Response to recent Obenski column
On Saturday, March 8, Ken Obenski held forth for 15 paragraphs on “Using chaos to take away freedom.”
He managed to never mention the most despised two men on the planet by name. Perhaps it was because just a few columns back, on Jan. 25, West Hawaii Today’s bi-weekly sage opined the opposite in his column “As I see it: The President.”
Just 43 days previously, Obenski wrote, “Regardless of our personal feelings about the new president, it is in our best interest to show respect and encourage his administration to do what’s best for America, even if policy does not meet our approval, maybe sometimes he is right!”
I wondered then, and I am still wondering now, how someone as educated and articulate as Mr. Obenski can advocate respecting a convicted criminal (34 counts!) who has been abundantly clear that he not only intends to shred the Constitution — in direct violation of his oath of office — but also intends to continue to blatantly lie, to ignore facts, to mock science, to violate treaties, to destroy alliances and to break any law that constrains his plans to rule (yes rule, not lead) as king of America.
The Constitution’s very purpose is to enshrine principles of governance and the rule of law, “of the people, by the people and for the people.” That’s more than “an opinion,” it is the most fundamental principal on which America was founded.
Having a personal opinion that the Constitution cannot constrain the president has never been — and never should be — tolerated by the citizens, elected officials or courts of America.
Any person with said personal opinion does not deserve respect, let alone to hold any position in government.
Aaron Jacobs
Kailua-Kona
Concerns about General Plan 2045
Since November, nearly 100% of locals, and myself, have testified at the Planning Commission stating we do not want the General Plan 2045 to be recommended.
The Planning Department has already sent letters to many locals telling them their land use will change from recreation to residential, which means their property value will drop.
This plan wants 100% electric vehicles by 2030, which means no diesel, gas or propane. These cars are not only a fire danger, taking over two hours to put out, but cannot be put in a landfill since they emit toxic fumes if the engine cracks. Where will they go?
Our grid cannot sustain the power we currently need, and now it will be expected to power EVs for every person on the island!
The plan’s map shows that most of the Big Island’s land will turn into conservation, meaning only a park can be on it. There are other areas of the map that show nature areas will be preserved for nature — no people, farming or building allowed.
What about Hawaiian home lands? If the land is turned into conservation or for nature, what will be given back to the Hawaiian people?
There was also a mistake on the map where an urban land use area was “accidentally” changed to conservation. What other mistakes are there?
The Planning Commissioners have completely ignored people’s request to not recommend this plan to the County Council.
Does the Planning Department and commissioners work for the electric and renewable energy companies, since they are the ones who will gain from this plan, because they are not representing the people of this island!?
The plan is now on its way to the County Council. To learn how to testify, visit StandTogetherHawaii.com
Michelle Melendez
Kailua-Kona
