Economic boost
In the aftermath of our volcanic eruption and hurricane, this kupuna is sensing that we want to kind of restructure our community.
I sense that we are coming together as brothers and sisters and aunties and uncles, wanting to help one another so we all succeed.
You know, I think we really need a store in Puna for the people. We can sell our fresh produce there, our bakery goods there, Grandma’s jams and everything. It could be a “People’s Store,” where anyone can sell their products.
Don’t you think that would boost the economy, put people to work and give us better food at regular, not high, prices?
Rose Elaine Messenger
Pahoa
‘Wastewater utopia’
People will be evasive for two reasons — either it’s not your business to know what they are doing, or they are doing something wrong and they don’t want you to know about it.
The reason that the county’s Department of Environmental Management and the federal Environmental Protection Agency’s Drinking Water Branch are being evasive about the two Ka‘u gang-cesspool projects belonging to Hawaii County is that the proposed plans turned into a boondoggle.
It is unnecessary to use a lagoon system on a large parcel when smaller solutions will fit on the current properties. This change of plan was never revealed to the public at the time. We only found out 10 years later when the lagoon plan was announced.
It is an expensive wastewater utopia. No wonder they didn’t tell us.
Smaller solutions cost less, but less money means fewer favors going to politicians and bureaucrats.
Let’s call this “green collar crime.”
It is wrong for Ka‘u.
Jerry Warren
Naalehu
Mahalo, HELCO
The Hawaiian Reforestation Program would like to give Hawaii Electric Light Co. and President Jay Ignacio a mahalo nui loa for their generous gift of $10,000.
We used it to plant about 2,000 native trees in the endangered palila bird habitat on Maunakea. Not only does it help the birds, but it reduces our erosion and carbon footprint.
Thanks, Jay!
James D. Buck
Hawaii Volcanoes National Park
The Tribune-Herald welcomes letters from readers. Letters can be emailed to letters@hawaiitribune-herald.com, or mailed to Your Views, c/o Hawaii Tribune-Herald, P.O. Box 767, Hilo, HI 96721. Letters must include your name, phone number (which won’t be published), and your town. Letters should be no longer than 300 words; shorter, emailed letters are preferred. Letters may be edited for grammar, length, clarity and taste.
