Reach agreement regarding Punalu‘u
The proposed development of the Punalu‘u area has spawned a vociferous opposition not seen since the Thirty Meter Telescope protests in 2019.
This fiery community opposition seems to ignore the elephant in the room, which is Punalu‘u’s deteriorating infrastructure. The abandoned buildings, golf course and aging sewer treatment plant won’t be fixed if yet another developer is given the heave-ho by the community.
Both sides need to come to an agreement that will benefit the community and the developer. In other words, both parties need to decide what kind of future is appropriate for this area.
The status quo isn’t acceptable in my mind, especially with Punalu‘u’s aging infrastructure. The sewer plant alone is ticking time bomb and is likely already polluting the surrounding pristine environment. These issues won’t go away by ignoring them or hoping the government will step in and take over.
I suggest the developer consider reducing the density and relocating their project further mauka to help ameliorate the concerns of the community. If this isn’t acceptable, the community needs to find solutions to address the ticking time bombs and eyesores prevalent in this area without the support of the developer.
Aaron Stene
Kailua-Kona
Hard to be proud of United States
Let me get this straight.
The United States of America is currently sending tax dollars (mine and yours) by the billions to Israel to support their slaughter of the Palestinian people in Gaza and the West Bank. This has been adjudged to be genocide and a war crime. Then a couple of days ago, I read that the U.S. is creating an air drop of supplies and food to the very Palestinians that we are funding Israel to slaughter.
Then, Kamala Harris is telling Hamas they must accept a temporary ceasefire on terms dictated by Israel, which allows the Zionists to resume the slaughter once the Israeli hostages have been returned.
Has all sense of logic and common decency fled this administration, or is “Genocide Joe” just hellbent on losing the upcoming election? The shame, humiliation and cruelty of the U.S.’s policy is on full display.
Given the upcoming choice between the evil of two lessors (Trump is a narcissist bent on serving only himself), we the voters are also the losers. Actually, it’s an evil of three lessors, since Robert Francis Kennedy Jr. has shown that he too bends to the will of the oligarchy and the Zionists despite his words of change and new direction.
Given that the need for the money that is currently planned for Ukraine and Israel is the same money that is needed to care for our own population, our own infrastructure, our own health care, housing and support services, I find myself confused by the inability of the governing bodies of this nation to make a reasonable and humane decision about anything.
It’s increasingly hard to be proud of my country when such dastardly deeds are being done openly and without restrictions in our name.
Kije Hazelwood
Hawi