• VR owner feels the ‘fall guy’ • Against ethanol factory • Aiona serving public VR owner feels the ‘fall guy’ I am a little more than disturbed when I hear the reasonings for the upcoming bill vote severely limiting
• VR owner feels the ‘fall guy’
• Against ethanol factory
• Aiona serving public
VR owner feels the ‘fall guy’
I am a little more than disturbed when I hear the reasonings for the upcoming bill vote severely limiting vacation rentals in Kaua‘i. I feel like there are many major problems on the island at the present time, and vacation rentals are the “fall guy” as an over-reaction of a solution for some of these problems. First let me state that I am a vacation rental owner on ag land on Kaua‘i, and I love the island and want to maintain it as the beautiful island it is. When I bought this small vacation rental, I was not aware of any limitations on renting it. The county only too happily endorsed my plan by assigning me a tax ID number and happily taking thousands of dollars in taxes that I have paid in the last seven years. I don’t have a great understanding of laws and politics on Kaua‘i, but I do know that issues have to be approached in a sensible way. Let us consider some of the problems that have been voiced by people concerning vacation rentals:
• “Vacation rentals take away the character of the community.” People who live in the rural area where my VR is located are not interested in being in a close community — that is why they chose to live there and that is why my guests choose to stay there. In addition to that, I keep my property well-maintained. That has not always been my observation in some of the communities which are occupied by locals only.
• “VRs add to the congestion on the highways.” Actually, the opposite is true — when I bought this house, the number of cars went from two by the previous resident owners to one car rented by my guests. In this case, VRs help this problem.
• “VRs add to the noise level at all hours by vacationers.” Again, my guests come to get peace and quiet. Unfortunately, if there is a problem it is with the local resident in the house across the road that has several dogs that bark nonstop at all hours of the day and night.
• “Ag land should be used for ag, not VRs.” I think each council member, including the chief pusher of this bill, knows that it is not possible to make a living on most ag land lots, including my seven-tenths of an acre. VRs help out tremendously.
• “Vacation rentals increase property values of all property on Kaua‘i.” In my home state, there are no vacation rentals, and property values have tripled in the last seven years, similar to Kaua‘i. This is caused by increased demand by more people populating this planet, not vacation rentals.
My guests have been by far very decent people who have contributed to this island. I wish I could say the same for the particular locals who have burglarized the cottage (twice) and stolen major items from my guests. I employ one Kaua‘i resident full time and another part time, and I feel good about adding to the economy of Kaua‘i.
I write all this to point out that it would be a mistake to think that all (or even one) of Kaua‘i’s problems will be solved by this new errant vacation rental bill. Sometimes I feel that politicians make laws more to make them look like they are doing “something” rather than because anything good will actually come out of it, and this is one of those bills.
Tony Albertoni
Oakdale, Calif.
Against ethanol factory
The Kaua‘i Chapter of the Surfrider Foundation opposes an ethanol factory on Kaua‘i island for the following reasons:
1. The ethanol factory will cause more air pollution causing additional human and wildlife health problems. (Kaua‘i has the highest asthma rates in the US).
2. The factory will cause ocean pollution from wastewater effluent that will reach our coastal waters.
3. The factory will burn coal, an air pollutant and a major contributor to global warming.
4. Ethanol typically requires more energy to produce than it provides in usable energy.
5. The production of ethanol requires large amounts of fresh water.
6. The Robinson Company will continue to grow sugar cane using methods that create additional air and water pollution.
7. Ethanol production is not a sustainable source of power and is highly subsidized by taxpayers; whereas cleaner and truly sustainable technologies such as wind and solar receive few subsidies.
8. Ethanol factories produce nine gallons of sewage (containing a variety of pollutants) for every gallon of ethanol.
9. Ethanol, (as a fuel additive) affects the performance of autos, raises gasoline costs 8 to 9 cents a gallon, and generates as much carbon dioxide as do conventional petroleum-based fuels.
10. Coal burning produces more mercury per kilowatt of energy than any other means of power production, and mercury pollution currently poses one of greatest threats to the health of humans and the oceans.
I live and breathe on the Westside. I smell and watch the burning smoke of the sugar cane along with the stink of plastic irrigation tubes that float in the air and litter the landscape every time harvest time arrives. It should be a crime to subject the people of the Westside to this air pollution. Trading Westside health for subsidized energy is a big win for some and tragically a big loss for others. Why doesn’t the county and state protect the children?
Diana LaBedz
Surfrider member
Aiona serving public
I would like to assure Rep. Marcus Oshiro, in response to his letter (“Public service announcement or campaigning?” Letters, July 18) that Lt. Gov. Duke Aiona will continue to serve the public and play an important role in improving public health and wellness and strengthening families in our community, which are core issues he has been involved with since day one. The Lt. Governor has been actively engaged in the Healthy Hawai‘i Initiative since last year, beginning with September, the campaign that highlights the benefits of active living and healthful eating. The Lt. Governor backs up his words with actions, and continues to opt for stairs instead of the elevator, as he has done since day one. Also, the Lingle-Aiona Administration passed Act 54 of 2007, which prohibits candidates from appearing in PSAs from the time they file their nomination papers until after the election. Under Hawai‘i law (HRS 12-2.5), Duke Aiona, and all other potential candidates for office in 2010, are not even eligible to pull, let alone file, nomination papers until February of 2010. Until then, the Lt. Governor can, and should, continue to use his office to educate the public on important health and safety initiatives.
Kevin A. Souza
Honolulu
