Taking a stand against illegal dumping

The city deserves applause for taking an aggressive action to curb illegal dumping. In this case, the issue was dredging material from the Hawaii Kai Marina, some of which ended up on a Waianae Valley Road property.

The city placed a lien against Sandra Noelani Silva, the owner of the trucking company SER Silva Equipment. It’s the first step in a process that could end in foreclosure on the property.

Officials assert that Silva failed to pay almost $60,000, so on Nov. 25 filed the lien, and are giving her a chance to comply. Meanwhile, though, the city must continue to show its resolve to enforce this law.

Taking measure of Hawaiians and geothermal

A Hawaii County panel that has approved spending nearly $300,000 to study how geothermal energy development affects Native Hawaiians should expect a report that highlights diverse reactions among Hawaii’s indigenous people.

Some oppose the idea of more geothermal development, on cultural and religious grounds, while others are for it, on cultural and economic grounds. It’s hoped that the report can provide a valuable basis for greater understanding of how the use of geothermal energy fits with Hawaiian culture and values.