Honokohau Harbor
Fixes won’t happen
The front page article on the dismal condition of Honokohau Harbor and the state’s inability to do anything about it reflects similar situations all over this state and our country.
Two years ago at the gubernatorial candidate’s debate at Kealakehe High School, the subject of the conditions at the harbor was brought up and then candidate Neil Abercrombie stated several things he would do immediately to improve it.
Candidate Duke Aiona responded by asking, “How are you going to pay for it?” This, incidentally, was Aiona’s response to almost everything Abercrombie proposed.
Well, who wants to hear negativity?
The public wants to hear good stuff and certainly doesn’t want to ask how or if we can afford it.
We live in a “buy now, pay later” society where debt is the norm; our role model for this is the government itself, at all levels. Our problems are compounded in that we are led to believe the government can and will do everything for us.
Well, I don’t think so. It’s my guess that unless the citizens take responsibility for the harbor improvements by forming a nonprofit or foundation to raise money, organize, and to do this work themselves, outside of the government bureaucracy and union control, it’s not going to get done, at least in my life time.
MaryHelen Higgins
Kailua-Kona
Hamakua fatalities
Make some changes
The recent tragedy along the Hamakua Coast that took the lives of two women and sent multiple others to the hospital, could have been avoided. The driver of the vehicle that ran the van off the highway, was reported as being intoxicated, without a driver’s license and had no insurance. He also reportedly had a DUI conviction about 30 days prior and was ordered to have an ignition interlock device attached to his vehicle, which he reportedly failed to do.
A possible solution in cases involving prior DUIs begins with the vehicle being impounded at the time of the conviction.
The vehicle owner who is ordered to have the ignition interlock device installed would have to have the work done within the impound facility.
The vehicle would then be released when the work was certified and the owner showed a current driver’s license and proof of insurance.
Undoubtedly there are other considerations, but the premise is: Don’t further enable an irresponsible driver until he or she cleans up their act.
B. White
Kailua-Kona