Government kudos Government kudos ADVERTISING Hawaii County, the Federal Highways Administration, Nan Inc. and the Hawaii Department of Transportation did a great job on the Ane Keohokalole project. They were able to design, obtain permits and construct this highway within
Government kudos
Hawaii County, the Federal Highways Administration, Nan Inc. and the Hawaii Department of Transportation did a great job on the Ane Keohokalole project. They were able to design, obtain permits and construct this highway within three years. This is a remarkable feat that should be recognized.
I’ve strongly supported this project for a while. This highway provides an alternative route into Kailua-Kona if an accident closes Palani Road and helps reduce traffic congestion on Queen Ka‘ahumanu. In short, this highway is more than a concrete slab. It helps improve West Hawaii’s roadway connectivity.
Hawaii County and the DOT should actively seek funding for the Phase III segment of this highway. This phase, which would extend Ane Keohokalole Highway to Kaiminani Drive, is estimated to cost between $30 million and $50 million.
It will be a challenge to secure that much funding in the current budgetary climate. However, there isn’t any guarantee the Queen Ka‘ahumanu Highway widening project will ever start. I hope the Federal Highways Administration reallocates this funding to extend the Ane Keohokalole Highway instead, if the Queen Ka‘ahumanu widening project can’t proceed.
Aaron Stene
Kailua-Kona
Tell me more
While I find it interesting, and even alarming, to know how many burglaries there were on Hawaii Island, district by district, per month (Tribune-Herald, July 3), it would be more informative to know how many of those were actually investigated and solved by the police. I’m sure there are records of investigations and solved cases the Tribune-Herald staff could have seen.
Please follow up this story with the facts on how many of these cases were wrapped up, and tell us about the resulting arrests. That would be fine, responsible community reporting.
Sam Morris
Keaau
A low-profile choice
Has there ever been a time when a recent aspirant to public office was motivated to run for reasons other than for personal aggrandizement and, instead, entered our island’s mayoral fray for purely altruistic reasons?
I can think of just one. Perhaps there have been others, but names do not come immediately to mind. Harry Kim has announced that he will again run for mayor. This letter is to remind his former constituents (plus any new voters) that a highly respected former mayor is on the current slate of mayoral candidates because, unlike the usual barrage of signage and verbal hoo-hah by the other contenders, Harry’s candidacy is, and will remain, low-profile by choice.
Akamai voters have now been given the chance to cast their votes for a proven leader who brought — and now once again can bring — skills, experience, and honesty to this island’s highest office. Yes, Big Island voters now have the opportunity to elect a known candidate whose proven values are commensurate with the intent of the leaders who originally founded this nation’s political structure.
So, despite his low-profile campaign, let us all remember our unique opportunity to elect a Big Island mayor who will deliver what we need and rightfully expect.
Don Bremer
Keaau
