Kauai counting on HTA’s new president
Kauai is having, by all standards, a wonderful year when it comes to tourism. Which, purely based on economic reasons and considering that this island’s economy hinges on tourism, is good news.
Carter B., this one’s for you
When a “Dear Editor” letter from a mainland school arrives at The Garden Island office, it usually ends up in one place: the recycling bin.
These left elected leaders left their marks
Kauai’s elected leadership is without three people who are no longer in office, but deserve appreciation for their contributions to this island over the years.
Mayor, council, the right people to lead Kauai
A new beginning and a new hope. It was clear that Mayor Derek Kawamaki brought both of those with him as he took the oath of office to step in as Kauai’s highest-elected leader.
Rising suicides, drug use a call to get involved
We all hear the stories of political turmoil in this country. The anger. The hate. The hostility. The intolerance. The narrow-mindedness. All of that should take a backseat to a report that was released today. The suicide death rate last year was the highest it’s been in at least 50 years, according to U.S. government records. There were more than 47,000 suicides, up from a little under 45,000 the year before.
If you can, help overcome homelessness, hunger
The day after Thanksgiving, many people are recovering from a day of eating well. And today, many people will head out to shop, the beginning of the holiday season. It’s a time folks will spend on gifts for others.
County celebrates America Recycles Day today
Reycle. It’s one of the easiest ways we can take care of our environment. Instead of tossing aluminum cans, glass bottles, plastic containers, cardboard and paper products into the trash, we can recycle it.
Kauai’s future at stake with election, so vote
One thing is for certain about Tuesday’s general election on Kauai: It’s going to be a doozy. You want to be a part of this.
Two powerful words: ‘Thank you’
Thank you. Those two words can go a long ways toward the respect and courtesy that Mayor Bernard Carvalho Jr. often refers to and has emphasized in his 10 years leading this island.
Gap keeps growing between rich, poor
A new study recently release by the Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy tells us something that you likely already know. But, here goes.
COLA for Social Security needed
One million dollars. That’s the often-quoted amount they say you should have to retire and live well. They also say, however, that $1 million isn’t going to be enough. Nope, you need to be a multi-millionaire to retire. You better own your home free and clear and have a million in your retirement account and thousands coming in from your pension. Oh, you better be healthy, too.
Heavy burden weighs down postal service
The Oct. 11 editorial, “Postal service can’t continue on same financial path,” states that the U.S. Postal Service is losing money. This is not quite true. The post office does not use taxpayer money and the taxpayer is not on the hook to pay for the accounting problems that Congress, in 2006, burdened the post office with when it passed HR6407 by voice vote in the House and unanimous consent in the Senate.
Postal Service can’t continue on same financial path
Well, no surprise that the U.S. Postal Service is at it again. No, we’re not talking about delivering the latest fliers, magazine subscriptions and credit card pitches to your door. It’s losing money. Lots and lots and lots of money.
Jobs are out there if you know where to look
We hear this often: There are no jobs here for young people, so they have to leave their home and head to the mainland.
Vote yes Nov. 6 for a constitutional convention
Hawaii voters have a rare opportunity this election to take control of their government. Not by selecting the lawmaker a voter thinks will best represent him or her — though there’s always that option, too — but by sidestepping the establishment and diving directly into legislating.
Please, be sure to keep keiki safe in vehicles
Keiki are precious. And when they’re traveling with us in our vehicles, they become precious cargo. That’s why we have to be sure we’re doing all we can to take care of them. That’s especially important on Kauai, with its two-lane highways that have vehicles whizzing past each other at 40 and 50 mph and one mistake can lead to accidents.
Bravo to the Kauai Chamber of Commerce
The Kauai Chamber of Commerce deserves a shoutout for a job well done, so we’re going to give it one.
If you can, please help Red Cross help others
The pictures from the flooding brought by Tropical Storm Florence in North Carolina and surrounding states are stunning in their devastation.
Everywhere you go, there you are
Like it or not, our past tends to follow us around. Wherever we go, our past is still out there. It’s hard to hide from it. There are some things we are more than happy to chat about, like recounting the story of a good deed, or perhaps when we won an award or were acknowledged for a great effort.
Congratulations to Jeff Sacchini and his dedicated crew
Go with us on a little trip back in time. A man named Jeff Sacchini was out running from his home toward Mahaulepu. It was then, in 2007, as he admired the view on a glorious, sunrise morning, one he would never forget, he had a thought. We’ll let him tell it: