Posted on: Saturday, August 28, 2004
Letters to the Editor
Seal was the aggressor in run-in with tourist
I was disappointed to arrive home from my 11-day vacation on Kaua'i to see an article in The Honolulu Advertiser titled "Monk seal on Kaua'i bites pushy tourist in the butt" (Aug. 27).
It mistakenly suggests the tourist approached and provoked the seal. I am the tourist mentioned in the article, and I disagree with the article's point of view that I provoked the seal. At about 9:30 a.m., I was swimming about 25 feet from shore with my wife, in front of the Kiahuna Plantation. As we were preparing to exit the water, we heard people on shore frantically shouting, "Get out of the water. There's a seal!" It was at that moment that the seal first contacted me by shoving me sideways as I attempted to exit the water.
I then put my hand out to try to keep it away so that I could leave the water. It was during this contact that I was bitten. As soon as I was bitten, the seal left me alone and I was able to exit the water. It was a terrifying experience. I have never felt so helpless in my life. I am very grateful to the individuals at the scene, especially a surf instructor/lifeguard named "Sage" who arrived on the scene in an instant, introduced himself, offered assistance and called both hotel security and 911. I am grateful to all at the scene who offered their able assistance.
Subsequently, I sought and received prompt medical assistance at the Kaua'i Medical Clinic in Koloa. To sum up: (1) I was bitten after being shoved by the seal; (2) I am 61 years old, not 64; (3) the incident occurred directly in front of the Kiahuna Plantation, not in front of the Sheraton Kaua'i; (4) I received medical treatment, including a tetanus shot (I received no antibiotics); I cordially returned Mr. Brad Ryon's call because I was informed that he was with the "Wildlife" administration and wanted to document the incident (I never told him I was embarrassed and never told him I aggressively started the incident).
I did tell him that after the seal started shoving me, I was angry about it and aggressively tried to push the seal away to protect myself.
It seems that the story got embellished and changed with each telling.
Richard F. Johnson
I had hoped that the city and the Hawai'i Community Development Authority would have put in a little more thought for the buck into the Queen Street extension.
At a cost of $7.5 million per quarter of mile, that's a staggering $30 million for a mile of blacktop. It would figure that with the highest cost per gallon of gas in the nation, Hawai'i would not want to be left out in highest cost per mile of paved asphalt. Ridiculous and interesting that some contractor was able to charge that and get away with it?
What is even worse is that planners did not factor in how many cars will be using this new conduit from Ala Moana to Ward and thus there is only a four-way stop at the intersection of Kamake'e that is sure to result in some major accidents once the gates are opened.
Thinking out of the box would have meant that something as efficient as a European-style rotary could have been utilized to keep traffic moving while preventing the collisions that will result with a four-way stop or the long lines of traffic that a light will surely cause. It is a perfect opportunity to use proven traffic-calming measures that allow for traffic flow rather than traffic creation.
In spending $7.5 million, I would expect nothing less than that for my dollar.
B. Wailani
While I am excited that an award-winning composer has written music for the UH football team, I am disturbed at how little the UH band gets to play in the stands.
After June Jones arrived, many changes were made without public input. The band now does not play for kickoffs, touchdowns or practically any other time anymore. What a waste of its talent.
At any school, the band supports its team almost religiously, proving it is not simply a "fair-weather fan." Might I remind everyone about our three worst seasons under Fred vonAppen? The band was there when the fans weren't. Now that we have a better record, should we now spit on our most loyal, diehard supporters?
Watch any college football game with a decent team playing, and you will probably recognize its fight song. Let UH be one of those teams.
Henry Fu
Regarding Justin Hahn's Aug. 25 letter about bicycles on sidewalks: As a person in a motorized wheelchair/scooter, and with a severe hearing impairment, I think that is a very bad idea. I do not hear if the bicyclists call out to me, even if they are coming through slowly. I have nearly been hit quite a few times already, and many of my wheelchair-bound friends have, too.
My son is a mountain bike rider, so I admire any and all who have the enjoyment of riding their bicycle. I realize that they, too, can be in danger on the streets, but a bike is a bike and should not be where there are walking pedestrians or handicapped. Many pedestrians, too, are of the deaf community and cannot hear at all.
Sorry to have to say this, but when they do approach near me, many are very rude and want me to get out of the way, as if they own the sidewalk. There is no way to make them safe. Of course, there are many bike riders who do show consideration, but like anything else, too many care not one iota about anybody else.
So no bicycling on sidewalks, please!
Lois Bunin
Franklin, Mass.
New Queen Street extension is broken
Honolulu
UH band should get more respect at games
Wai'anae
Bicycles just don't belong on sidewalks
Honolulu
