Kona mural
Kona mural
Paint it over
I’m in complete agreement with Ms. Prince: I have to see that awful painting every day when I drive by in the morning.
My inner self tells me to get a gallon of white paint and paint the whole thing over.
I wonder, too, who gave permission for that mess?
If you have any artistic talent at all, let’s paint something Hawaii and not something out of East Los Angles.
Dottie Cooley
Kailua-Kona
Coral grafitti
An area inspiration
I had the great honor of being invited to become an associate member of the Waimea Hawaiian Civic Club by then-president Elaine Flores in 1973.
We hiked many places and historic sites, including the altar on the King’s trail near Anaehoomalu. This is where the annual transition of the Makahiki once took place, with an entourage from the north meeting with an entourage from the south to make offerings in celebration of this time of year.
There were about six of us, including the revered Edith Kanakaole and her husband. This area is known for the large petroglyph beds from older and ancient times. Mrs. Kanakaole commented on the white coral writings by saying, “It is interesting that this area still inspires signature.”
This has stayed with me and is what I think of every time I see new additions. This is a wise and cosmic view that needs to be considered.
Sharon Hayden
Hawi
DMV rules
Rules should change for kamaaina, locals
How many people being denied driver’s license renewal is it going to take before the regulation writers realize that they’ve gone too far — over reacted — with the new requirements?
The simple task the DMV is charged with is to identify the applicant.
If the applicant’s name on his or her current (even expired) license matches one or two additional pieces of identification, what’s the problem?
What difference does it make if one’s passport is expired? They are not trying to gain entry to a foreign country. The document (valid or not) identifies the holder. At the time of issue, a background check was done.
Are they (Homeland Security) worried that Mrs. Taniguchi or Mr. Souza has joined Al-Qaida since last applying for a passport?
Also, do you have any idea what a new passport costs now days?
So what if the applicant’s Social Security card is old and wrinkled? Does the name match the current license and name on the form?
Since our Hawaii licenses do not show a person’s Social Security number anymore, it is just a very small piece of cardboard with a name on it. Ergo, a veteran’s identification (that even has a picture) or a credit card or library card serves the same purpose.
So what if one’s birth certificate isn’t an original or has been folded? Does the name match? If so, duh.
As someone who has lived overseas for many years, I understand the need for security. For new residents, yes. For locals or kamaaina, no. Look in your DMV computer. Has this person renewed his license over and over in Hawaii? What is the security risk?
Does anyone out there know what a hassle it is to obtain new documents?
So, let’s say a West Hawaii resident has to obtain a new Social Security card. That hot potato is still not fixed to this reader’s (and many, many others’) satisfaction. The head of the Social Security Hilo office wrote a letter to this paper bragging about the fact it now provides chairs (in the shade) and one additional staffer during its monthly visits to Kona. It is still only one day a month. Does someone from Washington have to get involved again before they realize this situation doesn’t compute?
While on the subject of lack of services in West Hawaii, let’s talk about the IRS office. Again, it is located in Hilo and it doesn’t even come for a visit. No scheduled appointments are allowed. So, if you have to drive four hours (round trip) and the office is only open seven hours, I’ll let you do the math, while one hopes to be granted an audience on a first-come, first-served basis. If you have to take the bus, the window is even smaller.
Does anyone in charge have any common sense?
Mayor, governor, are you paying attention? Even if some of these problems do not fall directly under county or state control, it negatively affects those you serve — and your action can get these matters resolved.
Wally Camp
Kailua-Kona