Praise for police
Mahalo to our Hawaii County police officers. I was thrilled that the Tribune-Herald choose to print three positive articles on Dec. 20 about the men and women who serve to protect us every day of every year.
The front-page story was about two officers who stopped to help a woman who was stranded in the Kaawalii Gulch for over four hours with a flat tire. This service is not in their job description.
The next article reported that for almost 20 years, the Kona police force has been taking “less advantaged keiki” shopping for Christmas. Catholic Charities Hawaii brought 63 youth and families on a shopping spree with $100 each donated by the Veterans of Foreign Wars. This project is beyond the call of duty!
The third article read like a murder movie where the police arrested a Big Island man who had kidnapped and beaten a woman so badly she could have been killed if the police had not used their skill and training and acted when they observed a dire situation.
For over 40 years I have managed properties in East Hawaii. I have called the police numerous times when I was in need, or my tenants had problems, things were stolen or damaged, or something was “wrong.”
The Hawaii County police have always responded, been patient and professional, and have acted when possible. Our police officers are who we call when someone is having the worst day of their lives, and they are willing to step up to help.
Mahalo for the job police officers do to make life better for all of us in Hawaii County.
Nancy Cabral
Hilo
Convert Honua Ola
Dear Editor: I wrote Honua Ola saying I believe the Supreme Court ruling was the responsible decision because of Honua Ola’s potential pollution that would adversely impact the environment and community, and its high cost per megawatt.
Climate change is affecting everyone. It will be more profitable in the long run (selling biochar, fuels and other products), and you will look like the good guys.
It would be great to see your facility converted into a wood gasifier, possibly coupled with a combined-cycle power plant or even a waste gasifier. This will be more environmentally friendly, sustainable and, ultimately, I believe it will be more profitable for you and safer for the community.
We can use roadside trees, like the albizia, miconia and other fast-growing invasive trees as a sustainable fuel source to generate power and make products such as biochar, natural gas, alcohols, gasoline, diesel and jet fuel.
I told them they could utilize trees from private property before bulldozing or in need of invasive tree control, and to incentivize individuals and businesses who bring wood to the facility. This would also result in clearer power lines and roadsides, make the county more disaster ready, and would help eradicate invasive species and help the farmers on this island to improve the soil on their land.
What do you think?
Mike Ruggles
Mountain View
‘Memory lane’
I would just like to commend Brandon Haleamau on the great job that he does with Big Island History. I learn so much and am often taken on a walk down memory lane.
Thank you, Brandon, for a job well done.
Gretchen Grove
Pepeekeo