Pahoa's Island Trust Realty Broken Into!

[Rob Tucker]

Jay, When you say you "question which varieties of involvement are most effective in extracting the results we need" it is completely subjective. If the result you need is a pothole filled on your street, by all means, go right out and fill it. That is by far the most effective way to deal with the problem if you are able bodied and so capable. The 85 year old widow might need some community assistance.

Other broader issues require getting involved with others (often on a committee) to accomplish something larger. The only reason to do so is if you can accomplish more in cooperation with others than you can on your own. The Pahoa Skate Park is and example of local citizens not waiting on the government and building their own skate park. It is there right now as an example. It was a lot of work. A few participated and many criticized.

Crime issues are hard or impossible to solve as an individual. However when I proposed an citizen initiated anti theft program here on Punaweb almost no one stepped forward (my appreciation to those who did). Believe it or not but this anti-theft program appears to be getting started and will likely initiate as a "Committee" of sugar coated seats with motivated people sitting in them working cooperatively. IF it takes place it will be because we are not awaiting and depending on government and intend to force an improvement on this issue.

I have observed it usually takes several years of living here before individuals step forward and actually get involved in community affairs if they do at all. Those who do step forward quickly get used to the criticism from those who do not. There are people who do things and people who talk about doing things and then there are people who just criticize. It is not always apparent which is which unless one is personally involved and loudly self-promoting about your efforts and criticism can have it's value.

I see your originating question on this topic as intellectualizing on a small platform. Nice easy hobby, now go fill a pothole. Having filled a few myself I feel entitled to say that.