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Letters to the Editor

Letter: Light sentences like this responsible for animal abuse

I am deeply saddened by Judge Kirstin Hamman’s sentencing of the two men found guilty of stealing, torturing, ultimately murdering and fraudulently entering a pet pig in a wild pig hunting contest. Not only did they cut the metal fence to steal the pet, but they videotaped the entire process of torture and murder and then proudly posted the video on social media. The judge refused to view the video as requested by the prosecutor or read the hundreds of letters and emails sent to her. Then, she displayed a shocking tolerance for animal cruelty by sentencing the two men to ...

Letter: ICE raid on pot farm turned up children

The recent arrests of several hundred illegal migrants working on a pakalolo farm in California and the subsequent protests, some violent, against the enforcing ICE agents, underscores the deep divides within our country today. The fact that dozens of children were also found working at this farm seems to have escaped the notice of Hawaii’s Congressional Representatives. This would explain the absence of any condemnation or outrage that most right-minded citizens would expect from their elected representatives. Instead, the outrage has been directed at the hardworking and ...

Letter: Officials praise ice cream like it’s health food?

It’s funny how our government held a big press conference for National Ice Cream Day, with officials praising ice cream like it’s a health food. They don’t mention how the saturated fat and sugar fit into RFK Jr.’s “Make America Healthy Again” plan. Instead, they celebrated removing oil-based dyes from food. Maybe the food dye lobby isn’t as generous with campaign contributions as dairy. As a concerned citizen, I can’t help but think about the cows — gentle mothers whose babies are taken so we can have their milk turned into ice cream and other dairy products. ...

Letter: Charging for parking in Kihei a horrible idea

Park Maui charging parking in Kihei is a horrible idea. What attracted me to move to Maui was the free beach access and free parking, unlike CA or East Coast beaches. After visiting often, in 2008, we bought a nice house, were full time residents for 10 years until we had grandchildren and now split our time between the mainland and Maui. We already pay two to three times the property taxes than my neighbors and now they want to charge me to pay for parking to go to one of the Kam beaches at 10$/day. They need to distinguish between people who are real tourists and people ...

Letter: ‘Good Trouble’ Maui protest this Thursday 

“Good trouble” is a phrase popularized by the late Congressman John Lewis. It embodies taking nonviolent action to challenge injustice and fight for positive social change.   If you are concerned with the direction our country is going, please join us on Thursday in front of Queen Ka’ahumanu Center at 4:30 p.m.   If you have a sign, bring it.  If not, just show up.  When enough of us say “enough,” we can bring about change.   Protect democracy. Protect the Constitution. “Get in good trouble, necessary trouble, and help redeem the soul of America,” said ...

Letter: Concerned over condition of Kamaole III grass area

As a resident of more than 20 years, I have watched with concern the declining condition of the grass area at Kamaole III. What was once grass is increasingly dead areas now becoming sand pits. It has now been over four weeks since county bothered to mow or weed-whack the remaining lawn. Now covered in increasingly thorny weeds, the area is a disgrace. What was once attractive for locals on weekends and tourists at sunset is now embarrassing. What is worse is that more than a week ago, I contacted both Maui County Councilmember Kelly King and the county parks director. Of ...