Connectivity concern
Mauna Loa has become front page news due to a possibility of a new eruption after 38 years. I strongly believe there is a serious public communication issue if the lava takes out the Hawaiian Electric transmission poles in between Kona and Ka‘u.
This will knock out cellular, internet and telephone service in these districts.
There is a solution waiting in the wings, but I’m not sure it will be completed in time.
Both Spectrum and Hawaiian Telcom are working on completing a fiber optic ring around Hawaii Island. The remaining link for their respective cables between Hawaii Volcanoes National Park and Pahala should be completed by the end of 2022, but there is no guarantee due to worldwide supply chain issues.
I’ve tried to express my concern about this communication issue to Mayor Mitch Roth’s administration. As stands now, I’ve only received receptive positive feedback from one person on the mayor’s staff regarding my concern and possible solution to this issue.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has a weather radio tower at South Point that could be used to transmit emergency information to the public in the event of a lava flow in the Ka‘u area.
This could be used if the internet, cellular and telephone services are knocked out by a lava flow.
If Mayor Roth’s administration was a bit more receptive to this suggestion, I wouldn’t have written this letter. However, I strongly believe public safety is at risk. This suggestion will help mitigate this issue.
Aaron Stene
Kailua-Kona
Blake Stene
Ocean View
Police chief’s role
When I read the article on the selection of the new police chief in the Oct. 23 paper, I was shocked!
After reading about the very narrow topics of people’s testimony, I have to say that it is not the police chief’s role to make laws.
The police chief’s role is to neutrally enforce existing laws; hire mindful staff who listen, observe and evaluate thoughtfully in a nonbullying manner; train police officers in law enforcement techniques, approaches and values; do no harm; and have the desire to give to the community.
I hope the Hawaii County Police Commission will seriously consider the above in selecting the new police chief.
Magdalene Phillips
Pahoa
Open restrooms
Leave it to lifetime advocate for pono and peaceful living, ‘anakala Jim Albertini, to write about a basic right that has gone ignored for too long (Your Views, Oct. 26).
I frequent the Hilo Federal Building daily except Sundays to check my mail. As a 70-something with, among other things, urinary issues, I’ve had to do my thing doggie-style in the green areas surrounding the post office on too many occasions. It’s embarrassing and totally unnecessary.
It’s a travesty to use the homeless as an excuse for not opening at least the ground floor restrooms to the public during business hours.
The federal building utilizes Arc of Hilo for custodial/janitorial services. So, it’s not that there’s no one to clean up the restrooms.
This is a basic right of life. Maybe the mayor or his designee can be the most vocal advocate for this right and contact our congressional delegates, U.S. Reps. Ed Case and Kai Kahele and/or U.S. Sens. Mazie Hirono and Brian Schatz about this situation.
Mahalo, ‘anakala Albertini, for bringing the obvious to our attention.
Joel Peralto
Hilo