• Celebrity weddings • The drug war Celebrity weddings A recent documentary on how freelance photographers known as paparazzi covered the Matt Leblanc celebrity wedding on Kaua‘i pointed out a change on the Island. In the past celebrities have been
• Celebrity weddings
• The drug war
Celebrity weddings
A recent documentary on how freelance photographers known as paparazzi covered the Matt Leblanc celebrity wedding on Kaua‘i pointed out a change on the Island.
In the past celebrities have been mostly left alone, treated like anyone else by local residents, and allowed to enjoy the island’s beaches, restaurants, stores and activities in peace.
The new wave of celebrities buying homes on Kaua‘i and marrying have brought an international wave of attention to the Island. Earlier this year the wedding of “Friends” co-star Matt Leblanc drew extensive coverage in tabloids and celebrity magazines.
The paparazzi documentary aired as part of an American Movie Channel program on that trade, which requires guts, the skills of Sherlock Holmes and a good camera eye. The show pulled back the curtain on this industry in operation on Kaua‘i, and again highlighted this new wave of celebrities.
It is unclear whether focusing on the marriages of celebrities as a public event on Kaua‘i is being driven by the celebrities themselves in search of publicity, or if it is a sign of the times that shows another aspect of Kaua‘i’s traditional way of life is now gone.
The drug war
Federal funding to help Kaua‘i officials wage their war on the abuse and sale of “ice” is getting a needed boost in Washington from Sen. Daniel Inouye and Rep. Ed Case.
One source of funding would give Kaua‘i a program similar to the successful Hawai‘i County Comprehensive Methamphetamine Response program. Another bill would provide funds for rehabilitation for young drug users.
Back on Kaua‘i, a sign-holding campaign is set for later this month, to highlight the community’s backing of the war on “ice.” Such events have become popular in communities on other islands.
These events need to lead to a pinpointing of where drugs are dealt, how “ice” comes into Kaua‘i and how to stop the shipments, and the creation of on-island drug rehabilitation facilities.
If arrested users are convicted and sentenced to drug treatment follow-up needs to be done to make sure the treatment has worked, and that the users are serious about turning away from drugs. Those that don’t follow through on court-ordered treatment need to suffer the consequences of their actions and should face serious jail time.
