02-09-2014, 01:25 PM
Opihikao, Again you bring up some very good yet also concerning points about the future of this community. I agree we need ideas and solutions on how to live with geothermal and Helco in the future. Geothermal has been a neighbor here for some time now, most of that time using us poor folks of Puna like guinea-pigs and breaking the trust of its neighbors. Face it this plant has been experimental turned into profitable. During this tenure has geothermal been relatively open and honest about its hazards or problems?. To many who have lived close long enough, remember fearful days and nights (blow-outs, leaks,ect) before they ever got taxed higher rates from Helco.
Possible solutions:1) Maybe the county and state should halt all new buying or building in say a 4 mile radios of Geothermal, at the same time halt any other possible (geothermal)plants in PUNA. 2) Have Quality health studies done on current plant and its impacts on environment and community. Also what impacts other larger geothermal plants may have to this area, Both positively and negatively. 3) Community safety, needs to be a Priority so proper health facilities and evacuation routs need to be put in place.
All this could take time which gives the county and state more time to decide to buy (relocate), or convince its current ballooning population of the incentives. Also keeps Pele's gifts to the WORLD longer which in turn can make it more valuable. VISION here: 10 years from now with proper planning and spending we could have a hospital,new school, health studies, Better drilling technology, lower rates in place, and a more valuable product?. Then allow Pele to vent and share her gifts to those who choose to be here. Maybe Puna could have 3 more Geothermal plants, more fish ponds, more farms, more jobs than ever before?.
Very touchy subject here because of the health concerns of some. The reality is Geothermal may indeed be the future, not only for our island and state, but for the world one day?. Our county, state and community needs to decide if we are in this for the short term or the long term?. Yet we live on a active volcano so things can change rather quickly. J.M.OPINIONS. Please lets all chime in with an idea or two on how we can make living with geothermal and helco easier in the near future. Both economically and healthier. P.S It saddens me to see all the keiki that need free lunches or shoes in the same area or locations as our states profitable experimental G.M.O papaya fields and Geothermal plant exist.
Opihikao you may need to lower your rent to your current tenants, or start excepting county housing. I personally feel your Aloha towards these folks, so I am sure they are very grateful towards you and your kindness. Our Kupuna are in a worse situation for they need care and find it much harder to move. More and more of our young are moving off for it has become to expensive with less opportunities. Which in turn leaves many of our elderly Kupuna less options in time of need. I also have seen this community change for the worse when it comes to helping the Keiki, homeless, and elderly, maybe because the folks moving here are not as attached the same way?. which is understandable?.
Possible solutions:1) Maybe the county and state should halt all new buying or building in say a 4 mile radios of Geothermal, at the same time halt any other possible (geothermal)plants in PUNA. 2) Have Quality health studies done on current plant and its impacts on environment and community. Also what impacts other larger geothermal plants may have to this area, Both positively and negatively. 3) Community safety, needs to be a Priority so proper health facilities and evacuation routs need to be put in place.
All this could take time which gives the county and state more time to decide to buy (relocate), or convince its current ballooning population of the incentives. Also keeps Pele's gifts to the WORLD longer which in turn can make it more valuable. VISION here: 10 years from now with proper planning and spending we could have a hospital,new school, health studies, Better drilling technology, lower rates in place, and a more valuable product?. Then allow Pele to vent and share her gifts to those who choose to be here. Maybe Puna could have 3 more Geothermal plants, more fish ponds, more farms, more jobs than ever before?.
Very touchy subject here because of the health concerns of some. The reality is Geothermal may indeed be the future, not only for our island and state, but for the world one day?. Our county, state and community needs to decide if we are in this for the short term or the long term?. Yet we live on a active volcano so things can change rather quickly. J.M.OPINIONS. Please lets all chime in with an idea or two on how we can make living with geothermal and helco easier in the near future. Both economically and healthier. P.S It saddens me to see all the keiki that need free lunches or shoes in the same area or locations as our states profitable experimental G.M.O papaya fields and Geothermal plant exist.
Opihikao you may need to lower your rent to your current tenants, or start excepting county housing. I personally feel your Aloha towards these folks, so I am sure they are very grateful towards you and your kindness. Our Kupuna are in a worse situation for they need care and find it much harder to move. More and more of our young are moving off for it has become to expensive with less opportunities. Which in turn leaves many of our elderly Kupuna less options in time of need. I also have seen this community change for the worse when it comes to helping the Keiki, homeless, and elderly, maybe because the folks moving here are not as attached the same way?. which is understandable?.