‘Over the Saddle at 65?’
‘Over the Saddle at 65?’
State Sen. Lorraine Inouye proposes that the speed limit be increased to 65 mph along sections of the Daniel K. Inouye Highway because of complaints from people who have been ticketed when they “unknowingly traveled above the limit.” I believe the proper response to those people is: “pay closer attention to your driving.”
The front page article by Kirsten Johnson in Thursday’s West Hawaii Today notes that the highway is engineered for speeds up to 65 mph. Imagine how less safe it will be when those who “unknowingly” exceed the limit routinely go 75 mph or more. There are realities of traveling across Hawaii Island that I think could make the higher speed limit especially deadly. Anyone who regularly uses the (Daniel K.) Inouye Highway between Kona and Hilo knows that clouds, fog and rain can close in at a moment’s notice, drastically reducing visibility. Can we expect more rear-end or multiple vehicle collisions at the higher speed limit? I think so. Since the downhill sections of the highway in each direction are single lanes, could there be a dramatic increase in head-on collisions as speeders attempt to pass slowpokes who are “only” traveling at the limit, especially at night?
The WHT article quotes Sen. Inouye responding to complaints about speeding tickets with “hmm, what can we do for Hawaii (island)?” It seems to this Kona resident that her priority should be to make it a safer place to drive and I believe the proposed speed limit increase could have exactly the opposite effect, turning a so-called “speed trap” into a death trap.
Alan Silverman
Kailua-Kona
Clearing up solar inaccuracies
In Wednesday’s “Your Voice” letter, Dave Kisor made a highly inaccurate statement regarding the solar energy production in Germany.
He claimed 60 percent of its electricity came from solar power. As of 2014, only 6.2 percent of Germany’s electricity came from solar power. In fact, wind and solar combined produced only 15.9 percent of Germany’s electricity. This information came from the Fraunhofer Institute in Germany.
While I agree that Hawaii’s climate is ideal for increased usage of renewable energy, until adequate storage of electricity can be provided for night and other non-production times the usage of solar and wind power will be limited. In fact, my opposition to the NextEra merger with Hawaii electric is because while NextEra is involved in solar; their involvement is in large centrally controlled solar facilities and is strongly resistant to rooftop solar.
The future of solar will be no grid solutions as rooftop solar continues to become less expensive and work like Elon Musk is doing on less expensive battery storage units may make power lines obsolete over the next 20 years. That is a future worth envisioning.
Ken Halverson
Kailua-Kona
Report abandoned vehicles
Numbers of abandoned and vandalized vehicles are growing around West Hawaii, notably in the Old Industrial and Kaloko Industrial areas.
In speaking with the County of Hawaii Public Works and County of Hawaii Traffic departments, the proper channel to report these vehicles is the police non-emergency number 935-3311. They are to expedite removal. Information needed is location, make, model and color. The non-emergency operator also answers the 911 line, so prepare to be on hold.
Once reported, the police are dispatched and tag the vehicle. If it is not removed within 24 hours, County of Hawaii Environmental Management is notified to remove it. If our community proactively reports these vehicles, then it is in the county’s hands to remove them promptly.
Douglas Mallardi
Kailua-Kona
Who will cleanup dumped carts?
I have noticed market carts left on streets, or turned over in vacant lots. Today, there are two on the mauka side of Kuakini
Highway just south of Hualalai Street and there are two more on the lower section of Hualalai Road.
Is there anyone who will collect these and either return them to the markets, or if in really bad condition, send them to the dump?
These are an eyesore to us local residents and a blight on our community. Does the Hawaii Island Visitor Bureau have anything to say or do about this problem?
Ronald Raridon
Kailua-Kona
Government budgets ballooning at taxpayer expense
In Sunday’s paper there were two different articles regarding raising the cost of living in Hawaii. The front page article mentions raising the gas and registration taxes to repair the infrastructure on the island.
Where has all the money collected from these two “cash cows” been spent for the past 25 years, or longer? It obviously hasn’t been used for the purpose intended, which brings us to where we are today. The registration fees were raised substantially a few years ago and gasoline is finally at a price we can afford, so now our political leaders want to increase these again; which will impact mostly those on fixed incomes.
When will our “leaders” learn to curtail spending to fund programs instead of always seeking ways to extract more money from the taxpayers?
The second article concerns the proposal to raise the excise tax, why? Do the politicians need another pay raise, or a greater benefit package? The people should start holding all elected officials accountable for increased spending, at the ballot box where it will send a message to run government like a household, or small business. If the money isn’t there, rethink your priorities.
Tom Brockmiller
Naalehu