Within a democracy we have a government by the people. We elect our officials who best represent our wants and needs within our society. Our system is one where the majority rules. What happens when our system stops working in our best interest and and we no longer have a say in the well being of our communities?
The demand for growth and development is everywhere. We all have our local concerns about the changes that are coming, but are we doing all we can to make sure that this new growth is going to be the solution and not the problem down the road. I live on Kauai and we have always been an agro based community. Hawaii's very first sugar cane plantation was built in Koloa town on our south shore right after the civil war ended. The demand in the northern states was so high after the war that the sugar barons turned to Kauai to make their fortunes. Taro, coffee, and many tropical fruits have flourished here for many centuries.
Now our farms, ranches, and empty land are disappearing and we are sitting back watching it happen. I first came to Hawaii in 1964 and fell in love with her people, their culture, and the respect everyone had for the land. With over development the land is no longer respected and the culture of a lifestyle known by the many local residents will be lost in the near future. This may sound strange but I care more about us preserving Kauai than I do about selling the homes and condominiums that are coming. Enough is enough!
Comments(2)