The Harbor In Waianae

Twinkle Is A Hero (March 12, 2018)

Thank you for this most recent article about the Boat Harbor camp (“Let’s Not Move So Fast On Waianae Camp Sweep”).

You have beautifully articulated my own thoughts, beliefs and feelings about this issue. I believe that Twinkle Borge is a hero and wish there were more like her here in this state.

People who have never been to the camp and are only looking from the outside have no idea how precious and powerful the mana is in that community. The resilience and resourcefulness of the residents is amazing. This is the answer to the homeless crisis. 

I have no idea how to go about this, but I would love to help get the citizens of Puuhonua O Waianae, as many as possible, registered to vote. If anyone can offer me some suggestions, ideas, support, comments I would love to hear them.

— Bonnie Cordeiro, Haleiwa

New Taxes For Tourists

Not Very Hospitable (March 12, 2018)

May I ask why we are shifting the burden of “unpaid taxes” to the No. 1 revenue producer for the state, the tourism industry (“Lawmakers Ignore Tourism Industry, Pass New Taxes Targeting Visitors”)?

This is a poor way to balance the budget and will no doubt affect us negatively in the eyes of every tourist and hospitality professional.

Has anyone heard of the phrase “tightening your belt”?

Plain and simple, government needs to pare down and cut expenses. And if there are taxes owed, go after those individuals any way you have to!

To let them them get off without paying what they owe is a slap in the face to those of us who pay our taxes — how is that fair?! 

— Kris Wade, Waikoloa

Be Safe, Regulate Agriculture

Visualize No More Chemicals (March 13, 2018)

Tiare Lawrence has hit the nail squarely on the head with her article about where regulation ought most to be focused (“Regulators Should Control Industrial Ag, Not Small Farmers”).

A portion of her article reads:

What is known as “the precautionary principle” states that a substance must be proven to be safe first before it is used, not evaluated (if at all) after the fact when significant damage has been done. Until the huge chemical companies not only identify exactly what they are spraying, and allow independent assessment of the safety! How dare they contaminate with impunity! This will  take leadership from the top, which will only happen if there is a tsunami of demand from the bottom — ordinary citizens.

While living for two decades in Kalihi, I regularly went to the Farmer’s Market between Kalihi Kai and Kalakaua Intermediate Schools to get my weekly supply of locally grown produce. That approach ought to be universal, multiplied many times over.

Visualize no more chemical companies and their poisons! Visualize thousands of acres of organic crops, enough for the population and tourists and then exporting the marvelous tropical fruits we all love. Local oranges no ka oi, just to start.

— Jon Olsen, growing organic blueberries in Maine

Tour Helicopter Noise

Ruining The Peace (March 6, 2018)

Can anyone in the state of Hawaii force the tour helicopters to either fly over the ocean like the law says, or make them cease and desist?

Since its been raining they have been taking advantage of the rainclouds and are flying low under them over my property. They could care less that they injure me many times every day. Tour helicopters are ruining the peace and sanctity of the Big Island.

When is the court date for that class-action by HiCop. I’m ready to sign on. The Hawaii Supreme Court ruled in State v. Quiday (2017) that police helicopters are terrorizing the people when they illegally took Mr. Quiday’s cannabis after buzzing his house for days. He did not even have a medical license.

If the Hawaii Supreme Court can rule the for-profit police helicopters are out of line, they certainly can rule the for-profit tour helicopters are out of line as well!

— Sara Steiner, Pahoa