Solomon in the way
I sent the following email to Sen. Malama Solomon concerning her unwillingness to hear House Bill 106, a bill that repeals Act 97. Act 97 both did away with geothermal subzones and the county permitting process, effectively silencing the community voice.
Sen. Solomon, informed constituents, the Hawaii County Council, the Maui County Council, Mayor Billy Kenoi, and the planning director of Hawaii have all favored repeal of Act 97.
Additionally, repeal has been supported by several environment and civic groups, including the Sierra Club. Former Big Island Mayor Harry Kim has called Act 97 the law that should not be, and he has noted that passing it showed “blatant disregard” for the people of Hawaii.
In an email from Sen. Mike Gabbard to me, he says: I’m willing to hear the bill, but have been informed that Senator Solomon, chair of the water and land committee, doesn’t want to hear the bill. All chairs must agree in order for the bill to be heard.
Perhaps reasonable people might believe that a pro-geothermal business environment, regardless of how it strips away the input and protections for the community, is in the best interest of the state. But a decision by a single senator not to hear this bill is high-handed and shows disrespect to voters of the Big Island and Maui. I request you reconsider your decision not to hear HB 106, which would repeal Act 97.
Thomas Travis
Pahoa
Curious about decals
I am noticing “Defend Hawaii” signs with an assault weapon pictured on some vehicles.
What group is doing this, and who do they want to gun down?
I remain unarmed.
Gene Barber
Hilo
Noisy overflights
Why do so many helicopters fly around Hilo, especially in the Wailuku River area? These are noisy and should be prohibited. I would think these are the tourist helicopters from Waikoloa.
Hilo does not receive any tourist dollars from this activity. All we receive here is noise and pollution. Stop this now.
Peter Goosev
Hilo
Surf racks needed
I would like to express my frustration with the bus system on the island. My surf gear, surfboard or body-board is not allowed on the bus. I am a student at Hawaii Community College, and I rely on the bus to get from place to place, and that includes the beach. It is my only mode of transportation.
I love surfing, but I cannot surf because the bus will not let me take my surfboard! I see bike racks on the front of the bus, so why not surfboard racks?
I believe that surf racks would provide opportunity for the youth to go to the beach more. It would do the Hawaii surfers good. There is so much space on top of the bus, and it would be easy to install luggage-type racks that could also accommodate surfboards or other large items. It would not take much to do a pilot program to see whether this option could work.
I have talked to surfers around Hilo and Puna. We would all really enjoy being able to ride the Hele-On to our favorite surf spots with our boards. We would be willing to pay an additional cost, such as a dollar — similar to the additional fare for bikes.
Peter Kulberg
Laupahoehoe
Shady popes
We are hearing much about popes these days. But it seems that the whole story hasn’t been told.
It was quite unusual for Pope Benedict to resign. Failing health was the official reason. However, according to the International Tribunal into Crimes by Church and State (www.itccs.org), Pope Benedict was one among 30 persons found guilty of crimes against humanity. International arrest warrants have been filed against these persons, with sentences of 25 years in prison without possibility of parole for each.
Other persons found guilty of crimes against humanity included; the Jesuit general, the queen of England, the Canadian prime minister, the head of the Canadian royal mounted police, and the CEO of Weyerhaeuser Corp. For more information on the nature of their crimes, visit the website of the International Tribunal into Crimes by Church and State.
So, the last pope is hiding at the Vatican to avoid arrest. You would think that the cardinals would learn from this and select a pope with a clean record. But, no, they selected another man with a clouded history.
According to the L.A. Times, Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio has a kidnapping complaint against him, filed in an Argentina court by human rights activists. It probably won’t be long before the new pope will also become a fugitive from the law.
Herbert G. Dorsey III
Pahoa
