Prince Kuhio Mall – No Aloha

Auwe to general manager of the Prince Kuhio Plaza in Hilo, Daniel Kea, for his lack of aloha and vision for the mall.

Hawaii’s legendary singer, Melveen Leed, was singing a song to many of her fans who recognized her inside the mall.

Merrie Monarch ambassador and kumu hula Iwalani Tseu was dancing hula to Melveen’s song. People were happy and full of aloha and spirit when this manager cut her off in the middle of the song and told her not to sing anymore. He could not even wait until the end of the song.

Shoppers were stunned! An embarrassed Melveen and Iwalani shed tears all the way to her hotel.

This is a lady who commands high fees and sings in 17 languages, has performed at the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville, as well as Las Vegas, Japan, Tahiti and other parts of the world, in addition to winning multiple Na Hoku awards.

This manager should have thanked her instead of cruelly humiliating her in front of so many shoppers in the middle of a song.

He basically shot himself in the foot and also turned off many customers. The fact that it happened during Merrie Monarch week is a disgrace and contrary to how we treat people.

Hire people with aloha and kindness if you want to attract business. Prince Kuhio Plaza deserves better!

Pua Tokumoto

Hilo

Pumping for profit

The Hawaii Constitution (Article XI) reads: “For the benefit of present and future generations, the state and its political subdivisions shall conserve and protect Hawaii’s natural beauty and all natural resources, including land, water, air, minerals and energy sources, and shall promote the development and utilization of these resources in a manner consistent with their conservation and in furtherance of the self-sufficiency of the state. All public natural resources are held in trust by the state for the benefit of the people.”

The Hawaii Supreme Court affirmed the public trust doctrine as “the right of the people to have the waters protected for their use (which) demands adequate provision for traditional and customary Hawaiian rights, wildlife, maintenance of ecological balance and scenic beauty, and the preservation and enhancement of the waters … .”

How is allowing a private business (Hawaiian Kingdom LLC), to pump our water consistent with the natural resources protected by the public trust doctrine in the state Constitution?

This private business will use our valuable, limited supply of water to make money for the owners and add thousands of glass bottles into the landfills. How is this sustainable and serve citizens? It does not!

And, what will replace the water massively pumped from this aquifer?

In the Keauhou Well, seawater replaced the overpumped well, and now the water in these wells has a high salt content. Salt can cause high blood pressure.

How will the extraction of water affect the surrounding ecosystems? Will there be sinkholes or subsidence? How is this sustainable?

Why would the county and state issue permits for a private business to make money by producing glass bottles that will fill our landfills and pumping our water that should be protected by the public trust doctrine for the use of citizens?

Debbie Hecht

Kailua-Kona