Your Views for November 8

Change your karma

Dear Independent Contractor (because I don’t want to call you a car thief): Thank you for leaving my stolen old black truck in the right place for my recovery on Halloween day. The police had a good laugh and expressed their wonder at such a thing. It was whole and in good running condition, had a third of a tank of gas, and was very clean. Thank you for that. It was almost like you only borrowed my truck without my authorization.

The items you took from my truck were all blessed by a priest, so I hope the karma inherent in those items passes on to you and they somehow help to change your life and your vocation as an independent contractor. One thing is for certain, with those items from the truck, you now will be prepared for the zombie apocalypse. I think you know what I mean.

I hope that the lumber rack will allow you to start up a business for a career other than the one you currently are pursuing.

The folding knife you now have is of high quality and you could go out and cut someone. Or, you could go out and cut someone out of their seatbelt harness in a car wreck and pull them to safety.

The crowbar could be used to break into homes. Or you could use it to rip open the door to a burning home to save an elderly lady and her cat. These decisions are for you to make. Those tools have the mana to help you change your karma.

For returning the truck, I have hope for you, and I say prayers for you. But I have a request.

In the truck, there was a yellow Waiakea Lions Club vest. I hope you did not throw it away. It was in a clear plastic bag inside another green bag. Please toss that sealed plastic bag into the parking lot of the Pahoa Boys and Girls Club. They will know what to do with it and get it back to me. The Lions do good work for the community.

Consider joining our service organization. And consider going to church, too.

Collins Tomei

Hilo

Thanks, workers

Mahalo to the state Department of Transportation and Hilo airport manager Steven Santiago for responding quickly to my recent concerns about the management of the Hilo airport parking exit facilities and equipment.

Also, I would like to commend the local employees of the parking facility operator who do so much to help customers exit the lot even when equipment is broken down.

Bob Alder

Hilo

Opposed to permit

On Nov. 19-20, a contested case hearing will take place regarding a proposal to amend Special Permit No. 378 submitted by Lalamilo Farm Partners. The proposed amendment would allow after-the-fact approval for nonagricultural and commercial businesses to continue to be operated on the premises, i.e., fitness center, bakery and delivery truck base yard (just to name a few) to operate on a 5-acre parcel in the Lalamilo Farm Lots amid this active farming community.

The lands in the Lalamilo Farm Lots are considered by the state to be “prime” lands for agriculture and by the county to be “important agricultural lands” which should be preserved and protected from urbanization.

As third-generation farmers, farming in the Lalamilo Farm Lots for well more than 50 years, we think commercial businesses do not belong in an area zoned for agriculture. Protecting and preserving prime agricultural zoned lands are vital in promoting agricultural sustainability not only on the Big Island, but throughout the state of Hawaii.

We therefore are opposing the approval of Special Permit Application No. 378. If you oppose the proposed uses, you can voice your opposition by writing to the Leeward Planning Commission, c/o Planning Department, County of Hawaii, 101 Pauahi St., Suite 3, Hilo, HI 96720.

People against the Special Permit also can appear at the hearing at 9 a.m. Nov. 19 at the North Hawaii Education and Research Center in Honokaa to testify or to show your opposition to the proposal.

Please help farmers continue to provide food for the people without having to contend with negative impacts generated by commercialization in agricultural zoned lands.

Royce and Charlene Hirayama

Kamuela