Editorial correspondences, February 6th, 2024
In the heart of Hilo, a city in the United States, a significant event took place recently. The Hilo wall event, organised by an all-volunteer nonprofit called Hawaii Island Veterans Memorial Inc., was a resounding success.
At the centre of this event was "The Wall That Heals," a three-quarter scale replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington D.C. Michael Doolittle, Chairman of the Board of Hawaii Island Veterans Memorial Inc. and a Vietnam combat veteran, played a crucial role in bringing the wall to Hilo for its first visit to Hawaii.
While the event was a success, there were concerns raised about the timeliness of Civil Defense radio alerts in Hilo. Some radio stations were found to be playing morning Civil Defense briefings in the afternoon, eight hours later. The Civil Defense Agency, responsible for providing updates during storms, volcano activity, and road closures, is in need of updating its radio alerts throughout the day.
However, no information was provided about any plans to improve the timeliness of these alerts, nor was any potential funding or resources discussed. Crawford Gonsalves, a resident of Kurtistown, expressed his gratitude to the Civil Defense Agency for keeping the public informed, but concerns about the timeliness of the alerts remain unaddressed.
The event was not without its unsung heroes. Tom Wojszynski, a member of the wall committee, created the website for the Hilo wall event and organised many of the complex sequential work efforts required. Despite his significant contributions, no recognition was given to him or to any of the hundreds of participants and organizations who donated money or spent hundreds of hours of their time making the event happen.
The Hawaii Island Veterans Memorial Inc. has fiduciary responsibilities as a nonprofit corporation to collect all mailed and online donations for the wall, as required by the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund. No mention was made during the Welcome Home Ceremony about Mayor Mitch Roth's enthusiastic support for the project or about Hawaii County splitting the costs with Maui County for round-trip shipping between the mainland and Hawaii.
The Air National Guard's four-plane Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptors performed a flyover during the event, with Maj. Kealoha Kaawaloa from Hilo serving as the commander of the F-22 Missing Man formation. Despite this impressive display, no recognition was given to any individuals or organizations that have assisted the Civil Defense Agency in Hilo.
In conclusion, while the Hilo wall event was a success, concerns about the timeliness of Civil Defense radio alerts in Hilo remain unaddressed. Recognition and gratitude for the countless hours of work put in by volunteers and organizations was also lacking. As we move forward, it is hoped that these issues will be addressed to ensure the continued safety and well-being of the community in Hilo.
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