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Letters to the Editor

Letter: President purposely ignoring rule of law

Already, President Trump’s administration has been sued over his executive orders in court 41 separate times, a record for any president. In addition to the lawsuits, several restraining orders have already been issued against Trump’s actions by federal judges, including a judge appointed by Trump himself. These include restraining orders against: Trump’s Federal Funding Freeze, cutting off funding for Head Start, school meal programs, access to SNAP and WIC program benefits, and halting critical medical research. There is Trump’s DOGE access to the Treasury Payment System. ...

Letter: Alateen meeting every Friday at Good Shepherd Church

My name is Vanny and I am part of the Alanon program here in Maui. I served as an Alateen coordinator and currently host an Alateen meeting 3 to 4:30 p.m. every Friday at Good Shepherd Church in Wailuku. Alateen is a safe space for kids ages 9-18 who have been impacted by someone’s drinking or drug use. It’s a supportive meeting where they can share openly and connect with peers who understand their experiences. I kindly request your help to spread the word and reach those who may need this support. Vanny Raffety Wailuku

Letter: Oppose bills discontinuing religion vaccine exemption

Hawai‘i State Legislature is floating two companion bills, HB 1118 and SB 1437, that would discontinue religious (or the Orwellian “non-medical”) exemptions to vaccination in public schools. Indeed, just last week HB 1118 was passed by the House Committee on Health. While I do appreciate Section 2b of HB 1118, which maintains religious exemptions for those already approved, legally there should be no “ban” on religious practice at all. The Constitution, Amendment 1: Congress shall make no law… prohibiting the free exercise [of religion] thereof … The Constitution, ...

Letter: Why there is such distrust in government officials

So, a commission appointed by elected officials gets to determine what salaries their friends who appointed them should get? Elected officials have set term limits. The compensation package they receive should be set by a nonpartisan public committee. If and when you seek public office, it should be stated and in place for the term of office. If you don’t like it, don’t run for office. Any increase should be the same as the cost-of-living increases that social security increases are. And you wonder why politicians are labeled as crooks. Why there is such distrust in ...

Letter: Exposed swamp, brought it to spotlight from shadows

I’m thankful we have a leader in the White House again. A smart, business-sense, courageous, thoughtful leader that doesn’t hide from the press. He hasn’t lied to us yet. He isn’t afraid to address issues head on and stand up to other countries and he always puts the country and Americans first. He may speak without a filter and he may have a contentious past, but who amongst us does not? All of you who judge his past pretend you have been perfect, but you hide your skeletons well. He has done his job as president since day one of his first term and continues to do ...

Letter: Heart knows how to act toward self and others

Morality may be a measure of the relationship one has with oneself. Ethics may be a measure of the relationship that one has with others. My mother’s influence on me showed clearly. Morally, she was an example of a happy, adjusted, self-sacrificing, loving person. My dad, on the other hand, was a supremely ethical person. He taught us and was an exemplar of ethical behavior. His relations with others were kind, compassionate, empathetic and honest. I liked these notions as a son, because they introduced no middlemen into my moral nature; and no higher authority. Also, no ...