The effort is worth it While it is true that most people will remain on the sidelines on matters of controversy, there will be times when an outcry of “Enough is enough!” will resonate mightily with the grass-roots constituency. Kauaians
The effort is worth it
While it is true that most people will remain on the sidelines on matters of controversy, there will be times when an outcry of “Enough is enough!” will resonate mightily with the grass-roots constituency.
Kauaians spoke loudly and clearly to indicate that the SuperFerry proposal needed to have an EIS which was waived. This was an indication that the integrity of protecting and preserving our finite natural resources of our ‘aina cannot be minimized or overlooked.
The “malama ‘aina” principle reminds us that: “The land is chief; we are but stewards of the land.” This is a simple truth which is part of the legacy of our host- culture. It is a way of life that needs to be practiced.
The ahupua‘a system invites and encourages ways in which those finite natural resources may be available not only for ourselves, but also for future generations.
It encourages us to be cognizant of what should be shared and/or distributed, and how important it is to remediate, replant, restore, or rejuvenate the basic essentials of our needs.
Come to think of it, one of those things might be how to “live aloha.” Let’s face it. We’re mere human beings. It doesn’t come naturally.
We all need to remind ourselves not to give in to anger, bitterness, hate, and violence. It takes more than a “spoonful of sugar” or a reminder to “have a good day.” It takes effort, but it’s worth it!
Jose Bulatao Jr., Kekaha
Where is the common sense?
Certain parties are worried reforming health care is going to cost a lot of money. How can we possibly take care of our tax paying American citizens? Here is a scenario we could take a look at.
We are sending thousands of Americans into war daily. Many are coming home psychologically damaged, missing limbs and worse.
Spouses are loosing partners, parents are loosing children, and children are loosing parents. How sad and at what a cost? Then we go back into these countries and with our American tax dollars rebuild towns, schools and their infrastructure as America deteriorates.
The only solution politicians can come up with to our economic crisis is: squeeze more money from the middle class, protect and give tax breaks to the wealthy, cut Medicare, Social Security, and our education system.
I don’t know about you but I’d like to see our tax dollars protect the elderly and the systems they have paid into all their lives.
Stop rebuilding schools and towns in other countries and put our tax dollars to work here, rebuilding America.
They say the price of health care reform will cost too much, I say the price of war is costing us way too much! Where is the common sense?
George Howard, Lawa‘i
Healthcare is a right
Now that Vermont has enacted single-payer healthcare and California is “almost there,” when will Hawai‘i follow?
The fact that the governments of South Carolina and Texas (and others) despise their citizens, and are working to allow an “aristocracy of Tony Sopranos” to skim 30 percent (or more) of healthcare premiums off the top to pay private insurance CEOs billions in bonuses, is no reason Hawai‘i must allow them to destroy the feelings we have for one another as citizens of the state of Hawai‘i.
Healthcare is a right, not a privilege.
John Zwiebel, Kalaheo
Vegetarian diet better for all
My name is Mohana Doyle and I am 10 years old. I am a lifelong vegetarian.
I am writing this letter to the editor to help people understand why it is good to be a vegetarian.
I feel sad for the pregnant goat that was killed (“Trespasser beheads, guts goat at local dairy,” The Garden Island, May 3).
People should be vegetarians. It’s not nice to hurt animals. And being a vegetarian keeps you healthy and strong.
You can get protein from healthier foods that are easier to digest than meat and are lower in fat and cholesterol, like beans, nuts and soy.
You will get bad karma if you hurt animals. Animals go through a lot of suffering.
Some are kept in little cages with bright lights on all night.
Some are given antibiotics and hormones and eat poor quality food. And they get no exercise. Then the animals get slaughtered.
They don’t get treated very nice.
Some animals, leaving peacefully on their own farm, are murdered for their meat and unborn babies are left to die.
Therefore, a vegetarian diet is healthier and better for people and animals.
Mohana Doyle, Anahola
