• Happy Fourth of July, from a proud American • Women, use your right to vote; support Tulsi • How not to offend the Hawaiians today • Don’t be intimidated by Walmart’s size • Appreciate new online commenting policy Change
• Happy Fourth of July, from a proud American • Women, use your right to vote; support Tulsi • How not to offend the Hawaiians today • Don’t be intimidated by Walmart’s size • Appreciate new online commenting policy
Change in online commenting policy
Starting July 1, The Garden Island has changed how it monitors the online commenting portion of thegardenisland.com. All comments will go through an approval process. Not all comments will be approved. Priority will be given to those that are topical, remain within our comment policies and contain the author’s full name and hometown.
We encourage continued use of our online comment feature as well as the Letters to the Editor in our print edition. The Garden Island values reader input and encourages thoughtful debate.
Happy Fourth of July, from a proud American
Today, we celebrate the 236th anniversary of the birthday of the United States of America. This year also marks the 200th anniversary of the War of 1812, the battle that inspired the words to our beloved “Star Spangled Banner.”
On this day, we Americans are reminded of our forefathers and the sacrifices they made to preserve for yet another generation all that we hold most dear: life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. The consequences were absolute — they would be victorious or they would die at the hands of the British.
Clearly, they were “the right people at the right time,” as together they applied their collective resources and overcame their many differences to mold this great country. (Wouldn’t it be grand if today’s politicians had learned anything from our history?)
From one proud American to another, Happy Independence Day. I wish you and your family a great day filled with plenty of burgers and dogs, laughter and enjoyment. Please be safe, and remind our young patriots of the heroes that made this celebration possible.
Tony Elliott
Lihu‘e
Women, use your right to vote; support Tulsi
I encourage all women to sign up to vote (the deadline is July 12.) Vote in honor of all the women who struggled to guarantee us the right to vote amendment passed in 1919.
Nearly 100 years later, women continue to face many challenges and an ongoing battle for gender equality. In America, women are chronically underrepresented in the political arena.
Women currently hold only 16.8 percent of the 535 congressional seats. (Connect the dots ladies: it’s up to us to make the change!)
We need more women in Congress to help be the bridge builders and compromise brokers Washington desperately needs.
We are now facing a critical election with two homegrown and very capable women running for Congress, Tulsi Gabbard and Esther Kiaaina. It’s a tough race as their opponent Mufi Hannemann is backed by corporate giants and GMO companies like Monsanto.
However, current polls tell us Tulsi Gabbard is making great strides and is already shoulder to shoulder with Mufi.
But Mufi is counting on the vote to be split between Tulsi, Esther and Bob in order to win this one. In this race, a vote for Esther or Bob is another vote for Mufi. To have a say we need to stick together. Vote Tulsi and bring more women to Washington.
Put on your lipstick, ladies, and go sign up to vote!
Nalani Kealoha
Anahola
How not to offend the Hawaiians today
Independence Day is probably the most revered non-religious American holiday. Many Americans will celebrate it here in the Hawaiian Islands. Still, it may happen that they (hopefully) inadvertently offend us Hawaiian nationals, who feel strongly about our national identity.
Here is a small but useful piece of advice: Don’t wish the Hawaiians “Happy Independence Day,” because you may get a response like this: “It is yours. When will be ours?”
Just celebrate and have fun, but don’t expect the Hawaiians to join you in the celebration of the independence of those who took theirs away.
János Keoni Samu
Kalaheo
Don’t be intimidated by Walmart’s size
Regarding the letter by Raymond Catania and James (Jimbo) Alemalem which focused on financial exploitation by Walmart of its employees, I noted responses in the comment section essentially stating nothing can be done due to the overwhelming forces of corporate control.
Under such circumstances, it is natural that people will say, “What can I do, I am only one person.”
I will remind you in the words of anthropologist Margaret Mead, “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.”
Shine on, Raymond and Jimbo!
Janet Ashkenazy
Kilauea
Appreciate new online commenting policy
Thank you, editors, for your new online commenting policy. So many of us, now, can write to the Forum and join the discussion site without having to gear up for insults, assaults and lies.
The Forum page is my favorite page in the paper. As a resident of Kaua‘i and a writer I have been a contributor for years. Love to leap, with all four feet, into the fray.
Bettejo Dux
Kalaheo
