Liu is ‘our only answer’ for improving Punalu‘u
I would start by commenting on Mr. Gary Hoff’s cartoon drawing of the crane removal of turtles on Punalu‘u beach (Tribune-Herald, June 1). What about the historical removal of Hawaiians off beaches statewide? Mr. Hoff’s cartoon has racist undertones.
I am a generational resident of Punalu‘u. My Hawaiian family has lived there from the 1800s. I watched the plantation destroy Punalu‘u for the resort they created, and then abandoned it leaving the people with no alternative for work.
For the last four decades, they have turned Punalu‘u into a toxic area, with no commitment to anyone.
Ms. Eva Liu has made a commitment to clean up old buildings, toxic ponds and bring back water for fire prevention. She has taken care of the showers and restroom facilities and processed the waste for the general public. She has never bothered fishermen or the local homeless along the beach and is willing to give Punalu‘u beach to a dedicated nonprofit community organization.
l have met this person and believe in her honesty and aloha to the people of Ka‘u.
Nature Conservancy has been the resistance in the background using the ignorant Hawaiians for support. They have displaced over 10 million natives from gathering food, medicine and building materials worldwide. In Hawaii, they are trying to do the same with Punalu‘u, and l am willing to discuss this issue with their director.
I believe Ms. Liu is our only answer today. Wise up, and look me up, and see how strong an advocate for the Kanaka I am.
Palikapu Dedman
Hilo
Golf course fence does not solve the problem
I read the letter from Jim and Nancy Locke (Your Views, May 30), and these are good points to consider.
The Hilo Municipal Golf Course border fence should be reconsidered, given that the community has potential solutions to the issues.
Citations for accessing the course during business hours may help. Access to the course at the ends of Naniakea, Nohea, Kehaulani and Hoonanea streets can be restricted by a retaining gate and no parking zones within 100 yards of the course.
Individuals accessing the course from bordering properties also may be cited.
The ATVs being driven on the course appears to have happened in the past but is no longer an issue, given public and personal pressures on those individuals. That behavior should warrant a much larger citation and fine.
The concept of allowing the course to transition into a walking park (no vehicles) for citizens after hours does have merit. It is very pleasant and beneficial, health-wise, to walk there in the last hour before sunset and after all the golfers have retired.
No one walks on the course at night. The window to access the golf course for the 30 minutes prior to complete darkness is very limited.
I understand the golf course management’s and the county’s concerns about loss of revenue, interrupting paying players, and the liability issues.
Even with this project, there will be significant points of access that remain. It does not solve the problem entirely. An open discussion about alternatives can benefit all.
Eric Matayoshi
Hilo
