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Letters for Sunday, August 10, 2008
• ConCon shenanigans
• For a successful long-term care commission
• We all ‘have’ and ‘have not’
ConCon shenanigans
Over the past few weeks I’ve written about several issues that, hopefully, will encourage you to vote “Yes” on the Constitutional Convention question in the coming election. I have always closed by reminding you of the 1996 Supreme Court ruling that requires you to vote either yes or no on the question. A blank vote, by direction of the courts, counts as a “No” vote. This decision was the result of a suit filed by special interest groups and legislative action to prevent a con-con. Here’s how:
In the 1996 election the people voted 164,000 to 160,000 in favor of a con-con. Some 45,000 voters did not mark their preference. By this count and normal election procedures, the measure was approved. A special interest group consisting of unions, state officials and others challenged the count in the state Supreme Court. They won and the 45,000 votes were deemed as no votes.
In 1997, another group in favor of a con-con filed suit in the federal 9th Circuit Court claiming the ruling violated the First and Fourteenth Amendments to the U.S. Constitution. The court issued a stay (stop order) and, ultimately, reversed the state court’s decision in March of 1998.
Between the issuance of the stay and the Supreme Court’s final decision, the Legislature jumped into the issue. Two months before the Supreme Court’s final decision and, knowing that the Hawai‘i court’s ruling was likely to be overturned, they placed a second con-con referendum on the November 1998 ballot. The original group, meanwhile, had petitioned the U.S. Circuit Court for a re-hearing. In June, while the U.S. Court was considering their petition the governor signed the bill into law (Act 131). The following day, the U.S. Courts denied the re-hearing petition and affirmed their original decision. Unfortunately, the state had managed to circumvent the court’s decision, violated your First and Fourteenth Amendment rights and rendered the Supreme Court’s decision moot (meaning they never officially published their final reading).
Fed up with the whole mess, in November of 1998 the voters rejected the second con-con referendum. Screwed again by the representatives you elected. You can, however, introduce an amendment correcting the Hawaii Court decision but only if you first vote “Yes” on the con-con.
But remember, under current law you must vote “Yes.” If you don’t vote on the issue, it counts as a “No” vote. An interesting aside is that should the same thing happen this year, another group filing to overturn the vote would likely win again in the U.S. Supreme Court.
Al Rabold
Kula
For a successful long-term care commission
In response to the Aug. 6 letter to the editor, “Time to act on long-term care”:
Work is already underway on the Long-Term Care Commission. The administration, the Legislature, and AARP are collaborating on who is best to serve. In addition, we’ve discussed the need to develop a plan outlining how the $100,000 in funding, if released, might be spent.
All of this preparation is important to ensure that the commission is successful and able to produce a plan that will make a difference to Hawai‘i residents and their families.
It’s important to remember that the commission only became law four weeks ago. In addition, the Legislature inserted deadlines in the law of Sept. 30 for appointments and no later than Nov. 1 for the first meeting. We expect to meet these deadlines with time to spare.
Once in place, the commission will build on the progress the Lingle-Aiona administration has made to increase care for our elderly, including at-home-care. This includes the Going Home Project that the Department of Human Services started in 2003 to give Medicaid recipients who require immediate and skilled nursing care the choice to transfer from hospitals to home-based or community-based settings. The Going Home Project has saved taxpayers more than $78,000 per patient per year in Medicaid funds and frees up much-needed hospital space. Also, Next February, DHS will begin QUEST Expanded Access which will improve the health of our seniors and disabled Medicaid clients by providing them with a comprehensive and coordinated system of managed care.
Jill Cooper, policy analyst
Office of the Governor
We all ‘have’ and ‘have not’
It seems like there has always been a divide between the “haves” and the “have-nots.” For someone who perceives himself to be a “have-not,” no amount of explanation will assuage his feeling of deprivation when faced with those who “have” something he doesn’t have, and wants. Someone who is a “have” may or may not think about the “have nots” and how their own wealth — even when garnered through hard work — may impact other people. Sometimes a “have” feels threatened by a “have-not.” Sometimes a person others would perceive to be a “have” feels internally like they are a “have-not.” It’s all relative.
