Project list incomplete
I’ve been watching all the government building projects. We will have a new judiciary building, a new prosecutors building, new county offices, remodeling the airport (again) and a new highway.
These all serve the various county and state workers and makes the people’s lives better, everything in the same place. Now can we please talk about a new hospital near the airport (access to medevac)?
If we have a real hospital we might be able to attract some doctors, maybe a teaching hospital, so our kids can study right here in Kona. In my list of priorities this would have been first. I didn’t include our mayor’s proposed “peace park.” I don’t think it would hit the short list, I don’t think it should be built at all, we cannot improve the mountain, leave it alone.
Tom Pyne
Kona
Praying for political aims a threat to democracy
In the past, Americans have accepted mention of God in relation to country (God Bless America). The term sufficed to cover a universal idea and was inclusive of many religions, therefore uniting us all as Americans, as one nation under God.
It is now used ever more pointedly for political purposes (you are god-fearing or you are to be feared). The idea of God is now wielded to divide us, or worse, to suggest unquestionable power done “in his name.”
Today’s prayer at a Cabinet meeting in the White House tips the scales as being a blatant and dangerous threat to our democracy.
Prayers, particularly those that specifically mention political gains or aims, must not be solicited by the White House or by any public official. The mention of God must remain inclusive and not become exclusive to any one religion.
Our Constitution and democracy depends on keeping politics separate from religion, as well our forefathers knew. If we do not, we run the risk of becoming yet another nation made up of warring factions divided by religion, race and dogma.
Diane Repp
Kamuela
Have compassion for homeless
How can we help as Hawaii homeless grows more and more each day? It will increase in the near future.
Now with the tax bill approved and many cuts to funding organizations and social groups, it’s very sad that this has been happening all over the U.S. In Hawaii, there are many unsheltered homeless individuals on all islands who are without access to bathrooms or showers.
They have no health insurance and skimp on food. Many of these homeless people get mugged, beaten or sick from the cold. Some people choose to be on the streets but most don’t. Many families lose their jobs and cannot pay the high rents or mortgages here in Hawaii. Many veterans who come back from war zones face these issues.
We — the people here on the Big Island who live comfortably and have warm beds, roofs over our heads and three meals a day — ask yourself, how can I help out?
Even if it’s one can of goods, one jacket, one pair of socks, a pack of toothbrushes, Band-Aids, soap, anything people can do helps out.
There are a few people who go out of their way to help feed the homeless at the Old Airport Park in Kailua-Kona. Some people have been donating jackets and clothing. This is how we should be helping our communities here on the Big Island of Hawaii, whether it’s Kona or Hilo.
Never take things for granted these days, we may be the ones out of their homes.
Rusty Iijima
Waikoloa