California did something right
The state of California did something right and Hawaii should follow their lead.
DMV license renewal fees in California are calculated on the resale value of the vehicles. As the value goes down, so does the fee.
Here in Hawaii it is based on the weight of the vehicle, so renewal fees never go down, just stay the same. It does not seem equitable to me that someone with a 25-year-old “junker” still pays the same yearly fee. Moreover, Hawaii DMV is considering raising the fees.
A change in this policy should be considered.
Ted Leaf
Kailua-Kona
HIHS employees went above and beyond
We are so touched by the story in the paper on Sunday, March 7, about the dog rescue. We are so grateful for Marie Kuahiwinui-Eggers and Starr Yamada going beyond the normal call of duty to rescue Kula.
We had a rescue of our two beloved labs who were trapped on a ledge they could not escape from and for two days we thought we had lost them. We know what Mr. Moniz was going through.
For our praise for the two officers we are making a donation to the Hawaii Island Humane Society in their name. We hope others will also.
Ron and Claudine Austin
Kailua-Kona
Angels come in all shapes
Auntie’s Angels – Big Island, a nonprofit running a food pantry that helps feed low-income seniors at Hualalai Elderly Housing wants to thank Lipps and Son General Contractor for their help and support of our new storage room.
We found ourselves in an emergency situation and they stepped up and immediately sent Randy and John over to handle the problem, donating the time and supplies needed.
Mahalo nui loa to Hawaii Affordable Properties for their continued support of our program and to the Kona community for making it all work.
Bless you, for blessing us.
Jan Benlein
Auntie’s Angels — Big Island, executive director
Ban leaf (dust) blowers
I am concerned over the dust exposure I face every day in Kailua-Kona from leaf blowers. The noise, although obnoxious, pales to the far worse health hazard of breathing dust.
A friend who owns several vacation rental condominiums says by far the most complaints he receives from renters concern leaf blowers. Because Kailua-Kona is a charming, quaint, tourist town, a ban here would be very appropriate, and long overdue.
Many California cities have such bans. If you Google “California cities with leaf blower bans,” you will find ordinances listed for 20 cities starting with Carmel in 1975. The Sonoma City Council just approved a ban this month.
If we banned leaf blowers, everyone except the leaf blower sellers would love us for it. The people who use them and switch to brooms and rakes will get thanks instead of snarls, and most important we’ll all benefit from better health.
Don Nelson
Kailua-Kona