Road passable, thanks to good work
The Kalihiwai area suffered damage from the recent flooding, including houses damaged on the Princeville side of the Kalihiwai River, the mother of all potholes on Kahiliholo Road on Kalihiwai Ridge, and damage inside the valley itself.
The valley road (on the Kilauea side of the river) was damaged and impassible near the waterfall that passes under the highway just south of the big bridge. In other areas, a foot of mud settled onto the roadway.
Innumerable trees fell over, several into and across the river. A huge bunch of trees and other debris ended up around the base of the bridge. And looters used a boat to steal personal effects from upriver.
And then a bright light appeared, Jerrie Louis Jr. of J&R Equipment. Hired by the state to remove the debris from the bridge, Mr. Louis first set out to fix up the valley road so his equipment could get to the bridge.
The road became passable again, then downright smooth. The debris was removed and shredded, which will allow the river to flow freely under the bridge again. I just wanted to salute his efforts.
Russ Josephson, Kilauea
Cats are not a threat
Hawaii’s Department of Land and Natural Resources unnecessarily provoked alarm by claiming that cats “pose a significant health risk to people.” Just three months ago, the Hawaii Department of Health testified to the Legislature that cats “do not pose a public health threat.”
Most cases of toxoplasmosis stem from undercooked food, not cats. It’s exceedingly rare for anyone to catch it from a household cat, let alone a community cat who avoids people.
Feeding bans for cats are not the answer, either, and just encourage cats to search farther for food. The best approach for Hawaii’s community cats is Trap-Neuter-Return — sound public policy that manages the population while reducing euthanasia.
It saves taxpayer dollars and is the most humane and effective option.
Becky Robinson, President and founder of Alley Cat Allies, Bethesda, Md.
