Breaking News

Letters to the Editor

Letter: Disqualify candidates who run together

In 1988 Maui County eliminated political party participation in county elections so that individuals could run without political affiliation and focus on individual qualification. Both Maui Ohana and Hui O Maui are specifically political parties with specific agendas and vying for county council control. Presently, Maui Ohana has a majority. The specific case in both instances is both groups endorse and advertise these candidates as a block, encouraging people from all over the island to vote for them. All these candidates should be disqualified running together rather than as ...

Letter: Vote Ryan Green Party running for District 12

Rita Ryan is the Green Party candidate running for state representative for District 12 Upcountry. Her opponent is 20-year incumbent Kyle Yamashita, chairman of the House Finance Committee, who has been stonewalling many bills submitted to the state legislature. Most of his campaign money comes from Oahu special interests, rather than from his Maui constituents. If there were term limits, he would not still be in office. He is a DINO, a democrat in name only. Unfortunately, several Democrats in the house are these closet Republicans responsible for the corruption we see in ...

Letter:Professional athlete’s size matter in today’s sports

Today in professional sports, size does matter. There are a few exceptions. Jose Altuve, Venezuelan second baseman for the Houston Astros of Major League Baseball, stands at 5 feet, 6 inches. But most baseball players look like football players 30 years ago. Weight training, technology and diet have professional athletes really huge. I know a former men’s tennis coach from Punahou, and asked him how come Hawaii has no successful professional tennis players. He replied size. He told me how someone at 5 feet, 8 inches or at a lucky 5 feet, 10 inches, is not going to have a ...

Letter: How many more residents will be forced to move?

Last month, Maui County Council Housing and Land Use Committee Chair Tasha Kama heard from renters who begged for help after rents skyrocketed after the Lahaina wildfire tragedy. At a follow-up meeting for addressing rent stabilization, Kama stated, “Since our last meeting, I have been contacted by members of the development industry. Even consideration of this topic has had a chilling effect on those in the private sector who fund affordable housing rental projects to the point that they are considering abandoning Maui for future housing projects. We need housing and cannot ...

Letter: Vote for new majority in Maui County Council

Are you fed up with overdevelopment of beautiful places on Maui with luxury homes and condos that stress infrastructure and increase costs for locals? Are you concerned about water? Are you challenged parking for food, surfing, beach and so on? If so, we need a new Maui County Council majority. Three council seats are neck and neck. Kelly King, James Forrest and Carol Lee Kamekona could bring positive change or we can have big money business as usual. These candidates approve SaveMauivotingguide.com, which seeks to mail an ohana candidate guide island-wide. The current ...

Letter: Removal of port-a-potties has trail used as bathroom

I am a Maui resident and long-time biker, hiker and trail volunteer of the Makawao State Forest Reserve. A year ago or more, the port-a-potties in the upper lot disappeared. Rumor had it that the state was unable to find a company when the contract expired. I do not know if this is true, but I know it was cleaner before. Hundreds of hikers, bikers and equestrians have resorted to using the forest as their bathroom. It’s unsanitary and doesn’t represent the pride we have for our aina. Used to be dodging doggie poo was the main issue on the trail. Now, there is human feces ...