• Pipeline dispute is important • Bridge project a big surprise Pipeline dispute is important After months of demonstrations, there is a war going on in North Dakota, pitting American Indians against several large banks and the government of the United
• Pipeline dispute is important • Bridge project a big surprise
Pipeline dispute is important
After months of demonstrations, there is a war going on in North Dakota, pitting American Indians against several large banks and the government of the United States. It centers on the Standing Rock Sioux reservation, where thousands of Indians, representing over 50 tribes, have united, set up camp and live on the land to protect it from the invaders.
The peaceful gathering turned ugly on Sept. 3 when a group of DPL (Dakota Access Pipe Line) employees used trained attack dogs and pepper spray to force the people to back off so bulldozers could come in and destroy a known sacred burial place. An injunction was filed three days after the fact.
All because a 1,172-mile pipeline has been proposed from half a mile north of tribal land, under the Missouri and Big Cannon rivers, through South Dakota, Iowa and to refineries in Illinois.
ABC News has been covering the story and KGMB has also picked it up. Some of the best coverage was provided by the BBC, who sent reporters and cameramen. OHA has offered their support and in fact several Hawaiian people have traveled to North Dakota.
My concern is that none of this has been mentioned in TGI. Instead the euthanization of five kittens, which as a cat lover I find deplorable, makes the local page while I find nothing on North Dakota. Yet several people here on Kauai are following the story, donating to the cause and offering their support.
This reminds me so much of Pine Ridge in 1973 and the struggles that took place there. Please cover this important topic.
Susan Campbell, Kalaheo
Bridge project a big surprise
How did this project (“Bridge coming to Keahua Stream,” TGI, Sept. 10) proceed with the approval process? If more people had been aware of it, there definitely would have been more objection.
Why direct people (i.e., tourists) to an area which becomes dangerous during heavy rain? Locals and hunters know when not to go up to avoid trouble, but now with a bridge you can cross during heavy rains, there will be more people getting into trouble.
How was an EPA permit acquired when run off from asphalt parking areas will dump polluted rain water into the stream? What’s the next “brain storm” for wasting money and causing trouble? Maybe paving the road up to Blue Hole? Auwe!
Sherwood Conant, Kapaa
