• Unreadiness • Hooser’s help • Bush’s faith • Gonsalves’ e-mail Unreadiness Does anyone remember WWII? As it happened, our nation and government stood by and watched while Germany invaded Europe and North Africa. Japan invaded Asia and the Pacific
• Unreadiness
• Hooser’s help
• Bush’s faith
• Gonsalves’ e-mail
Unreadiness
Does anyone remember WWII? As it happened, our nation and government stood by and watched while Germany invaded Europe and North Africa. Japan invaded Asia and the Pacific islands. Our apathy and apparent weakness prompted Japan to assume they could somehow conquer the United States. Had we been ready with our defenses and struck them down before they had the time to entrench themselves, we would not have had to spend four and a half years digging them out island by island, country by country, at the cost of thousands of lives. We had to build up the military anyway. We are at the same circumstances now, and sound judgement makes preemptive action by the present government a must-do!
Jack Cloud
Kapa‘a
Hooser’s help
On Nov. 26, 2001 a mudslide on the North Shore of Kaua‘i destroyed a portion (and damaged the balance) of 20 acres of pristine reef at Pila‘a Bay. The mudslide was caused by un-permitted grading and grubbing performed by a developer in preparation for a subdivision of agricultural lands. The County of Kaua‘i Planning Department had issued a tentative approval for the subdivision. This tentative approval clearly mandated that “best-management practices” (to prevent soil erosion) were put into place with an NPDES federal permit. For months afterwards the mud continued to flow.
The residents of Pila‘a were forced to not only deal with their own personal tragedy but also to try and get the County of Kaua‘i to do something about the continued abuse to this most precious natural resource. Nothing was done by the county with the exception of a “cease and desist” order which was never enforced.
In April of 2002, state Sen. Gary Hooser (county councilman at the time) became aware of the situation and, with his typical zeal for facing challenges head-on, he inspected the damage immediately, put the issue on the County Council agenda immediately, and worked diligently for months to find resolutions for the problems and to discover how an environmental crime of this magnitude could have occurred in the first place.
Gary Hooser “led the charge” into this “house of smoke and mirrors” that we call our (county) Department of Public Works. He showed us that he is a leader with great courage and integrity. He not only cares about the people of Kaua‘i and Ni‘ihau, but is intelligent enough to realize the value of our natural resources.
With his help we were able to start communication between county, state and federal agencies (unprecedented feat) that resulted in prosecution of the wealthy landowner responsible for this crime against the environment and against the people of Hawai‘i.
Amy Marvin
Moloa‘a
Bush’s faith
Our president is the man who admitted to having a drinking problem in younger years, and whose happy-go-lucky lifestyle led him to mediocre grades in college and an ill-fated oil venture; who mangled syntax, and whose speaking missteps became known as “Bushisms.” He came within a hair’s breadth of losing the election in November.
While votes were counted and re-counted, Bush quietly but confidently waited at his ranch. Make no mistake, his orders were carried out, but he stayed in the background, faithful and confident.
Bush named Jesus Christ as Lord of his life on public TV. Not an oblique reference to being “born-again” or having a “life change.” He actually said the “un-politically correct” phrase, “Jesus Christ!”
On September 11 (2001), he was thrust into a position only known by Roosevelt, Churchill, Lincoln, and Washington. The weight of the world was on his shoulders, and the responsibility of a generation was on his soul.
So President George W. Bush walked to his seat at the front of the National Cathedral just three days after two of the most impressive symbols of American capitalism and prosperity virtually evaporated.
When the history of this time is written, it will be acknowledged by friend and foe alike that President George W. Bush came of age in that cathedral and lifted a nation off its knees.
In what was one of the most impressive exhibitions of self-control in presidential history, President George W. Bush was able to deliver his remarks without losing his resolve, focus, or confidence.
God’s hand, which guided him through that sliver-thin election, now rested fully on him. As he walked back to his seat, the camera angle was appropriate.
Doc Smith
Kapa‘a
Gonsalves’ e-mail
No one can argue the point. The e-mail authored by Commissioner Leon Gonsalves Sr. was “inappropriate.” Even by Hawai‘i standards where ethnic bantering is tolerated, there must be limits, especially at higher levels of government where leaders set the example.
Moreover, I would dare say that each and everyone of us, at one time or another, have experienced either directly or vicariously some form of racial intolerance, prejudice, bias, favoritism, and the like.
Great leaders like Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. gave the ultimate sacrifice to advance the cause against racial prejudice.
But before we go any further we should stop and ask; did the words of Commissioner Gonsalves rise to the level of racial intolerance, prejudice, bias, or favoritism? Was it done with malice and indifference to hurt someone? In my opinion, the answer is no. Again, was it inappropriate? The answer, of course, is yes.
With that said, let’s put things in perspective before we are so quick to condemn. Commissioner Gonsalves has served our community with honor for over 30 years as a law-enforcement officer — longer than some of our current residents have lived on Kaua‘i. And he continues to serve with distinction. Citizens of Kaua‘i, you could not have found a more dedicated and ethical individual to represent you. He is a good man.
Yes, there should be some repercussions. So, what do we do? Have him apologize publicly — which he has done. Have him write a letter of apology to both parties involved. Have him attend cultural-sensitivity classes. Have him speak to schools on this very issue. Reprimand him. Part, or all of the above, may be done, but as General Colin Powell said in his Leadership Primer lecture, “Get mad, then get over it.”
Darryl Perry
Retired major, HPD
