Lawbreaking shouldn’t be
our voice of reason
I respect that everyone has a right to their opinion and even to demonstrate against something they don’t believe in. However, I do not agree that a small group of people, whatever their backgrounds, have a right to break the law.
Here in Kona we’ve already seen in the past where a small group of people protesting could have an effect that was detrimental to the whole island.
The last time this happened was when we lost a Superferry to a small small amount of protesters. I know that the Hawaiians consider that they were unfairly treated. However, there was an overwhelming Hawaiian vote to join the United States of America, which was an agreement to follow the laws of the nation and they’re breaking that agreement. My hope is that they don’t succeed this time and that the will of the majority rules as our country normally dictates.
I have lived here long enough to call this my home and I love this island and I love the state and I love the Hawaiian culture but I don’t see that this group who say that the mountain is sacred should have the power to be allowed to break the law.
I have lived here long enough to call this my home and I love this island, I don’t see that these protesters who did not worship on Maunakea until this project was approved should be able to ignore the law.
It has legally passed all requirements for being built and I sincerely hope they can see a way to letting it happen and keeping the peace throughout our island. I also hope our mayor and governor stop allowing this disregard of our laws. It is discriminatory.
Carla Brown
Kona
I want to break some laws, too
I would appreciate clarification from our Hawaii County Mayor Harry Kim and Hawaii State Gov. David Ige about the laws in our county and state. I was under the impression that we were mandated to follow those laws and that there were penalties attached if we violated them.
These laws I thought applied to everyone who was within the jurisdiction of the county or state and that they were applied without prejudice. It is apparent that some laws now fall into the “voluntary” category as violations are freely acceptable to our county and state government leaders who swore to uphold those laws.
So, please clarify which laws now fall into the voluntary category so I can also ignore them if I think I have a need. I’m thinking of blocking the access road to Costco and only allowing my close friends into that store as it gets very crowded with people I would rather not be there.
Taky Tzimeas
Kailua-Kona
What’s more important, Mr. Mayor?
What? You got to be kidding! Mayor Harry Kim has been so busy the last two weeks he was unable to schedule a meeting for what is probably the highest priority in the state, the TMT! I don’t know who is more suspect, the mayor or the governor, who appointed him to head the mediation.
In fairness to Kim, he has nothing to offer the protesters. The governor already gave the protesters everything they wanted so why would they meet with Kim? The TMT is dead in the water and there is no plan to rescue it. Sad.
Phillip Koszarek
Captain Cook
