Q: Is COVID-19 more dangerous than the flu? Chrissy Miller, Employee Health Manager, Maui Health: Yes, COVID-19 is much more dangerous than the flu. Some people still believe that COVID-19 is not a serious disease, but it is. Even though COVID and influenza share some similar symptoms, ...
Today, Nov. 4, is a landmark day for me. It has nothing to do with the results of Tuesday’s elections; this column was written and submitted before the polls closed and the votes tallied. No, this is about a personal victory, nearly a decade in the making. This is my 500th Sharing Mana‘o ...
FAmericans pride themselves on creating and keeping an enlightened republic where our leaders are democratically elected. But the way we pick our president doesn’t measure up to our rhetoric. The U.S. Constitution directs the Electoral College to pick the president. Every state in the union ...
There is an unfilled position on Molokai, that of the animal control officer. Not only is this a solid job for a resident of Molokai, but it is key for the humane treatment of our lost, hurt, and abandoned pets on the island. Would no animal control be tolerated on Maui? No. Then why is it ...
Let’s first start by stating the obvious. We’re in trouble. According to the latest forecasts put out by our Council on Revenues, we have a state budget hole of more than 2 billion dollars. This has to be made up somehow. The Legislative Auditor’s staff was busy at work trying to ...
This council has taken seriously our responsibility to listen to, learn from and support all communities within Maui County. We are continuing to use this approach with the Maui Island Water Use and Development Plan, or WUDP, an inventory of existing water sources and projected water needs for ...
Don’t be surprised if you see a uniformed police officer with a stubbly beard or sculpted goatee directing traffic this month. Yes, it’s out of the ordinary, but the Maui Police Department is shedding its no-beard policy through the end of December for a very good cause. For the third ...
Did you know that the quality of the air you breathe can affect your chances of developing a severe case of COVID-19? Research has found an association between air pollution and death rates from COVID-19. One of the most common and dangerous forms of air pollution is fine particulate matter, ...
Day after day I’m more confused Yet I look for the light in the pouring rain. You know that’s a game that I hate to lose; I’m feelin’ the strain, ain’t it a shame? —“Drift Away,” music and lyrics by Mentor Williams Over the past seven months, I’ve acquired a new ...
Staff writer Dakota Grossman did an excellent job reporting the affect COVID has had on lifeguarding efforts on Maui (“COVID-19 takes lifeguard off Makena beach tower,” Sept. 24). Battalion Chief Jeff Giesea highlighted the challenges ocean safety officials face in the efforts to decrease ...
The County Council’s proposed changes to the Maui County Charter are confusing, vague and ill-advised, especially when the public is distracted by the COVID-19 pandemic. The stakes are high because these proposed amendments threaten the current balance of power between the executive and ...
There is a piece of art hanging in my office that — like all good pieces of art — has prompted a debate among those who have seen it. In the center of a square piece of metal is a closeup picture of a round white circle with intricate detail and design in bright red. It reads in proud ...
In her viewpoint “Plenty of planning, not enough housing” (Viewpoint, Oct. 6), Ms. Malia Hill writes “the best way to produce more housing is to reduce the size and scope of the county’s overlapping housing plans.” In 2018, SMS Research, a research organization working on many State ...
Q: How do I know if I have the flu or COVID? Chrissy Miller, employee health manager, Maui Health System: Because COVID-19 has many of the same symptoms as influenza, it can be hard to tell them apart. That’s one reason we recommend that everybody get a flu shot this year — it can help ...
Here are just a few things that a department of agriculture could have done and could do in the future. The department is supposed to be about advocacy and education for the farmer, not regulation, and definitely not bureaucracy. Imagine if you are a farmer and wanted to know what permits you ...
In June, Mayor Victorino launched the program, “Kama‘aina First,” encouraging businesses to provide discounts to residents for services, entertainment, products and restaurants via a one-stop website. Though it’s a well-intentioned gesture, the program has put the cart before the ...
For the past two weeks, Jamie-Sue West has hosted a visitor in her Kihei home. She’s the perfect houseguest: friendly, funny — and very cuddly. Girly, a mixed-breed puppy, will board a West Coast-bound flight at the end of the month as part of the Maui Humane Society’s Wings of Aloha ...
“Curiouser and curiouser!” cried Alice (she was so much surprised, that for the moment she quite forgot how to speak good English). — Lewis Carroll, “Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland” “Curiouser and curiouser” may not be good English, but it’s an appropriate description ...
It’s no secret that Maui is suffering from a housing crisis. Lack of housing is one of the most common complaints of those who leave the state, and the high price of housing is an indication that demand far outstrips supply. The typical political response is to put together a committee and ...
Maui County voters will get their mail-in 2020 general election ballots in a couple of weeks. Voters have time now to evaluate candidates and learn about the seven Maui County Charter amendments proposed by the Maui County Council. I urge everyone to study these proposals carefully, which can ...