06-05-2017, 05:27 AM
Good points, glinda. But since you mentioned entering the ocean, if we had a few more Republicans we could loosen some environmental regs so we could build some new swimming sites on Puna's rough shores. Australia has built dozens of “rock pools” along its coast. Some are built in such a natural way it is hard to discern whether the pool is man-made or a gift from nature.
https://www.google.com/search?q=australia's+rock+pools&client=safari&rls=en&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwix0-ODo6bUAhVSImMKHZJxB38QsAQITw&biw=1152&bih=588
These projects, wildly popular in Australia, are not rocket science. And because they are essentially just large holes built inland with a channel to the ocean, they are far less environmentally damaging than intruding into the ocean with say a breakwater. (Of course some environmentalists will contest my viewpoint.)
Our Ahalanui Pond is an example. (Interesting story I heard on this: The property was once owned by one of East Hawaii's power brokers. He illegally dug out the pool in his backyard some decades ago. The entire job, it is said, just took a few weeks. Whatever the exact story, now it's a park. Great deal.) Do state officials think they could ever duplicate such a horribly complex project elsewhere?
(Lengthy Corps of Engineer approval is required for shoreline projects--a point made by our shoreline modification critics. Yet eastern U.S. states regularly get COE approval for a variety of jetty and beach restoration projects. The real obstacle to shoreline projects in Hawaii is not the feds; it's permitting on the state level and opposition by environmentalists. (Yes, the homes of several aama crabs would be destroyed in building such a pool.)
Anyone wish to guess how crowded Ahalanui, Pohoiki boat ramp and the Kapoho tide poods will be in several decades as our population rises?
https://www.google.com/search?q=australia's+rock+pools&client=safari&rls=en&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwix0-ODo6bUAhVSImMKHZJxB38QsAQITw&biw=1152&bih=588
These projects, wildly popular in Australia, are not rocket science. And because they are essentially just large holes built inland with a channel to the ocean, they are far less environmentally damaging than intruding into the ocean with say a breakwater. (Of course some environmentalists will contest my viewpoint.)
Our Ahalanui Pond is an example. (Interesting story I heard on this: The property was once owned by one of East Hawaii's power brokers. He illegally dug out the pool in his backyard some decades ago. The entire job, it is said, just took a few weeks. Whatever the exact story, now it's a park. Great deal.) Do state officials think they could ever duplicate such a horribly complex project elsewhere?
(Lengthy Corps of Engineer approval is required for shoreline projects--a point made by our shoreline modification critics. Yet eastern U.S. states regularly get COE approval for a variety of jetty and beach restoration projects. The real obstacle to shoreline projects in Hawaii is not the feds; it's permitting on the state level and opposition by environmentalists. (Yes, the homes of several aama crabs would be destroyed in building such a pool.)
Anyone wish to guess how crowded Ahalanui, Pohoiki boat ramp and the Kapoho tide poods will be in several decades as our population rises?