Bomb it
Bomb it
Considering the geological and topological conditions around Pu‘u ‘o‘o vent and the present technical capability of our military forces, it is entirely feasible for the Air Force to use … bombs to blast a new channel for the lava to flow away from populated areas into its old flow channel, where no property damage will occur. All it would take is for our political leaders to make the decisive decision to do so and avert the impending disaster to the town of Pahoa and lower Puna.
At many community meetings in Pahoa, Hawaii County officials have stated that they would not consider doing this because they feared incurring legal liability if they attempted to divert the lava flow away from Pahoa. Also they stated that they respect Native Hawaiian culture, and many Hawaiians were opposed to tampering with Pele.
So, the county will do nothing to avert the lava flow, even though it is the most logical thing to do and is entirely capable of being done. This is insanity. The projected course of the lava flow is through the new shopping center that contains the primary grocery store and two filling stations in Pahoa, then across the highway into Hawaiian Beaches. This will cut off about 10,000 people from Hilo and the rest of Hawaii. It will be difficult to impossible for them to get supplies.
Considering the tremendous loss of property, business and real estate value — amounting to hundreds of millions of dollars — that will incur if the county fails to quickly and decisively act to divert the lava flow, the county could be found to be acting in gross negligence and a class action lawsuit could be brought by all damaged property owners for the county’s failure to act to protect the people of lower Puna.
Conceivably, the county could be faced with much greater legal liability for not acting than acting. The time is for action!
Herbert G. Dorsey III
Pahoa
Diversion scenario
Imagine, if you will, two similar modern neighboring towns situated on the Mississippi River. The National Weather Service has issued a flood warning for a flood surge that will reach these communities in the next 5-7 days.
The officials of the first town decide that because they have tried to divert the flood waters with limited success in the past, and the Chickasaw tribe that once inhabited this area believe that the spirit of Sint Holo needs to cleanse the land from time to time, that they will take no action but to advise residents to move to higher ground.
The officials of the neighboring town immediately asked for advice and help from the Corp of Engineers and the National Guard. The experts conferred and advised the town that they could minimize the effects of the flood if they were to build temporary sand-bag levees to divert the flood waters from the town and residential areas.
Which town would you feel more comfortable living in? All we are asking is that our officials ask for advice to see if diversion is a feasible alternative.
Rick Dupont
Pahoa
Taking a stand
Dear Gov. Abercrombie: I read your thoughts about losing the primary election for supporting gay marriage.
In 1863, slaves were freed from bondage, and many people were angry, and some still are. In 1870, black people were finally allowed to vote, and many people were angry, and some still are. In 1920, women were finally allowed to vote, and many people were angry, and some still are.
Throughout history, some people are always angry about everyone else having the same rights they themselves enjoy, and these people convince themselves that they are good moral people, because that is how they live with themselves, and with their own hateful thoughts and actions.
In fact, many people throughout history have paid a very steep price for helping others and acting humanely.
In life, everything can be taken from you. Your health, your wealth, those you love and, eventually, your own life, but what can never be taken from you is your morals, ethics and values.
Those must be discarded by you, of your own free will. Always question your morals and ethics, because if what you support personally harms others, then you have questionable morals.
Gov. Abercrombie showed us what aloha really means, instead of just saying a word because it profits a person personally.
Dennis Chaquette
Pahoa