Letter: Seniors stuck in units because elevator out

July 14, 2026

Several of us senior residents are stuck in our Kalama Heights apartments on the third floor because an elevator has been out of service for over two weeks now. Many ADA residents cannot use stairway because of disability problems. Have tried to get communication when repairs will be done, but no answers. Emailed corporate office more than once and have called them three times, in which the recorded message says they will reply within 48 hours. It has been over a week now, no reply. Some of us are missing doctor’s appointments, etc. Meals are delivered to our apartments ...

Letter: Stick with original idea for north bypass project

July 10, 2026

One month ago, the Hawaii Department of Transportation announced the revival of the north bypass project. The project on Kakaalaneo Drive has had decades of studies, but had stalled out. Now, DOT announced the possibility of not using Kakaalaneo Drive, going through agricultural land and that has no cross streets. Mayor Richard Bissen is announcing a new idea to make the Lahaina bypass end and exit on Puukolii Street, along the side of residential, vacation rentals, apartments and parking lots. Puukolii has six curves that causes four blind corners for cars trying to enter ...

Letter: No more tobacco stores for sake of our health

July 10, 2026

Whenever I saw an empty piece of retail space, and later notice it being occupied by a tobacco vape shop, I felt sad. While e-cigarettes avoid the tar and carbon monoxide of traditional cigarettes, they still take in highly addictive nicotine. Being less harmful does not equal safe. Unfortunately, the smoking habit is often generational. Studies have found that children with parents who smoke are often three to four 4 times more likely to take up the practice themselves. I don't want to sound callous or condemning. I know that nicotine intake is one of the most difficult habits ...

Letter: Enemies of the people ruin planet and lives

July 7, 2026

How do we recognize true enemies of humanity? They are invariably those who act in shameful ways and then rationalize excuses. For example, enemies of the people consciously do things that ruin the planet and the lives of others. They almost always are unprincipled hypocrites, corrupt to the core, and have souls like the flickering lights on the back porch. They are immoral and unethical, meaning that their relationships with themselves, and others tend to be conflicted, distorted, suspicious, and based on fearful projections. Children quickly recognize their unnaturalness, ...

Letter: Her great grandparents would have been so proud

July 7, 2026

Rachel Kondo is from Maui. She was born and raised in Pukalani. She attended public school and graduated from Maui High. She later went to the mainland to get her Masters of fine Arts. She is a hapa girl, her mother is haole and her father is a local third generation Japanese, his parents and grandparents worked for the plantation. Back-breaking work in the cane fields, ten hrs. A day in the hot sun. She won Prime time Emmy Awards, Peabody, British Academy, Writers Guild and numerous awards and nominations for Shogun. Her great grandparents would have been so proud of her. In the ...

Letter: Speed bumps necessary for once mellow roads

July 5, 2026

Speed bumps are a valued addition to our once mellow roads. Speeding needs be curtailed and any damage allegedly caused by them is the fault of the speeder. If you are not speeding, no issue. Trying for removal of them is an open invite for reckless driving, speeding and more accidents/deaths. Slow down, leave earlier, and stress less. The old bumper sticker “Slow Down, this isn't the mainland” is a good reminder for the speed-obsessed. Anna BarbeauWailuku