Praise for Camara
Bless you, Bobby Camara, for your excellent editorial on the history of volcanic activity in lower Puna (Your Views, June 3).
Although you did not focus on the responsibilities of our government in the choices made concerning rebuilding in lava zones, those of us who have lived here for decades or for generations have seen the influence of mainland trends and practices on our island home.
We know that the area is volatile. We know that rebuilding is a waste of money that could be spent on needed infrastructure elsewhere. Yet, our government appears to be greedy for federal grants for roads and redevelopment that we do not need.
Decisions regarding development and redevelopment must be made for volcanic islands, not Iowa or Illinois. We must always include our history in our decisions about where it is safe for people to live.
California continues to rebuild in areas that are annually ravaged by fire. As parts of the mainland experience increased flood and wind damage, areas continue to rebuild as though it will never happen again.
If we are to survive, we must see our ‘aina as it is, not as some want it to be.
L. E. Goldstein
Keaau
‘Ignorant editorial’
The logic of Mr. Camara’s editorial (Your Views, June 3) reeks of the great “go back to the mainland, you (expletive) haoles” sentiment that so many of the “locals” are expressing after the influx of Caucasians in the last 30 years.
But I seriously doubt he is even slightly Hawaiian himself, because the vast majority of the local Hawaiians I have met are so bursting with aloha that they wouldn’t even think about having that type of attitude.
I don’t think anyone should worry about the County of Hawaii spending any of their money on the infrastructure in Puna makai. They are too busy trying to steal as much of the federal funding meant for exactly that purpose.
So far, the county has stalled and bungled the use of those funds expertly. Because these federal dollars can be spent on whatever the county wants after fulfilling the lost housing needs created by the 2018 lava flow, they will continue to parse it out until everyone forgets about it and they can use it to repair roads in Hilo, or whatever.
I’m sure if a lava flow comes down onto your neighborhood, you will have to rethink your logic on this issue. Until then, I hope you sleep well knowing the prejudice you have helped support with your insensitive and ignorant editorial.
Eric Cockcroft
Hawaiian Paradise Park