Respecting Puueo
Respecting Puueo
For too many years now, the names of places on the Big Island have been changed from what they were called for centuries. I don’t know what caused these changes. It could be simple ignorance of new arrivals. It could be the fact some businesses adopt the name of the street they are on, as in Wainaku Terrace on Wainaku Avenue in Hilo. Or, it could be, in part, because of the inaccurate reporting of this newspaper.
One of these places is the historical neighborhood called Puueo. For approximately the past 20 years, Puueo has been referred to as Wainaku. To set the record straight, Wainaku is a neighborhood that has a unique history all its own. Its physical boundaries are nowhere near Puueo.
What prompted me to write about this topic is a recent article about the Democratic caucuses. This paper reported that voting for District 1, Precinct 7, would be at Clem Akina Park in Wainaku. The information you used probably came from Phil Barnes and the Democratic Party. However, Clem Akina Park sits directly in the center of the neighborhood called Puueo.
In fact, before it was named after Chairman Clem Akina, who was a resident of Puueo, it simply was called Puueo Park. Incidentally, my friend, Phil Barnes, lives in Puueo.
And Wainaku Terrace on Wainaku Avenue? This is also within Puueo.
I hope in the future your newspaper will be more accurate in reporting events that occur within the neighborhood of Puueo. Perhaps this will prompt others to be more respectful in using proper place names. And please, call Puueo by its correct name.
Gordon A. Ignacio Sr.
Hilo
Not a proper leader
I am a Star Scout with Boy Scouts of America on Oahu. I am studying communications within my troop. For one of my requirements, I recently read “Kenoi ‘will go to trial’: Hawaii County mayor pleads not guilty to charges in pCard probe,” that was published March 31.
I am surprised that Judge Greg Nakamura allowed Hawaii County Mayor Billy Kenoi to freely travel around Oahu while his court case is pending because Kenoi committed more serious offenses such as second-degree theft.
I thought the judge made the wrong decision … I think it is wrong that Kenoi will not go to court while he is still mayor because he should be a leader and set the example for us citizens to follow as mayor.
In Boy Scouts, I think it is very important to be a proper leader and do what is right.
G. Sanderson, age 13
Honolulu