Resume rescuing the animals
Resume rescuing the animals
I find the comments in the paper from West Hawaii Humane Society President Ginger Towle very concerning. Like many others, I read the article about the Hawaii Hawaii Humane Society stopping the transition of our unwanted animals to other agencies that can and do find homes for them. Towle stated “no good deed goes unpunished.” The same can be said for those rescue groups who are putting out time and effort to find homes for animals no one wants.
We all know it’s society’s “fault” that we have unwanted animals, I don’t think that is news to anyone. But destroying adoptable animals instead of working with these groups does not seem in line with what the Humane Society is supposed to be about.
If there is someone knocking at your door providing you with answers to a problem you are not able to solve, open the door.
Sue Johnson
Waikoloa
Rules restricting Mauna Kea access unconstitutional
The recent emergency rules passed by the Board of Land and Natural Resources to restrict access to Mauna Kea are a knee-jerk reaction against Native Hawaiian demonstrators and are clearly unconstitutional. It not only shows a lack of compassion, but also a lack of respect for our host culture.
The 1995 Public Access Shoreline Hawaii (PASH) decision by the Hawaii Supreme Court and the Constitution of the State of Hawaii, Article 12, Section 7, guarantees the rights of Native Hawaiians to practice their culture on Mauna Kea. An emergency rule cannot negate the state constitution.
While I am cognizant of the complexity of this issue, I am very disappointed that there has been talk about intervention by the National Guard. If this happens, it will be a clear sign that the Ige administration is unwilling or unable to work out a peaceful and equitable resolution.
Rowena M. Akana
Trustee-at-Large
Office of Hawaiian Affairs
Honolulu
HOVE meeting misleading to many
Hawaiian Ocean View Estates is totally distinct and removed from the proposed solar arrays to be located in Hawaiian Ocean View Ranchos. They are two different communities; one consisting of 1-acre lots (HOVE) and the other 3-acre lots (HOVR). The HOVE members, and not everyone who lives in Ocean View is a member, has any say as to what type of development is proposed in another community or subdivision.
The meeting held on July 16 was listed as a HOVE Board of Directors meeting, however, there was neither an agenda nor business (aside from approval of last month’s minutes) conducted. It was nothing more than a passionate display of emotions by folks unaware of what it was all about.
Hawaii Elecric Light Co. must still comply with all the rules and regulations imposed by the county and state. Yet most of the people want to fight the utility in court.
Consider if a proposed homeowner purchased a lot and proceeded to let the property become overgrown with weeds and trash. A neighbor might not like it, but unless there was some serious health issue, the county (or state) would be hard pressed to do anything about it. Why would the electric utility be any different? And I’ve never seen any of HELCO’s properties become an eyesore. Because some people don’t like anything that HELCO does, that is no valid justification to object. As for me, I say let them build, even next door to me if they want.
Instead of hashing out things under the guise of a board meeting, I would have much more appreciated an update on the status of the money that was stolen from the HOVE members — by a former board member. That would be a true benefit to the HOVE members.
Michael L. Last
Naalehu