They Paved Paradise And Put Up A Parking Lot. 'Bettejo Dux' (Classic Wednesday)

Bettejo Dux  one of Kauai's true gems, Today she 

guest-blogs about the question of progress, some think it's development  Many on 

Kaua'i believe it is open space, what is your view?  Think! Enjoy...

www.bettejodux.com

Recently, in The Garden Island News,  the headline, LUC convert one-third of  Grove Farm Lands into IAL, appeared in the business section.

LUC, the state Land Use Commission, approved the petition from Grove Farm converting a total of 11,048 acres to Important Agricultural Lands. That's a big hunk of land, but many of us wonder what the trade-off was. More suburban sprawl? Obviously there's a dollar factor involved here, we're not a communist state, private ownership of land is allowed-and that's a good thing. I own land. Lots of peasants own land, but Steve Case, who owns Grove Farm, is not a peasant. We can be sure he will be allowed to sell the other two-thirds.

Does this mean more suburban sprawl? More highways, roads, over crowding? Probably. I sincerely doubt Mr. Case plans on creating a vast estate in all the emptiness.

Mr.Case, Grove Farm executives, Kauai Planning Department, Mayor Carvalho, what if we think outside the box? What if we finally accept the fact the old ways don't work? We need open space. We need food. We need clean air. And, because we all know Kauai is such a special place, why don't we do something special with it? We can. It'll be beautiful, profitable and enhance the scenic wonder of this fabulous island. Attract tourists. Praise. A win win win.

Imagine: a high-rise -maybe several think  IlIkais (Hotels)- set at the foot of those magnificent cliffs. Designed to blend in. Small towns, under one roof. Penthouses for the rich, studios for the poor, one and two and three bedroom apartments for the middle and upper.

Theater, restaurants, bars, offices, a post office, a clinic, a school, shops, markets, stores, funeral parlors, churches- eeek-all within walking or quietly elevatoring distance. Solar power or windmills on  the roof. Plenty water underground. Parking and garages and gas stations under ground. Surrounded by open land. One twisty/turning beautiful little two lane tree lined road winding its way through orange groves. fragrant veggie and flower stands, parks, golf courses, tennis courts, swimming pools, baseball, football, soccer fields, walk ways, bike ways, jogger ways.  Pastures. Goats, sheep cows, cattle, free roaming chicken, delightful clean smelling piggeries. Bridle paths. Horses. Dogs. A very worldly, human, planet wise habitat.

This isn't a dream. A utopia. It's happening elsewhere and it can certainly happen here.

We're open to it. We deserve it.

Architects and visitors from all over the world would flock to see it. To be involved in designing it. Hey, we could give China a run for her money. Sun City, hah! How about Sun Town Kauai!!

Open your minds, guys. Use your imagination,  your bucks, you power.Sell it. Let's see it. Have fun.  Work hard, play hard, enjoy, while making a lot of people happy . The island and the planet healthier. Build a road to profit that's a pleasure instead of a pain.

For goodness sake Mr. Case don't hand us another made in China ticky-tacky mess like the one you've planned for Koloa.


Kimo's comment,
"They paved Paradise and put up a parking lot, with a big Hotel, Motel and a swinging hot spot! Don't it always seem to go that you don't know what you got till it's gone, they paved paradise and put a parking lot."  Joni Mitchel

I wouldn't mind moderate development on Kauai, with the increased population and tourism at an all time high, it's time to  at least build more roads.. Sorry Bettejo.

"Bring your own whine..." 'James "Kimo" Rosen'

The second annual "Bring Your Own Whine" Luncheon will be held on February 18, 2013 at 1:15 P.M.
at Costco Outdoor cafe in Lihue. Please R.S.V.P. via this blog or Facebook.

Check out my opinion article in the 03-13-13 edition of the Kaua'i Garden Island News," You are cordially invited."
http://thegardenisland.com/news/opinion/mailbag/letters-for-wednesday-march/article_3d715ffa-8ba5-11e2-b3d2-0019bb2963f4.html

The editorial section of the Kaua'i Garden Island News  is the most thought provoking , intellectual, silly, crazy and  fun to read  page of the Cosmic Garden Island newspaper.
http://www.kauaiworld.com

Wouldn't it be great to put a face behind the writings of many of these personalities? We do not need to agree politically, just have a passion for making Kaua'i a better place and to set an example to our politicians on how people with differences of  opinions can act in a civil manner.

