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Letters to the Editor

Taxpayers footing bill for units remaining empty?

There are numerous former vacation rental owners who have signed up for the program to convert their units into long-term rentals to help with housing for displaced fire victims. However, some of their units have been empty since Feb. 1 when they joined the program. So, these owners are being paid thousands of dollars a month, and they are exempt from their property taxes, but no one has been placed into their units. What a waste of taxpayer dollars. And what a shame that no fire victims have been helped by being placed into these units. There is an off-island owner of a ...

Does not to believe proposed tax rate increase

Please tell me it isn’t so. Is Maui Mayor Richard Bissen actually proposing a tax rate increase of 25 percent for owner-occupied property valued from $1 million to $3 million. That is a huge increase for people that are retired and on a fixed income. Tell me it isn’t so! Mary Jo LoBianco Kihei

Awareness focus for those who are missing limbs

In 2019, I was struck by a large garbage truck while jogging. As a result, I underwent multiple surgeries, had my left leg reconstructed, and my right leg amputated below the knee. Becoming an amputee has been an eye-opening journey into our health/insurance systems and ableist structures. It has been an experience I find myself still navigating and compelled to advocate for. The disability community is the only community anyone can join at any time, regardless of age, gender, race or socio-economic status. Limb Loss and Limb Difference Awareness Month occurs during the month of ...

Americans accelerated acquisition of firearms

I was 15 years old when I first began to work for the Italian bookies in my New York City neighborhood. I learned many things from these older men, but one thing I never forgot was this pearl of advice: “Never mouth off to a cop, who might plant a gun on you.” Eventually, I moved to peaceful Maui. This was long before it had become a hideaway for bodyguarded, bunkered blackguards and billionaires; and a stagnant place for twilighted retirees who sleep with their guns bedside. At present, aloha has all but disappeared among all of the newest arrivals. No one trusts anyone else. ...

Ever see a casino go out of business?

There over 2,000 gambling establishments around America. They win on the bets placed on all games, sports, casino, table games and so on. When you gamble, you are placing your bet on only one game, whatever it is. The house has the advantage because the total amount of all bets placed. The saying the house always wins is the truth. The only way you can compete against the house and win is if you bet on all games placed. Most people who go to Vegas lose. The winning percentage is not 50/50. Have you ever seen a gambling establishment go out of business? Don’t be a ...

Keep vaccination current for all our well-being

In the early 1980s, I worked at an institution for the severely disabled. One of our residents was a young woman who had been fine until she contracted measles at age four.  The high fever resulted in brain damage and a future of residential care. Liholiho, Hawaiian royalty, died of measles after his European visit. Parents, you may think you have a healthy child and a clean household, but measles is highly contagious and a real threat to you and our community.  Please keep your vaccination current for all our well-being. Sue Kiang Kihei