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Letters to the Editor

Letter: Imminent threats to world addressed by FDR in 1938

There are two imminent threats to the world which were highlighted during 1938. Each was succinctly, precisely and memorably addressed by educated friends of humanity. An anonymous thinker and teacher was one; the other was Franklin Roosevelt. The former, who wrote anonymously, described a condition which persists today. He wrote: “People say, the sun rises, the moon shines, and everything is in order, yet for some reason we feel threatened. Those who can see will point to unusual events that are influencing human nature, while other events will pass unnoticed. Many things happen in ...

Letter: Small group of thoughtful citizens can change the world

Maui was well represented at the No Dictators protest last Saturday. It was the largest single-day protest in American history. People from all over the world joined in solidarity as we stood up for democracy over authoritarianism. Throughout the history of our country, going back to the American Revolution, protests by ordinary citizens have initiated real change. Change doesn’t happen overnight but as the number of people attending these protests keeps growing, “We the People” will prevail. “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful citizens can change the world. Indeed, ...

Letter: Democrats have hurt opportunity society

I used to be a Democrat when Hubert Humphrey was opposed to Communist aggression in Vietnam. Now, the Democrats are protecting criminals in sanctuary cities and states. The Democrats are electing Communists in our cities. Democrats in the Congress have closed the government three times. So much for growth in the economy. Growth can solve many problems. The Democrats don’t care. They only care about being elected by cheating. The Democrats are the party of Bernie Sanders and AOC. Supply and demand shows us that 25 million new illegals crossing the border has led to inflation, and ...

Letter: Mango tree hardly gives fruit, just lots of rubbish

At my mother’s house, there is a mango tree that hardly gives any fruit. But my neighbor's tree gives a lot of fruit. He is really nice and tells me to pick as much as I like. Some fruit drops to the ground. My mother tells me her mango tree only makes rubbish, but she doesn't want to cut it down; it was planted when the house was built over 50 years ago. Why do some mango trees only make rubbish with little fruit and others have abundant fruit? It is my mother’s house, and if she says don't cut it down, I won’t cut it down. It is a rubbish tree with very few fruit and if ...

Letter: Cameron Center supports true cost of service bills

Hawaiʻi’s safety net is strongest when the community organizations that hold it together are supported and valued. Every day, community-based nonprofits feed families, care for kūpuna, support survivors, shelter youth, and assist people with complex needs. But this safety net is fraying and without action, it will break. At the J. Walter Cameron Center, we house and work alongside 26 nonprofit partners and collaborate with more than 120 additional organizations serving thousands of Maui residents. Costs continue to rise while funding has not kept pace. We also manage Nā ...

Letter: American Petroleum behind insurance crisis

I moved to West Maui in 2021. While my home survived the 2023 wildfires, the aftermath has been difficult in another way: insurance fallout. Coverage was hard to find before the fires, but in the months after, my monthly housing costs increased by 130 percent, my insurer dropped me, and I was forced into a wildly expensive mainland policy after a dozen rejections. This is not a functioning market and it’s baffling that this practice is not only legal, but commonplace. Navigating this broken system is overwhelming, frustrating, and demoralizing, and we are all paying the ...