Why close HVNP?
U.S. Interior Department Secretary Ryan Zinke said national parks “belong to the people and not the government.”
The spokeswoman for the Interior Department, Heather Swift, said, “National parks and other public lands will remain as accessible as possible. … The American public and especially our veterans … are finding … open air parks open to the public.”
Evidently, the superintendent for Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, Cindy Orlando, didn’t get the word.
Not only did she shut down the park “for safety reasons,” but also Kilauea Military Camp, which has a separate access point and can restrict vehicle traffic into the park proper.
Of course, if you are looking for a good reason to do the wrong thing, safety is at the top of the list. Other parks that are even more dangerous, such as Yellowstone, were open.
I was a federal worker at Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard back in 1981 during a government shutdown. We ended up getting a paid vacation.
Why not give your employees the option to come into work if they want to, Cindy? They might or might not get paid, but the workers who choose to stay home definitely won’t (shouldn’t). Bet you could maintain park “safety.”
Fred Fogel
Volcano
No thanks to HTH
The front page-article misleadingly titled “Tough times: Kim seeks general excise tax increase to offset county’s diminished fund balance” (Tribune-Herald, Jan. 21) should have been more accurately titled, “Tough times: Kim agonizes over inequities of possible general excise tax increase, wavers on his support.”
I can certainly understand Mayor Harry Kim’s reluctance to support this GET increase in reference to its inequitable burden on the poor. Even as a property owner, I would much prefer another increase in property taxes or more belt-tightening.
Thanks again, Mayor Kim, for keeping it real. No thanks, however, to the Tribune-Herald for this misleadingly titled article.
Robert Lee
Hilo
‘Leading the charge’
I’ve written to ask our U.S. Sen. Mazie Hirono to please stand strong against the president’s demand for funding a wall between the United States and Mexico.
Instead, continue to push initiatives that will be of greater benefit to the American people — direct those monies to initiatives such as health care, lower tuition for public higher education institutions, protection of women’s rights (especially in health care), equal pay initiatives, Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals and clean energy.
I am so proud to live in a state that is leading the charge against the GOP’s agenda to preserve inequality across the board and push unconstitutional initiatives. Sen. Hirono must continue to reject archaic and, frankly, dangerous rhetoric, propaganda and policies that destroy the progression of this great nation.
Continue to demand accountability of the president and his party, senator. Continue to support the majority of your country’s (and state’s men and women’s) views, beliefs and values. Thank you for supporting policies that benefit the good of the county rather than party or individual bias.
Chris Banker
Keaau
Chris, I find it always funny how libs like you who live 2,500 miles out in the ocean speak to immigration like they understand what it is like to have people running through your backyard at night, stealing, trashing, and then committing crime. No borders, no country.
Interesting article search: Conviction data show illegal immigrants commit more
crimes than native-born Americans: study
“The crime rate among illegal immigrants in Arizona is twice that of
other residents, Attorney General Jeff Sessions said Friday, citing a
new report based on conviction data.”
The wall was sold on Mexico paying for it.
That won’t happen.
So only a $hithole can justify spending billions of taxpayers money on this total $hithole republican wet dream.
You have no idea what the Donald is planning. One way to pay for the wall is to put a tax on the $10s of Millions sent to Mexico every Friday by illegal entrants via electronic transfers. The Donald is doing quite well so far, everything is coming up roses. Calling our President awful names just shows your lack of argument.
Poor you.
Poor you!
To dumb and way too much of a $hithole to understand that Trump is the biggest $hithole to ever live and he suckered you into believing him because you are nothing but another $hithole.
Robert Lee, the request to increase the GET came from Harry Kim! Its his request to the Council and like Harry Kim, talks out of two sides of his mouth to make it seem like he’s against the very request he submitted. Why submit the request to increase the GET if he is wavering on supporting it? Insane leadership.