Lots to do
Lots to do
The County Council was scheduled to hear a proposed resolution that would appeal a federal court’s decision to dismiss the Big Island anti-GMO bill. Through the years, the average age of farmers has gotten older, until it is now more than 60. That is clearly not sustainable. We need to pay attention to this and remember if the farmer makes money, the farmer will farm.
The judge already ruled, so the council should not waste time or money on this. Kauai is appealing the ruling; let them go.
Farming is 3.4 percent of Hawaii’s economy, yet it is less than one-half of 1 percent of the state budget. The County Council could make a resolution asking the state Legislature to raise the amount of money in the budget for agriculture to 3.4 percent.
The council could make a resolution asking the state to give a tax credit for fertilizer for all farmers. How about a tax credit for transportation cost to get products to Oahu? It takes 10 calories of petroleum energy to make 1 calorie of food. We need to get off oil and oil byproducts because they are finite and declining. Yet, we have a source of energy that is near infinite: The Big Island will be over the geothermal hot-spot for 500,000 to a million years. The council could make a resolution supporting geothermal. There is lots to be done.
Richard Ha
Hilo
Traffic in Keaau
Is it me? Has anybody else noticed? Keaau’s traffic is so bad, it isn’t just a jam anymore. It has descended to jelly.
All of you sitting in traffic and getting to pretend it is Honolulu or L.A.: You are all probably thinking Hilo has grown up and has auto snarls just like the big boys. Aren’t we special. Truth of the matter is this is a prime example of misguided policing.
The police are cruising, looking for trouble, because, “Isn’t that what police do? Look for trouble?” If they are on a dispatch, I want to get out of their way as they scream by with the sirens blaring and the lights flashing. Out to stop trouble, not look for it. But we know where the trouble is and what time it is — right when work lets out.
Then it is time for the Keaau’s Kockamamie Kartoon Kapers and Bottle-Neck Brigade. (I think we finally have enough cars to make a brigade.) Please don’t tell me I am the only person who has had the idea that a policeman should be out there during the rush-crush to direct traffic. Seriously, people, call the station and ask for a police offer — your tax-paid public servants — to get their okoles on the asphalt and their hands in the air waving us through.
How do you spell relief? “T-R-A-F-F-I-C C-O-N-T-R-O-L” Now, let’s all shut up and “drive aloha.”
M. Marlin
Pahoa