An open letter to Mayor Kawakami, Gov. Ige, Lt. Gov. Green, and all Hawai‘i leaders:
I would like to begin by offering my most sincere compliments of adoration in the exemplary job you have done in protecting what you love: We The People of Kaua‘i.
Because of your team’s sane and scientific based approach to protecting our vulnerable island from the deadly global pandemic of COVID-19, we are a leader in the world of having zero to no cases on our tiny island of only nine ICU beds.
I first moved to Kaua‘i in 1994 and then vowed to always protect what I love: The island of Kaua‘i and her people. I keep my vow and implore you to please do the right thing: KEEP THE TWO-WEEK QUARANTINE UNTIL THE END OF THE PANDEMIC.
A someone who has been the sole caretaker of my frail, 85-yearold mother, who has lived on Kaua‘i since 2009, my mom has bravely fought cancer, two major heart surgeries, and more, all in the past six years. My mother was in the ICU for three days during cancer as she battled for her life and won, thanks to the amazing job of our dedicated doctors at Wilcox Hospital. We all are very aware how easily overrun Wilcox can be with only nine ICU beds.
Exactly 100 years ago, The Spanish Flu came to Kaua‘i and killed 500 Kauaians. We must not repeat history!
While I am very aware of how much our island is suffering from the economic depression we find ourselves in due to the fact that Kaua‘i is so heavily co-dependent on tourism, the ends do not justify the means. We cannot sacrifice the health of the people for the profits of a few.
Whether you are Hawaiians or not, born and raised here or a kama‘aina, Kaua‘i lives matter! Kupuna lives matter!
We The People of Kaua‘i have done such a wonderful job at keeping this virus at bay. We wear our masks. We social distance. We are following the law.
PLEASE DO NOT SELL OUT THE PEOPLE FOR PROFIT!
Myself, and many others voted for you to protect us, take care of us, as good leaders do.
Let it be known that myself and thousands of others implore you to do the right thing: DO NOT BE PRESSURED TO OPEN THE FLOODGATES TO NEGLIGENT TOURISM!
For once the virus takes hold here, all hope will be lost, and our island will never be the same again. One life lost is too many.
Please help me protect my mother, my neighbor, my community and myself from this deadly virus, of which there is currently no cure. The only “cure” is keeping it OFF of Kaua‘i.
Also, please remember, that during times of a national crisis, the power is bestowed on you, dear mayor.
Mahalo nui loa for continuing to be of great service and protecting We The People of Kaua‘i.
Abundant blessings of health to you and your ‘ohana.
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Mahana Dunn is the founder and president of Indigo Foundation, a 503-c-3 nonprofit of Hawai‘i.
