Lawlessness
Thursday night and Friday morning, 55 people blocking the transportation of wind turbine parts to Oahu’s North Shore were arrested and charged with disobeying a police officer, a petty misdemeanor.
In an escalation of lawlessness, a utility pole along the route was intentionally cut down to block the road. It also cut off electrical power to about 1,000 area residents (probably a little more than a petty misdemeanor).
When asked about the protest, Oahu’s Mayor Kirk Caldwell said, “While people have a right to express their feelings about what we’re doing there, there is not a right to disrupt the community’s daily flow.”
Question to Gov. David Ige and Mayor Harry Kim: What makes the blocking of the road to Maunakea any different?
Having laws that aren’t enforced is the first step toward a lawless community. Is that really what we want on the Big Island?
Fred Fogel
Volcano
Service stations
When I was growing up, whenever we went to get gas, smiling young men would run out, pump gas, clean your windshield and check tire pressure. They also had wiper blades, oil, fluids and bulbs for car lights.
Big bays had hydraulic lifts and shelves full of tools. Mechanics were on hand for minor and major repairs. In Honokaa, one of our local gas stations was charging $5 for this service.
So on a recent morning, I noticed one of my tires was kinda low, so I pulled in for a little air. The guy said, “We don’t have air.” (Whaaat?!)
Turns out the business was sold to Minit Stop, and is undergoing renovations. Pretty soon, there will be rows of potato chips and sodas (which really aren’t that good for you) where once the sound of pneumatic tools and busy mechanics ruled.
My point is that we are all driving cars, and every now and then they need a little love and maintenance. What’s a girl to do? Are we all supposed to go out and buy air compressors, tools, all the fluids we need … and maybe take a course in mechanics?
Waimea is the closest place to go for auto needs. Wish we could go back to “the good old days.”
Edie Bikle
Honokaa
