Declining downtown
Declining downtown
Watch out, Hilo. Here they come!
I know we on the “Traffic Isle” are constantly talking about OUR homeless problem and what to do about it. I have been watching sleepy Hilo transform from a small town with a sort of “Renaissance” of emerging artists and farmers, to a rather depressing night scene of people sleeping in nearly every storefront. And violent crime is on the rise.
Many of the older “Mom &Pop” shops that have invested a lifetime to build up are in serious danger of going down. My observation is that these homeless are not local losers; they seem to be from elsewhere.
These smaller communities have little resources to combat the issue. When old ladies now are having their purses snatched for their carts in the grocery store, it all will go down hill from here.
Wake up and smell the stink. It will only get worse and cost more if we turn away now and ignore it.
Nick Blank
Hawaii Kai, Oahu
We need pesticides
I greatly appreciate the cooperative efforts of the state Department of Health and Hawaii County Civil Defense to manage the current dengue fever outbreak. As much as we would like to keep our environment pristine, I do not know how we can combat this threat without the use of pesticides and other new technologies as part of a comprehensive solution to control mosquitoes.
As long as we welcome travelers and import massive amounts of fresh product into Hawaii, we will be in danger of importing diseases that are not endemic to Hawaii. It is imperative we pay careful attention to how we legislate limits on pesticide use (as has been strongly advocated by some in our community). If pesticide controls are too rigid, our agricultural legacy and our visitor industry will be adversely affected.
Most importantly, we will be prevented from using methods that can save lives.
Margarita “Dayday” Hopkins
Hilo
Try scented products
I have been a resident in Hawaiian Paradise Park for close to 12 years now, and I only had one mosquito bite since then. I think I might have a positive, simple solution.
Throughout the years living here, I discovered mosquitoes don’t like scent on my skin area. I used moisture lotion, coconut oil and sometimes sunscreen. Only a single bite might mean something.
Perhaps the Department of Health might want to try some experiments?
Just food for thought.
Jim W. Lee
Keaau