Axis deer
Axis deer
Eradication is due
Danny Rocha, the Mountain View hunter, feels he was “unfairly targeted” for releasing axis deer on Hawaii Island.
In my view, he and others who participated in this illegal act, got off with a slap on the wrist that was, in no way, commensurate with the potential consequences of their behavior.
They released the deer knowing full well that the ranch fence would not contain them. In so doing, they put the integrity of Hawaii’s native forest and the future of agriculture on Hawaii Island at risk, just to satisfy their own selfish objectives.
I will readily agree that the state can do more to promote sustainable use of game animals on Hawaii Island.
I also believe there should be greater opportunity for local hunters to participate in management programs to control feral game.
That said, hunters and land managers alike should come together in an aggressive effort to eradicate axis deer on Hawaii Island while it is still possible.
Rob Shallenberger
Waimea
Keauhou Beach Hotel
Questionable decision
I find the Keauhou Beach Hotel closing and eventual planned demolition to be very interesting and curiously indicative of the true values of one of the main organizations that purports to uphold a mandate to maintain and perpetuate the Hawaiian culture.
It’s no secret that traditional Hawaiian culture runs on circular time (traditional/historical), as opposed to the rest of the modern, developed world, which runs on linear time (progressive).
Nevertheless, I have to wonder if the ancestors would approve of the demolition.
Is another restored heiau, i.e., a vacant pile of rocks for tourists to gawk at and photograph with their cellphone cameras, really what the ancestors would choose to replace a functioning edifice that was providing a livelihood to many local families (even though its owners/overseers were losing money on it as a capitalistic venture)?
To me, it seems the hotel was, in actuality, a modern heiau; a structure that supported Hawaiian life and even celebrated and perpetuated the Hawaiian culture in a modern context, something that another pile of lava rock, no matter how beautifully, expertly or historically and accurately stacked, would be very hard-pressed to accomplish, regardless of how many tourists dollars it brought in or ancient memories it evoked.
Couldn’t the powers in charge think of any other use for the existing building that would be of more benefit to the people of Hawaii?
How about affordable studio apartments for young singles with a high school diploma and a job?
Quintus Gwynn
Honaunau