Letters 2-7

Child abuse

Responsibility to report

The death of the Waimea child, 3-year-old Marley Makanani, is so sad. According to what has been reported, the child’s death was caused by “near drowning and traumatic head injury due to child abuse.”

It’s so important that the public be alert and report any suspected child abuse. The police should be contacted immediately, along with Child Protective Services.

Remaining uninvolved or silent can have tragic consequences. We all can be the eyes and ears for children who are being abused. To do any less isn’t right for the children.

Daniel J. Minan

Kailua-Kona

Child death

Too many questions

Regarding the death of 3-year-old Marley Makanani, the question on everybody’s lips is: Where was Ezekial Wakinekona’s wife during the alleged abuse of the children? Why was there no intervention, no help for these innocent victims?

As I am learning more about battered women and spousal abuse, perhaps — just perhaps — Mrs. Wakinekona herself has been a victim, as well. That she continued to work and maintained a sense of normalcy can be consistent with victims of abuse. After all, one doesn’t air their dirty laundry or share their shame.

Perhaps he has abused her over an extended period of time and she has gone into survival mode and has lost touch with reality, what is appropriate, what is acceptable?

Perhaps she was afraid nobody would believe her — after all, at his arraignment, how many people stood up and vouched for his wonderful character? Perhaps he had threatened to physically harm her, abandon her, blame her. Perhaps she was afraid to reach out?

Nobody knows what goes on behind closed doors — nobody.

In this case, the most heinous of crimes took place, the abuse and ultimate death of tiny Marley.

Now that it has been established that she did, indeed, reside in the home with the children, this heartbreaking tragedy is so much harder to bear … why didn’t she help those little girls, how could he hurt them and what happened?

Perhaps — just perhaps — she was another victim?

C. O’Gorman-Embernate

West Hawaii

Hokulia settlement

Faulty math was used

The recent terms of the settlement reached between the bonding company, Lloyds of London, and the County of Hawaii regarding the completion of the Hokulia bypass road use some faulty mathematics.

The settlement claims the county will receive a note covering the lots in phase two and this collateralized obligation has a value of $20 million.

There are 45 lots total in phase 2. Currently there have been finished lots listed for sale in Hokulia’s phase 1 at prices of roughly $450,000 with no interest. These lot prices include the membership in the golf course, which is not real estate and is likely not collateralized in the note the county will receive.

The lots in phase two have no finished roads or utilities.

If we take the $20 million divided by the 45 lots, we see the average lot in phase two would have to have a value of $444,444.44 to come close to supporting a $20 million note even at a loan to value ratio of 100 percent — if all 45 lots are included as collateral.

For the note to have value, you would expect there to be some skin in the game on these lots, meaning the aggregate value of the lots should exceed the amount of the note. These lots are unfinished and likely would not include their club membership, meaning the collateral on the note is likely not close to supporting $20 million.

If the bypass will cost roughly $30 million and the settlement provides for $12.5 million, plus the value of this note, where will the rest of the funds come from to finish the road?

Surely no one really thinks there is $20 million in cash that can be generated from this note.

R. J. Kirchner

Kona