Waive camping fees for those displaced
The grassroots Pu‘uhonua o Puna Info &Supply Hub mission is to help people deal with the unfolding lava eruptions. It has been both rewarding and heartbreaking since I joined with them on day one of this eruptive phase. When will it end? None of us know, so we need to act collectively and do all we can to support those affected.
While we patiently wait to see how Tutu Pele’s dance unfolds, the tragic loss of homes, farms and livelihoods continues. With no foreseeable end in sight for lava activities, it behooves our government to make coping less difficult for our community.
As I think about what I’ve seen and heard on the frontline, there are two relatively simple things government can do now to help: 1) waive camping permit fees for displaced residents looking to temporarily shelter at county parks, and 2) suspend collection of transient accommodations tax and the general excise tax for residents displaced by the lava eruption and forced to seek shelter in hotels and vacation rentals.
For visitors from places like Japan or New York vacationing here, these fees and taxes are no biggie. But for someone who has lost their home and all of their possessions, and is dealing with all of the emotional and financial stress connected to this situation, these costs are a really big deal.
Collecting taxes and fees from evacuees in these straits is akin to selling life vests to passengers on the Titanic. My proposal is that state and county officials consider easing the financial burden of those who have, or may be, displaced. Government shouldn’t profit from people forced to seek shelter as a result of the lava eruptions. From my observations of those affected, waiving these fees and taxes could be a tremendous help with all that they are going through.
This is a crisis. Lives are in jeopardy and property losses are immense. Our hearts go out to all those affected. Let’s agree to help those affected where we can. Waiving these fees and taxes is both reasonable and fair.
Ashley Kierkiewicz
Puna
Mahalo to AdvoCats
My wife and I have been managing two feral cat colonies for the past five years, feeding seven days a week and making sure new kitties are spayed or neutered and receive any vet care, if needed.
I recently volunteered at AdvoCats spay neuter clinic in Kona. Oh my, what a blessing it was.
I was there for 10 hours and saw 78 kitties spayed and neutered. It’s awesome to know that 78 cats won’t be breeding or giving birth. Dr. April and her assistant, Jeanette, were awesome and everyone else — all the women volunteers at least 30 of them. I was 1 of two men and it was awesome. Mahalo, AdvoCats for your awesome work, mahalo.
Richard Bubba Rogers
Waimea