Letters to the Editor: March 18, 2020

Thank you for putting the community first

Dear Aunty Luana and the Ke Kai Ala Foundation,

Canceling your Kona Brewers Festival events had to be an extremely difficult decision to make. Thank you for putting the health and safety of our community first by choosing to do so. There may be people who are disappointed and angry at the choice you have made but you have saved lives.

Social distancing is the new aloha. Be well.

Dr. Marta Derieg, MD

Kailua Kona

Support needed amid cancellations

It is without a doubt that the Big Island’s hospitality as well as the food and beverage industry are going to continue to be hit hard amid COVID-19. I would also like to shine light on our nonprofits for the arts and venues for the performing arts.

Shows and events are being canceled left and right at venues across the island. I would like to encourage individuals that if you have tickets for a live theater or entertainment event that has been canceled due to the virus, or has not been canceled but you are choosing to responsibly social distance yourself because you yourself have been feeling unwell, to please consider donating your money to the theater instead of asking for a refund. This is the kind of thing that kills arts organizations. And above all, please remember to be kind to one another out there.

Nicole Gour

Kona

That’s some fine driving

A big mahalo to 99% to the drivers who passed me, the guy in the bright yellow shirt, Sunday morning when I was riding my bike from Kawaihae to Kapaau. Hopefully, some of you saw my shaka sign. Without the howling trade winds the bike ride along the Kohala coast was a fantastic way to get some exercise during these uncertain times.

I have biked in Europe and New Zealand and the courtesy shown by the drivers on Sunday on the Big Island was as good or better than any place I have ridden. Almost all drivers, young and old, gave me plenty of room, distancing themselves from the shoulder of the road where I was riding. Many even crossed the center line, safely when no cars were coming the other way to give me even more room.

It was great to experience so much aloha and I look forward to more rides in the future.

Rick Karger

South Kohala