This is another polarizing issue. So many people work 60 to 70 hours a week, don’t buy new cars, and still don’t have the option of buying even a primary residence on Kaua‘i, much less a retirement home. So they have a difficult time empathizing with those who have enough wealth stored up that they can afford to buy a second home and let it sit empty 10 months out of the year, or those who can afford to take two months off per year and fly off to a holiday home somewhere nice. Sometimes those feelings of anger, deprivation and envy spill out into the public eye, and sometimes really nice people, who haven’t committed any heinous crimes, get their feelings hurt as a result. That’s a shame, but it doesn’t necessarily mean that the aloha spirit has disappeared on Kaua‘i. I see it in action every day. People here are extraordinarily generous with their time, money and help.
There is one thing that I don’t understand, and that is why visitors resent being asked to stay in “designated tourist areas,” or why they would resent visitor developments being restricted by zoning to certain areas. In their home towns, are there large visitor developments in residential neighborhoods? Are there so many short-term tourist accommodations in residential neighborhoods that locals can’t find affordable long-term rentals? Is this the case in Syracuse, N.Y, for example? How would these visitors feel if a 200-room hotel was built on their home block and there were suddenly 200 more cars driving down their street each day? What about living on a block where the community has been eroded by temporary residents occupying most of the homes? How do some (certainly not all) visitors develop a sense of entitlement to the whole island?
As a visitor to Kaua‘i, before I moved here, I stayed in a resort down in Wailua, one of the “designated tourist areas.” I didn’t feel discriminated against. It was clean, on the beach, and staffed by some of the nicest people I’ve ever met. I thought it was great. It was the first time I’d ever had a vacation like that, since our family would usually camp somewhere, or stay with family. For a week, I was a “have,” and I enjoyed it to the max while being fully aware of the people working around me who may not have ever had that experience.
I am still a “have” and so is everyone who lives on Kaua‘i, even though we may not have a barrel of money. We “have” a rich lifestyle compared to most of the world. We “have” the beauty of this island, the aloha of the residents, and sometimes, the appreciation of the visitors. We “have” what millions of people want so badly that they will fly here by the droves to pursue it.
Do I “have” a solution to this dilemma? Nope. Except that we can all try to be a little more caring, a little more tender with each other, and a little more understanding when we feel like we are either a “have” or a “have-not.”
Peggy Kemp
Kapa‘a
• For a successful long-term care commission
• We all ‘have’ and ‘have not’
ConCon shenanigans
Over the past few weeks I’ve written about several issues that, hopefully, will encourage you to vote “Yes” on the Constitutional Convention question in the coming election. I have always closed by reminding you of the 1996 Supreme Court ruling that requires you to vote either yes or no on the question. A blank vote, by direction of the courts, counts as a “No” vote. This decision was the result of a suit filed by special interest groups and legislative action to prevent a con-con. Here’s how:
In the 1996 election the people voted 164,000 to 160,000 in favor of a con-con. Some 45,000 voters did not mark their preference. By this count and normal election procedures, the measure was approved. A special interest group consisting of unions, state officials and others challenged the count in the state Supreme Court. They won and the 45,000 votes were deemed as no votes.
In 1997, another group in favor of a con-con filed suit in the federal 9th Circuit Court claiming the ruling violated the First and Fourteenth Amendments to the U.S. Constitution. The court issued a stay (stop order) and, ultimately, reversed the state court’s decision in March of 1998.
