Kealakekua Bay
Kealakekua Bay
Aila decision wrong
I, like many other sports-minded water people along the Kona Coast, disagree with William Aila’s decision to refuse permit renewals to three legal kayak businesses that operate in Kealakekua Bay.
These companies have gone through the required process to obtain and maintain these permits, and have been good stewards of the area for many years, legitimately renting kayaks, hosting tours and caring for the bay. These companies take the time to explain the “dos and don’ts” of kayak safety and respect for the area.
They take pride in the bay and take steps to protect not only those they serve but to protect the bay — a precious resource for all of us.
Mr. Aila should devote more time to removing the illegal vendors who have been operating at the bay for years. They do not pay taxes — we do. They take no responsibility for the bay.
Mr. Aila claims he does not have the resources to address the problem of illegal vendors or those who do not follow the rules. That is not a logical reason to deny permits to those who do it right and can actually help DLNR.
I believe his decision is wrong and will only hurt those who have, for years, been the backbone of keeping the bay clean and bringing tourists to our island.
If his decision stands, the illegal vendors will reign over one of our precious resources, and there is a real possibility people will be hurt. Better to add the needed resources than to remove the only thing that currently adds value — the legal vendors who really care for our bay and their customers.
Blackie Kalua
Kona
Ane Keohokalole Highway
A speed zone
Kona residents are very grateful to the highway department for the new mauka concrete timesaver road from Henry Street to Hina Lani Street. It has to be the greatest 3 1⁄2 mile roadway in all of West Hawaii.
But we think it is time they raise the 35 mph speed limit into a more reasonable 45 mph zone.
We love the new roadway and appreciate the opportunity to avoid the slower bumper-to-bumper traffic on Queen Kaahumanu Highway, but don’t we think that 35 mph on that new beautiful span of road is a bit too low? Most of us have to use our cruise control to hold within the 35 mph speed and thus hold down to that lower speed and thus prevent a ticket.
Bob Paddock
Kailua-Kona
Jury duty
Added inconvenience
You live in North Kohala and drive 90 minutes to the Helekii Street Court House for jury selection. You get there before the appointed hour of 8 a.m. and, auwe, “no more parking.”
What a place for the courthouse, adjacent to the University of Hawaii Center West Hawaii and other businesses — all competing for the few available parking spaces.
The court directs you to park in a small parking area that is unpaved and has a very rough terrain that is an unsafe walking surface for older folks — without ample space for everyone.
If this is what’s to be expected, it’s no wonder a lot of people don’t respond to the summons. Surely the folks responsible for site selection could have done a better job.
Joseph P. Maria
Kapaau