Voting disaster predictable
OK. There is a record amount of voters in previous presidential polls across America, Hawaii included.
What went on here was a foreseeable disaster with doors being closed with voters denied their rights to cast the vote of their choice, one man, one vote.
Hopefully, something will be done, but knowing Hawaii’s response for correcting problems, it will take until the 2020 election.
Marc Kimmick
Kailua-Kona
Program so much more than coverage provided
Last week ClimbHI, a local nonprofit dedicated to serving our youth, held the fifth annual LEI Program on Hawaii Island to inspire high school students to think big, dream beyond high school, and learn about career opportunities available right here in Hawaii.
On Friday, April 15, Mayor Billy Kenoi gave the keynote speech to participating students at Hapuna Beach Prince Hotel. This was a very small portion of a statewide program that directly serves 800 students — 40 right here on Hawaii Island, yet it became a focal point of the press covering the event.
We were disappointed with the coverage, as ClimbHI is working to address a serious problem in Hawaii that is worthy of everyone’s attention. At of the end of the 2014 school year, only 81.8 percent of our high school students graduated — meaning almost 20 percent dropped out. This was also a decline from the prior school year, making Hawaii one of only five states to see their graduation rates decline. These young people who are leaving high school face serious challenges — by 2018, it is estimated that two-thirds of all Hawaii jobs will require a post-secondary degree. The LEI Program has proven to inspire our young people to see opportunities to succeed in life. It gives them tangible examples on how getting that all-important high school degree can put them on a path to greatness.
We are so grateful for our supporters and partners in this mission who have made the LEI Program happen for the past five years on Hawaii Island, including Hawaii Tourism Authority, Hawaii County, Big Island Visitors Bureau, and Hapuna Beach Prince Hotel. We will continue to focus on what we have always focused on through the LEI Program — Leadership, Exploration, and Inspiration for Hawaii’s youth.
Julie Morikawa
President of ClimbHI
More needs to happen than just saying ‘no’
Opposition is always the greater draw in expressing public opinion, though all too often unwittingly a deterrent to setting a rational course for the future.
I think virtually everyone attending Friday evening’s meeting with the DLNR was against the addition of more moorings in Keauhou and that there can be no doubt that both respect and care of a major cultural and ecological resource has been ignored for way too long.
Unfortunately though, the obvious course for the future did not emerge from the discussion. It should have been apparent to everyone in attendance that we need more access to the ocean and that further despoiling Keauhou is not the way to achieve that goal.
This community needs to actively support the expansion of Honokohau for commercial access and it needs to support access points for canoeing and sailing along the coastline that enhance participation in our cultural activities.
While it is certainly commendable that this community has recognized the threat of bad management of its resources, it is vital that we also be involved in developing the option.
Kelly Greenwell
Kailua-Kona