Coastline changes
Coastline changes
A recent Tribune-Herald “Their View” article, “Wanting to help the Hamakua Coast thrive again,” was written by a “community developer” frustrated by situations encountered from Kaiwiki to Ninole.
The author implied development isn’t wanted. However, development has happened for years and will continue. It’s not a matter of, “I have mine and you can’t have yours.” Community frustrations surface in what has been done and in how it has been done. Places once actively used are now off limits, physically and financially. People think developer plans are “a done deal.”
Without “deep pockets,” are community concerns ignored? Are their statements innuendo and hearsay?
Driving along the Hamakua Coast in the past, there were miles of sugar cane. Plantation workers lived in active communities with affordable, low-cost homes. Today, along the same road, we pass miles of eucalyptus trees. Are “eucalyptus plantation” workers living and thriving in Hamakua towns? We do see workers waiting for two-hour bus rides to West Hawaii jobs.
Ninole has development. At the 20-mile marker, there’s a multi-million “whatever” with three helipads. Does Ninole thrive because of this place?
At the 19-mile marker, a developer plans to divide a narrow strip of land, sandwiched between the highway and ocean cliffs, into 10 lots. For 30 years, this site had a service station and auto repair shop, contaminated by waste oil and stored herbicides.
Promises are easy to make. Will they come true?
At mile 20, Ninole thought it was getting a sod farm and farm house. Not true. At mile 19, we’re told it will be affordable housing with septic systems. True or false? Who knows?
Will Ninole become a “Miracle Mile” along the Hamakua Coast? One thing for sure, property values and taxes will rise.
Ingrid Nishimoto
Ninole
Puna traffic
I think it is a great thing that they are making a new shoulder lane on Highway 130. Traffic in past years has been crazy, especially the after-school traffic.
I’m glad changes are being done, and I already can see some improvement. To me, I think the shoulder lane from Keaau to Pohaku Drive should be open 24 hours, but it isn’t. There is a lot of traffic going into Pahoa in the mornings and afternoons, and I think it would be a real convenience to have the lane opened on weekdays.
Opening this lane on weekdays for 24 hours will benefit the Puna area because there are problems in traffic. Cars are overheating, the traffic cuts into family time, it makes people angry, and people end up driving recklessly. So, the outcome of opening the lane on weekdays would be a positive effect for the people in the area.
Taira Javar
Keaau