Well done, HPD
My wife and I would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to the Hawaii Police Department for its officer’s exemplary service last week. Our small rural neighborhood was gripped with anxiety over two fugitives hiding in our neighborhood while involved in a crime spree that included a stolen vehicle, home invasions and drugs.
Over a three-day period, the officers demonstrated professionalism, diligence and perseverance as they collected evidence, conducted searches (including a sweep of our stream bed in a thunderstorm) and developed a successful strategy to apprehend the suspects. They returned to our neighborhood repeatedly until the mission was accomplished.
We are blessed to have these public servants who selflessly protect our communities and provide the peace of mind we all take for granted in Hawaii. Well done.
Greg Mooers
Sharon Peterson
South Kohala
WHT serves a vital role in community
We wish to thank everyone at West Hawaii Today for continuing to publish this newspaper even as times are difficult and advertising is diminishing for you. You serve a vital role in our community. We would not be complete without you. Keep up your good work.
Mahalo nui loa.
Dr. Barry and Gloria Blum
Kailua-Kona
Economic reopening
When might an economic reopening begin? In Hawaii, the Department of Education says the reopening of schools is not happening “until four weeks pass without any new reported cases of coronavirus.”
What about that same timeline for businesses to reopen? Or when there are enough test kits available and enough testing has been done? Or when there are enough face shields, gowns, gloves, N95 masks and ventilators for patients and medical workers?
Please register to vote and then vote in November.
Vivian Green
Waikoloa
Have we lost our minds?
Have we, as a nation, lost our minds?
When a religious leader states, “I firmly believe that God is larger than this dreaded virus” do we believe him or not, even after he succumbs to the same virus the day before Easter Sunday? The religious leader was Bishop Gerald O. Glenn, a prominent evangelical leader in the Richmond, Virginia area, pastor of New Deliverance Evangelistic Church.
I’m not a believer in any religion. But have no trouble with what someone else believes. I would never consider causing harm to someone for their religious views. How many religious folks share my view regarding this?
What bothers me is that our government, the U.S. government has as our national motto — “In God We Trust” on all coins and paper money. I do spend money. (But never do I give to the collection plate in church). I just don’t trust some religious character, unseen or visible.
How can I? When whatever adversary we as a nation face, we somehow believe that God will save us. This is just wishful thinking without any basis in fact or reason. If that isn’t true, then why do religious people die in the same proportion as non-believes?
In the military, there are chaplains who preach to all their followers, yet in all wars the deaths of service members goes on and on. Can’t God protect those who honorably serve their country? (Almost) all those deceased soldiers (and sailors, marines, airman and coast guard members as well) have lost their lives believing In God We Trust.
Michael L. Last
Naalehu
Look in the mirror
Are these accusations directed in the right direction?
West Hawaii Today on April 15 ran a story from Washington with the following quotes of what President Donald Trump has said: “The WHO failed in its basic duty and must be held accountable;” “The outbreak could have been contained… with very little death;” and “So much death has been caused by their mistakes.”
Maybe someone ought to look in the mirror instead of blaming others.
Marion Humphreys
Kailua-Kona
Letters policy
Letters to the editor should be 300 words or less and will be edited for style and grammar. Longer viewpoint guest columns may not exceed 800 words. Submit online at www.westhawaiitoday.com/?p=118321, via email to letters@westhawaiitoday.com or address them to:
Editor | West Hawaii Today
PO Box 789
Kailua-Kona HI 96745