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Letters for Tuesday, October 7, 2008
• Self-reliance key to change
• Beware of scam
• Take your negativity elsewhere
• Fix the problem now
• Coqui frogs coming soon to a neighborhood near you
• Two trustees should not return
Self-reliance key to change
Everyone wants change and is looking toward our elected officials for leadership.
I say if you want change, look in the mirror. Be self-reliant, plant a garden, ride a bike, put a solar water heater or a photovoltaic system or wind generator on your home. Do it by the way you purchase goods.
Do not look toward government because government produces nothing, and only takes from you.
You are the only one that can create change. Now get started with your plan today. How you can be more self-reliant?
This is when real change will occur.
• Gary Pierce, Kilauea
Beware of scam
Beware of this real estate scam in these desperate times. Here is how it works:
A man will want to purchase your property either outright or on a rent-to-own basis. He is very persistent.
He tries to convince you that he will make payments once you sign the deed or title of the property over to him. Payments soon stop and he owns your property.
Then he takes loans out against your properties equity and lives off it for a couple of years.
The con man tried this scam on me (he did not succeed), but I have learned that he has tried this scam with others on Kaua‘i and I don’t want to see anyone lose their home this way. He may claim to be a mortgage broker or a real estate agent and he is very smooth.
• Chris Webster, Kalaheo
Take your negativity elsewhere
Can I have some cheese with that whine?
I am thankful for those that work so hard collecting our opala, no matter what time of the day this happens.
I am also thankful for our chickens that give us so much needed character to this island, character that has been severely depleted over the last several years by all the ongoing shibai, folks no longer able to vend their Kaua‘i products from the roadside as used to be significant in the distant past plantation-days lifestyle or politicians that shoved Superferry down our throats circumventing laws to make it happen, simply because of community requests for an EIS.
If no can handle island lifestyle, you are invited to go elsewhere and take all your negativity with you.
• Kepa Kekaualua, Kapa‘a
Fix the problem now
The wheelchair ramps installed on the sidewalks of ‘Ele‘ele Nani is an accident waiting to happen.
When a wheelchair rider exits the sidewalk to cross the street to go to the other ramp, the person would have to make a very sharp left or right turn to exit.
The ramp exiting the sidewalk is so narrow that there is a wedge that the wheelchair’s wheel can get caught in and cause the rider to fall and get hurt.
Why did they build it (the ramp) so narrow at the sidewalk? It should have been the same width as the end that’s off the road.
Please don’t wait for an accident to happen — fix the problem now.
• Howard Tolbe. ‘Ele‘ele
Coqui frogs coming soon to a neighborhood near you
Who was it exactly that decided to allow the coqui frog to take over the Big Island?
Who concluded that since there were already millions of them infesting Puna and Hamakua that it was hopeless to even try to control them?
Big mistake! I understand that many of our plant and animal species in Hawai‘i were brought here by accident or by well-intentioned importers.
But this species was willfully allowed to infest our forests at breakneck speed with virtually no predators, devouring insects that other frogs and birds rely on, chirping louder and louder and louder with each passing day.
Shame on you for not getting a handle on this. This innocent yet pesky amphibian has the potential not only to out-compete avian and other species for food, but to lower property values, discourage tourism dollars and last but definitely not least, drive people crazy with all the shrieking.
Let’s pray they do a better job restraining the Varroa mite.
Some people say that coquis are now part of the ‘aina and belong here as much as anybody. While that may be true, a word to the wise to those of you still enjoying your quiet nights — hang on to those earplugs.
Wherever you are, rest assured the coqui frog is on its way. Soon they will be island-hopping with their families on the Superferry like they do on airplanes and in shipping boxes.
We can all watch how quickly the dollars are freed up to control them (as they were wisely on Kaua‘i) once they reach Honolulu and other areas with the money and the good sense to crank up those sprayers.
One thing is sadly certain — their arrival in your neighborhood is only a matter of time.
• Elizabeth Zogby, Kea‘au, Big Island
Two trustees should not return
OHA has had no fiscal accountability under Haunani Apoliona’s chairmanship.
Programs have been eliminated or outsourced while our annual budget has doubled from $24 million to $52 million. The contracts of underperforming vendors have been unlawfully extended multiple times.
Apoliona has spent millions flying first-class and hosting lavish parties on the Mainland. Her sister also works for OHA and recently had nearly $50,000 on her personal charge card reimbursed by OHA.
Morale at OHA has never been lower. Ten employees were fired or quit this year. Employees are fingerprinted for I.D. cards, tracked by security cameras and constantly reminded that they can be fired at anytime.
Apoliona’s friend, Trustee Colette Machado, misled the board into approving a resolution supporting Molokai Ranch’s plan to donate thousands of acres of land to the community in exchange for a development of high-end homes on the ranch.
Machado said the community supported this effort, which turned out to be false. Machado was also involved with the group that was to control the donated lands and she is now its chairperson. Machado’s group recently received a $100,000 OHA grant for “operating costs.”
