Pack it out or don’t bring it with you
Every time I’d walk down to beautiful Kealakekua Bay via the Captain Cook trail, this pile of mostly used plastic water bottles keeps growing and growing. It kind of ruins the experience, don’t you think?
This morning I brought with me two empty garbage bags and vowed to fill them up with this garbage and haul them up to the top of the trail upon my ascent. Even after filling two bags, the blue bucket was still filled with an old diaper, and some food garbage. I guess I’ll bring some more garbage bags with me next week. I also picked up used toilet paper on the trail. Yuck.
I love this trail, especially in the early morning. This heap was near distance marker 2, which is very close to the top. People’s laziness and disrespect for beautiful and special places, such as this, disgusts me.
If people can’t pack an empty water bottle back to the top with them then they shouldn’t use this trail.
Tricia Benitz
Kona
Bypass change questionable
In her letter published July 24, Joyce O’Conner of Waimea questions why the Department of Transportation eliminated the Kawaihae Bypass despite 25 years of input through public meetings. Ms. O’Conner states the DOT is moving forward with alternate plans without allowing the public to review and comment. The DOT has not provided any facts to justify the diversion of funds from the Kawaihae Bypass to the new project.
I suggest the answer to her question is that someone with political connections owns land where the new roads will be built and will benefit greatly from the access provided. “Follow the money.”
Michael C. Robinson
Kailua-Kona
Kudos to police for HI-PAL program
It’s probably no secret that I have disagreed with the way our police do their job, however, the article regarding the Hawaii Isle Police Activity League’s work with students featured in the July 26 paper demonstrates the exception.
Working within communities with programs for both adults and children is where the police are best and most effectively employed. What PAL does and how it is done should be a model for the rest of America. Right on team.
Kelly Greenwell
Kailua-Kona