A ‘horrible’ solution
My name is Richard Creagan, M.D. I have been a human genetic researcher at Yale, a medical director of a biotech company, a farmer for more than 20 years, and a board certified emergency medicine specialist. I am currently the state representative for District 5, representing Kona to Ka‘u. I am writing in regard to the proposed waste-to-energy incinerator.
One thing that is very clear from my medical and legislative experience: There always are unintended consequences of our actions; there always are unforeseen consequences.
In the case of a waste-to-energy incinerator, there are many possible and inevitable bad unintended and unforeseen consequences, but the science is clear that even under the best case, there will be great harm to our environment and ourselves that will last for many generations from such a plant.
It seems like a simple solution, but it is not and should not be undertaken. The financial costs are huge, but the environmental and human costs are vastly more.
This is a terrible solution to a problem that has other solutions.
The poisons, including dioxins, produced by such a plant under the best of circumstances are horrible, but as we all know, these plants are never operated optimally and will inevitably be shut down at great cost.
Let us not be stampeded into this horrible solution.
Richard P. Creagan
Naalehu
Our bloated boat
Nobody wants to hear the words, “Our boat is taking on water!” But it seems like our federal government is putting us in this position. An interesting recommendation to fixing this problem is placing term limits on Congress.
“Another case for term limits” (The Washington Post, Dec. 3) and The Liberty Amendments mention a 12-year limit might be what we need.
The 22nd Amendment, ratified in 1951, limits the president to two terms in office. However, Congress did not institute term limits for its own seats.
As a result, ambitious politicians have given us more than we can afford. Federal grants to state and local governments seem to be a pretty big hole in our sinking ship.
Hopefully, smart minds will fix these problems. When the tide rises, so do all ships, and I hope ours is on top.
Alex Haller
Haiku, Maui
Listen to kupuna
Aaron Stene’s Dec. 10 letter to the editor, “Support for Palamanui,” provides excellent background information regarding support for the Palamanui project. Think about how our kupuna would resolve the pilikia.
The ‘olelo no‘eau (wise saying), ‘A‘ohe hana nui ke alu ‘ia (No task is too big when done together by all), is a good reminder that by working together the work gets done. Can it be applied in this situation? I think it is a perfect fit.
Heed the wisdom of our kupuna, and positive results will happen.
Roy Alameida
Keaau
