• Canabis choice might be better • Hikers should heed trail conditions • More roads not the answer • Reflectors would make bypass road OK at night Canabis choice might be better In response to Kirk Muse’s letter from Mesa,
• Canabis choice might be better • Hikers should heed trail conditions • More roads not the answer • Reflectors would make bypass road OK at night
Canabis choice might be better
In response to Kirk Muse’s letter from Mesa, Ariz., Sunday, March 30. Hawaii’s adult residents should have the same freedom of using canabis as they do for alcohol. “Drinking and driving a public service warning.”
I would like to share a personal experience with the community about drinking alcohol and driving. As we all know, some of us have been known to have had brushes with authorities on our way home from an occasional social session over the years. A while back, I was out for an evening with friends and had a few cocktails. Knowing full well I may have been over the limit I did something I’ve never done before — I took a cab home.
Sure enough, I passed a police road block up by Opaekaa Falls turnout but, since it was a cab, they waved it past. I arrived home safely without incident, which was a real surprise, as I have never driven a cab before and I wasn’t sure where I got it, or what the heck to do with it now that it’s in my carport.
Just maybe Kirk’s opinion is something to ponder over.
Steve Martin
Kapaa
Hikers should heed trail conditions
The Hanakapiai incident Sunday makes me wonder just what it is going to take to get people to understand how dangerous hiking to the falls is during poor weather. There are several stream crossings on the way up, each with its own particular hazards. Even in good weather, crossing the stream down at the beach isn’t what I would call easy.
When I first visited Kauai in 1987, I, like a lot of tourists, was tempted to try the rugged Kalalau Trail. But I didn’t, because it was wet after rains and didn’t appear safe. It wasn’t until 20 years later — and several attempts — that I even made it to Hanakapiai Beach.
Undoubtedly, this little rescue is going to cost taxpayers. My question is, does Kauai need to be more pro-active in keeping hikers off the trail when the weather is poor?
Steven McMacken
Post Falls, Idaho
More roads not the answer
It is not the Department of Transportation’s kuleana to be concerned with the quality of life aspect in their traffic agenda. If the need is there, they respond with another road.
TGI article April 6, predicting future growth and the traffic that comes with it is a statement of facts. Kauai government has been justifying the approval of more developments that exceed island carrying capacity through cooperation with DOT to build additional roads.
Kauai doesn’t need anymore roads. That’s not the answer.
But it is your kuleana to decide if Kauai wants to accept this prediction.
Pull up the carrying capacity argument for future growth or impose an automobile quota.
Hawaii had a quota at one time until Gov. Ariyoshi violated it with an exception to let Japan ship their cars to Hawaii while it was in effect.
A meeting between you and the Planning Commission may be necessary now.
Kauai is not supposed to be an island where you spend three-fourths of your time getting from point A to B. And with Coco Palms added to the mix, this government is failing us. How did that get passed through with no hearings to even start putting up dust screens? The new developers just declared their plans and they were accepted without question.
It’s up to you. Will you take emergency action?
Elaine Dunbar
Lihue
Reflectors would make bypass road OK at night
Per story on TGI, bypass road cannot be used at night during hours of traffic closure on our highways while KPD officers investigate a traffic accident because there is no lighting.
Why not put reflectors on the bypass road so it can be used during the night? We have reflectors on the way to Kokee on the highway. It helps driving there at night.
By not lighting the bypass road for emergencies for night use, such as road closure while KPD officers investigate serious accident for hours, is this another case for saving the birds?
Howard Tolbe
Eleele
