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Letter: Valentine memories throughout lifetime

I remember how I felt when, in grammar school, I wrote my first valentine to my mother. I was very young and misspelled the keyword. The card read: “I enve my father.” A year or so later, a card was given to Joy LaGuardia. I still have a second-grade photo of her, missing most of her teeth. Years later, she became one of the great beauties of the neighborhood. As the years passed, there were other girls. I recall Schiavone, a girl I was too shy to kiss, but who knew much more than I did. There was Marianne, a well-remembered, raven-haired beauty, who was mysterious in her ...

Letter: Senate bill would rein in crypto kiosk financial risk

Cryptocurrency kiosks have rapidly expanded across our islands. As a result, consumers, especially kupuna, have been exposed to significant financial risk, fraud and irreversible losses. Senate Bill 2387 is a reasonable, necessary and consumer-focused response to these documented harms. Many consumers who use kiosks do not realize they are converting cash into crypto assets that cannot be disputed, refunded, or traced, once sent. In Hawai‘i, where many residents rely on cash, kiosks can create a false sense of security that mirrors traditional ATMs, but without the same ...

Letter: Condo associations must be part of recovery solution

After the Maui fires, I offered my condo to Federal Emergency Management Agency so fire survivors — people who lost everything — could have a safe place to live. I did this in the true spirit of aloha, believing that when our neighbors are suffering, we show up. What followed was deeply troubling. FEMA assigned a professional property management company and survivors were placed responsibly. Yet, instead of being met with patience or understanding, these individuals were subjected to repeated HOA violations and complaints from my condo association. The first survivor placed in ...

Letter: Will power grid ever be upgraded to reliability?

On Monday, Feb. 2, I took the bus from Makawao to a medical clinic in Kahului. As the procedure was about to start, everything went black. I had to feel my way out. I caught the bus to return to Makawao. Because the traffic lights weren't working and traffic was heavy, it took twice as long as normal to get home. Shortly thereafter, the power came back on. But early this morning, as I was doing business online, the power went off again. There was no wind or rain. I turned on my transistor radio and listened to a report ironically about Cuba and its problems with on and off again ...

Letter: Height was no hindrance for Hawaii’s superstar

I was watching the Grammys last night and saw Bruno Mars perform. He is from Hawaii, and went to Roosevelt, a a public high school on Oahu. As a child, he performed as little Elvis in Waikiki. He is short in height like many locals, but he didn't let that hold him down. Today, he is a superstar in entertainment, and has millions of dollars. He almost destroyed his career by using drugs, but realized the devastating effects using them. I think I speak for many to say we are proud of you Bruno. Anything is possible in America. And as Nancy Reagan said, “just say no” to illegal ...

Letter: Applauds student protest of unlawful ICE tactics

I applaud the group of approximately 200 students that peacefully protested in front of King Kekaulike High School last Friday to voice their opposition to the unlawful and aggressive tactics of ICE. Never in the history of ever are the good guys masked men with guns using force to enter homes without warrants, force people out of their cars, separate families, and arrest or kill peaceful protesters. I’m proud of these young people who aren’t afraid to exercise their 1st Amendment rights. As their parents, grandparents, uncles and aunties prepare their taxes this year, I hope ...