HIUW thanks community for help after Iselle
One year has passed since Iselle made landfall as a tropical storm in Puna. As we all remember, damage was widespread as trees crashed into homes and power lines. Help came to the most vulnerable of our neighbors from right here on Hawaii Island, across the state, and even from the continental U.S.
Hawaii Island United Way would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone for the boundless generosity that enabled us to quickly join with our partner agencies to respond to this crisis and provide real help to families in need.
Donations received by Hawaii Island United Way made it possible for us to work with Neighborhood Place of Puna, HOPE Services, Mennonite Disaster Services Region 4, and Habitat for Humanity West Hawaii to undertake repairs and assist more than 100 families. We also partnered with Big Island Substance Abuse Council, Hawaii Food Basket, and Kuikahi Mediation Center to provide additional services to families and relief workers.
We have been privileged to join with the dedicated staff and case managers from these agencies, and have teamed with volunteers throughout our community. Together we continue to put the lessons learned from Iselle into use as we unite people, resources and organizations to build a healthier, more resilient community.
Ann Ebesuno
Board Chairwoman on behalf of the board and staff of Hawaii Island United Way
Use plastic trash for fuel
Letter: After watching a video of how petroleum-based plastic trash can be converted into liquid fuels, we may as well take advantage of it, as the North Pacific garbage patch has the potential for employment and a product.
This particular patch of floating plastic garbage is large enough so many could collect and not run into each other and since it is in international waters, nobody can lay claim to any of it. It has grown almost exponentially within the last 10 years and if left to increase at its present rate, it could eventually take over most of the North Pacific and drift into the southern half.
Even if it isn’t used for fuel, it can still be used for other things as well as helping to clear this blight on the landscape that can be seen from orbit.
David Kisor
Pahoa