Letters for Wednesday, August 25, 2021
See your friends in ‘Jungle Cruise’
See your friends in ‘Jungle Cruise’
Wow, about two years before this pandemic of COVID-19 hit the world, in March of 2018, nearly 4,000 hopefuls packed themselves closely into the Kaua‘i Beach Resort ballrooms.
This was Disney’s casting call for “Jungle Cruise” extras.
Eventually, less than 300 people got the call back to be an extra on this exciting film. Our entire family tried out, but it was my husband, Dale, who received the call back to become an extra.
Usually an ironworker, Dale was able to take a break for close to a month. He became a dock worker/fisherman for the film. How exciting to be in a movie with Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson.
Shortly after “Jungle Cruise,” The Rock filmed another movie here on Kaua‘i. This was a moving called “Hobbs and Shaw,” a spinoff of the “Fast and Furious” franchise. The film was financed partially by The Rock himself, and Dale was also an extra in that film. A lot of that movie was filmed right here in Koloa. Much of the beginning of “Jungle Cruise” was filmed here on Kaua‘i. If you watch closely you may see friends.
This film is getting a lot of attention. Applebee’s restaurant is offering a free movie ticket to anyone spending $24 or more. It’s such a shame that we don’t have the Lihu‘e cinemas or Applebee’s restaurant here on Kaua‘i.
At least we have Disney+, where you can stream the movie before you can buy it on DVD. Congrats to all of our Kaua‘i celebrities. We shall see you all on the big screen.
Lana M. Lopez-Lono, Koloa
Numbers of deaths caused by vaccine wrong
You need to fact-check letters!
The letter on Sunday, Aug. 22 regarding deaths caused by COVID vaccination is the type of false information that is causing people to avoid getting vaccinated, and you publish it without at least looking up the facts! The letter says incorrectly that 12,000 people have died as a result of taking the vaccine. Read this:
Over 339 million vaccine doses were given to 187.2 million people in the U.S. as of July 19, 2021. The vaccines have been proven to be safe and effective. Vaccination is happening under the most-intensive safety monitoring in U.S. history.
How do we know if someone dies after getting a vaccine?
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration requires vaccination-providers to report any death after COVID-19 vaccination to the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS).
When these reports are received, doctors from CDC and FDA review death certificates, autopsies and medical records to understand what happened with each person.
How many people have died after getting a vaccine?
Between December 2020 and July 19, 2021, VAERS received 6,207 reports of death (0.0018% of doses) among people who got a vaccine. But this does not mean the vaccine caused these deaths.
Doctors and safety monitors carefully review the details of each case to see if it might be linked to the vaccine. There are three deaths that appear to be linked to blood clots that occurred after people got the J&J vaccine. Since we now know how to correctly treat people who develop these blood clots, future deaths related to this very-rare side effect can be prevented.
After careful review of the additional data, doctors have decided that there is no evidence at all that the vaccines contributed to the other patient deaths. Nonetheless, the CDC and FDA will continue to investigate every single report of death (and other adverse events) reported to VAERS.
By way of comparison, getting COVID-19 while unvaccinated poses a grave risk. As of July 23, 2021, more than 610,000 deaths have been attributed to the virus in the U.S. alone. Not everyone who dies while having COVID is counted towards this total. Suppose someone who tested positive for COVID-19 was killed in a car accident. The car accident would be the cause of death. This person would be counted as having “died with” COVID, not as having “died of” COVID.
My wife was terminal when she received the vaccine to protect others in the home. It had nothing to do with the vaccine, but was probably reported. How many more people will die because of you publishing this letter?
Tommy Thompson, Princeville
Adults, immunize for sake of keiki
Kaua‘i kids counting on you to be their champion
The vision of the Keiki to Career Initiative is to see that every child has the supports they need to be “healthy, confident, competent and caring.”
I believe this is a vision that most people on Kaua‘i would agree with. I see that in the way that so many people across this island support our kids, because they recognize that we all have a responsibility to care for the next generation.
The past year and a half has been so difficult for everyone, but particularly on our kids. They have lost an entire year of in-person learning, and many have fallen behind. Social and emotional learning is just as important as academics for kids’ development, and our kids have lost opportunities to spend time with their friends and develop those skills as well. Just like adults who have struggled with their mental health over the pandemic, many parents have reported increased anxiety or depression in their kids.
