Camps have relocated
Mahalo to the myriad workers involved in the clearing of the homeless camp eyesore located on Palani and Queen Kaahumanu Highway. It’s been a long wait. That is the good news.
The bad news? The homeless camp has now simply shifted mauka next to the rock wall of Walmart. The move to a higher elevation up to the rock wall is slowly growing into a more prominent eyesore, while the inhabitants now have a beautiful view of Kailua Bay. Just look up next time while driving past in your car.
John Lopez
Kailua-Kona
Cruise ships don’t bring all benefit
There has been a significant increase in the number of cruise ships anchoring in Kailua Bay in recent weeks. If they are not damaging the coral reef every time they drop anchor, I’ld be surprised. Realize as well, that these operators despite bringing in thousands of tourists every week pay no transient accommodations tax, or TAT. This creates an unfair competitive disadvantage for legitimate vacation rentals and hotels who regularly pay the TAT.
The shuttle boat drivers are attempting to keep people swimming and padding near the pier out of the area. This area is under the jurisdiction of the Department of Land and Natural Resources, not the shuttle boat drivers. It seems to me if they are actually afraid of hitting someone in the water, perhaps they should be safer drivers.
Anyone who does not think these ships are polluting the bay need only take a look at the bay before the ship comes in and then as it is leaving or shortly thereafter. The water will be noticeably browner for an area extending well over a mile.
John Totten
Kailua-Kona
