The water crisis
The water crisis
In Hawaii, there is an issue with our water quality. I think the government and community should focus on Hawaii’s water quality because our water will affect the way we live here.
Many mainland cities use surface water from rivers and lakes — water that is exposed to contaminants in the air. However, Hawaii’s water, which is filtered through basalt below the ground, is protected from airborne bacteria.
When this water is dropped from waterfalls every day, it is exposed to the air and garbage. Most of this water is used for our tap water and showers and for swimming. When this water is contaminated with bacteria and garbage, we no longer will be able to drink or shower or even swim under these conditions.
Did you know the water crisis is the No. 1 global risk? Well, this new study is based on impacts to society.
Kids are young; they should not be drinking this type of contaminated water. Hawaii should be known as a beautiful tropical island. Contaminated water makes it seem less tropical. I believe we as a community can gather together to make the Hawaiian Islands a better place to live .
Jezzarie Susa
Mountain View
A break in the breakwater
The recent sewage spill into Hilo Bay required not only a beach closure but also a recommendation not to eat the fish caught in the bay. In good (and bad) times, the Wailuku River is the primary source of pollution.
The ocean is a great, natural cleanser, but as a study of pollution events several years ago pointed out, Hilo’s tsunami breakwater contributes significantly to the pollution problem. The proposed solution was relatively simple. Create a break in the breakwater near the shore to allow ocean currents to naturally clean the bay.
Sounds like an easy and relatively cheap solution to me. So why hasn’t it been done? Seems the people using Hilo Bay just have to put up with the crap.
Fred Fogel
Volcano
Trader Joe’s
I have a petition (www.ipetitions.com/petition/trader-joes-in-hawaii) to get a fine-food store here: Trader Joe’s.
I get the sense they don’t like the market or costs here. So what? Pass on the price like all retail operations do to customers (60 percent higher than mainland). Milk is $3 a gallon there, $5 to $8 here (Oahu), $11 on Molokai.
It might be fun to start a grassroots effort to get more selection.
Yup, it is a mere 2,500 miles to the nearest Trader Joe’s, but we covet the place to come here.
Have you been? Do a survey, and while 10 do not know the name, everyone can get behind the effort or just have fun.
Trader Joe’s does not have a plan to be here. So what? If they are welcomed, we can get them to change their mindset.
Not here. Why? But … we can ask.
Kimo Sutton
Oahu