Our educators, nonprofits and health-care workers have sacrificed so much over the pandemic and worked tirelessly to support our kids and families so that they can make it this far and finally have a shot at returning to in-person learning. The last year and a half has truly tested the idea of resilience in our community, and for each family. Our kids, who might not yet have the ability to be resilient on their own, are counting on ALL adults on this island to look out for them.
One of our “Ten Tips to Build Youth Resilience” is to encourage folks to be a child’s champion. Every child needs at least one adult in their life that is in their corner, someone who listens to them and supports them through challenges. This builds resilience and will help that child overcome challenges later in life as an adult.
Right now, there is something that most of us adults can do to support our children through this profoundly difficult challenge that we all face. It is something simple, but will make all the difference. It will help keep our kids in school and give them a shot to catch up academically. It will protect their health, both mental and physical. It will show them that you care about them, their health and their future just as much as you care about your own.
I am not trying to convince those protesting at the County Building. I am speaking to those who are on the fence or intend to get the vaccine. Please reach out to health workers. Get your questions answered. If you are not immunocompromised I hope you will make the decision to protect the health and wellbeing of our keiki. The delta variant is not only threatening their academic and social development and mental health, it is also a threat to their lives.
Alice Luck, Lihu‘e
‘Get over yourself and get the shot’
Oh my, the “no masker vaxers” are back on Rice Street, which seems to be their location choice.
Perhaps because county buildings are the “hot bed” of where COVID-19 “oppression conspiracies” are created by the mayor and his crafty band of county counselors who meet in secret to plot the demise of the dreaded virus.
Well, at least they’re not driving around honking their car horns and making no new friends. One sign proclaimed “freedom of choice.”
So everyone who got vaccinated doesn’t have a choice to not be breathed on and infected by someone who contracts the delta variant easily and spreads it.
So kind of you “freedom fighters” to consider the rest of the community — not. Do any of these pathetically misinformed protestors (using that word loosely) ever hear of the “sugar cube eaters?”
I doubt it, as that would require a semblance of historical knowledge. The whole country lined up at schools — parents and kids — and we all got a sugar cube. The communities came together so no one would get polio again. Nobody whined about getting a cavity or kids getting hyper. We ate the cube. Get over yourself and get the shot.
Lawrence Hornbeck, Kilauea
Visitor limit likely will never be imposed
This is more of a question to the TGI readership than a letter of opinion. Who (if anyone) sets the limits on visitors to the state? No doubt the Hawaii Tourism “Authority” is involved, but who else? The resorts? The car-rental interest? The Legislature? Is it realistic to think a limit could ever be imposed?
Thanks.
Bill Parker, Kapa‘a
Kaua‘i needs restrictions now
I truly hope that Mayor Kawakami will seriously consider putting in place some more restrictions on Kaua‘i right now as O‘ahu has done, such as limiting gathering size outdoors and indoors, since we know that the spread of the delta variant is much greater the larger the group.
If we have more restrictions NOW we can hopefully avoid having to look at another lockdown in the future. The only other option is for a lot more of our residents to step up to the plate and get vaccinated, especially now that Pfizer has FDA approval.
What would you prefer, to vaccinate or wind up having another lockdown possibly affect your business and your quality of life on Kaua‘i?
This is our reality. COVID is not going away.
Petrina Blakely, Kapa‘a
It is hard to say that taking the vaccine will directly cause death. For reason other illness may already exist. But to say directly linked to death, small amount. Should they take it? Up to the person. It helps.
I’m curious to see what new anti-vaccination rhetoric social media will deciminate to its brainwashed sheep now that the “vaccine is experimental” ploy is defunct.
The newest excuse to not get the shot will no doubt show up in the next few days, parroted by the haters who troll this forum.
What if we refuse to let them provoke us with misinformation and just ignore their attempts to rile us? What they have to say really does not warrant a second thought; let alone the time or effort it would take to respond. We are never going to convince them they are being duped.
Would it be good to have their help in fighting the pandemic? Of course! But I don’t see that happening. Since they won’t help, the least they could do would be to get out of the way and stop trying to making things worse. Unfortunately; I don’t see that happening either.
