Remove Union Jack from Hawai‘i flag
Now that Mississippi has removed the confederate emblem for their flag, it is time for Hawai‘i to remove the Union Jack from its state flag. Nothing smacks of the imperial colonial history of these islands than the Union Jack.
King Kamehameha III set the number of stripes on the national flag at eight, corresponding to the major islands. But I submit the red, white and blue are the wrong colors. We should keep the eight stripes and utilize the rainbow flag as our state symbol.
The rainbow flag signifies inclusiveness, the eight stripes representing the major islands, the rainbow has long been a symbol of our islands, and it removes the terrible wrong that occurred in our long history.
Richard Robinson, Koloa
Workers in businesses must wear masks
I took my bicycle in to Kaua‘i Cycle in Kapa‘a this week for maintenance.
Upon entering the business, I was greeted by a young, maskless employee. I immediately asked him if he had a mask he could put on “for me.”
His nonchalant reply was, “No, I do not. How can I help you?” I paused for a moment to absorb his reply and, not taking the time (regretfully) to further engage this individual, I made a poor choice and stayed, although I stood well back and continued on with the discussion on my bike repair.
Needless to say, I was shocked at his casual and inconsiderate attitude for obvious reasons. Whether due to his political viewpoint, ignorance or just plain laziness (only assumptions on my part), he and the shop owner need to step up and respect others, especially the people who come through the door to support that business.
There are other bike-repair shops on island that are just as good. After supporting this business for 13 years, I won’t be back again.
Please, people everywhere, this is not a conspiracy to control anyone. This is plain and simple public health and consideration for others. Kinda like wearing a seat belt while driving, but not as uncomfortable.
Even if YOU find it an inconvenience, think about doing it for someone else. Thanks to our mayor, the public in general and the spirit of aloha, we are in one of the safest places on the planet. I vote that we all do our small part to keep it that way.
And, I may be unrealistic, but I expect this man to be wearing a mask FOR MY PROTECTION next time I come to get my bicycle.
John Oszust, Princeville
Eeew you like put the mahu rainbow on the hawaii flag?!?!
no way!!
Some of us Kanakas love the the flag the way it is.
the Union Jack represented the solidarity between Hawaii and England
monarchy respect monarchy..
England didn’t screw over Hawaii,
America screwed over Hawaii!!
“This is an unusual virus in that for the vast majority of people infected by the virus, one experiences either no illness (asymptomatic) or very little sickness. No studies have been done to demonstrate that either a cloth mask or the N95 mask has any effect on transmission of the COVID-19 virus. Any recommendations, therefore, have to be based on studies of influenza virus transmission. There is no conclusive evidence of their efficiency in controlling flu virus transmission.”
“Several studies have indeed found significant problems with wearing a mask. This can vary from headaches, to increased airway resistance, carbon dioxide accumulation, to hypoxia, all the way to serious life-threatening complications.”
You are absolutely wrong on nearly every point. You completely misunderstand the one point you got correct.
John I hate to inform you, but you’re not that special. I’m sure they won’t even notice if you never come back.
But Richard the rainbow flag has already been taken by the Gay community.
Perhaps King Kamehameha I, was having a less than an imagineable day when he merged the US and British flags to be the Hawaii Kingdom flag. Amazing that flag has still flown since back then.
But since almost every single job, both private and public supports or is directly or indirectly involved in Or supported by the tourist industry here in Hawaii, perhaps a Tourist Flag Would be appropriate., or going further back pre Hawaiian, a flag representing Mother Nature’s Natural Wonders would be appropriate.
Let’s see, the flag could show on one side helicopters, shave ice, surfboard, hotel, tanning lotion, tour boats, jumbo jets, zip lines, pile of rubber slippers, matching AloHa shirts, tour bus, tourist luau, immigration check-in, and virus testing on arrival, and handcuffed after skip out on quarantine.
On the other natural side Of the flag could be a majestic volcano, with Glowing lava flow turning into a thousand foot tall waterfall framed by a full 1/2 circle rainbow, the flow creating a pristine crystal clear river, feeding a lush green valley of nurturing abundance of fruit trees, flowers, and edible and medicinal plants, all brought by them wings of birds or the flotsam on Ocean currents and waves over the eons of time pre human kine, and of course a white sandy beach with an aqua blue lagoon fronting the great peaceful nameless ocean unyet mar’d by mankind war.
Numerous artists of today’s eventual melted-pot could create the new flag,
OK, make it 2 sided same same, Mother Nature May look at us more respectfully.
