Sizzling and soliloquizing at summer solstice
It is the doves’ peaceful “coo-roo” with slanting June sunlight that wakes me now, although it’s the scarlet cardinal and his mate I see pecking around on the lawn under the allamanda vine as I peer through the louvers of our bedroom window.
More studies needed before water can be deemed ‘safe’
This is an opinion letter in response to a recently published Hawaii Department of Health report on May 22 (“Mahaulepu and Waikomo Watersheds PhyloChip Source Tracking Study, Hawaii”) and associated The Garden Island article (“Study clears water for swimmers”) published on June 6 of this year.
Elements of a campaign: Votes – Money -Team
The 2020 primary election is on Aug. 8, 2020. Next week Thursday the first presidential debates will be held. In June of 2020 the first “absentee ballots” will be mailed out.
From Russia with love
The Kauai delegation to Russia was enriching and successful.
This community cares about oceans
What a wonderful, ocean-minded community we have on Kauai! The entire island was bustling with World Oceans Day events. I wanted to make a quick shout-out to Kauai Sailing Association, which hosted a frenzy of activity this World Oceans Day.
Understanding pesticides can be complex
The 2016 Earthjustice court victory “forced” the Hawaii Department of Agriculture, working with the Environmental Protection Agency, to enact “annual reporting of restricted-use pesticides; permits for the application of the pesticide, chlorpyrifos; and 100-foot buffer zones (The Garden Island, June 5, 2019).” Thank you, Earthjustice.
Know your policy maker — eyeball to eyeball
We agreed last week that the most important thing to every politician is to get elected and stay elected. We also agreed that this is not necessarily a bad thing, and in fact is human nature.
Peace can flow like a river
What a good thing that I didn’t sink into this past Friday eve’s peaceful, r&r mode to “chill.” Instead, abandoning the chance to settle into my favorite chair with a book and glass of cool sangria in hand, I “hele’d on down” to the Kapaa Public Library meeting room. I was drawn to hear retired Col. Ann Wright speak on global politics and peace-building missions.
Tell me again, why I should care about politics?
The short answer is driven by pure unadulterated self interest, which not-so-coincidentally is also what drives most political decisions: “If you don’t do politics, politics will do you.”
Rental cars not necessary to enjoy island
I’m one of the “Dreamers” that Glen Mickens refers to when he writes letters about no one will abandon their vehicles for alternative means of transportation.
Airports need online parking reservation system
In the summer of 2018, I flew from the Ontario/LA International Airport to Chicago Midway for leisure. The layout of Ontario Airport is very similar to Lihue Airport, from the road design check-in area, and, more importantly, the limited ground-level parking.
Five paths for changemakers
For those committed to making the world a better place and believe that government structures and civic action play a key role — here are 5 ways to make change happen.
Speed-limit signs for sale
You probably know that Germany has a famous and excellent highway system called Autobahn.
Becoming wisely wary
My violin bow coaxes a jaunty, toe-tapping rhythm playing “Ryan’s Rant” as I send love and healing thoughts daily to my 21-year-old grandson Ryan as a musical prayer. Others have been sending prayers for his recovery of health, too — greatly appreciated.
It’s wise to be wary of 5G
I was very happy to see TGI article, “Group protests 5G, doesn’t want it on Kauai,” published Thursday, May 16.
On the occasion of your 2019 graduation
One of my first thoughts is to apologize to graduates everywhere, but “sorry” really doesn’t cut it.
Reduce violence, give inmates vegan meals
This letter was sent to The Garden Island and to Nolan Espinda, Director of Department of Public Safety, Kauai Community Correctional Center.
The days of plausible deniability are over
If you are an administrator, public or private, you are liable for the workplace practices that occur under your supervision or authority. Likewise, if you are an employer, public or private, you are responsible for the actions and inactions of your administrators/managers.
Janet’s Healing Hands
A Tribute to Janet Fujii, Living Treasure of Kauai, Hawaii, April 30, 2019.
Most people guided by moral compass
I deplore the new chant: “Investigate the investigators”. It implies that whenever people find something critical of the president, even if voluminously documented, it could only be because they were politically motivated. In short, they were corrupt.