So let’s do what is within our power to protect ourselves and those we love. By following the science and using commonsense, we will slow the spread of the virus and our lives will return to some semblance of normal. And it will be done with love for our fellow human beings and a desire keep them from harm.
There’s alot to be done and absolutely no reason to waste any precious energy engaging in toxic debate with these sad, misguided pawns.
Take heart. We are on the right side of history.
He who has ears, let him hear! This is the climate of your island. These letters are the majority. The beauty of Kauai is not worth the suffering you will incur at their hands and tattle-tale tongues. The writing is on the wall. Give them their paradise, because if they do not repent, it will be their only paradise. You who have HOPE have a greater paradise when you enter into life. Prepare yourselves, arm yourselves with the FULL armor. Ask for the ancient paths and walk in them! Look to Australia or New York or France to see your political future, Kauai. Ask if you should be there for that. If not, consider leaving (and all the negative nancies will applaud you as you go, but they have their reward). The Father is calling His own from the East, West, North and South. They are leaving in droves from cities and Satan’s strongholds to various locations He is directing them to. Repent of your blindness and distractedness and ask Him where he would have you go! Speak Truth along the way! He will direct your steps. The wicked will pass away as chaff.
If the world goes back to normal (unlikely), Kauai will always be there. But it is doubtful you will want to return when you realize how blind and deaf the majority is, how there are still groups of people who appreciate diversity and choice, and how overtaken the islands have become to fearmongerers and vaccine pushers. Pride comes before the fall. We all will eat our choices.
Reminds me of my favorite verse: he who is a sheep spouts passages from a book of fairytales
It makes my blood boil that these “antivaccers” still assert Constitutional rights today, with vast knowledge available to the verify the effectiveness of these vaccines. What about my Constitutional rights to not being exposed to your foolishness? Your “right” to swing your arm ends at my nose!
I watched the move “Jungle Cruise”, and did not enjoy it much at all. I though it was a rehash of scenes from “Raiders of the Lost Ark”, “Pirates of the Caribbean”, and a weak link to the classic film “African Queen”. It was hard to find any original thoughts in the story line. It was hard to watch and stay interested. But that’s just me. And congratulations to those that had an opportunity to be on film.
Lots of talk about the vaccine and masks still. As a person that is vaccinated and still wears a mask in public for my personal protection, it was my choice to do these things for myself and family. I also do not want to be a carrier and spreader of any virus. It’s just common sense at play here. Similar to not walking barefoot in the backyard of a dog owner, I don’t want it coming in contact with my body. But there are those that should not get the vaccine. For instance, I have a good friend that is still suffering for months after he got his first vaccine shot. The symptoms are extreme arthritis like pain and stiffness in his back, neck, and all body joints. It turns out that his immune system is so strong that it is fighting the vaccine. In his past, he had a similar but less extreme reaction to a flu shot. So he stopped getting flu shots at the advice of his doctor. He got the COVID vaccine because he helps care for a 70+ year old friend, and did not want to get his friend sick. But now, his friend is caring for him since he can’t do much of anything. And my friend is (was) a healthy person that goes (went) to the gym twice a day, and is known his muscle bulk, strength, and healthy eating habits. So if you can, talk to your doctor about your medical history and see if you are a good candidate for the vaccine. If you aren’t, wear a mask and continue to practice social distancing and good hygiene. As for wearing masks to prevent spreading the flu, I’ve heard that the masks provide very little protection against the flu virus. But good hygiene and distancing do help. Let’s stay with common sense and personal choice.
Yea our newspaper is owned by the Canadian media mogul David Holmes Black. He owns our paper, the Star Advertiser on Oahu and over 150 other small papers. His priorities have absolutely zero to do with our community. I wonder if he’s even been here before? Since he took over in 2014 the paper has gotten more right wing and is definitely more right than our general population. And yea no one fact checks, and the paper has given undue attention to the same sad group of people who protest on Rice St. During the 2 decades I’ve been a reader, the paper has become increasingly disconnected from the island. Dennis F is about the last one who is from the older days. The irresponsible coverage has contributed to the spread of Covid here.
Where’d you get this news?
Most of what Uncleaina stated is true. It’s well known that Black Press Group Ltd., which owns and operates the Honolulu Star Advertiser and TGI, is interested in only one thing: making money. It’s their modus operandi. That was one of the big reasons why nearly 75% of The Garden Island’s staff was laid off in 2013 when they took over.
