Coral displays
Coral displays
Stop the removal
This letter is in concern to the looting of a natural resource. That is our coral rock art along our northern highways.
A handful of people have taken it upon themselves to dictate what is good for all of us and our island. This rock art has been a part of the landscape for many years and it’s iconic with the Kona Coast. It has probably been there longer than those destroying it.
As my wife and I drove to Waikoloa for a baby luau, we wondered what the lava rock would be without it. Not so interesting — the rock art breaks up the flow of things, gives a little black and white to the landscape.
This is not graffiti and never has been, but rather the expression of individuals’ heart-felt feeling of that moment in time.
Sure, we see the occasional corporate logo tastefully done, but they soon disappear. Who is to say it is graffiti, not Webster’s as it defines such as a crude inscription or drawing.
Does anyone find this rock art as vulgar as to destroy it for all of us? Apparently so, next it will be a book they do not like.
For tourism (our main industry) it’s great; just ask anyone in the hotels and I know most, if not all, are positive comments. I’m sure there is the occasional tight okole.
At the luau, I took an unofficial poll of both young and old: Most had not heard of what is happening. I can say with out hesitation they were all appalled and could not believe this was happening.
You do not have any idea where this coral came from. What do you do, dump it in a heap at the beach or place them in a row?
I think it is time for the Department of Land and Natural Resources to step in and stop this travesty; you are at least as guilty as anyone who takes rocks, sand, shells or coral from the land. Two wrongs have never made something right. I know many people are opposed to this and many more if they only knew.
Would someone with authority bring this to an end?
Stop stealing what is not yours, (it is not hurting anyone) start picking up trash along our highways — there is plenty. Until that time comes, may you have sunburn pain — and a backache to go with it.
Larry Morris
Kona
Coral
One more viewpoint
May I submit one more viewpoint about the coral messages on the lava fields?
No one can prove that it is either “art” or not, because that is a matter of opinion. And there is such a thing as “graffiti art.”
One fact is the coral messages are expressions of people who cared enough about their message to take time and trouble to make them known and visible, just like folks who write letters to the paper are taking time and trouble to express their views.
Once there were people on the Big Island who carved messages called petroglyphs into the stone. Are those messages “art?” Expert opinion says they are cultural, because they are expressions of a unique and particular nature.
The coral messages are also unique, by their limited location and the medium used.
Are petroglyphs more cultural than the coral messages just because they are older?
Isn’t culture a living, changing quantity?
Thank you, for allowing me to express myself, in the medium of your modern newspaper.
Linda Carroll
Keauhou