Kona looks rough
from afar
As an avid reader of your paper, I wish to comment on an column by Barry and Louise Christian about the state of Kona at the moment.
We have visited your beautiful island several times, and have always enjoyed our stays at Kona for the peaceful and enjoyable atmosphere and wonderful people. Our last trip was 2012 and involved a lot of family from all over the states and my home in Australia.
We are now planning an even bigger family reunion and discussed a return trip to Kona. However, with all the bad press about the homeless people disrupting everyone’s lives there, it doesn’t sound as nice. Hence, we may go to Maui or stay on the North Shore of Oahu again.
Shame, but I just wanted to let you know that it isn’t just island people who take note of what’s going on, many people from around the globe have a connection and love for your island. Thanks for taking the time to read this.
Dennis O’Conner
Australia
Keep driving voters away, GOP
I noticed that David Azerrad (April 26) is listed as holding positions in at least two extreme right wing organizations so he can’t possibly understand why a Democrat would greet his column on the death of the NeverTrump movement with a resounding cheer!
Azerrad points to Trump’s reactionary pro-rich, anti-working class policies as “accomplishments” while they are doing nothing but increasing alienation. He fails to mention Trump actually lost the popular vote in 2016. Currently, Trump stands at 39% in the polls and dropping since the “underwhelming conclusion of the Mueller investigation” and only 25% of likely voters say they will vote for him and 52% say they will absolutely not do so. Trump as never moved his poll numbers to 50%.
Democrats should also be delighted to see 89% of Republicans are sticking with Trump, who took his party to a historical beating in the 2018 Congressional elections and every indication is he will do so again in 2020. The election is up to the Democrats to lose.
There is nothing to indicate looking at the United States politically, economically and culturally that says the future is bright for the Trump Republicans or the party generally and that is why they are doing everything possible to restrict the vote wherever they can as they did in Georgia and Florida in 2018.
So, I would say to Azerrad and the Republican Party, keep on doing what you are doing — we Democrats love it !
William Johnston
Kailua-Kona
