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LETTERS for the October 4 issue

By Staff | Oct 4, 2018

Paltin a much better candidate than Nava

Normally you do not talk stink on Maui, but if you are running for County Council, you are fair game. Any endorsements or votes for Rick Nava are a mistake.

Nava is opposed by Tamara Paltin – clearly the superior candidate. Nava does not exactly have a sterling reputation here on the West Side.

Nava’s opponent, Paltin, is smart – in my view a most important qualification for office. Paltin graduated from Hilo High School with honors and has a Bachelor’s Degree (also with honors} in Mathematics and Education from North Arizona University. Who among us is smart enough to get a mathematics degree?

Nava has a high school education and attended, but did not graduate, from college..

Paltin co-founded the Save Honolua Coalition, saving Lipoa Point from development, and has been president since 2007. She was named a “Person Who Made a Difference” in 2007 by The Maui News.

Tamara’s impact was shown when she got 40,000 votes for mayor (not easy), running against the better known Mayor Arakawa.

Is there any doubt she is the most qualified to represent us on the County Council?

NORM BEZANE, Kaanapali

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Educational funding vital

In the recent debate going on about Hawaii’s educational funding of public schools (taxing investment properties), it may help to think about it from a different perspective.

What were our children born to do? With us telling the story of resistance to our children’s educational funding, we take away their dreams of a better Hawaii and their pursuit of choice of calling in writing, painting, music, film, dance or any creative art.

Were they born to be a playwrights? Cure cancer? Create a painting that would change the world forever – even if it’s just theirs?

LEO THINER-BRICKEY, Honokowai

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Corruption rampant in Hawaii

Decades of corruption and exploitation are adding up. “How long will the wicked triumph? How long, Lord?” (Psalm)

Questionable things are still taking place in Hawaii.

For instance, if interveners prevail in Lahaina’s Kahoma Village pending lawsuit, should developers be required to remove existing structures? Do occupied buildings unfairly influence government agencies and unjustly mitigate the court’s rulings?

Or, how are Hawaiian families supposed to fight the Mark Zuckerbergs of the world in expensive courts of law? Should agricultural land sales, developments and quiet-title and quit-claim suits stop until these issues are resolved?

Is negligent land use providing fuel for fire, placing people in life-threatening situations? Should entities controlling agricultural land be required to maintain property for public safety and welfare? Or pay maintenance fees to fund agriculture? Or enact “Use it… or lose it” legislation?

Does that infringe on property rights? Or do fraudulently possessed Hawaiian lands negate U.S. property right laws?

Would higher taxes and a moratorium on sales of undeveloped agricultural land be incentive to plant crops, trees and pastures? Could it help Hawaiians regain their ancestral lands?

“It has been shown here in Hawaii there is an element composed of men of energy and determination, well able to carry through what they undertake, but not scrupulous respecting their methods.”

Queen Lili’uokalani continues, “They doubtless control all the resources and influence of the present ruling power in Honolulu, and will employ them tirelessly in the future, as they have in the past, to secure their ends.”

MICHELE LINCOLN, Lahaina

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Stars speak out against animal cruelty

As “The Big Bang Theory” CBS juggernaut rolls into a record 12th season, most of the gang exploring mysteries of the universe have gone vegan, opting for plant-based eating.

Leading actress Kaley Cuoco (Penny) also campaigns against Canadian slaughter of baby seals. Mayim Bialik (Amy) and Kunal Ayyar (Raj) are asking the U.S. to join the European Union in ending cruel cosmetic testing on animals. Johnny Galecki (Leonard) did it for personal health.

Dozens of other celebrity entertainers have gone vegan in recent years. They include Casey Affleck, Pamela Anderson, Alec Baldwin, Bob Barker, Beyonce, James Cameron, Jessica Chastain, Miley Cyrus, Ellen DeGeneres, Emily Deschanel, Peter Dinklage, Sara Gilbert, Ariana Grande, Daryl Hannah, Woody Harrelson, Anne Hathaway, Jennifer Lopez, Madonna, Tobey Maguire, Demi Moore, Michelle Pfeiffer, Joaquin Phoenix, Brad Pitt, Natalie Portman, Alicia Silverstone and Stevie Wonder.

Most seek to avoid oppressing and killing animals. Some look to reduce their risk of obesity, diabetes, heart disease, stroke and cancer. Still others care about the devastating impacts of animal agriculture on climate change, water quality and wildlife habitats.

Compelling reasons for every one of us, as we get ready for “The Big Bang Theory” #12!

LESTER NAITO, Lahaina