Anti-Development Activism Poisons the ‘Aina

Dear Editor,  May 22, 2025

I am very disappointed the current owner of the Punalu’u Sea Mountain development is being foreclosed upon. This project has gone through multiple owners over the years. The community has pushed back against the various plans set forth by each of these owners. This is being done all in the name of protecting Punalu’u sensitive biological environment.

This constant community opposition doesn’t address the decrepit and deteriorating infrastructure left from the C. Brewer ownership. Something has to be done to fix these issues. They include a failing sewage treatment plant, water system, and abandoned buildings.

I firmly believe not developing the area and leaving “as is” doesn’t solve the longstanding issues that I alluded to above. Punalu’u is now a toxic asset now due to the community opposition to any new development.

The community needs allow a new developer to improve this area without impacting the sensitive biological assets. If this doesn’t happen, Punalu’u will continue to remain a beautiful place with indelible scars from the failed Sea Mountain development.

Aaron Stene

Kailua-Kona, Hawai’i

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Conspiracy Theorists Hijack Hawaii County General Plan

Dear Editor, May 5, 2025

Mayor Alameda stated in his weekly county update last Friday why he paused work on the General Plan update. He wants the county to review the verbiage being used in the document and make it more inviting for local residents.

I'm very angry that he took this action after meeting with a small group of conspiracy theorists. This group believes the United Nations will be taking our property away from us. Mayor Alameda's decision to pause work on this document only invigorates these clowns to hold this process hostage. This isn't fair to longtime residents that have vested interest in this island's future.

Aaron Stene

Kailua-Kona, Hawaii

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Maui County Responsible for Lahaina Fire

Dear Editor,   May 5, 2025

The after-action reports told the real reason behind the fire. 

The firefighter in charge put out the morning grass fire and decided  they should all go back to the station for lunch.

In spite of a red alert high wind warning, no crew was left behind to monitor for possible flare-ups.

Monitoring hot spots is fire-fighting 101.

This captain is responsible for $5+ billion in losses and 101 lives.  Maui County, and not taxpayers of the rest of the state, is liable.

Who is sticking up for the customers of HEI and other state taxpayers?

Chinatown and Lahaina have burned down several times in the past.  Who paid for that at the time?

Thanks

John Jones, Honolulu, Oahu