Papaikou beach plan
Papaikou beach plan
Regarding “County files suit for Papaikou beach access,” (Tribune-Herald, March 5): I would like to thank the Tribune-Herald for allowing me to comment on this important issue.
The article provided insight into the challenges of balancing the needs of community and private property rights.
As Mayor Harry Kim pointed out, “That (litigation) is not the way you want to resolve things, so that’s why you have to look at other ways to hopefully resolve this.”
I do think there is another way … a way that can benefit the community on many levels. I am currently in the planning review process to create an agriculture-based community (agri-village) in Papaikou.
For those of us who call Hawaii our home, we value the gifts and benefits afforded to us by the aina. This includes, among other things, being able to grow our food and have safe passage to our ocean and beaches.
Creating healthy, walkable, affordable neighborhoods, where people can spend time outdoors with friends and family, grow food and nurture themselves on the land and sea, is the vision for Papaikou agri-village.
Our draft plan incorporates the following elements: a wide range of affordable housing sales and rentals; community gardens (minimum 50 percent of the total land) as well as an agricultural processing center; small commercial center to support local community; parking for a proposed alternate access for Papaikou beach; public coastal access — lateral and mauka-makai, including an alternate route to Papaikou beach with parking; farmers market; and a convenient neighborhood commercial center.
As I stated in my 2012 interview with the Tribune-Herald, I support the idea of creating parking for an alternative access to the Papaikou beach as part of my development plan. That is still my position, and I look forward to working with the community to make this dream a reality.
Steve Shropshire
Hilo
Math for Trump
After being subjected to a constant barrage of “alternative-facts” tweeting and daily harangues, I’ve finally figured out the White House occupant’s No. 1 challenge: He seriously needs to hire a competent math tutor!
From his wild claims of millions of illegal aliens voting against him to his grossly inflated numbers of supporters at his inaugural, and his evidence-free recitation of China stealing 60,000 jobs from America (plus a plethora of other highly dubious numerical accusations), the inevitable conclusion is that The Donald is extremely math-challenged.
So, to begin making “America Great Again,” his topmost priority must be his enrollment in a Remedial Math 101 class. I truly think even his most ardent supporter would appreciate that wise move.
Danny Li
Keaau