It’s about access
It’s about access
As a resident of Papaikou who once enjoyed walking down to the beach regularly, I must comment about this unhappy situation.
When my daughter and I first moved to Papaikou in the late ’90s, the people who owned the property we had to cross to access the beach were friendly and never complained.
Even 10 years ago, my daughter felt safe when she occasionally felt like spending time on the beach at night, hanging out with fishermen, people protecting monk seals or just other beachgoers.
Whether some visitors to the beach caused damage … or the couple saw dollar signs, they sure changed. My daughter and I found ourselves locked in once, but at least the man was nice as he let us out. He did tell me I could not bring my dog onto their property again, though — and it is a service dog, small enough that I always carried him across their property in a bag, and I also always cleaned up on the rare occasion he defecated at the beach.
Hawaii law says beach access cannot be blocked. But it seems this couple is following the example of a few gated communities on this island, perhaps in hope of setting a legal precedent. I so pray Hawaii does NOT give up one of its greatest gifts to its people. The beaches belong to everyone.
In regard to parking for the Papaikou Beach, the owners of the property that is crossed obviously paid a LOT of money to have huge boulders moved in to block the few spaces at the end of Mill Road. There is what remains of a house adjacent to their property that could possibly be purchased and made into a parking area.
Sue Cross
Papaikou
‘Inflammatory nonsense’
The letter published by Arla Meyer, who claimed (to be a) certified flight instructor and have knowledge of airplanes (Your Views, Tribune-Herald, April 3), requires a simple response. He or she is not in any current FAA database and obviously knows little about aviation or a university.
First, regarding aviation noise, my neighbor’s generator makes more noise than a light airplane taxiing, taking off and landing.
Second, universities grant degrees — not certificates.
Third, all goods and people move throughout the islands by sea and air — the University of Hawaii system has failed to prepare our youth and veterans with these careers. The truth is, they (state legislators and UH administration) have never put together a career program such as Gilbert Kahele’s magnificent “aeronautical/aerospace dream.” What about nautical careers?
And lastly, why does the Tribune-Herald publish this inflammatory nonsense and nothing about the 80-plus Big Island subdivision associations — all with challenges and problems with varying degrees of severity?
No wonder healthy responses to Arla Meyer abound in electronic media … basically sidelining the Tribune-Herald’s relevance. In fact, I don’t know why I submitted this article!
Robert Emmett
Kurtistown