Road maintenance lacking in Kohala
Last Friday, the day before the Ironman, I was on my way to Mahukona and was surprised to see that most, if not all, the potholes on Akoni Pule Highway between Hawi and Kapaa Beach Park were recently patched. Recent, because the patches were still a bright black.
What’s the big deal, you ask? Well, this section of highway is long overdue for repaving, and for many, many months, we have had to dodge potholes because, for the most part, no maintenance was being done.
Is it a coincidence that days before the Ironman, a crew was out patching potholes, not only the really big ones but even the very small ones?
You would expect that at the very least, this problem would get attention on a recurring basis. But take heart, Kohala, at least we know that 12 months from now the potholes will once again be patched.
Roadway maintenance has steadily gone downhill in Kohala. Take, for instance, Hawi Hill Road and areas along Kohala Mountain Road where the grass is practically growing on the road.
Hopefully, things will get better, but don’t hold your breath.
Joseph Maria
Kapaau
A reminder to ‘have it in writing’
Oct. 26, 2017, will be in my memory forever. On that day, I received a phone call: “James is dead.”
My friend of 55 years was killed while training for Ironman. We met when we were 5, but became best of friends later in life. Sadness, tears and loneliness without his friendship still affect me to this day.
But this is not what caused me to write this letter.
His mother, suffering from Alzheimer’s, is in a care home, with costs that we all know are staggering. As a meticulous person, he set up a plan in which his rental condominium income would pay for his share of his mother’s care.
As he had a trust written, he bequeathed to his girlfriend all his possessions. But, he never stated in writing for the care of his mom, which we (his sister and I) thought would be a given. Money and greed had reared its ugly head.
Please let this be a warning for all to be careful and diligent when writing wills and trusts. Ensure your loved ones are taken care of. Have it in writing.
Garret Okui
Hilo