Open Railroad
Open Railroad
I live in Nanawale Estates and have had to navigate around the new roundabout being installed in Pahoa.
It took me more than 20 minutes (Tuesday), and I have spent more than an hour in the recent past in traffic waiting to get through the construction area.
While waiting in traffic, I wondered to myself why Railroad Avenue hasn’t been open to the public during this time. It would relieve traffic and allow construction crews to complete their job sooner and safer.
If I remember correctly, about $16 million of taxpayers’ money was spent to get Railroad Avenue opened in case of lava problems. I think the public deserves to have this road available for use in these situations. I also think this road should be open at all times. It is just sitting there going to waste.
Dennis W. Carlson
Pahoa
Sewer issues
Interesting.
An old plantation home is using a joint cesspool the county took over decades ago. The cost is $15 per month. The county hasn’t corrected the situation, so the owner is not paying.
Good for him!
I (defecate) in a lava tube for free (still legal, but no doubt some people would like to force me to install a septic tank), so I tried to find out what a sewer bill in Hilo normally is. Seems it varies and is tied to water usage. On top of that, the county even charges a sewer bill to people who don’t hook up!
One can only assume the cesspool these unfortunate people are using is considered environmentally hazardous by the government — but evidently not the plantation cesspool!
Seems nonpayment of sewer bills is a big issue, so now the county can shut off your water to force payment. So how about this? Collect water (for free) from county spigots. But be aware, toilets take a lot of water, and even if you have a “yellow is mellow” attitude, it is a little hassle. (I’ve done it when the catchment ran dry.)
The hardest adaptation would probably be using a solar shower outside. Or perhaps the defiant could shower at a neighbor’s, a park or a mission after the county turns off their water.
But look on the bright side — you won’t have to pay for water, either!
Fred Fogel
Volcano