Fireworks problems
The use of fireworks in Hawaiian culture is as deeply embedded as Kilauea’s lava lake.
The universal nature of culture is about dynamic change. Time has wrought increased urbanization and agricultural development.
The Hawaii of today presents new needs and challenges — especially hosting an increased population of retirees and the socioeconomics of professional middle-class families with pets. Concomitantly, fireworks activity has expanded, particularly in residential areas, which is beginning to pose problematic effects.
In 2016 , the law was passed that banned residential aerial pyrotechnic displays. However, police enforcement has faced limitations of evidence-gathering and a malaise of public support.
Now, in stark present tense, the pyrotechnic fallout (literally), was apparent in Hawaiian Paradise Park. Speaking as a HPP resident, on Jan. 1, the abrasively loud fireworks activity had created a population of lost pets.
Several of us sought to help grieved families in a frenetic search for their pets. In one case, a family boxer had become terrified and jumped through the picture window, suffering injury.
A quick review on Craigslist of “Missing Pets” post-fireworks indicated several missing. Some still remain lost.
To mitigate the panic problems for their pets, some residents have needed to administer tranquilizers to them New Year’s Eve and the Fourth of July!
There is a growing concern about the potency of current fireworks. Some long-established residents have voiced concerns that now covert types of fireworks are being shipped to the islands.
Besides the mayhem and stress created among families whose pets are esteemed as family members, to numbers of us who have served our nation in uniform, obnoxious explosions revive themes of darkness and loss.
To those whose passion is the ejaculation of excessive decibels, safety and life of the community needs to be seriously considered.
In this writer’s youth, the personal thrill of fireworks was having sparklers at home without noisy firecrackers. This experience became finalized with the delightful viewing of beautiful aerial pyrotechnics in multi-rainbow fashion for all to enjoy, managed by city staff at the local public facility.
The HPP families, their pets and those surrounding neighborhoods all deserve a safe and qualitative lifestyle!
Jim Barker
Hawaiian Paradise Park
‘Master of slither’
Donald Trump. He, the man that won’t go away. Even as much of the nation tries to forget him.
Trump is a master of slither, like a snake with venomous persuasions and yet with uncanny Teflon-like abilities to escape responsibility.
His package of tactics smacks of Hitler, another charismatic soul who served himself, under the delusion of serving the republic as its leader.
It takes power to remove power. And how ironic that it was freedom of speech which inspired such a moment of history that enabled such an individual to arise and assume such power in so short a period of time.
Trump symbolizes a powerful reminder that democracy is a vulnerable and human institution, and that our Constitution can become merely a document of words unless upheld and embraced by its constituents.
Realistically, our Constitution and its corollary amendments are a “living manifesto” sustained by living people, hence its fragility, just as life itself.
This world will continue to surprise us, as will its people and its leaders.
Hey, isn’t life interesting?
Lloyd Fukuki
Waimea