Break that shell
Break that shell
In regard to a recent letter from a Honolulu man about lower Puna residents and the coming lava flow, “getting what they pay for” and “living isolated”: He must be very, very rich. What ignorance. What arrogance. What condescension.
May God break the shell of his understanding.
Most of us settled in Puna because we love Hawaii and could only afford Puna. We’ve pioneered our lands, built our own residences, raised our families and paid our taxes.
My heart goes out to all who will be affected.
From a Puna resident, 29 years and counting …
Sonya Finkey
Keaau
Who will profit?
Factoids: Chain of Craters Road has been blocked by lava for 37 years of its 49-year history. Restoring it until the next blockage will cost between $7 million to $10 million.
The project requires federal (gulp) cooperation. The route would be similar to that between Kahului and Hana, but primitive and one-way.
Each future blockage will isolate the Pahoa area for months and break the taxpayers’ backs. In the unlikely event Chain of Craters ever becomes the only option, it could be activated in 60 days. “You got to know when to hold ‘em … .”
Consideration: The farther a road is from the volcano, the easier it should be to keep open. (Smack.) Oh, wow! How might we accomplish that? You know the answer. There is already a route — Government Beach Road, between Hawaiian Beaches and Hawaiian Paradise Park — that is far from Madame Pele.
Another, Railroad Avenue, is reasonably safe and runs from there to Hilo. This combined route is much shorter than Hana “Road Redux” and would cost maybe $2 million one time, and the Railroad Avenue portion might not even be necessary. Further, any volcanic activity forceful enough to reach this route might well cut Chain of Craters also.
Knock, knock: How many roads does it take to change a person’s location? Answer: One, if a Pahoa resident; three, if still in Kansas.
Who stands to profit? “There’ll be time enough for countin’ when the dealin’s done … .” Contractors? Pols? Kenny Rogers?
Ten million dollars each few years. Two million, one time, no feds. “Know when to walk away … .”
Bob Stimson
Hilo
Injured animals
If you should see an animal that has been injured or is dead on the road, please call the Humane Society as soon as possible. In East Hawaii, the number to call is 966-5458; in the Waimea area, 885-4558; and on the Kona side, 329-1175.
The Humane Society will arrange to have an officer pick up or help the animal. Be prepared to give a description of the animal and the location.
If it is at night or on the weekend when the Humane Society is closed, there is an emergency number on the phone message. The emergency number is ONLY for a live, injured animal that needs help immediately. Report dead animals during the day, during normal working hours.
I would like to thank the Humane Society and the Hawaii Police Department for their recent help.
Dorothy M. Sanger
California