Honokaa’s economy depressed
Honokaa’s economy depressed
To say Honokaa’s economy is depressed is the understatement of the millennium. Ka’u and Honokaa are similar rural areas, but at least the former has a cash crop in the world’s best coffee in Ka’u Coffee. Honokaa has nothing! Mamane Street resembles a ghost town and will only get worse with the completion of Saddle Road, because tourists will go straight to the west side of the Big Island. Unless something drastically is done, Honokaa will see even less tourists to the area and businesses, which are barely making it or even losing money, and we will see even more detrimental economic disadvantages come to the area. A lot of people are talking about the booze and illegal drugs, and flourish on main street Honokaa which will only get worse if nothing is done to correct the failing economy of Honokaa.
Like stated in a previous letter of mine to prestigious West Hawaii Today, an amphitheater with a covered stage for hula halaus, where they can perform, would be a great attraction for tourists to Honokaa. Japan has approximately 6,000 hula halaus and about 35,000 hula troops and they love to see authentic Hawaiian hula halaus perform. Such a Hawaiian-style hula halau amphitheater would be a great attraction for tourists all over the world to come to Honokaa, which would benefit local businesses in Honokaa.
I’m not talking about concrete jungles coming to Honokaa, but, something that can at least draw tourists to the area. With the completion of Saddle Road nearing fruition, unless something drastically is done in Honokaa, illegal drugs, crime and failing businesses will be the norm for Honokaa. What a spooky and sad situation in Honokaa in this present day and age.
Dean Nagasako
Honokaa
Such a bad decision
The president of the Philippines, Rodrigo Duterte, has just declared his separation from all involvement with the USA and his alliance to China and Russia. This separation and new alliance will have a major impact on Hawaii and the U.S. presence in Asia. Besides being a major trading partner with us, the Philippines have been a major strategic military ally.
The U.S. has invested vast amounts of money and time in protecting not only the Philippines, but all shipping in that area of the world. The people of the Philippines have been and are our friends. Duterte is turning his back on not only the U.S. but all his neighbors and ex-patriots living in the U.S.
Why is he doing this?
My guess is that he does not think the future is with the U.S. and so he is going with the biggest dog in town. I do not think he wants his people enslaved like those in China and Russia. But, that is what he is, in reality, proposing. That is what will happen. Freedom does not exist in China and Russia. Duterte needs to reassess his decision. He is putting his nation and all its people on the road to enslavement.
My heart breaks for you Philippines. Your future may bring in money from greater China trade, but at the price of your freedom.
America is losing a very good friend because of a very bad decision.
Tom Beach
Kamuela