Military exercises too harmful to host
I am writing this letter in response to the proposed new expansion of military operations along our Kohala coastline on the Big Island of Hawaii.
I, and many other families living nearby, value and enjoy this unique area. This is our playground to be enjoyed and appreciated not just now but for future generations as well.
Not only is it home now to a fragile ecosystem including a variety of coral, fish and pods of dolphins, this area is a designated whale sanctuary, which is a huge enjoyment for many.
We are at a delicate time within the history of the Hawaiian Islands that if we do not step up and let our concerns be heard it may be too late to change course. Must we challenge nature again with these military exercises?
Do we continue until the last whale is gone?
The Kohala Coast is unique, we already see how our coast is suffering the consequences of climate change. It needs time to recover and heal instead of further insult by military exercises.
The military historically has left a trail of degradation upon these islands already. Rather than exploit the unique Kohala Coast, perhaps returning to a location already degraded would be in everyone’s best interest.
I read the environmental impact statement, which, in my opinion, makes light of a very devastating proposal. We, living in the Kohala Coast area, already feel and hear the military bombings and aircraft flying over our homes.
Yes, we get it that you need a location for your military practice. Please, let’s leave the Kohala coastline protected and valued as the precious place that it is.
Helen Swinney
Kohala Ranch
President values money over country
Thanksgiving Day marked the 55th anniversary of the death of Democratic President John F. Kennedy whose administration started the Peace Corps to help needy people throughout the world, not to build walls to impede their chances to share the freedom we so cherish.
Less than five years later, his younger brother, Democrat Robert F. Kennedy, was killed running for president on a platform of equality for all Americans, not just the privileged, cherished wealthy.
We now have a Republican president who can forgive a world leader who had a newspaper reporter brutally murdered because the world leader has wealth and purchases high priced property from the Republican president and his family.
The movie “Generation Wealth,” available on Netflix DVD, has a cameo performance of the current Republican president that is uniquely displayed.
Steve Jarvis
Waikoloa Village