• Backs Sen. Hooser • Hanalei needs help Backs Sen. Hooser This letter is in response to Betty Chandler’s letter to the editor that was published 10/9/03. I have voted and supported Senator Gary Hooser for the very reason he
• Backs Sen. Hooser
• Hanalei needs help
Backs Sen. Hooser
This letter is in response to Betty Chandler’s letter to the editor that was published 10/9/03. I have voted and supported Senator Gary Hooser for the very reason he has shown through his words and actions that he does have the welfare of the people of Kauai at heart.
Politicians once in office frequently receive unsolicited donations from many sources. To imply that his receipt of contributions from real estate companies and developers has compromised his values is absurd especially since he introduced and campaigned vigorously for Senate Bill 255, which in short disallows developers from putting agricultural restrictions in their new developments.
Senator Hooser was elected to his position over a competent incumbent because he is a remarkable man with an outstanding record and a lot of friends and constituents who know his heart is with the people and its island.
Julie Black Caspillo
Kapahi
Hanalei needs help
It is nice to see that people are paying attention to the pollution in Hanalei. Although leaky septic tanks and cesspools are part of the problem, so are the cattle and other animals living in river runoff zones. Although the DOH says there is not a BIG problem (Hanalei is one of our greatest island resources…), it is interesting to note that in the wastewater management office in the county offices, a huge chart shows that agricultural runoff is the number one biggest problem for river systems. The county needs to strongly look at zoning for ag in river runoff zones and hold those landowners or leasors accountable for what they put in the rivers. The Pfluegers are being held acccountable for damaging the reef and so should others that do as well. Reefs in areas where there is polluted water invariably die.
Fertilizers also play a part in increasing bacterial blooms by adding significant amounts of nitrogen to the waters. There is no doubt that this is a factor in the problem because in reading some of the bacterial count numbers put out by the Hanalei River Hui over the last couple of years, many of the high counts were up river, away from the development areas. If it were only cesspools the numbers would be highest in areas near the homes and restaraunts.
People need to stop turning a blind eye to this issue. There are days when you can smell the pesticides in the water by the river mouth and see the mucky froth in the water. The best present we as adults can give to our children is a clean Hanalei River and Bay. People visit our island because they think it is free and clear of all the mainland pollution but our most precious place, that gives so many people joy and helps feed the North Shore, is filled with crap.
Will Leonard
Kilauea