Happy 4th of July
You want to change the flag of a country that is illegally being occupied by America to suit your vision of how it should be. Typical American.
Hair on Fire from PVille says it all!
Dear John,
Horrifying! Did you die?
Usually I live and let live, but since you don’t see a problem telling others what they should do, I don’t have a problem offering you some suggestions for getting through this. I’ll try to be brief:
Why not wear a face shield, in addition to a mask, to take control of your own health? You can even add disposable gloves if it makes you feel better. Go full bunny suit if you like. Your body, your choice. I propose we all (mostly) agree not to judge you for your choice, or judge him for his.
Why not ask if you can both step outside while conducting business? Far lower probability of “the rona” being transmitted outside. Isn’t biking an outside activity anyways?
Why not wait until “the rona” pandemic is over to get your bike fixed? You probably shouldn’t be out riding if you are that afraid of catching “the rona” and think it’s that contagious.
How about acting like a member of a community and meeting somewhere in the middle…for example, you can invest in, and wear, a mask that actually protects you since you like wearing one, and he can go maskless since he doesn’t think it’s effective and doesn’t like wearing one.
Since you are willing to admit that “political viewpoint, ignorance or just plain laziness” was just an assumption, I’ll admit that I actually don’t know if you “like” wearing one, or he doesn’t. Just a guess. Your assumptions, however, convict you of the very thing you accuse others of: disrespect.
Wearing a mask is to protect others from you. Not wearing a mask in a public place like that is inconsiderate at best, and perhaps openly hostile. Especially when people don’t know they have it for around 2 weeks and can still spread it during that time.
So yeah, per usual, that “awesome” response is way off base.
Richard, tgi editor and other misinformed readers…..
The Hawai’ian Kingdom government under King Kamehameha adopted the British flag to honor the treaty of friendship and in gratitude for the nation to Nation recognition and example of Parliamentary Law.
Education is key here, in Hawai’i and the world to correct the misunderstanding of what and who Hawai’i is .
This is now the truth about the past and the present with a plan for the future… please read and check your flawed thinking!
Go to;
HAWAIIANKINGDOM.ORG
Wearing a seat belt has nothing to do with other people. Yes this is America. Go to another bike shop and stop being so offended. They are not trying to offend you. They most likely understand there are health risks to mask wearing. (I know that is hard to grasp for some of you). Despite what the news says, the science is not on the side of continual mask wearing.
Oh and to the above letter. If we remove history we are destined to repeat it. Keep the effing statues and flags and use it educate others on how to move forward.
In my opinion, refusal to wear a mask in public expresses total disregard for other people. Definitely not Kauai’s spirit of caring for all.
Richard, WRONG on the rainbow colors! The rainbow is nothing more than diffraction of visible light into its’ constituent colors/wavelengths. Get real.
John from Princeville, SPOT ON! Thank you! I see many people violating the safety protocols established. Selfish, selfish….. and dangerous! It’s the me-me generation that may well snuff themselves out.
I will definitely purchase a bike from the Kauai Cycle in Kapaa this week, thanks to the control freak John and his totalitarian letter. John- you need to never leave your living room. Never go outside – FOR ME.
Pics or it didn’t happen.
It is wrong of you to publish the Kauai cycle letter. Unless you have absolutely conclusive evidence that the story is true, how do you know that the poster is not a competitor bike repair shop. Overall, posting letters like that withou clear evidence, can destroy a business, and the families that depend on that business, would you do the same if it were your business??
100 percent excellent customer service at Kaua’i Cycle shop – when I entered the store 2 weeks ago to have the brakes on my bike repair, both men in the shop were physically repairing bikes. As soon as they saw me enter with my mask on, they each put on their masks. I dislike wearing the mask, however I show the respect towards others, and I have to speak out in support of these two men at Kaua’i Cycle that are following the rules. Shame on the person that tried to bring shame on this business and the person behind the counter, especially if it is a false accusation in vengeance. Mahalo for your service Kaua’i Cycle and I will be in on Monday to pick up my bike …
Kauai Cycle has every option to also write in to the paper if that is the case.
For me it is a matter of common courtesy to others. Kauai Cycle is my bike shop and I’m not happy to hear about this.
As far as one commenter stating that the writer was “not that important” he misses the point entirely. Plenty people go in there, masks help all of us keep the spread down. Can’t be bothered to mask up though because you are so important, helps no one including you. 2 more cases on island July 4th.