Impressed with Rep. Lowen
Yesterday (Dec. 10) I sent an email to my Representative, Nicole Lowen, with my dilemma of getting tested for the COVID-19 within a 72-hour window before flying to Tripler Army Medical Center for back surgery. Christmas and the weekend seemed to make it impossible.
Within an hour, she replied with the info that cleared up the misinformation I’d received. She lifted a very dark cloud over me that seemed ready to dump its darkness.
I’ve never encountered such professional, prompt, and aloha from a public servant in my 43 years in Kona. I’m not ashamed at all to admit I was moved to tears.
Mahalo nui loa, Nicole, aloha ke Akua, a hui hou.
Dennis Lawson
Kalaoa
Less than impressed with Kahele
It is too bad that Nicole Lowen couldn’t just step back into her role, as she is one of the most conscientious elected officials we have. She has kept us all up to date on the COVID pandemic and she has always answered emails and concerns. Mr. Kahele never answered an email, ever. Brian Schatz is also a good representative as he always answers our concerns and responds.
Kahele is stringing us along and taking his time letting us get on with selecting his replacement.
Colleen Wallis
Kailua-Kona
The value of a life
I have a question: How is it that two Hawaii prisoners housed in a mainland for-profit prison have been found dead in their cells due to COVID? Did no one notice that they were desperately ill? Why did they not receive care in a medical facility? Were they alone in illness and in death?
Did their lives somehow have no value?
Beverley Brand
Waikoloa Village
Objectionable ads
I fully understand the deep financial hurt being experienced by West Hawaii Today. I encourage every initiative to improve the situation except one — advertising in the online obituary section. It’s offensive when a reader clicks on the name of a deceased neighbor only to see two ads along with the obit.
But imagine the horror the deceased’s family feels when on of those ads is headlined: “Stop wiping your butt.”
David Polhemus
Waimea
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. Email or address letters to:
Editor
West Hawaii Today
PO Box 789
Kailua-Kona HI 96745
Email: letters@westhawaiitoday.com
