Mahalo from assault witness
Just a note to say thank you Laura for the wonderful article on the downtown assault.
I am so thankful to you and to all of the interested people who commented. I am still wondering and worrying about the man who was beaten. If you hear anything could you please let me know?
I just wanted say mahalo and great job!
Robert Hoffman
Lakewood, Wash.
Governor playing the victim
It appears that the governor is using the social media threats from pro-Maunakea supporters to appear to be the victim in this situation that he and his cronies have created in the interest of the almighty dollar.
I don’t condone threats of any kind but I will condone retaliation. Retaliation to the threats of sending out of state police and the National Guard to clear the mountain. This brings up thoughts of how the Hawaiian nation was overcome by American marines sent here to complete the annexation of Hawaii by force for the benefit of westerners and their greed.
Yes, there was no bloodshed but only because our beloved queen put the lives of her subjects ahead of her own safety, and ordered her soldiers to stand down but that was then and this is now. Putting our needs before hers “the queen” is a principle that seems to elude today’s politicians that we elected to see to our needs.
The movement on Maunakea is about preserving our mountain, our culture and our dignity, if we don’t win this battle then what’s to stop greed from taking our identity completely away? So many have written editorials condemning the movement and indirectly insulting us, the people of Hawaii. After reading these letters I look at the name of the author and I can see that they are not from here, and they will never feel Hawaii in their soul only in their wallets.
I don’t now, nor ever will, condone violence and threats. I am an old soul now but when I was younger my thoughts and aggression against threats were much different, just as they are with many young people today. Violence will be met by violence by many and the elders, if this turns out to be the case, will not be able to reason with them. Avoiding violence is the responsibility of our leaders and threats from an outside force by our leaders is an invitation to violence here.
The desecration of our flag was a big insult to us. I thank the leaders on the mountain for stopping this spark before it created a fire. To you westerners, how would you have reacted if it was the stars and stripes that had been desecrated in such a way?
After TMT moves to the Canaries, this fight for Hawaiian recognition will continue at the polls. We will remember each politician who put money before the people. Like Maunakea, we will rally to the polls and vote and you will be looking for a job to support your families.
Good luck with that.
Paul Santos
Ocean View