Letters to the Editor: September 15, 2020

PUC did its job

Let’s all be clear about the Public Utilities Commission’s decision on Honua Ola (formerly known as Hu Honua). They did what they are legally mandated to do, which is protect consumers and lower electric bills. Honua Ola can still choose to respond to future competitive bids for renewables. The fact that they mounted an expensive PR and influence campaign just screams that they built an expensive piece of outdated technology and cannot compete fairly. They protest too much. They wanted special treatment because they spent hundreds of millions and wanted to stick the price tag on ratepayers. The PUC said no. They did their job.

Had the PUC caved, it would have been overturned on appeal. It would not be in the public interest to force consumers to pay more for electricity.

We have a chance to create jobs with all the PUC-approved projects coming to the Big Island that went through the competitive process and followed the law. Jobs are happening and our electric bills will go down. The marketplace works.

Steve Holmes

Kailua-Kona

Apology owed

On Aug. 23, a group of at least 200 to 300 people gathered at Kahaluu Beach Park for a memorial/paddle out. There was not much social distancing, and few wore masks.

Seems our police, lifeguards and firefighters were participating in the illegal gathering. A fire truck paraded along Alii Drive with lights on Lifeguards were on Jetskis and police on scene. Not much effort was made to break it up.

Calls were made to the Mayor’s Office protesting the use of public resources being in an illegal event. I spoke with a police major. Days later, another officer called, I again gave him the details and he’d get back to me. I spoke with the duty assistant fire chief, gave him the details, he also said he’d would get back to me.

The officer did call me back to tell me the lifeguards were off-duty and an officer responded and subsequently left. I asked if he called for assistance to break it up, no answer. I also asked if the on-duty lifeguards called in the large event and requested help breaking it up, no answer.

It’s unimaginable that during a pandemic surging in our county, our public safety officers participated in and allowed an event like this to happen. They were aware of the surge in COVID-19 cases (reportedly) from a funeral in Hilo, and they allowed another large gathering.

The police, lifeguards and firefighters owe an apology to all for not doing what is right and what is the law. They took an oath to protect and serve and they turned their back on it.

If cases of COVID-19 result from this gathering, any misery or death should weigh on their conscience.

Michael McGuire

Kailua-Kona

Could Hawaii become a purple state?

It’s been great to see all the Trump supporters in this mainly dominant blue State of Hawaii that many of us call home.

I understand that going straight to being a red state is unrealistic and quite ambitious, but is it at least possible to finally turn this blue state into a purple one?

There is no question that many of us are in search of dire change and a political party/candidates that is able and willing to uphold the rule of law impartially.

For those that don’t want change, clearly demonstrate that sentiment through the use of their middle finger or a thumbs down when passing by peaceful Trump supporters.

I really wish that these folks would stop and talk to us about their view points, rather than showing off their IQ level while cowardly cruising down the road.

If we are ever going to unite our divided community, then it needs to start with communication. We know we can’t get this sort of cooperation and transparency from our leaders, but we sure as hell should be able to get it from one another.

It’s time to show our inept elected officials, that we can unite as a community without their help. As we have shown that to be true over and over again.

Lisa Malakaua

Hilo

Letters policy

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