I want to thank all the firemen, police, and responders to the brush fire July 20. The fire came within 20 feet of several homes in the Lokahi Makai residential development, about a mile north of the mentioned apartments. Our
Mahalo for saving
our homes
I want to thank all the firemen, police, and responders to the brush fire July 20. The fire came within 20 feet of several homes in the Lokahi Makai residential development, about a mile north of the mentioned apartments. Our home was one that was threatened.
Although an evacuation order was not issued for the homeowners, myself and other neighbors evacuated voluntarily, well aware how quickly a fire advances. Poised with the sudden realization of what to take with us, we loaded up our cars with important papers, files, medicines, pictures, computers, TV and valuables that could not be replaced. I took pictures of our furniture, and items too large to take, just in case we may have needed them for insurance purposes.
I learned by this experience. Know where your most treasured items are. Keep your files in order. Don’t wait for an evacuation order. If you do, you may only have a few minutes to get your things, and when in a panic mode, it’s hard to think clearly. We observed the flames into the night from a vantage point up Kaiminani. The glow against the night sky was eerie, and I tried to ignore the lump in my throat; but the tears came anyway, not knowing if my home was burning or not. The smoke and burning embers still could be seen across the street from my house. But we were safe with home intact. Thanks to all the emergency responders.
Judy Harrison
Kailua-Kona
Church construction
is going to be noisy
Brooke Bebow, we are sorry you are having a difficult time with the construction of our church.
When your condo was in the process of been built we never had a comment. We understood how the process of construction in Hawaii is. Remember our land is built of lava rock so it requires a lot of hammering and pounding to get the right ground. Please be patient. Things are not built over night.
We are not arrogant people. We love our neighbor as we love ourself. We are reaching out to many people in need and work with different congregations. Our main goal is to build a place of worship for all our members and friends. We do not judge but open our hearts and minds to those in need.
I am a member of St. Michael’s.
Cheryl Pickett
Kailua-Kona
Construction noise
is fact of life
Some years ago, my wife and I purchased a building lot on the Big Island in a then newly developed subdivision composed of 99 parcels. When we purchased our property, there were less than a dozen homes already constructed. Our construction time took about 18 months. During that time, no one grumbled, nor did we complain when nearby homes were constructed.
St. Michael’s Church construction was complete in 1851. The large Kailua Village Apartments structure was constructed many years later. It overlooks the church property. Prior to occupancy, people certainly were cognizant of the church, its vehicle parking requirements, traditional church music and pedestrian traffic. The earthquake aftermath resulted in the destruction of St. Michael’s and construction of a replacement church.
People build homes under major airport flight paths, adjacent to freeways, major amusement centers, golf course fairways and churches. I would hope that with all of the Letters to the Editor that we, like many other West Hawaii Today newspaper readers, have had enough of well-worn church construction complaints. Surely by now there must be other community subjects much more worthy of thought.
Col. J.L. Ramos, USA (Ret.)
Kailua-Kona
