Hawaiian culture shown proper respect; TMT no exception
I was appalled that West Hawaii Today printed the factless diatribe by Chase Benbow disguised as a “My Turn” guest editorial.
The vast majority of residents who have relocated to Hawaii from other places in the United States and overseas quite often are intimidated into keeping quiet on so-called Hawaiian cultural issues. This respect however is seldom given by the other side. Such is the letter from Chase Benbow.
The first two-thirds of his opinion is a distorted misstating of the TMT development history. His statement that “the state continues to refuse to acknowledge the many voices” is wrong. This project is replete with consultation over a 10-year period. TMT made substantial changes to their original proposal to accommodate concerns. Eight years of litigation further addressed concerns.
The absurdity of the minority position is highlighted by Mr. Benbow when he says: “This is a human rights issue, wherein all people deserve to (sic) the right to protect their ancestors from harm.” Hawaiian ancestors are dead. My Anglo-Saxon ancestors are dead. Any philosophy that refuses to advance humanity based on pagan religious or ancestral nonsense will perish.
My human right to live free of forced religious beliefs is the core of what separates us from the Cro-Magnons.
I accept some native Hawaiians are not happy that other people showed up on their islands. It should be noted that even people who claim to be native Hawaiian are descendants of other people who showed up here from other Pacific islands. Thus is the history of the world — something that I would have expected Mr. Benbow to be knowledgeable of.
I for one have been very impressed to see the care and cultural respect shown to the historical aspects of Hawaiian culture by our government, transplanted residents, and visitors to Hawaii. I lived for over 20 years in Australia where there was little care shown toward aboriginal Australian peoples, in my view.
All residents need to be thoughtful when charges of cultural genocide are unfairly leveled at the rest of us.
Richard Plinz
Waimea
Editorial so biased, was WHT bought off?
There seems to be so much biased by the author of WHT in regards to the potential for over-development of homes off of Queen Kaahumanu Highway between Lako and Puapuanui streets. If it weren’t such a sad situation it would be almost laughable.
Is someone there being paid off by the developer? Where is your civic pride? Where’s is your desire to preserve what is indigenous to this island?
The preservation of this culturally historic area could be passed down to our future generations with its natural habitat as well as the burial sites located there. This land has agricultural artifacts which are part of Hawaii’s history and hopefully, if this acreage is acquired by PONC, it will be forever preserved and respected.
You’re correct in saying the land is not currently for sale but we will fight its development at every phase and if the company that owns this land recognizes that it has too many obstacles to get over it will sell and move on.
In the event that this land is developed, the loss of our historical treasures would be just a memory. In additional to this historic loss, development in this area would almost certainly result in frequent flooding. The watershed would be eliminating the much-needed natural drainage. I just hope that the planning department recognizes these issues before additional permits are approved!
This area could be utilized for an abundance of both cultural and recreational opportunities with the potential for designated walking trails, bird watching and generalized enjoyment of our island’s flora and fauna as well of preservation of local treasures.
This section of Kailua-Kona has become so overbuilt an addition of 900 cars a day down the highway would result in a complete gridlock for residents trying to commute on a section of the main road that is incapable of being expanded. Where is the foresight in this?
I can only hope and pray that the necessary diversions are put into place and PONC is given the opportunity to acquire this land. The preservation of this area would be an incredible asset to our island in so many ways.
Robert and Lori Gale
Kailua-Kona