There will be  the second annual No Host  "bring your own whine"luncheon at my favorite fine dining restaurant, Costco Outdoor cafe on  Monday  March 18, 2013 at 1:15 P.M. This Luncheon is  intended for  letter writers, guest columnists, commenters and readers (basically anyone) who would like to talk story and meet the greatest minds on Kauai' to possibly solve the world's  problems... 

See you there, just look for the guy with white hair, a white head band, eating a Chicken Caesar Salad with a smile on his face and a stain on his shirt.

 http://thegardenisland.com/news/opinion/mailbag/letters-for-wednesday-march/article_3d715ffa-8ba5-11e2-b3d2-0019bb2963f4.html


Bettejo Dux-TGI-LTE, 03-17-13The place: Costco, Lihu‘e.
http://thegardenisland.com/news/opinion/mailbag/letters-for-sunday-march/article_435f1342-8ed6-11e2-855f-001a4bcf887a.html

"Accidents Happen..." 'James "Kimo" Rosen'

Aloha, check out my opinion article in the 03-09-13 edition  of
the Kaua'i Garden Island news,"Drowning is inevitable."
http://thegardenisland.com/news/opinion/mailbag/letters-for-saturday-march/article_2f08d7fa-8870-11e2-9e84-0019bb2963f4.html

There is a famous expression, "The best swimmers are many times the one who drown." Why? because they spend a good part of their lives in the water, whereas a non-swimmer is hardly ever in the water.

No matter how many brochures are distributed or how many times you replay and endless loop video of water safety there will inevitably still be drownings. 

Accidents happen, it is part of life, part of the divinity of the spiritual realm. Many believe when it's your time, it's your time.

The only way to stop accidental drownings is to not go into the water, however we can cut down on the accidents by a simple remedy that is free to all, common sense. 


http://thegardenisland.com/news/opinion/mailbag/letters-for-saturday-march/article_2f08d7fa-8870-11e2-9e84-0019bb2963f4.html

" Americans are going blind..." 'Judith Whitehead" (Inspiration Sunday)

"Guest-blogger Judith Whitehead lives in Amherst N.Y. and has worked in the
 ophthalmology field of medicine for over 30 years..." 
Today she talks about what else? Her favorite  subject of expertise and  pride, eye care... Enjoy!

   

  Americans are going blind from preventable and treatable eye conditions

We live in a country of opportunity and medical advances and yet I see every day working in the medical
field patients that are going or that have gone blind for no reason other than neglect and ignorance.
There are many eye diseases one can get that I am  witness to working in the field of ophthalmology  but
there are also several that can be treated and cured with some simple prevention and treatment.

There is no reason for anyone to go blind in this country from cataracts; we see this all the time in third
world countries that do not have medical care but today in this country it is totally unnecessary .
Cataract surgery has become a streamlined procedure that takes only 10-20 minutes to perform in an
out-patient setting with local sedation and yet every day I see people that have let their cataracts
become dark and rock hard.  A cataract is the clouding of the eyes natural lens and will totally block all
light entering the eye if left untreated.  During cataract surgery the natural lens is removed and replaced
with an implant lens that restores, in most cases, the eyes total vision.  Sometimes there are underlying
factors that prevent full restoration of the vision but in most cases vision is restored and improved the
very day of surgery.  It is a painless procedure that is done with ease and there is no reason to fear it in
this day and age in America.

Glaucoma is another eye disease that if gone untreated with take all the peripheral vision until a tunnel of vision is left.  It is totally treatable and goes undetected because it is for the most part painless and insidious.  Unfortunately, after the vision is impaired treatment can only prevent it from further progression; whatever is lost to glaucoma can’t be recovered only prevented.

 Macular degenerationis a disease that occurs for most people after middle age and also can be detected in its early stages.
There are two types of the disease that come in wet and dry varieties.  The wet type which are leaking
blood vessels in the back of the eye have treatments available today that are in- office procedures and
will halt the disease; of course early detection gives someone their best chance for vision restoration.
Many general ophthalmologists and retinal specialists do these procedures every day which  are also
painless in-office procedures.

It is hard to believe that we still see these and other causes for blindness in this land of medical
advances and opportunities.  One of the biggest reasons for this is fear; fear of the unknown causes
people to put off treatment and detection.  A simple eye evaluation takes about 20 minutes and can
save one of the most important senses we have.  In Buffalo alone we have over 80 practicing
Ophthalmologists available to us; take advantage of their skills and expertise and save your vision today

"We Love you Garden Island News!" 'Obama Da Dog'

My name is Obama Da Dog and I am a commentaholic! 

