us an absolute “protection from pesticides that pose tremendous risks to humans and environment.”
Think of your children and grandchildren’s future. Save our children.
Genara Buza Campos
Kapolei, O‘ahu
Fuel switch may avoid litigation
Mahalo for your article highlighting the issues surrounding the harmful effects of cruise ship emissions (“Bill seeks shift from bunker fuel,” A1, Feb. 12).
I hope readers will write in support of HB 2919 and SB 2526. This reasonable request to switch to cleaner-burning fuels while at port may prevent costly litigation against the state and the cruise ship industry. Other harbors have forced users to switch and some of Hawai‘i’s shippers (Pasha and Maersk) have voluntarily made the change.
Recently NCL has made a habit of hosting local non-profit fundraisers for our communities’ benefit. This is very generous of them. Perhaps they could be a little more charitable and considerate of the community in Niumalu who must suffer from the downwind effects of soot and noxious odors from their smokestacks. Carcinogenic pollutants should not be acceptable corporate contributions to our communities’ health and well being.
James Trujillo
Kapa‘a