In this election year, voters must make the necessary changes and elect people who will be accountable.
• Rowena Akana, Office of Hawaiian Affairs trustee
• Beware of scam
• Take your negativity elsewhere
• Fix the problem now
• Coqui frogs coming soon to a neighborhood near you
• Two trustees should not return
Self-reliance key to change
Everyone wants change and is looking toward our elected officials for leadership.
I say if you want change, look in the mirror. Be self-reliant, plant a garden, ride a bike, put a solar water heater or a photovoltaic system or wind generator on your home. Do it by the way you purchase goods.
Do not look toward government because government produces nothing, and only takes from you.
You are the only one that can create change. Now get started with your plan today. How you can be more self-reliant?
This is when real change will occur.
• Gary Pierce, Kilauea
Beware of scam
Beware of this real estate scam in these desperate times. Here is how it works:
A man will want to purchase your property either outright or on a rent-to-own basis. He is very persistent.
He tries to convince you that he will make payments once you sign the deed or title of the property over to him. Payments soon stop and he owns your property.
Then he takes loans out against your properties equity and lives off it for a couple of years.
The con man tried this scam on me (he did not succeed), but I have learned that he has tried this scam with others on Kaua‘i and I don’t want to see anyone lose their home this way. He may claim to be a mortgage broker or a real estate agent and he is very smooth.
• Chris Webster, Kalaheo
Take your negativity elsewhere
Can I have some cheese with that whine?
I am thankful for those that work so hard collecting our opala, no matter what time of the day this happens.
I am also thankful for our chickens that give us so much needed character to this island, character that has been severely depleted over the last several years by all the ongoing shibai, folks no longer able to vend their Kaua‘i products from the roadside as used to be significant in the distant past plantation-days lifestyle or politicians that shoved Superferry down our throats circumventing laws to make it happen, simply because of community requests for an EIS.
If no can handle island lifestyle, you are invited to go elsewhere and take all your negativity with you.
• Kepa Kekaualua, Kapa‘a
Fix the problem now
The wheelchair ramps installed on the sidewalks of ‘Ele‘ele Nani is an accident waiting to happen.
When a wheelchair rider exits the sidewalk to cross the street to go to the other ramp, the person would have to make a very sharp left or right turn to exit.
The ramp exiting the sidewalk is so narrow that there is a wedge that the wheelchair’s wheel can get caught in and cause the rider to fall and get hurt.
Why did they build it (the ramp) so narrow at the sidewalk? It should have been the same width as the end that’s off the road.
Please don’t wait for an accident to happen — fix the problem now.
• Howard Tolbe. ‘Ele‘ele
Coqui frogs coming soon to a neighborhood near you
Who was it exactly that decided to allow the coqui frog to take over the Big Island?
Who concluded that since there were already millions of them infesting Puna and Hamakua that it was hopeless to even try to control them?
Big mistake! I understand that many of our plant and animal species in Hawai‘i were brought here by accident or by well-intentioned importers.
But this species was willfully allowed to infest our forests at breakneck speed with virtually no predators, devouring insects that other frogs and birds rely on, chirping louder and louder and louder with each passing day.
Shame on you for not getting a handle on this. This innocent yet pesky amphibian has the potential not only to out-compete avian and other species for food, but to lower property values, discourage tourism dollars and last but definitely not least, drive people crazy with all the shrieking.
Let’s pray they do a better job restraining the Varroa mite.
Some people say that coquis are now part of the ‘aina and belong here as much as anybody. While that may be true, a word to the wise to those of you still enjoying your quiet nights — hang on to those earplugs.
Wherever you are, rest assured the coqui frog is on its way. Soon they will be island-hopping with their families on the Superferry like they do on airplanes and in shipping boxes.
We can all watch how quickly the dollars are freed up to control them (as they were wisely on Kaua‘i) once they reach Honolulu and other areas with the money and the good sense to crank up those sprayers.
One thing is sadly certain — their arrival in your neighborhood is only a matter of time.
• Elizabeth Zogby, Kea‘au, Big Island
Two trustees should not return
OHA has had no fiscal accountability under Haunani Apoliona’s chairmanship.
Programs have been eliminated or outsourced while our annual budget has doubled from $24 million to $52 million. The contracts of underperforming vendors have been unlawfully extended multiple times.
Apoliona has spent millions flying first-class and hosting lavish parties on the Mainland. Her sister also works for OHA and recently had nearly $50,000 on her personal charge card reimbursed by OHA.
Morale at OHA has never been lower. Ten employees were fired or quit this year. Employees are fingerprinted for I.D. cards, tracked by security cameras and constantly reminded that they can be fired at anytime.
Apoliona’s friend, Trustee Colette Machado, misled the board into approving a resolution supporting Molokai Ranch’s plan to donate thousands of acres of land to the community in exchange for a development of high-end homes on the ranch.
Machado said the community supported this effort, which turned out to be false. Machado was also involved with the group that was to control the donated lands and she is now its chairperson. Machado’s group recently received a $100,000 OHA grant for “operating costs.”
