It’s not just about the noise
To those who do not live along the Kona Country Club golf courses, please temper your rush to label the KCC neighbors as “naive” or to dismiss some of them as whining snowbirds.
Those of us who live with KCC as a neighbor greatly appreciate new course superintendent Derrick Watts’ meeting and discussing issues we have. We have already seen the fruits of his efforts as border areas are being cleaned and groomed and irrigation patterns are adjusted. We thank him for trying.
Unfortunately, Mr. Watts is bearing the brunt of literally years of frustration. KCC has not been a good neighbor, failing to communicate even simple information, refusing to respond to requests for communication, neglecting the trimming of trees, allowing border areas to become filled with trash and overgrown weeds, conducting three years of loud, dusty, erratic renovations that could have been completed in less than half that time with competent effort, and treating the neighbors with disdain bordering on contempt.
In addition, those who live along the former Mountain Course have had to endure watching that area deteriorate into an overgrown, dried out weed and tinder patch. There is no indication that the KCC owner intends to ever fix and re-open that acreage.
To illustrate further, the course re-opened offering kamaaina a special “welcome back” rate that was 80 percent higher than its previous rate — $90 green fees when they used to be $50. Welcome back, indeed.
So, yes neighbors are bothered by the early morning mowing and blowing. They are tasks that could easily and appropriately be accomplished even a few hours later and still have course workers well finished by the time golfers reached most holes. But the noise has become a symbol for so much more. The current KCC management needs to know that neighbors are skeptical that the owner will really devote the necessary resources to make KCC the neighborhood asset it could and should be.
Janet Skunda
Keauhou
Don’t complain, rather volunteer
I’m writing in response to a recent letter to the editor from Libby Longinotti who was offended that the coral graffiti was removed from the roadside along the Queen’s highway.
She noted that there was more and more white spray paint graffiti visible and felt it would be more acceptable for those that “wanted to leave their mark” to do so in coral. I’m not sure if I understand what motivates a person to leave “their mark” but I know dogs do it.
I have news for Ms. Longinotto: The spray paint she is noticing has been there for many years; most if not all the lettering is very smudged and indiscernible. The huge amount of coral graffiti simply hid the paint and also the incredible amount of trash along the roadside. Over 100 tons of coral was returned to the shore where it belongs and I suspect the majority would applaud the thousands of hours of volunteer labor it took to accomplish this monumental task. For those who would like to do something constructive, Costco has great pricing on gloves and trash bags
Mark Kuechenmeister
Waimea
Take public’s concern over PTA fire seriously
Dealing with the military is unique. If they want something done, it’s finished before the protesters can get their Birkenstocks on, and sometimes that’s a good thing. On the other hand, when they don’t want it, they can stall like politicians.
Considering the public concern about Pahakuloa fires and DU. It’s time the Army take it seriously. Bring over some big aerial tankers from the mainland and drench the fire, before it’s on CNN.
Ken Obenski
Kaohe, South Kona