‘They are us’
How distressing to read letters to the editor Nov. 17 which, yet again, present one side of the Maunakea controversy.
Many of us who support the kia‘i (and many kia‘i themselves) have been involved with ‘Imiloa, Friends of Hakalau and multiple other science and conservation projects. The implication of this author’s suggestion is that if only the protesters would do something constructive, their goals could be achieved.
Those elders who left their comfortable homes to live outside, alternately freezing and frying, using portable toilets, who put their affairs in order because they are willing to be jailed or even die for this cause, should just realize that humans are all immigrants who should blend their beliefs, look for shared values and — shazam — see that they, too, can be fine with the Thirty Meter Telescope.
Simple.
Intellectual hubris also informs the author under “Impeding progress,” which tells us that a number of cultural practices of indigenous peoples around the world are now uniformly disparaged by society, and should be put aside. Which cultural practices? Human sacrifice? Marriage? Head-hunting? Monotheism?
He admits that he doesn’t know much about said cultural practices, but urges they be set aside for the good of the democratic society and more important issues. How are these measured? Apparently, the rights of a marginalized people in their native land are less important than a telescope.
See? Simple.
What these authors (and apparently this newspaper) seem to ignore is that a large group of our citizenry has been denied a voice and sought the only way to mount a protest that can be heard. Kia‘i include medical doctors, lawyers, professors, sales clerks, waitresses, construction workers, teachers — just like the rest of Hawaii.
They are not “rabble”; they are us. Not so simple.
Lisa Hilina‘i Lyon
Hilo
Can’t afford ban
I’m very frustrated the Hawaii County Council is advancing legislation that will ban the use of pesticides by county workers in the near future.
This ban will likely force Parks and Recreation, and county highways divisions, to hire more workers to maintain our roads and parks. Parks and Recreation already acknowledged it will need to hire 400 maintenance workers if this legislation passes. The county highways division also will have to hire more people.
The increased payroll costs, which will be paid by county taxpayers, tells only part of the story. There will be additional impacts to roadway safety and a carbon impact to the environment because of increased usage of machinery to maintain these areas. The county highways division, for example, is already having a hard time maintaining the grassy shoulders alongside our county highways.
If you drive the Alii Drive extension to Captain Cook, you can see a stark example of the roadway safety hazards caused by this backlog in work.
I understand there is health impact to humans from this pesticide usage, but what about the increased county payroll costs and carbon impact on the environment resulting from this proposed legislation?
Aaron Stene
Kailua-Kona