Between the issuance of the stay and the Supreme Court’s final decision, the Legislature jumped into the issue. Two months before the Supreme Court’s final decision and, knowing that the Hawai‘i court’s ruling was likely to be overturned, they placed a second con-con referendum on the November 1998 ballot. The original group, meanwhile, had petitioned the U.S. Circuit Court for a re-hearing. In June, while the U.S. Court was considering their petition the governor signed the bill into law (Act 131). The following day, the U.S. Courts denied the re-hearing petition and affirmed their original decision. Unfortunately, the state had managed to circumvent the court’s decision, violated your First and Fourteenth Amendment rights and rendered the Supreme Court’s decision moot (meaning they never officially published their final reading).
Fed up with the whole mess, in November of 1998 the voters rejected the second con-con referendum. Screwed again by the representatives you elected. You can, however, introduce an amendment correcting the Hawaii Court decision but only if you first vote “Yes” on the con-con.
But remember, under current law you must vote “Yes.” If you don’t vote on the issue, it counts as a “No” vote. An interesting aside is that should the same thing happen this year, another group filing to overturn the vote would likely win again in the U.S. Supreme Court.
Al Rabold
Kula
For a successful long-term care commission
In response to the Aug. 6 letter to the editor, “Time to act on long-term care”:
Work is already underway on the Long-Term Care Commission. The administration, the Legislature, and AARP are collaborating on who is best to serve. In addition, we’ve discussed the need to develop a plan outlining how the $100,000 in funding, if released, might be spent.
All of this preparation is important to ensure that the commission is successful and able to produce a plan that will make a difference to Hawai‘i residents and their families.
It’s important to remember that the commission only became law four weeks ago. In addition, the Legislature inserted deadlines in the law of Sept. 30 for appointments and no later than Nov. 1 for the first meeting. We expect to meet these deadlines with time to spare.
Once in place, the commission will build on the progress the Lingle-Aiona administration has made to increase care for our elderly, including at-home-care. This includes the Going Home Project that the Department of Human Services started in 2003 to give Medicaid recipients who require immediate and skilled nursing care the choice to transfer from hospitals to home-based or community-based settings. The Going Home Project has saved taxpayers more than $78,000 per patient per year in Medicaid funds and frees up much-needed hospital space. Also, Next February, DHS will begin QUEST Expanded Access which will improve the health of our seniors and disabled Medicaid clients by providing them with a comprehensive and coordinated system of managed care.
Jill Cooper, policy analyst
Office of the Governor
We all ‘have’ and ‘have not’
It seems like there has always been a divide between the “haves” and the “have-nots.” For someone who perceives himself to be a “have-not,” no amount of explanation will assuage his feeling of deprivation when faced with those who “have” something he doesn’t have, and wants. Someone who is a “have” may or may not think about the “have nots” and how their own wealth — even when garnered through hard work — may impact other people. Sometimes a “have” feels threatened by a “have-not.” Sometimes a person others would perceive to be a “have” feels internally like they are a “have-not.” It’s all relative.
This is another polarizing issue. So many people work 60 to 70 hours a week, don’t buy new cars, and still don’t have the option of buying even a primary residence on Kaua‘i, much less a retirement home. So they have a difficult time empathizing with those who have enough wealth stored up that they can afford to buy a second home and let it sit empty 10 months out of the year, or those who can afford to take two months off per year and fly off to a holiday home somewhere nice. Sometimes those feelings of anger, deprivation and envy spill out into the public eye, and sometimes really nice people, who haven’t committed any heinous crimes, get their feelings hurt as a result. That’s a shame, but it doesn’t necessarily mean that the aloha spirit has disappeared on Kaua‘i. I see it in action every day. People here are extraordinarily generous with their time, money and help.
There is one thing that I don’t understand, and that is why visitors resent being asked to stay in “designated tourist areas,” or why they would resent visitor developments being restricted by zoning to certain areas. In their home towns, are there large visitor developments in residential neighborhoods? Are there so many short-term tourist accommodations in residential neighborhoods that locals can’t find affordable long-term rentals? Is this the case in Syracuse, N.Y, for example? How would these visitors feel if a 200-room hotel was built on their home block and there were suddenly 200 more cars driving down their street each day? What about living on a block where the community has been eroded by temporary residents occupying most of the homes? How do some (certainly not all) visitors develop a sense of entitlement to the whole island?
