Letters for Wednesday, October 19, 2022

Odd closing statement at recent candidates forum

Thirteen Kaua’i County Council Candidates attended the first County Council Candidate Forums held on Oct. 13-14 at the War Memorial Exhibit Hall. The event was sponsored by the YWCA and its community partners and focused on critical issues for women and children.

I was fortunate to attend both nights in person. Most of the candidates had a firm grasp of the issues facing Kaua‘i. They also showed a passion for our island and its people, often thinking outside the box for solutions to local issues.

However, one candidate really stood out, and not in a good way. It was unclear whether Nelson Mukai understood the questions as he was the only candidate who didn’t seem to actually answer them in any concrete way.

At the end of the Forums each candidate had two minutes for a closing statement. Here are some excerpts from Mr. Mukai’s: “All I want is 4 years so that I can crystallize my thoughts. After four years, in 2028, I’m going to run for president of America. …. I’m not worried about Kaua‘i, I’m worried for the world. … I will lead the world. That’s a campaign promise.”

Kaua‘i needs county leaders who are actually concerned about the well-being of the people of Kaua‘i and Ni‘ihau first; not leaders who are using a valuable position on Kaua‘i to “crystalize” their “thoughts” for a different level of government all together.

If you would like to hear all of the candidates’ answers from the forum (except Shirley Simbre-Medeiros who didn’t attend) you can listen on the KKCR Archives or watch later this week on Ho‘ike.

Dawna White, Kapa‘a

‘Itinerant’ people are human beings, too

That “mess” you speak about of “Itinerant” people are actual human beings. Most of them kanaka maoli. Houseless folks deserve our compassion, not our scorn. I say houseless because they have no house, but they definitely have a home. Kauai is their home.

Maybe we should stop worrying what tourists might think and start to find ways to help. Volunteer some time. Bring a meal and sit and talk. It’s a good start. But let’s stop seeing houseless as the “other”. They are us and we need help.

Daniel Bernal, Kapa‘a
Source: The Garden Island