Rodenhurst not the right choice
Although Ikaika Rodenhurst is a respected engineer and community member, he does not appear to be the right choice for Hawaii County’s director of the Department of Public Works.
First, he does not appear to have administrative experience in government or private business. The County Charter requires that the director have “…a minimum of five years of experience in an administrative capacity.” (Section 6-2.2)
Second, the Public Works director is responsible for seeing that individuals and businesses comply with regulations aimed at preventing hazardous construction, preventing flooding and erosion, and protecting the environment. However, at times people find the regulations onerous and seek to circumvent them.
Enforcing these regulations may put Mr. Rodenhurst in the uncomfortable position of making life more difficult for many businesses and individuals who made large donations to his campaign for County Council. Or he might have to recuse himself from so many actions that he could not fulfill his director responsibilities.
Campaign donations from business interests included $4,000 from out-of-state addresses, $12,500 from Oahu, and almost $11,000 from Hawaii Island.
It appears Mr. Rodenhurst did not attract any financial support or endorsements from local organizations concerned about protecting the environment — while his opponent was endorsed by three such organizations.
Martha “Cory” Harden
Hilo
Let’s stay safe
CDC has just announced that deaths from COVID-19 are now the highest in the country. Higher than cancer, flu and heart disease. We are very lucky in Hawaii that preventive actions were taken early on, making us the lowest case count in the U.S.. Let’s stay safe, continue wearing masks and keeping distance so we can have a happier New Year.
Christa Wagner
Kailua-Kona
Think about our future
To our lawmakers: I was in shock that you would even think about cutting funds to the schools. They are not up to standard now, and teachers are already underpaid. What are you thinking? I think all state workers should get a furlough of two days out a month. They should be grateful they have a job and benefits. How many people haven’t had a job or benefits for nine months or more? Only teachers should not be cut in funding, and, in fact, should get a raise once the kids are back in school in 2021. Think about our future: the kids.
Haley Harris
Waimea
Democracy is based on free speech
Well, I’ll be darned if someone else is smelling something rotten. Our democracy is based on free speech and that should not be a victim of manipulation. Ms. Palma-Glennie has again sharpened her pen and stuck repression where it hurts. Face-based reality shines a light on destructive behavior. I may not believe what you are saying, but our Constitution gives you the right to say it. And I do and have been pledging allegiance to the flag and for which is stands.
Steve Snyder
Kalaoa
More info needed on local cases
Reading the daily number of new cases is interesting, but what would be more helpful would be more information about the circumstances of recent cases.
For example, how many cases in the past week are linked to large gatherings? To restaurants? To shopping? To schools? To workplaces? To travel from off island? Were these links indoors or outdoors? Were the participants wearing masks and maintaining social distance? Were they clustered in one or two ZIP codes?
Negative information is just as helpful as positive. For example, if no cases are linked to restaurants, shopping, or schools, that could make people feel safer supporting local businesses and sending their children back to school. If geographically clustered, people would know to be more careful in those areas. If a majority of cases are linked to social gatherings where few people wore masks, that would send a strong message about how changing our behavior could keep us all safer.
Group data can be shared without compromising anyone’s privacy.
It would be a true service to the community if you regularly collected and published such information.
Barbara McClinton
Kailua-Kona
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