Your Views for July 11

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Get up, stand up

Get up, stand up

Diverse groups of locals and residents join together in support of a common cause: to have the first and last say about the sustainable future of our precious island.

The people have spoken and the County Council has listened by passing Bills 256, 257, 260, 261, and Resolution 263-12. These bills benefit the residents of Hawaii County — not the state, the overlord feds, or powerful corporate interests.

Special thanks to Chairman Dominic Yagong and council members Brittany Smart, Brenda Ford and Angel Pilago. Kudos to all for the unanimous vote to form a citizen fish and game commission to advise state and local officials on proper management of the ‘aina.

Thanks to members Donald Ikeda and J Yoshimoto for becoming more attentive during testimony. Shame on Dennis Onishi for continuing to leave hearings before public testimony is over — even just a day after an ethics complaint about chronic absence and lack of attention went public.

People of Hawaii, it’s time to get up, stand up. Powerful non-local, non-resident interests seek to exploit the resources of this impossibly unique and sacred place, without regard to the host culture and sacred traditions that are in peril of being lost forever.

If we care about true sustainability for future generations in a world that is being drilled, “fracked,” fenced and poisoned, we the people have to empower our locally elected representatives to stand up to the big boys before we wonder why we’re in the proverbial hand-basket.

Support your local farmer, listen to the kupuna, go solar and get active in your community.

Tina Floyd

Pahoa

Beware of burglars

The Tribune-Herald article on burglaries did not come to me as any devastating news.

Eight years ago, when I left the Ka‘u side of the island, the local police officers alerted me to the problems here in the Pahoa area. I wonder what kind of upbringing was afforded to these home intruders and breakers of the law who disregard their neighbors’ sanctity.

To my neighbors here in the Pahoa area, I say: Be wary, my friends, as one of these burglars may be living next door.

Carmine Spada

Pahoa

Romney lacks fight

Those of us who are conservatives are being critical of (Republican presidential candidate) Mitt Romney, and for several reasons. The main reason being that the man refuses to get down on President Obama in any way commensurate with the man’s negatives. You don’t have to exaggerate Obama’s weaknesses, but you must at least exploit them.

Romney is a lightweight fighting below his class — but so far all the rounds seem to be even. Everyone in conservative politics has been in Romney’s corner, and all he can do is dance around.

Mitt, baby, it tolls for thee, but in the 11th round you will be flat on your back and not even hear it.

Terry Chambers

Pahoa