Voices of Maui
KAANAPALI: Most of us don’t have the warmth to touch many people in our life’s journey. Carol Coe, a good friend and fan of this column, attracted people like bees to a hive.
One of her hangout places was Leilani’s on the Beach, where Carol and her husband, Bob, could be found most Friday and Saturday afternoons listening to music and watching the passing scene. Friends from Capitola, California, who she encouraged to come, and visitors the couple met over the years sometimes filled three huge tables.
Carol became enamored with the “Savor the Sunset” benefit that takes place again July 19. Last year, she brought a treasure chest she had used at other fundraisers to sell 200 keys, only one of which would open the chest.
The prize was a sizable cash reward. Amazingly, to the surprise of a large number of people who lined up to try their luck – and to Carol – the seventh key opened the chest.
Less than two weeks later, back on the Mainland, Carol suddenly passed away
The talented lady had played a huge role the last few years in designing the couple’s new home high above Kaanapali (it later won a major architectural award). Using photos taken showing the couple touring friends through the home under construction and hosting a housewarming were put into a YouTube celebratory video called “Remembering Carol.”
The video has had more views (382 and counting) than any video I’ve ever done. This month, on the anniversary of her passing, her friends returned to Facebook to remember Carol again. And so the power of a beautiful lady with a good heart. Rest in Peace, Carol.
READERS RESPOND: The very busy Liz Bell of the Royal Lahaina Resort writes in this week’s letters that the new speed sign on Kaanapali Parkway is absolutely necessary. Her response is compelling.
Ron Brown, another reader, wrote the column that the first time he saw the sign: “I said, ‘Wow, that’s great!’ I wish it wasn’t needed, but unfortunately, today’s drivers show little concern for the safety of others… hopefully, the speed sign will remind them to slow down. If you want to get rid of the sign, try and find a way to get drivers to mellow out.”
The clear choice is between keeping the parkway safer or keeping it prettier. The best course is to keep it safer. Some readers say the sign encourages them to slow down. Others say it is still full speed ahead.
Clocking 70 cars recently produced mixed results. Average speed: 27 mph, two miles above the 25 mph goal. Of 11 speeders going over 30, however, 11 were headed into the resort. One hit 41 mph.
Perhaps an old fashioned approach would have been better. One longtime resident remembers Chester, the security man, parking his vehicle along the parkway and sitting there reading his paper. Spotting him, drivers invariably slowed down.
There is one thing everyone can agree on. There is more traffic – visitors and workers – now flowing into Kaanapali Parkway than ever before
Columnists Notebook: E-mail comments are welcome at voices@voicesofmaui.com. Visit my blog at voicesofmaui.wordpress.com.