E. Hawaii rail?
Now that NASA’s mind-bending images sent by the James Webb Space Telescope from far beyond the surface of Earth are being studied, analyzed and digested by the world’s greatest astrophysicists, philosophers and theologians, what absolute need is there for a 30-meter ground-based telescope atop Maunakea?
This is a crucial question and should be addressed forthright, for as has been anticipated by many scientists, our understanding of the heavens and indeed life itself is forever altered.
Being a non-native resident, I accept the decision of the host culture concerning what should and should not transpire atop Maunakea. However, I do have some thoughts on the matter.
My thinking is that the telescopes atop the mauna should remain intact for student use as part of Hawaii’s development as a major observatory into the heavens. The idea of undoing work and resources built before our present time and understanding has proven time and again to be a serious flaw in planning.
The automotive industry’s haste in uprooting urban rail systems across the country is testimony to that — traffic jams and pollution punctuate this point.
Second point I’d like to make is that one of the salient reasons given for the Thirty Meter Telescope in the first place is to create jobs for Hawaii’s residents. Reestablishing a rail network between Waimea, Hilo and Puna would be a wise venture with great immediate and long-range benefits.
The dire need for such a system of transportation is evident to all who experience the drive, morning and afternoon, and it will only get worse. It is possible, and rapid transit is not necessary.
Time is not Money! Safety, comfort and convenience should be emphasized. There are many benefits to a Waimea-Hilo-Puna rail system. It has served East Hawaii before. Let’s make Hawaii great again with clear thinking!
Reading the analysis by the many great minds involved in the miraculous Webb satellite telescope, I learned of panic in their midst in that the Big Bang never was and never can be, and, strange as it may seem: “maybe we do not exist.”
Leave Maunakea alone!
Tomas Belsky
Hilo
Smear tactics
It seems like some political candidates and organizations must resort to using campaign smears and/or bullying tactics to convince voters as to why they should not vote for this or that candidate.
They seem to fear that they are “running out of ammunition” against a candidate and need to resort to “In Case of Emergency Break Glass” tactics (echoing a newspaper blogger).
These smear tactics have been around for decades often target well-known candidates, but it rarely seems to work.
The candidates being attacked would often keep their cool, choosing not to attack back, yet end up winning an election.
Sadly, campaign smears will still be around for a very long time. So, for those candidates who were attacked with smear tactics, the smearers themselves had done the newly elected candidates a favor. They made them win!
Rick LaMontagne
Hilo