As a visitor to Kaua‘i, before I moved here, I stayed in a resort down in Wailua, one of the “designated tourist areas.” I didn’t feel discriminated against. It was clean, on the beach, and staffed by some of the nicest people I’ve ever met. I thought it was great. It was the first time I’d ever had a vacation like that, since our family would usually camp somewhere, or stay with family. For a week, I was a “have,” and I enjoyed it to the max while being fully aware of the people working around me who may not have ever had that experience.
I am still a “have” and so is everyone who lives on Kaua‘i, even though we may not have a barrel of money. We “have” a rich lifestyle compared to most of the world. We “have” the beauty of this island, the aloha of the residents, and sometimes, the appreciation of the visitors. We “have” what millions of people want so badly that they will fly here by the droves to pursue it.
Do I “have” a solution to this dilemma? Nope. Except that we can all try to be a little more caring, a little more tender with each other, and a little more understanding when we feel like we are either a “have” or a “have-not.”
Peggy Kemp
Kapa‘a
Article Rating
Reader Comments
The following are comments from the readers. In no way do they represent the view of kauaiworld.com.
HiKauai wrote on Feb 11, 2009 9:19 AM:
" Hello again TGI,
Please do not expect anyone to buy your theory of promotion or advertising and success program Waimea High School. We the former students there at one time in our lives actually do not care of local propaganda and success story with you or anyone there and their cars to show for as a success story.
Basically, I wrote to Waimea High School, and I suspect as always that this town is a ghost town. No offense but there is nothing to do there, just unemployed educators and former students.
I am not with their idea of success story, and I am not placing religion or anything like that on anyone, because as you know, this is still a free country and you can do anything you want. The whole idea of success just doesn't work well in a farm club setting and wanting to make it out or make it happen after you graduate in high school there to say the least.
Basically, some people I may know here, think some of you people still stuck there are still losers because you haven't made it happen for yourself or others, if you get my point staying home doing nothing.
Sincerely,
Dean Kelly Sabado "
Please do not expect anyone to buy your theory of promotion or advertising and success program Waimea High School. We the former students there at one time in our lives actually do not care of local propaganda and success story with you or anyone there and their cars to show for as a success story.
Basically, I wrote to Waimea High School, and I suspect as always that this town is a ghost town. No offense but there is nothing to do there, just unemployed educators and former students.
I am not with their idea of success story, and I am not placing religion or anything like that on anyone, because as you know, this is still a free country and you can do anything you want. The whole idea of success just doesn't work well in a farm club setting and wanting to make it out or make it happen after you graduate in high school there to say the least.
Basically, some people I may know here, think some of you people still stuck there are still losers because you haven't made it happen for yourself or others, if you get my point staying home doing nothing.
Sincerely,
Dean Kelly Sabado "
HiKauai wrote on Feb 11, 2009 1:45 PM:
" First of all, let this be known, that these comments here are worthless and useless considering the topic being discussed. We found this topic a useless waist of time and money. This is from any intellectual interested reader. And yes, I am not associated with any former classmates there on Kauai also, for this matter alone.
Sincerely,
Dean Kelly Sabado "
Sincerely,
Dean Kelly Sabado "
HiKauai wrote on Feb 11, 2009 1:50 PM:
" I have seen alot of losers being mentioned in association to Waimea High School sports at UH Manoa. Might I add they are the one's who are delerious and a debachery to any level minded reader. These names are wide and long. And they run from 1979-1990 graduates trying grace the pages of Kauai and represent that school, outrageous. I for one, right now am putting all of them down for ever contemplating fame and popularity. We actually do not understand your fame and glory at Waimea High School.
