Road dispute
“Access road judgment sought” (Tribune-Herald, Aug. 3).
“I can’t breathe” — the knee of the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands on the neck of Maunakea/Thirty Meter Telescope.
Abolghassem Abraham Sadegh
Hilo
Less ‘green’
McDonald’s is doing its part in contributing to (harming the environment).
The only access to McDonald’s food in Hilo is by vehicle. No dine-in, no walk-ups.
That policy encourages driving. Not being able to order from the drive-through eliminates walkers, cyclists, mothers with strollers and people walking their dogs.
I thought about all the homeless/carless who get shut out. As a seven year, car-free bike rider, not only can’t I access McDonald’s, I cannot use the drive-up window at HFS Federal Credit Union.
Thanks to both institutions, we are converting our town into a less walkable, noisier, more polluted and less “green” area.
As the song goes, “When will they ever learn?”
Gary Harrold
Hilo
Voting concerns
This vote-by-mail election is fraught with problems. We have removed many of the election safeguards that are normally in place.
No longer do we have the privacy of the voting booth. Someone can be looking over your shoulder and directing how they want you to vote — a spouse, parent or anyone who has control.
What if your mail is picked up, and the mailman doesn’t like the sign on your lawn and tears up your mail-in ballot? Or if someone wants to know how you voted — after all your name and signature is on the back of the envelope?
We have no chain of custody for the ballots, as we did before. Anything can happen.
We go to the stores and do our shopping, why can’t we go to the ballot box?
This will be bad for democracy.
Roger Schweitzer
Volcano
Opposed to everything
It’s apparent there are a number of “selective environmentalists” living in Hawaii!
These individuals/organizations seem to be against … well, everything: Super Ferry, TMT, Honua Ola Bioenergy and other facilities endeavoring to invest in Hawaii.
I’m encouraged by our neighbor island Kauai and its citizens in the way they pulled together a comprehensive program of bioenergy and solar to mitigate the purchasing and usage of imported fuels.
The millions of dollars saved went right back into their infrastructure, creating even more jobs and economic opportunities! Well done, Kauai!
I’m pretty sure the selective environmentalists purchase their power from fossil-burning power plants, drive automobiles, use paper and plastic, and live in homes built of wood — all industries that support jobs and pay taxes, which fund the infrastructures we all enjoy!
I support responsible facilities that do their best to support us. Please support Honua Ola and other companies willing to invest in Hawaii.
Steve Ricketson
Ookala