In this election year, voters must make the necessary changes and elect people who will be accountable.
• Rowena Akana, Office of Hawaiian Affairs trustee
Article Rating
Reader Comments
The following are comments from the readers. In no way do they represent the view of kauaiworld.com.
kauaigirl wrote on Oct 7, 2008 4:45 PM:
" I'm still voting for McCain. Obama has too many friends with bad reps. "
DocSmith wrote on Oct 9, 2008 10:51 PM:
" It appears that there is another writer who is ashamed of his opinions . Some tag line that hides his identity. Like the Graffiti artists that do their art work at night and on some one else's property. Do you as a reader of these missives really care what an anonymous writer has to say. The anonymous writer isn't even proud of his own opinions, so why would anyone else care.
By the way it is not the Republicans that are stopping P V it is the Kauai Politicians that have not encouraged them. I wonder how many of the Kauai County Council Members are Democrats and how many are Republicans ?
As to the Government listening , they are the one's that the majority of the County and the State voter have elected. If they are doing such a bad job why does so many Hawaiian's keep voting them into Office ?
Kauaigirl probably has good reason to speak anonymously , since there are so many hateful people that would / could do her harm for voicing an opinion that is not allowed to be thought much less voiced.
There are a lot of "Bullies" on the Island. What a Shame ! "
By the way it is not the Republicans that are stopping P V it is the Kauai Politicians that have not encouraged them. I wonder how many of the Kauai County Council Members are Democrats and how many are Republicans ?
As to the Government listening , they are the one's that the majority of the County and the State voter have elected. If they are doing such a bad job why does so many Hawaiian's keep voting them into Office ?
Kauaigirl probably has good reason to speak anonymously , since there are so many hateful people that would / could do her harm for voicing an opinion that is not allowed to be thought much less voiced.
There are a lot of "Bullies" on the Island. What a Shame ! "
StanKoga wrote on Oct 10, 2008 7:45 AM:
" For Docsmith : its funny how when someones's opinion does not fall in line with your own , you jump all over them because they dont use their real name here--but if they happen to agree with you then its Ok not to use one's real name because they might get "Bullied" !! please!! only a true GOPr would bother spouting such childish jibberish--stick to the issues or stop wasting everyones time!
For Kauaigirl : please take the time to look in deeply into BOTH campaigns: you will find that Obama and Mccain BOTH have friends with bad reps. Everyone is dirty at this level of american politics...it's a fact. The answer is to vote with the issues in mind--who do you think will do a better job of representing the issues that matter most to you? thats who you should cast you vote for! Either way, thanks for taking the time to research candidates and for voting! aloha! "
For Kauaigirl : please take the time to look in deeply into BOTH campaigns: you will find that Obama and Mccain BOTH have friends with bad reps. Everyone is dirty at this level of american politics...it's a fact. The answer is to vote with the issues in mind--who do you think will do a better job of representing the issues that matter most to you? thats who you should cast you vote for! Either way, thanks for taking the time to research candidates and for voting! aloha! "
DocSmith wrote on Oct 10, 2008 9:38 PM:
" It appears to me that the Democrats will win both the presidential race as well as the Congress this year. I am a proud Republican who believes we are the better choice, however it will be interesting to see what the Liberals blame win, and things don't get better, and I am afraid they will get worse.
Here in the State of hawaii , which has had Democrat leadership(?) forever, and things are not getting better but continually get worse they . the Democrats, are fortunate to have Linda Lingle to blame for all of the ills.
they won't have the same luck next year with the ills of the Federal Government.
Oh Right , They can continue to blame our President Bush for all of the ills for years to come. "
Here in the State of hawaii , which has had Democrat leadership(?) forever, and things are not getting better but continually get worse they . the Democrats, are fortunate to have Linda Lingle to blame for all of the ills.
they won't have the same luck next year with the ills of the Federal Government.
Oh Right , They can continue to blame our President Bush for all of the ills for years to come. "
stankoga wrote on Oct 12, 2008 2:03 PM:
" docsmith: we finally agree on something : The mess that we are in today took 8 years to create and yes, YOUR GOP party has been at the helm for just about that long ( excluding the last 2 years in congress ), so therefore YOUR president bush and YOUR republican party most certainly is to blame for many of the ills we will be experiencing for years to come--its very refreshing to hear you admit as much. Whether the Dems or the GOP wins in november, either way this wont get solved in 4 years. my hope is that we can make solid bi-partisan in roads and headway which will leave that much less work for the following administration to follow up on. if we get real bi-partisan leadership from both ends, hopefully we will end up with a sort of compromise that the next administration ( whether its obama's 2nd term or some republican's 1st ) will find it easier to follow through on. I find it hard to believe that you really feel that one party has all the answers and the other is completely clueless--its that type of blind naivete that causes extreme polarization and does nothing to expedite meaningful progress. Like it or not,we are in this together and it would do ALL of us a world of good to learn to get along for the common good. "
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leftygoleftier wrote on Oct 7, 2008 7:33 AM: