A great legacy ADVERTISING A great legacy Recently, I was saddened to see a notice of the passing of William Akau, former harbor master of Kawaihae. Bill deserves better than a brief notice in the newspaper. In the late 1960s,
A great legacy
Recently, I was saddened to see a notice of the passing of William Akau, former harbor master of Kawaihae. Bill deserves better than a brief notice in the newspaper.
In the late 1960s, before Hawaiian rights became a popular cause, an elderly woman was kicked off a beach near Kawaihae by a wealthy landowner. Bill, his brother, Solomon, and a handful of others from the area sued the landowner as well as the Mauna Kea Beach Hotel, which had designated Kauna‘oa (Mauna Kea) Beach as a private preserve for guests only.
Years of litigation followed, with Bill and a tiny group of local residents pitted against one of the world’s most powerful resort hotel chains.
Throughout the legal battle, Bill pursued his cause with dignity and a gracious manner that earned the respect of all involved.
In the end, the case was settled. The shoreline trail between Kawaihae and Mauna Kea was declared a public access way and later became part of the Na Ala Hele trail system that we all enjoy today.
But Bill left a larger legacy, which was the principle that no one, no matter how rich or powerful, can buy a beach in Hawaii.
Ben Gaddis
Hilo
Lava ignorance
I really do not expect to get my letter published, but it gives me a chance to vent and express my views, as well as those of others I talk to.
I read the paper daily and listen to the radio as well, and it bothers me when there are people who moved here from the mainland after the lava flow in the ’80s just to purchase cheap land.
Now, these very same people are acting surprised that the lava is flowing again! What is wrong with you people? Nobody held a gun to your head and forced you to purchase land where you did!
And now they expect the county or state to maybe buy them out? That would be so wrong! Like somebody jumping off a bridge and living, so then they decide to sue the builder of the bridge because they lived.
Which brings me to another pet peeve of mine.
All these people crying about the “smell” coming from the geothermal plant — once again, nobody held a gun to your head. If you think it’s bad, you need to go back to the mainland and live next to a paper mill. Now that stinks! And it is much worse than the Puna Geothermal Venture plant.
These people should not receive compensation for living there. I have lived in Kapoho as well as next to a paper plant. I would take PGV any time!
Jay Wason
Hilo
