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Letters to the Editor

Be part of solution, not part of problem

Let’s imagine that the vacation rentals are no longer allowed to be used as such. Let’s imagine that 10,000 more homes are built across the island. Now, do you think that someone who was homeless yesterday can come up with $7,000 for rent and deposit for one of those condos that are now empty and open for rent? How will people afford a $800,000 mortgage without a down payment? What happens to those homes when foreclosures happen? Homes will sit empty and not enter the rental pool, and new homes won’t sell, so who will want to build them? The homeless situation cannot be ...

No one proofreading digital paper anymore?

On today’s front page, there was an article with “kupuna” misspelled in the headline and “Hale Mahaolu” misspelled in the text. Is no one proofreading the digital paper anymore? If you’re going to live here, learn how to spell Hawaiian words properly, especially if you are a so-called “writer.” Neola Caveny Haiku

Too much at stake to let Trump back to Oval Office

Donald Trump was found guilty of all 34 felony counts of falsifying his company’s business records to keep information from voters that he knew would harm his 2016 presidential campaign. Lying on official business filings is a serious criminal offense and another clear example of Trump’s pattern doing anything to gain or stay in power. No one is above the law, and any other American would be punished if they committed the same crime. Despite the guilty verdict, Trump is still very much running for president. If he is elected to a second term, our democracy would be in serious ...

Many caring, helpful people in our world

I don’t know who to thank specifically, but I was reminded recently that there are many caring and helpful people in our world, when I lost a library book by the “cottages” across from Pukalani Long’s Store, and whoever found it turned it into the library. I am very grateful. Prentise Wylie Makawao

Trump had four years to get it done and didn’t deliver

Former president Trump, you had four years to lead the United States and failed us by your own choosing. Whether it be in foreign policy or domestic policy, you did not protect the United States as commander in chief. We the American people have finally borne witness to what happens when they place an incompetent business man into the Oval Office. Especially one who had everything handed to him. Quality of life is not a business decision, sir. But rather, it is a humane choice to be empathetic to those who cannot help themselves. This is why government exists. Now comes the ...

Time for rent control to reduce homelessness

The recent story about the study citing the extent of lost tax revenue should the much-needed reigning in of vacation rentals be enacted, did not present the whole picture. It did not, for example, ask visitors if they wouldn’t come if they had to stay in hotels. It didn’t take into consideration what the additional places for residents to live, instead of experiencing houselessness, would have on the tax revenue situation. It didn’t investigate how many vacation rentals are owned by Maui residents as opposed to off-island corporate owners. Our residents are the victims ...