In defense of Thomas Powers
In defense of Thomas Powers
Referring to Frank Dickinson’s letter of Dec. 26 (Responding to Gabbard shows “true colors!”), I too, like Thomas Powers, am disappointed with Tulsi Gabbard’s recent positions concerning refugees and the situation in Syria and Iraq.
She may be a veteran but that does not make her an authority on military strategy. Also, I, too, think she should become a Republican.
Dickinson castigates Thomas for being a “lifelong Democrat” and for voting “party line” but he sounds like a “lifelong Republican” and votes “party line!” I doubt if he’s ever voted Democrat!
I often wonder why people like Dickinson consider Hawaii to be the worst state to do business in. I was in private practice as an architect for the past 30 years and did not encounter any anti-business problems from the state. Born and raised here in Kona, we locals would agree with him that living here in Kona is not suited for everyone, especially people like him!
Some young people leave Hawaii for higher education and jobs but the loss of them is offset by the influx of mainland haoles in recent years. Maybe Dickinson can explain why so many of them have moved and settled here!
Also, I’ll bet most of the new businesses have been started and owned by haoles! It is beyond comprehension why people like Dickinson, who thinks Kona is such a “terrible” place, continue to live here, unlike people like Thomas Powers, who appreciates living in paradise!
Burton Y. Ito
Kealakekua
Lack of care harming South Point
I have been very troubled by what I witnessed at South Point, on the track to the Green Sand Beach, on my last visit just prior to Christmas.
As I recall from previous trips years ago, there was a gate at the entrance of the track and no vehicles were allowed past that point. This gate is now gone. The track has been destroyed by four wheel drive vehicles driven by local people taking tourists back and forth, for a charge of $10 a person each way.
There are many new “roads” carved by the vehicles. The erosion caused by it is tremendous. When a new road no longer can be used because it becomes a deep ravine due to the erosion, the drivers of such vehicles start driving on the grass and carve a new road. The land is being completely cut into deep ravines and no one cares. Where is the malama for the aina?
I talked to a few of the drivers but they didn’t listen of course. The money comes first not the aina. At the cliff over the beach, there was lots of garbage. I couldn’t take it because it didn’t fit in my backpack. I begged two of the car drivers to take it but they refused. There are no garbage cans there. People must learn how to respect the land and take their garbage with them. I think a sign could help to make people aware.
Another huge problem I see is the number of people hiking along the cliff. Erosion will cause a problem in the future. A serious accident also. The land in that area of South Point belongs to Hawaii Homelands. I believe that the DLNR has no say there. I am surprised that no one has said or done anything about such an abuse of the land. I hope that this letter reaches the DHHL and that they take action, as it is their responsibility.
Conceiçao Farias
Kailua-Kona