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A Star-Bulletin editorial Monday applauded a successful missile test on Kauai that was part of the recently concluded RimPac military exercises. The editorial went on to emphasize the importance of the Pacific Missile Range Facility to the Kauai's economy. Kauai’s beauty
is attacked on
many frontsYes, how wonderful those war games are for Kauai. We sure are hooked on those government dollars.
Let's list the benefits. Rockets being shot off from PMRF, live ammunition possibly landing in the ocean close to our shores, where recreational boating takes place along the Na Pali Coast. The temporary cessation of the LMAF sonar experiments, deadly Navy sonar bombardments responsible for 17 whales dying in the Bahamas, in a state of shock from having their nervous systems blown out. (Dr. Mengele's spirit is alive and well in the U.S. Navy.)
These are only some of the effects that Kauai experiences from the presence of the military on our island.
RimPac protests are happening in Hilo. But for a few other problems we have on Kauai, they would be happening here too, as there is a large and vocal community of people who would like to see the military vacate Kauai for good.
Unfortunately, most of us work several jobs and have little time to organize. Civic-minded citizens are also stretched to the max by several other issues of community concern, including the open season declared by developers on Kauai's beautiful, green, open agricultural lands, which are fast disappearing. The state and the county appear to have little interest in protecting them.
Another concern is the so-called "co-op" that is attempting to fork over $270 million for Kauai Electric's aging facilities, with the goal of putting in a huge, polluting fossil-fuel plant, complete with smokestacks, right over Wailua Falls near Hawaiian homelands. The money is being borrowed by this co-op board in the name of Kauai residents, with taxpayers as the responsible parties for the debt to be paid with our ever-higher utility prices.
But "we the people" have thus far had no voice in this decision. No one has asked whether we agree with this ill-conceived deal to pay Kauai Electric $100 million over the asking price for the property that this presumptuous co-op has offered in our name. No independent appraisal has ever been performed.
We are also dealing with unique, historic Hawaiian salt pans near Hanapepe being endangered by a foolish state plan to enlarge the airport to benefit some lucky helicopter business owners with friends in high places.
An aside: Why is it that there is always state money for highway and airport "improvements" that the people don't want, but no money to improve education, counsel rape victims, or seriously fund the fight against domestic violence and teen pregnancy, not to mention money to finance an all-out effort to bring high-tech industry to the state? Inquiring minds would love to know why we pay such high taxes and still have a banana republic-type government that tolerates such a low quality of life for many of its residents.
So as you can see we are busy over here. We would welcome more coverage of our real issues, as we hope the other islands might be interested in what is likely to happen soon to the green, natural beauty, fresh air and blue skies for which Kauai has always been known and loved.
Liz Randol has been active in her Kauai North Shore community, Kilauea, which has been dealing with major development issues. She works at several resorts on the island and writes screenplays in her spare time.