Kaua‘i High senior is unhappy camper
Time is something that really is lacking, for seniors especially.
And due to the selfishness of the tourists and the shameful lack of universal action to do what needed to be done by our state and national governments, our time has been cut short, and the effects of this virus have been made longer than it could’ve been.
But people are naturally selfish. It’s just human nature, which really puts the responsibility on the governor to deter people from coming.
What many people don’t realize or have forgotten is that everything changes after high school.
Yes, we get to see some of our friends during breaks, but as our differing dreams in life take us through different paths, the connections and bonds we’ve created grow apart.
With the ability to go back to school practically being thrown out the window due to the people who keep traveling and testing positive, we can’t say our last goodbyes to our campus, teachers and friends. We can’t have a proper graduation.
If the leadership of this state did what our Mayor Derek Kawakami did from the get-go we probably would be the state that took the least amount of damage from this pandemic.
But (Gov. David) Ige didn’t, so the tourists felt welcome to come, and they brought the virus with them. The last few months, we seniors have left here before most of us say our goodbyes and go off to begin our careers and higher education. Our lives have been cut short. But all we can do now is hope for the best and salvage the rest.
Brant Tanaka, Lihu‘e
Now is perfect time to start composting
In response to Janai Kapua’s letter to the editor (TGI Forum April 13, Look where we have gotten to now), urging us to “spread a little hope and plant a seed of the vision of what we can create on our island and in our world,” I want to add my vision of how each of us can help ourselves and Kaua‘i and our earth.
During this time of staying at home, more people are spending time outdoors, doing yard work. A perfect time to start composting. Why? Our landfill is almost full. One fourth of what gets sent to the landfill is organics. By not putting any food waste or green waste in the trash, the landfill will last longer and be cleaner.
How can you make compost? Set up a bin in your back yard. Go to kauai.gov/Composting or call the county Recycling Office at 241-4841 to learn about bin and worm composting on Kaua‘i. Search for composting on ILSR.org (Institute for Local Self Reliance). Get a compost tumbler (yes, there are tumblers small enough or apartment-dwellers) or a worm composting bin. If you can’t compost your own food or green waste, find a friend or neighbor who can compost it.
What does compost do? Compost is a soil amendment, more versatile than fertilizer, good for all kinds of soil. The organic matter in compost holds water so you don’t need to water plants as often, and the carbon in compost attracts other minerals and more carbon from the air. Yes, that is how you would be helping not just yourself (with more nutritious vegetables) and not just Kaua‘i (with more room in the landfill), but also the earth — by sequestering carbon. Instead of sending carbon into the atmosphere it will be deep in the ground. Start composting and everyone wins. That is my vision of what we can create on our island and for our world.
Ruta Jordans, Kapa‘a
Source: The Garden Island
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