‘Stand fast’
To all those non-Hawaiians doing all the stupid criticizing of the Native Hawaiians and non-Native Hawaiian protectors on Maunakea: The revenues the Thirty Meter Telescope would generate would just be minimal compared to the revenues already being generated on Department of Hawaiian Home Lands’ land.
Give thanks to Walmart, Target, Home Depot, Ross, Macy’s and the rest of all you God-giving stores and industries. All of you are located in one of the best locations on this island.
My biggest concerns are the climate changes that are taking place at the present time — very serious.
Stand fast, my people. Don’t get hindered by the foreigners.
Frank Kealohaaina III
Hilo
Litter? Already?
I took a bike ride on the beautifully restored Highway 132 (on Nov. 28, the day it reopened).
It was wonderful, except for one thing. The road was open less than 24 hours and already there was litter.
Shameful. What is wrong with folks these days?
Jennifer Tanner
Pahoa
Dumpy Hilo
The Big Island, as the by-far largest island, has some of the most challenging terrain and weather conditions over which to construct and maintain its infrastructure.
By many measures, the Big Island is also the least prosperous of the major Hawaiian Islands. Per capita income here is only about 75% of the state average. The island has struggled to find acceptable industries to build its economic base, but it seems nobody wants any part of it.
Whether it is the Thirty Meter Telescope, the biomass plant, geothermal energy, water bottling plants or the Shipman mini-spaceport there are diehard opponents, some of them our own local government leaders! Thus our community has fewer financial resources to support the maintenance of its infrastructure.
One casualty is the upkeep of our roads, sidewalks and parks. The county just cannot afford to keep the streets swept clean, let alone repave and widen them where needed.
This unfortunate situation cries out for innovative solutions! But what do our elected leaders do in response? Of course …they ban Roundup.
We have an urgent need to reduce solid waste volumes, also. What do they do? They preemptively ban the most cost-effective solution: incineration.
These solutions apparently please an extreme and partisan minority of citizens, but ignore the needs and wishes of the general public.
Sadly, the town of Hilo looks like a dump right now. We need smart, sober government analysis and decisions, not political stunts.
Perhaps next election, we should pay not so much attention to whether there is a “D” or “R” in front of the candidates’ names, but rather think about whether the person is qualified and able to make rational decisions for our community.
Just a thought.
Curtis Beck
Hilo