This is in regards to your articles on the Waimea High School athletics and any department there.
Sincerely,
Dean Kelly Sabado "
This is in regards to your articles on the Waimea High School athletics and any department there.
Sincerely,
Dean Kelly Sabado "
HiKauai wrote on Feb 11, 2009 1:55 PM:
" Losers I have mentioned that graced those pages are as follows:
Ross Kagawa 1984' UH baseball 1987' classmate of Percival Butay(cousin)
Edmond Acoba 1981'
Liko Pereira 1989 and someother school baseball?
Kui Souza 1988 Sacramento state baseball
Craig Ibara 1983' HPC of honolulu baseball
Keith Pigao - student information desk for all information here for class reunion
Lyman Lacro 1986, UH Volleyball 1987
Barry Magoay 1985, UH Volleyball 1989
These are just some of the names trying to gain popular votes via their own high School Waimea High School
even now. Unreal!
Best regards,
Dean Kelly Sabado "
Ross Kagawa 1984' UH baseball 1987' classmate of Percival Butay(cousin)
Edmond Acoba 1981'
Liko Pereira 1989 and someother school baseball?
Kui Souza 1988 Sacramento state baseball
Craig Ibara 1983' HPC of honolulu baseball
Keith Pigao - student information desk for all information here for class reunion
Lyman Lacro 1986, UH Volleyball 1987
Barry Magoay 1985, UH Volleyball 1989
These are just some of the names trying to gain popular votes via their own high School Waimea High School
even now. Unreal!
Best regards,
Dean Kelly Sabado "
HiKauai wrote on Feb 12, 2009 1:08 PM:
" Hello again TGI,
This is me, Dean Kelly Sabado. Thank you for letting me comment on your articles there on the island. I just want to thank everyone agreeing with myself on who actually I meant, calling them losers in that town. Ha! Ha! Ha! I am a personal graduate of that high school but will proudly say if they keep up the good work in academics and life, will not be too ashamed of being associated with Waimea High School as an alumni.
Sorry, but there are others who felt this way! Here on the island of Honolulu and even the mainland. These names may have one time in their lives even mine represent the epitome of failure and laughs, and not success.
best regards,
Dean Kelly Sabado "
This is me, Dean Kelly Sabado. Thank you for letting me comment on your articles there on the island. I just want to thank everyone agreeing with myself on who actually I meant, calling them losers in that town. Ha! Ha! Ha! I am a personal graduate of that high school but will proudly say if they keep up the good work in academics and life, will not be too ashamed of being associated with Waimea High School as an alumni.
Sorry, but there are others who felt this way! Here on the island of Honolulu and even the mainland. These names may have one time in their lives even mine represent the epitome of failure and laughs, and not success.
best regards,
Dean Kelly Sabado "
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HiKauai wrote on Feb 11, 2009 9:08 AM:
RE: 2/11/2009 and the above topic
Can we cut out the "EXPLETIVE" here. Everyone knows if you are or were affiliated with high school at one time in your life in Waimea, Kauai, you would know that you do not place one of the three stooges willing to work at Kentucky fried chicken and place him at the vice principal's seat at Waimea High School. We all know that BOE and DOE played no roll in this nonsense of students being athletes then becomming success in the respected choice of degree and field like a BA degree. An example, you cannot put someone like a Pereira or even an Aaron Francisco from Kahuku High School, now former Arizona Cardinals NFL, as a BA candidtate after a prolific showing in sports. It just does not work that way. We all know that they cannot be serious placing academics after a 10 year assistant coach with a rediculous man/educator and/or coach if I might add like Tommy Rita of the 1980's and then expect him, Patrick Pereira to educate people in 2000's after being associated with dumb athletes all their life and now turn to academics. Now they educate people? Ha! What are we looking at here is basically a rediculous and dumber community than most perceived DOE standard base learning. Otherwise throw this article out already, alright?
best regards,
Dean Kelly Sabado "