‘We overcame’
Thank you, Editor and Publisher David Bock, for the annual “Best of East Hawaii” publication (Tribune-Herald, Aug. 30). I did not realize the high number of commercial enterprises that exist in East Hawaii.
One outstanding feature with commentary was put forth by the Pacific Tsunami Museum, wherein the names of business giants (the Taniguchis, the Fujimotos, the Kitagawas) were mentioned. Moreover, it was noted that “we are resilient people who have survived two catastrophic tsunamis.”
We should also be made aware that other organizations such as the labor entities, the contractors, and the many men and women who gave the sweat off their backs to get the economy booming.
We, the Big Islanders, were through some real hard times in the past (remember the Kohala task force debacle, the super ferry fiasco?), but through perseverance and endurance, we did not give up hope, and we overcame.
Imua, Hawaii.
Earl Nakasato
Kurtistown
Mistreating ohia
I agree with “A poor job” of Sept. 17 (Your Views, Tribune-Herald).
I wrote a similar letter in February about Hawaii Telcom shredding 40-year-old ohia trees on Lehuapele Street in our subdivision.
I went up the chain of command, and eventually they sent a supervisor to look at the damage they did and the mess they left behind. A Mr. Watanabe admitted Hawaiian Telcom did this work themselves, not an outside contractor that might not know better about rapid ohia death.
He informed me they ran out of the grant money or time to do the clean up, and to have our association write to them, and they would “see what they could do to help.”
So, I did do this as well as contacting the University of Hawaii ohia program’s professor. She came out and looked with her young daughter, and they both cried that anyone would treat our native ohia this way.
Later, I checked about the high-speed internet and asked to apply. They informed me, “sorry, we didn’t do your road” (Kamakahala), which is two lots away from the Lehuapele destruction.
I was hoping this was a isolated event, but thanks to your letter to the editor I know differently. I wrote an email to Mr. Watanabe asking how many people he served high-speed internet to with this federal grant. However, I never got a response.
Caroline Campbell
Volcano
The right to live
As I listened to the news Monday morning on Hawaii Public Radio, a representative from Avalon Health Care Group, responsible for management at the Yukio Okutsu State Veterans Home, said that Avalon couldn’t make the residents keep the doors to their rooms closed because it would be against their rights.
I was appalled to hear such a statement. Do the residents have a right to live? Of course they do!
Instead of helping the residents understand the need for social distancing, the need to stay in designated areas and the need to wear masks, Avalon hid behind the ridiculous statement that they were protecting the rights of the residents by not enforcing proper health procedures.
I have worked in nursing homes, and the residents will respond to information carefully explained to them in ways they can understand. Sometimes, family members can also help explain information to care home residents.
Residents might be unsure, afraid or worried, but they are not stupid, and they deserve the careful attention and instruction that any of us requires when a new procedure is necessary.
Veterans know military rules and regulations. They just need the time and dedicated staff to do the right thing. Help them understand the right to live!
Tim Gust
Pahoa
