Nix coral graffiti
Nix coral graffiti
I would like to voice my support for the idea of removing the coral graffiti from the black lava fields along Highway 19 in Kona. I understand that some people have a sentimental attachment to their own works of art, but nature is not just a blank slate to be decorated with coral graffiti, any more than the quiet Hawaii nights needed to be spiced up with the sounds of the coqui.
Coral in the middle of a lava field is just as invasive. What started as a small bit of whimsy has become a giant mess.
On hiking trails in the middle of pristine wilderness, little piles of stones are left behind which become ridiculous mounds of rocks. Hawaii Volcanoes National Park has had to post signs asking people not to move rocks, because the reason for the park is so that we can all witness how nature performs its miracles, not how some bored tourist would like to Etch A Sketch over it. Someone has dumped a bunch of cement blocks spelling “ALOHA” on the ocean floor at Honaunau Bay.
What’s next, mustaches drawn on petroglyphs? The lava fields are not a giant billboard needing your personal message of the moment, no matter how heart-felt it is to you. The lava fields have their own beauty, full of power and energy, and the coral beaches belong at the ocean side where they have been formed.
Please support the effort to return the coral to the beaches and return the lava fields to their original state.
Jane Hoff
Hilo
The spirit of giving
This is Volunteer Week across the country, and I truly believe that our Hilo community has thousands of volunteers in so many services who make a positive impact. The tremendous efforts of our volunteers help make Hilo a vibrant, safe place to call home.
There are so many wonderful volunteer-based organizations that do magical feats in Hilo, and it with this sense of awe and gratitude that I’d like to single out the soccer community and especially the AYSO.
We have been a soccer family for near 20 years with my second son, Cameron, having finished his fourth year of high school varsity soccer. He started as a 5-year-old with AYSO and proceeded through the ranks with endless practices and Saturdays down at the Bayfront soccer fields. We traveled to Oahu for the Kirk Banks tournaments and Olympic Development program. We progressed to HYSA and Haaheo Soccer Club and traveled the island playing various teams.
He received leadership training as a youth referee and has been doing games since 2008 for AYSO and HYSA. He now helps his younger sister’s AYSO team and plans to continue giving back to our community by learning fire science at Hawaii Community College.
Mahalo to the many volunteer soccer coaches, referees and administrators for helping shape and contribute to my son’s well-being. I appreciate the values of good sportsmanship, teamwork and of doing your best in whatever you do, no matter if you win or lose. Thank you.
Claudia Wilcox Boucher
Hilo