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Letters to the Editor

Letter: Neighbor Islands need earlier dementia screening

Growing up on Maui, I saw how difficult it could be for families to access specialized neurological care. For many Neighbor Island residents, getting answers often means traveling to Oʻahu and navigating uncertainty while symptoms continue to progress. Through my work with older adults living with dementia and Alzheimer's advocacy in Hawaiʻi, I've seen how life-changing an early diagnosis can be, not only for patients, but for the families who care for them. Hawaiʻi recently took an important step forward by establishing the HANAI Memory Network, which will expand access to ...

Letter: Weed out candidates who are dishonest

Understandably, voters are confused by candidate promises. It can be hard to weed out those who are dishonest. et we need leaders who support local Maui residents who work hard yet struggle to pay high rent or mortgages, food, gas and utility bills. One indication of who will prioritize big money construction for the rich are those pushed by the Super pac, For a Better Tomorrow. Fortunately, the ads and expensive flyers they sponsor must include their name. FBT supports pro mass (mostly luxury) development candidates over those who prioritize affordable housing, infrastructure and ...

Letter: Grazing better solution for fire mitigation

The parcel next to my Pukalani home recently got its legally required fuel break. The grass was cut and left where it fell. Concerned, I contacted the Fire Prevention Bureau — and received a courteous, considered reply: Cut grass mulch is not an enforceable hazard under our code, raking a six-acre break is unfeasible, and scraping to bare soil would trade a fire problem for erosion and dust. He’s right on all three counts. And that is exactly the problem worth talking about. Our fire code stops at mowing because, for decades, actual fuel removal had no practical method. Cut it and ...

Letter: Speed bumps unnecessary when speed limits enforced

Speed bumps would not be necessary if Maui Police Department was enforcing speed limit laws. Most vehicles don't slow down for speed bumps anyway. Watch what you ask for. If a speed bump is put in front of your house, you will be subject to noise from slowing down, speeding and revving vehicles all day, every day. Once a speed bump is installed, good luck getting it removed. Jason B. KimWailuku

Letter: Golf course wasn’t broken before, ‘fix’ breaking now

Several years ago, Maui County Waiehu Golf Course was restored at great expense from cow pasture status to being one of the nicest courses on the island. There never seemed to be a problem with irrigation on the course. Now, irrigation for fairways and green fringes has been shut off to fix what the county says was a leaking irrigation reservoir. But after three months of pumping, the contractor still has not been able to drain the pond. It appears that the bottom of the pond might be at the water table or the pond may be located on a natural spring. Instead of water leaking out of ...

Letter: Writer portends, Capitalism does not work

Aloha, By living and working in countries on three continents over more than half a century, I have witnessed different cultures, languages and have seen government systems. After arriving on Maui I saw a familiar government. Overwhelmingly, most residents I talked to expressed disappointment and frustration. Capitalism does not work! I can compare, I travelled in the 80s to Haiti, the poorest country in the western hemisphere. Now on Maui I decided to become the voice of the people. I live here houseless, social security is my only income and I am a volunteer with the nonprofit ...