Harvest the trees
California’s unmanaged forests are burning again, destroying thousands of properties!
If you live on the Hamakua Coast, you are surrounded by massive unmanaged eucalyptus forests.
Thousands of acres of dry, nonindigenous eucalyptus trees were planted to support a forestry industry — a forest industry shut down by the same selective environmentalists California suffers from, resulting in massive environmental catastrophes.
These trees were meant to be harvested many years ago. Let’s hope that Mother Nature doesn’t do the job for us! Let’s get our forest industries and their partners up and running!
Steve Ricketson
Ookala
Faith over fear
I am writing to express my appreciation to everyone on the Big Island who is remaining calm during this challenging time. I am grateful that visitors are being quarantined. I am sure that everyone agrees that controlling the current situation is important.
My concern is that there is so much misinformation spreading, and there are two completely opposite views regarding the crisis. The polarized perspectives are causing internal conflicts within us all.
There is a lot of confusion and contradiction. How can we know the real truth and regain a level of energetic balance? It is difficult to maintain our awareness outside of mental and emotional polarity. Both sides have valid points, and a wealth of information supports both positions.
We have choices. We can decide which version of the truth fits our reality. But it seems as though there is no middle ground.
Meanwhile, the rules and regulations keep changing. Even healthy, optimistic people are feeling confused, exhausted and stressed by the daily stream of negativity and fear-based news reports. How do we find love and unity in the midst of all the sadness, misinformation and confusion?
I am concerned that as both sides drift further apart, the ability to unify becomes increasingly more difficult. What if there is no way to meet in the middle? What if families, friends, and relationships continue suffering as we all defend our position to be right, no matter the cost?
We have lived our lives taking stands for what we strongly believe, especially if we feel it is a threat. We want to be right, no matter the cost.
Because of the extreme duality of this crisis, I am deeply concerned that the bonds we have created will be lost as this crisis escalates. Will we all be isolated, alone and without support — wearing masks wherever we go as long as we are ordered to?
I do hope that collectively we can visualize and/or pray for the best possible future for our island and our world … that somehow we can all uncover the real truth, rise above the chaos and move forward with compassion and love.
Please remember that in unity there are no sides. Please know that faith is stronger than fear.
Please continue to share aloha.
Sherri Carden
Keaau