Letters for Wednesday, April 27, 2022

Bring on the comments

I hope that even my worst critics remain on the TGI Forum/comments.

Because that is what free speech means.

Howard Tolbe, ‘Ele‘ele

Hooser should support council districts

If Gary Hooser would “like to see us move forward, not backward,” and see “candidates reflecting a broader diversity of viewpoints, new ideas, new energy and new voices,” then why doesn’t he support districting?????

Linda Estes, Koloa

Not out of COVID woods yet

For the 2nd time I thought I was done writing about COVID. BUT I’m not.

We just had relatives visit for 10 days. They are all vaccinated, wear masks as required and then some. The mask mandate was still in affect when they flew home. However, while driving home from an SF Bay Area airport, the teen daughter started coughing.

Once they were home, they did the test — positive. A day later the son tested positive. Thankfully, their symptoms are mild and the parents tested negative. We all did a lot of outdoor activities, but they did go to restaurants. We are not “out of the woods” on this pandemic. It just feels like we are.

Now, a judge is deciding health mandates, and what a big surprise — a Trump appointee who never tried a case. Many stores and restaurants have dropped mask requirements for customers, i.e. Costco, etc. Perhaps they should reconsider for the safety of employees and customers.

Lawrence Hornbeck, Kilauea

Signs, gate at Queen’s Bath make no difference

The fact that Queen’s Bath remains an ongoing issue for accidents is the definition of insanity, whereas the same thing occurs over and over and nothing changes, i.e., visitors who just have to take the chance and capture THAT photo against all odds and get swept out to sea.

Obviously the signs do not make a difference, nor does the gate.

The ongoing risk to our hard-working rescue workers and continuous drain on all of us taxpayers is ludicrous simply because this has been allowed to go on for so long.

Sure, it is beautiful and safe when the waters are calm, but the parking is still a nightmare for the neighborhood, and the hike can still be dangerous for those who are not able. So it’s apparent that it’s past time for major changes here.

Wouldn’t it be less expensive for the county to hire private security to monitor the area with or without the partnership of Princeville? Or, better yet, close the parking lot altogether. It’s time for ideas and solutions versus turning heads the other way and waiting for the next occurrence.

Petrina Blakely, Kapa‘a