Build a bridge
Build a bridge
Well, we escaped the tropical storm.
Now comes the lava situation.
The county government has not mentioned this lately. Their solution for the temporary bypass roads, Railroad Avenue and Old Government Road, is flawed because the lava could flow to the ocean.
The Chain of Craters Road is not a suitable solution because it would take more than 2 1/2 hours to get from lower Puna to Hilo. That means driving time of more than five hours each day.
Not acceptable.
Whatever happened to the most reasonable solution?
Building a bridge across the flow. That would do two things. Relieve traffic and draw tourism.
Bob Dukat
Pahoa
Not so simple
I have heard several suggestions recently that building a bridge over the new lava flow is the best answer to the problem of roads being cut and lower Puna being isolated.
Like H.L. Mencken said, “For every problem there is a solution that is simple, easy and wrong.”
Check the flow maps, photos, video and reports from the volcanologists before deciding you have a handle on this one. Talk to someone you know who used to live in Royal Gardens.
Where exactly would you build a bridge?
How high?
How wide?
How long?
Can you predict future flow patterns and outbreak locations from any new flow path?
The present road-clearing along Railroad Avenue and Old Government Road is a sensible first step that will allow at least some travel to and from affected areas. Grading Chain of Craters Road doesn’t open up an ideal route, but something is better than nothing.
Patrick Donovan
Keaau
Save the trees
I am very proud of the people of Pahoa who are trying to save their monkeypod trees.
And gratified.
Seems the officials of this county will use any excuse to cut down venerable old trees. That these beautiful and giving life forms are destroyed because some individuals see them as an “inconvenience” distresses me greatly.
Our trees are an integral part of why East Hawaii is such a wonderful place to live or visit.
I think we should be nurturing them and planting more, not sacrificing the ones we have.
L. C. Callicoatt
Keaau