Tribute to a homeless friend
El Aina DaNine
I did miss her,
After all, she lived two years at the Kapaa
Neighborhood Center bus stop.
We all would pass her by,
Rain or shine,
(that’s hard, cold rain and hot shine)
u El Aina accepted so graciously,
The kindness of strangers.
I did miss her and wondered,
Is she finally safe and cared for in a hospital?
Has her son in Virginia been notified?
Have officials found her U.S. Army I.D.?
I chanced upon her yesterday
in front of Hanamaulu 7-Eleven
Propped in her chair with her drink,
Smelling like rose water,
Her smile, her purple clothes,
Her fantastical stories of judges, jails, hospitals,
And a clean bill of health from Oahu.
I had to stop, just to say hello,
Just to wonder how this gentle child of God
Manages to surprise everyone and
Play games with the system.
El Aina DaNine,
Mary Gannon Alfiler, Kapaa
Island unity under attack
Thank you for the article on the County Council meeting yesterday. I found the use of the phrase “overwhelming support” in describing the public present is very misleading. There were about 18 people who spoke, not all of them angry about the chair position going to Arryl Kaneshiro.
The recent election of both Mason Chock and Arryl Kaneshiro was approximately 30,000 votes. Fewer than 18 were in favor of Mason Chock to be chair. Do the math. Eighteen of 30,000 (or about 15,000) is minuscule, not overwhelming.
I think inflammatory language in the news is what makes readers suspect the entire article/paper.
I am not favoring either one to be chair. I just believe accurate reporting is important. As for the undemocratic attitude and behavior of many of that 18, it is disappointing to once again have our island ethic of working together attacked.
Judith Fernandez, Kapaa
