Hunting
Hunting
Don’t make it so difficult
Here we go again, working on the wheel. The county government has its underwear in a bunch over some pint-sized deer.
Special interests (ranchers) don’t want them and they want the government (that means the taxpayers) to take care of the problem. Forty-nine other states have hunting seasons to manage all the wild animals that roam their states. It’s called “game management.”
The hunting licenses, conservation stamps, etc. pay the bill for all the government involved and there is usually money left to pay for support programs like hunter safety.
The secret is don’t make “the act of hunting” so complicated that it’s no fun for families to participate. And require those who complain about the intrusions of these animals to allow hunters access to their property.
At our home on the mainland during the summer we have as many as 15 deer on our 2 acres every day. What a beautiful sight to see the deer in the spring.
Jerry Goedert
Waimea
Bill 304
Council should reintroduce impact fee bill ASAP
At the last Kona Town Meeting, County Council Chair Dominic Yagong said he killed Impact Fee Bill 304 because he was worried about carpenter jobs, even though he agreed it is a good bill.
We agree Bill 304 is a good bill. Bill 304 establishes a program, proven nationwide, to replace the current county’s illegal “fair share” system. Not only will this new program raise funds needed for the county to build new public infrastructure, it also requires the infrastructure be built in the vicinity and in a timely manner in order to actually serve the new development.
As chairman of the County Council, Mr. Yagong must be fully aware those old days are over when the council could get away with approving new development projects without considering related public infrastructure and service needs. So, today, without establishing a program that would provide the county with the means of funding new infrastructure and services, the council will be forced to deny approval to new development applications. And, if approval for new development is denied, then the carpenters will miss out on jobs related to new development, as well as jobs associated with building new public infrastructure.
In addition, Bill 304 includes tools to assist those seeking to build a family home. Qualified people can get an interest-free loan of the impact fee and not repay it until they decide to sell the home.
It is hoped a county council member will re-introduce Bill 304 as soon as possible and pass it for the good of the entire county. It is definitely a win-win situation.
Duane Erway
Plan To Protect Kona
president
Mahalo
Opera presented
at Hollywood Theaters
The cultural palette of West Hawaii and nearby areas has been significantly enhanced by the HD telecasts from the Metropolitan Opera in New York, which are now presented by Hollywood Theaters in Kona’s Makalapua Shopping Center. These operas have been attended by large and enthusiastic crowds. Indeed, the recent telecast of “La Traviata” was a sellout.
We write to give our heartfelt thanks to the founding sponsors and co-presenters.
We say this to those who have never seen an opera: you will experience comedy and tragedy, remarkable sets and stunning costumes, and some of the world’s greatest music sung by some of the world’s greatest singers.
Ann Brace and Lawrence Herman
Kailua-Kona