Honoring Gil Kahele
In Hawaii, especially in Hilo, we value those who came before us and remember the work they’ve done to make a better life for us. There was a missed opportunity to honor state Sen. Gil Kahele in the article, “Economic district cometh” (Tribune-Herald, July 6).
Even if his name was not on this particular bill, as far back as before he was even an elected official, Gil Kahele talked about this issue and worked tirelessly to make it happen. To have excluded the former senator’s name in relation to the success of this economic windfall for Hilo was an oversight. There are many of us in Hilo who continue to remember Gil and his enduring passion for the Waiakea peninsula and surrounding area.
Oral history, when we older ones talk to our younger generation, is one way to ensure the legacy of those who’ve passed on is not forgotten. In my opinion, this remembering is also one of the responsibilities of a community newspaper such as the Tribune-Herald.
So, take a minute to visit Kahele Point near the boat ramp on the coastline fronting the Grand Naniloa Hotel. This is one way our community chose to permanently honor Sen. Kahele for his many contributions.
And thank you to those of our younger generation who continue to press forward in our state House and Senate with measures that find their roots in the legacy of Sen. Kahele.
These comments are not my way of politicking. I am simply reminding us all that we stand today on the shoulders of those who came before, and it’s important that we take advantage of opportunities to honor their memory.
Mahalo, Gil, for caring about Hilo and doing something in your lifetime to make things better. We remember and honor you.
Gordon A. Ignacio Sr.
Hilo
Service and dedication
Kudos and many heartfelt mahalo to our Tribune-Herald delivery person who continued to service Black Sands Beach Subdivision through the lava eruption.
When deliveries by the U.S. Postal Service, FedEx, UPS and pretty well everyone else had completely stopped, it was so reassuring to walk out to our paper box and see the daily paper sitting there just like any other morning.
In spite of earthquakes, rain, painstaking detours, ash fallout, Pele’s hair and, finally, steam-inundated steel plates over the highway, the paper did go through!
Hey, USPS: What happened to “neither snow nor rain nor heat nor gloom of night?”
Tanya Chuoke
Black Sands Beach Subdivision