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Letters to the Editor

Refreshing story in a negative world

In this world of so much negativity it was so refreshing to read the story about police officer Christina Bonacorsi (The Maui News, Feb. 3). I wish to congratulate her on her outstanding record and her willingness to “protect and serve” our island. We are very lucky to have her on Maui!

Thank you Sarah Ruppenthal for a very nice article, keep them coming!

Janna Hoehn

Kihei

*****

Magazine devotes entire issue to gender identity

I recently had occasion to check in at a local clinic for minor surgery. While lying on a bed waiting for the operation, a thought occurred to me, and I remarked on it to the nurse who was tending to me.

“I noticed, this morning, when filling out my ‘check-in papers,’ that the patient is asked to identify themselves as ‘male’ or ‘female.’ But I wonder if the time isn’t coming when the patient will be given the option to identify themselves as ‘L, G, B, T’ or ‘Q,’ if they wish to do so.” The nurse admitted that this was an “interesting idea.”

Perhaps I was inspired by reading the January 2017 edition of the magazine National Geographic. The entire magazine was devoted to the subject of gender identity in all its aspects, worldwide, deep down and personal. I highly recommend it for reading by thinking people.

Dave Slocum

Kahului

*****

State involvement at wharf not making things better

I read The Maui News front-page article, “New management on deck at Mala Wharf” (Feb. 5) and it seems pretty fishy that although the state intends to offer leases for sale at public auction, this one was done behind closed doors. The other issue that was not brought up is that land use in revocable permits must conform to county zoning.

The community plan designation for the parcel is “park” and the zoning is residential. Only noncommercial “park” uses are permitted in a residential district. A special use permit cannot be obtained because light industrial use is not consistent with the “park” designation in the community plan. Zoning and community plan problems would prevent a new special management area permit from being issued for any activity within the shoreline management area.

I wonder how the new permittee plans to get around these prohibitions at the county level? He can’t be grandfathered in since his is not an ongoing, pre-existing nonconforming use as Wilson Keahi has been. This is a new permittee/lessee for this property, and although the state may do whatever it wants the same is not true for permittees/lessees.

The real loser in all of this seems to be the boat tenants. State of Hawaii involvement is not making things better.

George Vierra

Lahaina

*****

Coverage of Gabbard’s trip obscures real issue

The coverage of Tulsi Gabbard’s trip to Syria has failed to underscore the most critical point: Why are many members of the media, along with many members of Congress, pushing for hardworking Americans to pay for military training, funding and weapons for militant groups that are directly working with al-Qaida and ISIS to attack the Syrian government? Why are they not taking a stand against this and applauding Tulsi for trying to end this insanity?

The smoke and mirrors campaign to try to obscure the real issue at hand is manipulative and dishonest. The people of Hawaii, and the people of America, deserve an answer to this very simple question: Are the media and our members of Congress in favor of arming terrorists? If not, then they need to actively support and sign on to Tulsi’s bill, the Stop Arming Terrorists Act.

Kristen Miller

Kailua, Oahu

*****

God’s Levitical land laws not being followed

Excessive bureaucracy, food limitations, ending human life considered good, restricted areas around elite people with oppressive penalties were practiced. Hawaiian royalty abolished that kapu system.

Some Hawaiians revolted because the kapu system’s demise diminished their wealth, power and control. A decisive battle was fought. Christian missionaries arrived in the aftermath with good news of great joy. The majority of Hawaiians embraced the Gospel.

“The Life of the Land is perpetuated in Righteousness of Christ Jesus” influenced the new order.

Kingdom of Hawaii 1840 Constitution — “God must be our aid. . . . Wherefore we first present our supplication to Him, that he will guide us to right measures. . . . It is therefore our fixed decree that no law shall be enacted which is at variance with the word of the Lord Jehovah, or at variance with the general spirit of His word. All laws of the Islands shall be in consistency with the general spirit of God’s law.”

Americans influenced Hawaiians’ enactment of erroneous land divisions and regulations inconsistent with God’s Levitical land laws. Negative consequences ensued.

Since the United States overthrow, it’s the same old song — governmental overkill; laws regress to modern versions of the kapu system.

Walls, gates, surveillance increased. Food security decreased. Abortion is lawful. Euthanasia is pending legalization.

“Rescue me from the hand of foreigners whose mouths speak lying words. . . . I will sing a new song to you, God . . . happy are those whose God is Jehovah” (Psalm 144).

Michele Lincoln

Lahaina

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