Manage population
Hawaii is experiencing coastal hazards. Cumulative impact of development is affecting quality of life. Decide what really matters and act accordingly.
Sea-level rise and waves demand life-changing realities. Seawalls displace problems to surrounding areas. Consider removing some structures, including high-rises, that are too close to the shoreline. Resort reductions also will help mitigate traffic issues.
Rebuilding reefs is one protective measure. Land-based pollutants are contaminating the ocean. Even common household goods are factors affecting the environment.
Regulating products imported to the islands would make an immediate impact.
Control Hawaii’s population with moratoriums on development and downsize the military. Transitioning from complete reliance on the visitor industry to include agriculture is essential.
Food growth, rather than population increases, resolves multiple problems. Sustainable agriculture and vegetation remediation enrich the overall environment. Irrigation helps prevent saltwater intrusion that undermines the shoreline.
Healthy and prosperous living from mauka to makai is possible.
Michele Lincoln
Lahaina
Thankful tourists
Last week, while driving in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, my wife and I developed a flat tire on our rental car.
Lucky for us we were not on some isolated road. It happened in a parking lot. After getting out of the Jeep, I thought to myself, “I don’t even know where the jack is.”
Within minutes, a young man appeared and asked if we needed help. He had a small child and pregnant wife with him who waited for 30-40 minutes while he changed the tire.
We were so thankful for his help! Thank you, Joshua from Hilo!
Ron and Jan Kopp
Minneapolis
A waste of resources
In response to the letter “Good job, police” (Your Views, Tribune-Herald, Feb. 7), I agree with Mr. Rick LaMontagne that the police are doing a decent job of apprehending lawbreakers, but why is it that so many people have to be rearrested due to failure to appear?
What a waste of taxpayers’ money and the Hawaii Police Department’s time to have to go all over the place to locate and arrest them due to failure to go to court hearings or contempt of court for not complying with court orders.
OK, sometimes getting to court because of lack of transportation, an emergency or illness might come into play. If so, notify the court as soon as possible to request a new date.
Usually, people charged have enough time to make arrangements to ensure they can make their court appearance as scheduled. Do they think it will all go away if they ignore the summons? Obviously, it does not.
Cher Miles
Pahoa
