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Letters to the Editor

Members of our Hawai‘i State Legislature have introduced four bills to lower the legal blood alcohol concentration for driving from 0.08 to 0.05 percent. As the mother of a 19-year-old who was killed by a drunk driver, I support this change. My daughter, Hannah, had so much life ahead of her when she was taken from us. Please take a moment to step into my shoes as you read this. We need our legislators to take a stand lowering the alcohol limit. Not only will it reduce drinking and driving, it will also stop repeat offenders. Nothing can bring back our daughter, but we can ...

Make sure Hawaii does not turn into L.A.

Many local families 40 years ago moved to Los Angeles. At that time, it was really nice. You could buy a big house for half the price in Hawaii. Cars, food, education, electric bills and taxes were inexpensive. Abundant with good-paying jobs, the education system was excellent and college was affordable. Today, talking with my uncle who is in his 80s, told me things have changed. He claimed you can’t go to 7-11 after 9 p.m., or you might get robbed, car jacked and even shot. When it gets dark, you stay indoors. The gangs, drugs and homeless have taken over the ...

Closing of falls subtract from Road to Hana scenery

For tourists and myself too, the road to Hana is one of the most beautiful in the world. Among the road’s highlights are the waterfalls along the way. For 45 years, I have lived on Maui and have gone on hikes and swimming in these waterfalls many, many, times. Yesterday we went out for a hike and sadly found several waterfalls with tents and a person telling us this was EMI’s property and now closed, as well as cones on the road preventing parking. Specifically, this was at Bamboo Forest, what we call the Commando Hike and Haipua‘ena Falls. We did not go any further for ...

Simple BP monitor can save life

For less than $60, a blood pressure monitor can save your life. Car gauges can signal when a car is over-heating. And needs to be taken to a shop. A mechanic may replace a water pump, radiator or fluid level that may be low. If ignored, the engine will be destroyed and the car will not be worth fixing. Similarly, high blood pressure can get it treated to help prevent heart attacks, stroke and kidney damage. Senior citizens should check their blood pressure daily. A simple BP monitor can save your life. Terao Nakasone Kihei

Self-sacrifice required for well-being of strangers

In an effort to avoid future disruptions to our lives, I suggest that either our local government or the Tourist Bureau alert prospective visitors to possible hazards which remain as a result of the great fire. It is no secret among the residents that toxic waste, including heavy metals which do not break down and man-made poisons such as dioxin, have leaked into the ocean, beginning with the fire itself and continuing to this day. People who come here must be warned about this immeasurable risk of entering the ocean on the westside of Maui. Our officials have created a threat to ...

Execution drugs should include cheap fentanyl

Is the purpose of execution to inflict pain on the person or just to kill them? Presently there are no execution drugs that are humane. They say nitrogen epoxy is the new great way to execute because the other execution drugs are too hard to get. I am personally against capital punishment, but if the purpose is to just kill the person, use fentanyl. It’s quick, cheap and in every evidence room across the nation. Timothy Gunter Wailuku