If you find yourself like myself and many others not being able to comment  or read the comments in the  online edition of  the Garden Island News, you are not alone.
http://www.kauaiworld.com

The recent sale of the Garden Island news to Oahu Publications did not account for an online comments moderator. I am hoping this is only temporary  until details are tweaked out .

In the interim repeat after me, " my name is ___________ and I'm a commentaholic(sic)  We Love you TGI!

"Little Bruce..." 'Chester "Unc" Lau' (Source)

Dakinetalks favorite Uncle (Chester Lau)

Unc talks  about love!

"Unc" is a retired cinematographer currently living 

on the Hawai'ian Island of Oahu.

Little Bruce and Jenny are only 10 years old, but they know they are in love.
One day they decide that they want to get married, so Bruce goes to Jenny's father to ask him for her hand.

Bruce bravely walks up to him and says, "Mr. Smith, me and Jenny are in love and I want to ask you for her hand in marriage."

Thinking that this was just the cutest thing,
Mr. Smith replies,
"Well Bruce, you are only 10.. Where will you two live?"

Without even taking a moment to think about it, Bruce replies,
"InJenny's room. It's bigger than mine and we can both fit there nicely."

Still thinking this is just adorable,
Mr. Smith says with a huge grin, "Okay, then how will you live? You're not old enough to get a job. You'll need to support Jenny."

Again, Bruce instantly replies, "Our allowance, Jenny makes five bucks a week and I make 10 bucks a week. That's about 60 bucks a month, so that should do us just fine."

Mr. Smith is impressed
Bruce has put so much thought into this.

"Well Bruce, it seems like you have everything figured out.
I just have one more question. What will you do if the two of you should have little children of your own?"

Bruce just shrugs his shoulders and says,
"Well, we've been lucky so far."

Mr. Smith no longer thinks the little shit is adorable.

" A Modest Tax Solution..." 'Bettejo Dux' (Classic Wednesday)

Bettejo Dux  one of Kauai's true gems, Today she 

guest-blogs about  our dysfunctional politicians and the mess our country is in. 

She even offers a solution... Enjoy...

www.bettejodux.com

By definition we have in Washington a dysfunctional state. How do we know this? Well, one of the first indications is the lack of communication and, as we know,  the Democrats won't talk to the Republicans and the Republicans won't talk to anybody, except each other. Sometimes.

Our poor country is on the brink of bankruptcy. Bills and expenses up the lagoon it can't pay for. I'm pretty certain that all of us-except the one per centers-have been in a similar situation at one time or another.How do we pay the rent and buy food, or shoes for the kids, or gas for the car or? The list goes on and on. It is not an uncommon dilemma in the average household. It was usually worse when we were younger but often, hopefully, we learn from our mistakes and make it to middle age and older all in one piece.

Many, unfortunately, never learn and at the end of their lives they end up back counting pennies on the counter. Then we have this damn fool economy, over which we have no control, going nuts on frequent occasions. I don't think much of the capitalist system. I call it the manic-depressive economy. It's bipolar. Boom. Bust. Boom. Bust. But that's not an issue I will wander aimlessly about. Seems on this issue one not only ends up counting pennies, wringing hands, and tearing hair, but often ends up with  a black eye and a bloody nose or  sitting in the cat/bird seat in a divorce court. That's the ultimate dysfunction, isn't it?

Kind'a like what's going on in Washington. Only in Washington they can't get a divorce. At least a divorce is a closure.

Well, I think I have the perfect answer. It will take some setting up and some atypical political treachery. I think the helpless man in the middle of this mess, the most powerful man in the world-sigh-Potus, should invite Congress assembled to big happy do at Camp David, where,  unbeknownst to these illustrious beings, a secure and well-guarded detention camp will have been erected  to which the entire crowd will be driven, like cattle, and penned. Well guarded with the Pres' own men, of course, and several watch towers armed to the teeth.

Here there will be tents, sleeping bags, porta potties and a long  rickety table sagged down with stale loaves of  bread and water tanks the President has personally spit in. Maybe they should be stripped and handed long pink sheets, like togas, to drape themselves in. I hope it snows.

Once settled in, a booming voice from a tower will proclaim, "Work it out. Write it down. Hand it to a guard. I'm off for some rounds of golf  in Hawaii. Make it sane, intelligent, fair to all and include this clause: all churches, great or small, all religions, loony or otherwise, will fill out an income tax form. Declare all their income and forever and ever after be taxed at an annual rate of 10%. The government will do the accounting. Free. Aloha."