Life is full of choices and sometimes the choices involve gambling. We drive down the road at a higher speed than the speed limit allows and occasionally overtake other cars too close to a curve than considered safe. That gamble allows us to save a few minutes and in some cases, allows us to get to work on time.
The volcano situation in Puna is another example of people gambling by building in a lava zone 2. Some of us see the risk and although it costs us more, we choose to not take the gamble and pay the higher price for a safer place to build.
In the July 11 West Hawaii Today, Mayor Harry Kim is quoted objecting to the state’s idea of banning the building of homes in the more volcanic prone zones. His rational is correct but the discussion needs to continue in that the decision to build in a danger zone comes with responsibilities and awareness.
Today, we see where some who have lost everything expect help which is understandable. However, to choose to take the gamble and build in a lava zone puts that person in jeopardy of loosing everything. Yet, if nothing happens, they get to live on the property and pay a reasonable property tax rate. Those of us who refuse to take that gamble pay the higher rate.
I live in Waimea and belong to the Waimea Outdoor Circle and the Waimea Trails and Greenways groups. For the past 20-some years, we have developed a Waimea Nature Park open to the public and a walking trail that is open to the public. Both of these projects enhance the beauty of our community while it also provides for off road walking and a none motorized bicycle path in a serene environment. It takes work, dedication, money, planning and lots of effort to maintain these facilities. We have chosen to voluntarily do this for our community.
In times of tragedy, government cannot be expected to always provide for our needs. Government does not generate funds, it takes the funds from others to function and help the needy. Gambling has its benefits and setbacks. Maybe we should not take the gamble if we cannot deal with the consequences. There is a price to everything and someone needs to pay the costs. In life, some things do go wrong sometimes and better planning will result in the lessening of the burden on others.
Leningrad Elarionoff is a resident of Waimea.