I agree Petrina Blakely. Our mayor needs to step up NOW and impose restrictions on these large gatherings INCLUDING tourists activities. I am so disappointed that he has turned his back on the residents.
I appreciate your support Kainoa – I hate to impact events like the wedding business that have just gotten going again – perhaps they could require proof of vaccination and be allowed to have larger events. It’s time to start thinking outside the box.
Mr. Hornbeck,
“Sugar Eaters!”….. wasn’t that a sweet deal. We as a community got vaccinated then without any protesting.
Yesterday, 24th of August 2021 on the TGI Forum. I read another interesting comment that read like this, “when we all were born up to kindergarten. We all had all kinds of vaccine !”
So, with that said(mentioned above), “these protesters of the Covid-19 are irresponsible from keeping their families, neighbors, and friends safe.” or maybe just afraid of getting poke in the arm.
These protesters are probably some of those people who protest of island/state lockdown. They want to eat their cake and have it to!
Here you go Tommy! You mentioned VAERS so here are their actual numbers of reported problems caused by the vaccine as of this month. One of my best friends was in the hospital for 5 days, almost died on the 2nd day until they found a pulse and brought him back. FROM THE SO CALLED “VACCINE”!
Here are your actual VAERS reported cases of problems after taking the shot:
Severe Allergic reactions – 22,286
Thrombocytopenia – 1,932
Permanent Disability – 12.808
Myocarditis/Pericarditis – 3,201
Heart Attacks – 4,799
Miscarriages – 1,272
Bells Palsy – 3,714
Anaphylaxis – 4,110
Trips to Urgent Care – 65,067
Hospitalizations – 4,991
Deaths – 11,940
VAERS is a government controlled division of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control. Yes. These are “reported” cases called in, but the CDC does all they can to verify. Just like the so called “reported” Covid deaths. Reported because they went to the hospital or clinics etc.. There were 10 times the “reported” cases because most people who get Covid just hang in there and get over it like any flu. There are also millions of Covid positive people who don’t, and didn’t, even know they had it. A little runny nose and gone! So look at these numbers knowing there may be some false reporting that the CDC hasn’t verified. I firmly believe that at a minimum 90% are accurate. You want the shot? Get it! This is America!! You don’t want to experiment with your long term health, get it and hopefully you’ll eventually get the Virus, and have a runny nose, but be even safer than those who got jabbed with the temporary RNA altered shot. By the way! It was just discovered in January of this year that scientists for the first time observed RNA being converted back to DNA! Nobel prize for sure!! What does that mean to the RNA alteration that created the shot? Can the engineered RNA in your body from the shot reverse transcriptase the script to morph into DNA? Wouldn’t that cause an alarming defect of your current DNA which could lead to horrible consequences for generations to come in your families. Nobody, NOT EVEN THE SCIENTISTS IN THE WORLD knows the different realities that may come? It’s a gamble that some art simply not ready to take!
https://sciencebulletin.org/new-discovery-shows-human-cells-can-write-rna-sequences-into-dna/#:~:text=New%20discovery%20shows%20human%20cells%20can%20write%20RNA,feat%20more%20common%20in%20viruses%20than%20eukaryotic%20cells.
I will make this quick and short for all you people pushing your beliefs onto others about them getting vaccinated. The vaccination is FREE and AVAILABLE to all ADULTS. If you want to be safe, get vaccinated. If you want to chance your own health, don’t get vaccinated. Once vaccinated can you spread it still, yes. Probably to a person who chose not to get vaccinated. Why is that your business then. They made that choice knowing the possible outcome. Yes vaccinated can carry and pass it, but the chances of the vaccinated dying are well below 1%. So again, why is it your friggin business if I want to possibly get sick and die. Your VACCINATED. HELLO, MCFLY!!!! Your safe.
Thank you Nothingsfree for your intelligent comments. I appreciate a scientific explanation as to why many people do not want the shot. It’s still experimental as far as knowing any long term side effects. I am so tired of the fear mongering and demonization of those who choose to strengthen the immune system in ways other than this Covid messengerRNA injection. I’m not antivax. But this one, no way. My Body my Choice. Or is that slogan only for eliminating inconvenient pregnancy’s..