Old problem
I don’t understand.
Since 1955, our government knowingly and intentionally allows tens of thousands of substandard lots to be built on the freshly cooling lava in lower Puna. Now, they are claiming it’s too late to help us, and we waited too long, that it’s a precedent, so they have no idea how to proceed!
Attention Hawaii government: Do not act like this is some new problem.
You have fully known since at least 1955 that all those subdivisions you allowed (some of you even speculated in them) would have the absolute possibility of lava inundation, as several have been since then.
You act like “we the people” are to blame for living here. People are still waiting to get a piece of land to build on from when Royal Gardens was covered. That was 20 to 30 years ago, so it is really disingenuous for anyone in the government to claim this is a new problem.
Government collects property taxes and expects us to get building permits in lava zones 1 and 2 and stuff like that, so a reasonable person would think the government is liable, to some extent, for replacement land in a timely manner — not decades from now.
Just caring for the lava evacuees!
Sara Steiner
Pahoa
Cannabis economy
We, the people of Hawaii, need and deserve the freedom to grow, process and sell safe, natural, sustainable and God-given cannabis hemp now and forever. Government simply needs to get out of the way.
In 120 days, we can have a world-famous cannabis harvest attracting multi-millions of visitor dollars. And 120 days after that.
Our growing conditions are some of the best on Earth, and much of our population knows how to garden. No fancy or expensive education or equipment needed. Reduce the “brain drain” to the mainland.
1. Gov. David Ige says we need to “wait for the feds” — a false narrative. Just ask the people of Colorado, Washington, D.C., etc.
2. Mayor Harry Kim says, “What about the children?” Another false narrative. Children use it less where it’s more available.
3. The Hawaii County Council refuses to give the people a public hearing. It appears that none of them feel the urgency and the pain of poverty, meth and crime.
What’s a citizen to do?
With freedom, every backyard can be a profit center, growing thousands of dollars worth of cannabis hemp for nutrition, medicine, sacrament and cash. All prohibition-related crime will immediately end.
Our economic ship is sinking — especially in Hawaii County — and cannabis hemp is a proven lifeboat.
The need is great. The solution is simple: Repeal prohibition now.
Roger Christie
Hilo