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Letters to the Editor

For ohana assistance, land should be purchased

If the county has enough funds to support the ohana assistance program, shouldn’t land purchased to create affordable homes be a better solution? I see the writer’s point in the Feb. 24 issue about infrastructure already in place, but does she recognize in an existing subdivision, some with no curb, gutters, and sidewalks, parking is a nightmare, as well as privacy and noise? By creating smaller lots averaging 5,000 square feet or less, with strict covenants and owner-builder, the same concept could be created with the sense of pride of home ownership. Maui has a lot of land ...

Put Hawaii’s people over tobacco industry profits

The Honolulu and Hawaii counties have already passed laws to end the sale of flavored tobacco products, and hopefully Maui County will do the same. The state House committees on Health and Homelessness, Judicial, and Hawaiian Affairs have already passed HB1778 to restore the counties’ authority to regulate tobacco sales and referred it to the Committee on Finance. Each year, tobacco-related illness and death cost the state $611 million in annual health care costs, $1.1 billion in lost productivity, and nearly $1,000 per household in state and federal tax burden, according to A ...

It is unfortunate we have church wars

They major problem with religion is one church ridiculing, slandering, defaming and maliciously attacking another church. Everyone in Christ is on the same team. This problem has existed for a long time. Nobody is without sin. In sports, if one player is not on the same page as the rest of the team, it will only will bring the whole team down. Let the holy spirit take care of unfinished business. Everyone in Christ has to be a team player. It is unfortunate we have church wars. Terao Nakasone Kihei

Time to protect whales with boating speed limits

Whale sanctuaries have speed limits during whale season. That is what makes them a sanctuary and a relatively safe place for whales to mate and give birth. So why is that not the case here on Maui? The heart-wrenching scene of yet another mother whale trying to save her calf who has been severely injured by a propeller is a testament to the need for action. It’s time for the Hawaii government to institute and enforce speed limits and represent the people of Maui and the many visitors who love whales. Voluntary 10-knot speed limits and 6 knots within 400 yards of a whale are ...

Congress most appropriate forum for state ballots

I agree with “Chaotic for states to decide who is on ballot” (letter, 02/16) that Section 3 of the 14th Amendment to the U. S. Constitution must be decided federally, at least ultimately. After all, it is a federal mandate. In addition, Section 5 of the 14th Amendment states, “The Congress shall have the power to enforce, by appropriate legislation, the provisions of this article [the 14th Amendment].” Whether Section 3 applies to the President depends on whether the presidency is an “office, civil or military, under the United States….” Other issues needing ...

Center’s housing for 350 fire victims sits empty

Mayor Richard Bissen and the entire Maui County Council should hang their heads in shame.   Today, the Washington Post reported that the tiny homes erected in Kahului months ago by the Family Life Center to provide two years of rent-free housing for 350 fire victims are sitting empty, because of county red tape.   That is an outrage. Our political leaders should have acted immediately after the fires to cut this kind of red tape.  Their failure to do so is not only cruel and heartless to the fire victims, it’s completely incompetent and a dereliction of duty.   Shame ...