CONGRATS TO WEST MAUI WRESTLERS

WOW!! What a great achievement by these terrific, hardworking young wrestlers at the state meet! When you see one of these kids in our little tight knit community, please say congratulations!

They worked so hard all season to accomplish a second place finish against great teams from across the state. Our little Napili Surfriders club had ten champions! We are so proud of ALL of you for the great teamwork, good sportsmanship and commitment to the sport. Keep up the good work. We look forward to seeing you all next season. We look forward to those of you moving on to the high school program and what you will accomplish there. These kids are AWESOME!

T&T COOPER, Napili

‘MILEAGE TAX’ IS RIDICULOUS

The “Tax & Spend” politicians in Washington are seriously exploring a federal tax on each mile Americans drive. (I’m certain illegals will be exempt.)

This morning on one of the Saturday morning “talking heads” shows, one female member of the panel, obviously an ensconced liberal, said, “The infrastructure of this country is deteriorating, and the mileage tax will fix this. We need a more efficient way to tax. The problem is we have more fuel- efficient cars, like the hybrids, and therefore use less gas which generates less revenue.” What an all-telling quote!

The eco-nuts demand Americans drive more fuel-efficient cars and more expensive hybrids. Once the fuel-efficient technology is engineered and implemented, the taxes are less because the number of gallons used has decreased. (So why is gas at $5 a gallon?)

Seems the Left never, EVER thinks of the unintended consequences of their policies/actions. Unfortunately, the Left only thinks of ways to tax, tax, tax — never cut. Must keep buying those votes, folks.

Should the “mileage tax” be implemented, a nightmare of new government agencies will be created to oversee the collection of these “taxes.”

Have you had enough yet?

RON BOUDREAUX

DOGS ARE COMPANIONS

In my Kihei Maui Kindness Club art class, I teach kids after school to paint animals. We have a weekly guest speaker that pertains to animal conservation, awareness and responsibility (malama) toward animals, as well as love and attention

In Defense of Animals has a guardian campaign. I strongly believe that promotes the usage of the term “guardian” instead of “owner” when referring to our animal companions. More than an exercise in semantics, this shift promotes a more compassionate relationship between person and animal.

Although the term does not change any legal standing, guardian connotes the responsibility we have for the care, welfare, treatment and quality of life of an animal in our charge.

This week’s guest speaker in my class was from SPCA (Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals) Maui. Peter Tierney taught the children about companion dogs. Afterwards, the kids were instructed how to draw and paint the dogs by the teacher, myself.

Quincee, 8, my art student, said a “rescue dog is saving a dog in a shelter by adopting it.”

Tierney said that a dog named Duke had a family for 8-10 years, was taken to a shelter and waited and waited until Auntie Merlin found the dog.

Prasa, 7 , said rescuing a dog is adopting a dog.

We agree with Peter, who said that “when you adopt a dog, it is forever.”

Janae, 9, said “dogs cannot take care of themselves, so we must adopt them to take care of them.”

Tierney said dogs are not disposable. He said we must not call them pets — owning a dog — but instead call them companion dogs.

Sophia, 7, said “a dog remains beside you like a friend.”

Tierney said we must spay and neuter dogs, and they need water, shelter and veterinary care.

We feel dogs are great companions and great inspiration for artwork, too. We should be guardians.

BARBARA STEINBERG, Kihei

DON’T BLAME RONALD McDONALD FOR OBESITY

Critics still blame the McDonald’s clown spokesman, Ronald McDonald, for having an adverse effect on our children, prompting them to eat junk foods that lead to obesity.

Instead, they should be squawking about the kids’ parents, who allow them to sloth about their premises glued to TV and computer screens, rather than playing games outside.

RAY PEZZOLI JR., Kihei

NOISE BY PETS CAN IMPACT NEIGHBORS

There is a definite reason that we have noise laws to live by… responsible dog owners wake up to quiet their barking dogs; to check on the situation if there is a prowler or a reason.

Irresponsible dog owners sleep right through their barking and let their neighbors take care of it by a process of complaints through the Maui Humane Society, and eventually get fined for the barking noise disturbance!

What gives the right to owners of roosters in residential areas to allow a CONTINUOUS noise of crowing throughout the day and night? While the whole world sleeps, these roosters are ridiculously SCREAMING for no reason throughout the night!

Farm animals need to live on farms, where they can roam and crow as they please — not in a residential area! Our community needs to speak up and make this a law for our peace and quiet enjoyment!

It gets way out of hand when you are not even able to speak on your phone in your own home, and it sounds like these roosters live in your own house! If you agree or know of people who experience this, please don’t hold back! Express your feedback on this!

NAME WITHHELD BY REQUEST

NEW LAW WOULD HELP VICTIMS OF SEXUAL ABUSE

This is Mental Health Awareness Month. One of the most devastating experiences a minor can endure is sex abuse. In my work with children in the Department of Health and elsewhere, I have seen the horrific impact of sex abuse on children and youth. It can cause a lifetime of self-destructive behaviors such as drug use, prostitution, suicide, violence and mental health problems.

A bill that has the ability to alter the course of many lives has finally made it to the governor’s desk to be signed. It is Senate Bill 217, which eliminates the time limitations for sex abuse victims to prosecute their perpetrators. This means that if a minor was sexually abused and not able to prosecute at the time, with the supporting documents of a professional mental health expert, they can finally find justice. Few children and youth have the strength and support to confront an abuser, especially if it is a family member or an adult who threatens and frightens them. The pain of abuse is buried but never fully goes away. Statistics show that 40 percent of sex offenders and 76 percent of serial rapists were sexually abused. In addition, 31 percent of women in prison and 95 percent of teen prostitutes were abused.

Yet there is hope. When a victim can become a “victor” and speak out and declare the truth, it allows a tremendous healing to occur that restores identity, power and confidence.

I would like to ask the governor to please sign SB 217 and for all those who support this new law to take action to make it become a reality. Let us all end a terrible cycle of abuse by empowering those who were most vulnerable and could not defend themselves at the time.

MARALYN KURSHALS, Waianae