Letters for Thursday, December 20, 2018

Thanks coach!

I was born and raised on the island of Kauai. However, I now reside on the mainland, and I often reflect on my time growing up on the Garden isle. Looking back, I was one of “those” kids you see walking around the high school campus with an ukulele. Sadly my academic studies were not a priority at the time, but I always appreciated the positive influences and mentoring my coaches provided.

I absorbed the innumerable positive inspirations that my coaches instilled. Coaching greats such as Macky Doi, Bill Arakaki, and Kaipo Kealalio provided an unique opportunity for me to develop a positive “Growth Mindset”. I remember spending many occasions in Coach Doi’s office going over an improvement plan for my classroom behavior. Also, the “Heart, Mind, and Soul” speeches that Coach Arakaki preached were powerful, and rung to my unconscious core. Though most importantly, I remember Coach Kealalio making a special trip to my home after a tough game loss, and talking me out of quitting the team. His heartfelt talk allowed me to believe in myself, and paved the way for a lifetime attitude of “never quitting” when things get difficult.

Luckily, my interest in academics developed, and I never stopped applying the “Growth Mindset” to all of my goals, dreams, and life aspirations. The surprised look I get from many family & friends when they find out that I’m now a Branch Manager at a Public Library and a Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Black belt is priceless.

Garett Dacay, Las Vegas

Where’s our raise?

I noticed that 20 states are raising the minimum wage the first of the year. I did not see the state of Hawaii on that list. With people having to work two jobs to have a living on the island because of the high prices, you would think our liberal representatives would do the same. What’s up with that??

Nicholas Hasseling, Koloa