As coach would say, ‘Do your job’
I was deeply dismayed upon reading the article entitled “Tour companies trying to hang on” Tuesday. The idea that legitimate taxpaying businesses, businesses that hire Hawaiians, have had to lay off employees, sell off equipment, or even close due to the illegal blockade of the access road on Maunakea is outrageous.
The United States has a proud tradition of civil disobedience. I respect those whose views have motivated them to engage in civil disobedience. But at the same time, I expect the political leaders who have taken the oath of office to fulfill their obligation to fully enforce the law.
It is unconscionable that law-abiding citizens not only are losing their jobs and are at risk of losing their businesses, but that taxpayers are having to pay what is now a multi-million dollar bill to facilitate this now months-long illegal blockade. In the words of New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick, “Do your job,” and stop penalizing your law-abiding constituents.
Alexis Durham
Waikoloa Village
Even if it isn’t popular, stand strong in beliefs
Nowadays, we are unable to have any opinions on any controversial topic whatsoever. If you say one thing, people on the other side will lash out at you and vice versa. People are now afraid to say anything from fear of being shut down by friends, family, acquaintances, or even strangers. People will just follow the mainstream even if they disagree because they don’t want to risk offending anyone.
Even celebrities have to deal with this. For example, when American actress and former talk show host Stacey Dash supported and endorsed Mitt Romney for president, Dash received racial and hate tweets. According to CBS News, someone tweeted “Kill yourself,” another said “You’re an unemployed black woman endorsing @MittRomney. You’re voting against yourself thrice. You poor beautiful idiot.” Dash replied by saying “My humble opinion… EVERYONE is entitled to one.” While Dash was able to stand up for what she believes in, many people are unable due to fear of offending anyone or looking bad.
As a student, I am surrounded by diverse people with diverse ideas and sometimes their personal opinions can cause arguments on who’s right and who’s wrong. Take the TMT debate, for example. Many believe that having TMT built is wrong but some will support it and then be shut down, whether in real life or online. We are entitled to freedom of speech but many of us cannot decide whether to say what we want to say or to go along with what everyone else is saying to feel accepted and welcomed.
If we don’t let our voices be heard, those who are brave enough will make all the choices for us, and they might not be the right ones. I will choose to be different, to make a change, and to make sure my opinion is heard, and you should, too.
Lydia Walker
Honokaa
Double humps ridiculous
Driving down to Pines Trees beach is like being on a bad, old ride. Isn’t it crazy to have double speed humps, not bumps? Our four-wheel drive truck will be ruined by these humps. It’s overkill while people speed up and down Kaiminani Drive like it’s a race track. Where’s the speed bumps?
They made sure they left the beach available to the public then put Godzilla-sized speed humps two in a row to keep people away! One would have been sufficient. Who masterminded this genius plan?
Linda Tohara
Kailua-Kona