Opinion: The Governor Mentioned "Profits vs People"

Photo byGerd Altmann from Pixabay

The Governor is in a difficult position to ensure that the survivors of the Lahaina residents have housing. The cost to rebuild, house, and provide for the residents of Lahaina is greater than the amount of money the state can spend because the state still needs to balance the budget.

According to Island News from Kitv 4 news, the Governor is seeking additional federal funding to help house the Lahaina residents.

The Governor brought up an interesting discussion because balancing the state budget will require cutting spending or taking in additional revenue for the state.

Here is the quote by the Hawaii Governor.

"And frankly, the fact that I have to even argue about profits versus people ... I think we put our people first here in Hawaii,"

Hindsight is 20/20. The state could have done things differently to address the Maui wildfire.

Here are a few:

• Divert water to help distinguish the Maui wildfire.
• Create access to exit Lahaina for the residents caught in the wildfire by not restricting the exits.
• Sound the alarm to warn the Lahaina residents of a fire emergency.

Hindsight is 2020, and the Governor wants to do right by helping with the recovery, but are emergency proclamations the way to go?

If the state hadn't participated in wasteful spending for many years, the state would have additional resources to help everyone in need. The $1.5 million the Governor wants to settle with the Lahaina residents is not enough.

Profits vs people?

Profits for who?

The state wants to pay $1.5 million to the families affected by the Maui wildfire. It's not enough.

Final Thoughts

Whatever the shortfalls the state will incur, the cost will fall on every taxpayer in Hawaii and future taxpayers because of wasteful spending and boondoggle projects from the state and the City and County of Honolulu.

The state is in this financial situation because Hawaii has voted for the same political party in office since statehood.