Reckless behavior deserves consequences
In response to Nina Eejima’s letter about people at Hawaii Volcanoes National Park ignoring the roped-off areas to the crater rim. It’s another example of “rules don’t apply to us.” Every time these fools put themselves in danger and end up needing to be rescued (or bodies recovered), they put the lives of the rescue teams in danger. Maybe they ought to be charged for the cost of their rescue and fined for breaking the rules — then escorted out of the park.
Kathy Cho
Honaunau
Support local journalism
I encourage everyone in West Hawaii and beyond to subscribe to our local paper. The reporting done on COVID-19 has kept us informed and safe, giving us a feeling of community even as we are isolated in our homes. Add to that the exemplary reports on the volcano and its possible effects on our daily lives, we are enriched by your efforts.
Times are tough and hard financial decisions are being made by families hit by loss of tourism and food insecurity. I still urge everyone who can to support local journalism. They provide information about local and state politics we cannot get from national news or newspapers. They do the best of their ability “keep ‘em honest.” In order to do that they need our support.
Mary Beth Hilburn
Captain Cook
A mask won’t kill you
In response to “Am I the Only One.” This IS America with its many freedoms. However, in any civilized society, there must be rules. As a civilized and free society, rules and laws are generally set by a majority.
In this case, as in the recent presidential election, the majority has decided and the majority has agreed that the new (temporary) mask rules should apply. Whether they are correct and the mask actually slows the spread or not, only history will tell, or perhaps we’ll never know. In the meantime, your freedoms end, where ours begin. We have the right to breathe air not potentially blowing around a contagious virus. So stop whining, and put on the mask for a few more months. I doubt wearing a mask for a few minutes outside your car at Costco will kill you, but not wearing may kill someone else down the road in a few weeks.
Jan Engle
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