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LETTERS for June 21 issue

By Staff | Jun 21, 2012

Second Friday features multiple attractions

We would like to correct some inaccuracies in the recent letter about Second Friday in Lahaina. Maui Town Parties is an initiative that was created by the County of Maui Office of Economic Development. The goal of the initiative is to increase revenues for the existing “brick and mortar” businesses in Maui’s small towns by holding special promotions on Friday nights. The Second Friday of the month is Lahaina’s night, and there are events and promotions ongoing throughout the town. The concert at Campbell Park is one of those many events; it is not the only Second Friday event. Many of these promotions and events overlap, and that is part of the fun.

Lahaina Restoration Foundation has held its popular Ha’ina Hou series on the lawns of both the Baldwin Home and Wo Hing museums every Second Friday since the kickoff of the island-wide town parties in December of 2011. In addition, the candle lit tour of the Baldwin Home held every Friday night has been an ongoing event since 2008.

Although LAC originally was asked to head up Second Friday, the county has since appointed a steering committee, of which LAC is a member, to coordinate the event.

There is no lack of aloha at Second Fridays in Lahaina. We invite everyone into town to visit the shops, eat at the restaurants, stroll through the galleries celebrating Art Night, visit the museums and enjoy the variety of entertainment venues and the fun, festive atmosphere of historic Lahaina Town.

THEO MORRISON, Executive Director. Lahaina Restoration Foundation

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Respect your neighbors’ culture

Robert Janson wrote that rooster owners are “just plain rude” and asked what kind of culture has no respect for their neighbors in his letter. Well, Mr. Janson, rooster owners have been on the island for MANY generations. Who are you to come in and tell them they are rude? And how are you supposed to keep a rooster quiet? It is in their NATURE to crow at sunrise and, yes, at other times of the day. I have lived in Lahaina all of my life, and I never hear any complaints about roosters except from new arrivals. How do we keep them quiet?

What kind of culture did you think you would encounter in Hawaii? Did you not know that we are the Melting Pot of the Pacific? The only culture that has no respect for their neighbors are the Mainlanders that move here, put up fences and walls, and complain about the families who are only doing what they have been taught over the years. Do you know that in the plantation camp I grew up in, we had roosters, goats, pigs, ducks and geese? There was an imu in our yard, and our Polynesian neighbors had a fire pit. Many cultures in one camp, but all entwined with each other to create the Hawaiian culture. If you had a problem with a neighbor, you worked it out. It’s called ho’oponopono… to make right.

I bought a T-shirt for my husband a few years ago that says it best, and I would like to share those words with you, Mr. Janson. Plain and simple, it says “Respect The Culture.” No matter which one it is, because one day, you might be living next to someone who raises pigs, goats or geese. When you stop your noise, you’ll discover that the roosters won’t even matter to you.

KIM CHANG, Lahaina

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Idle workers should find new jobs

(The following letter was sent to Maui County Council members.)

I’m just beginning to think that it might be an answer when the labor union reps and their “out of work” members testify at your meetings in favor of ALL development (no matter where or what it is), because they’ve been out of work for two or three or four years. Is it at all wrong to suggest that they might look for another line of work?

I worked 25 years for the County of Maui and took retirement at 48 years old because of the retirement system rules at that time. But because I wouldn’t be getting enough to support my family and was too young for Medicare, I HAD to look for another job, no matter what it was.

I worked restaurants and security, mostly, but it was nine different jobs that I held before receiving medicare at age 65.

Does this send a message to all of you as an answer or comeback to the “asking for a favorable vote on a development because they’re out of work?” I realize that you all expect the labor union vote come election time, but enough is enough. Don’t you think?

And how many people are moving into these new developments coming from “someplace else?” We’re not building affordable homes for our local people anymore. It’s for those from “da adda place.”

GORDON C. COCKETT, Lahaina

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Fix Hawaii’s justice system

Unfortunately, we have a judicial system in Hawaii that tends to make a mockery out of justice. Judges are appointed by a judicial committee, which is again appointed by a committee. But if you follow the trail, they are de facto appointed by the governor for a ten-year tenure, and if they don’t screw up big time, the next tenure is assured or they get kicked up (state to federal, federal to appellate, etc.). The same goes for prosecutors.

In my opinion, we already have a police state and police-controlled counties in Hawaii. Add to that ridiculous plea agreements and verdicts, and the people are running against an impenetrable wall.

Judges and prosecutors should be ELECTED in the general election for four years. Then they would know that they will be held accountable and have to answer to the residents of their district(s).

I urge every voter to contact his/her representative and senator and demand that a bill to that extent be introduced! If they refuse or don’t act accordingly, then vote THEM off the next time around.

A lot of our laws are already outdated or simply illogical. Add to that the wheeling and dealing in court, and justice becomes a mockery. A potential recall at the general election would make a judge think twice before rendering a ludicrous or outright outrageous verdict. The people have a RIGHT to choose who is sitting in judgment of them. Our hands are tied by the government; we cannot even put a referendum on a ballot, since the Constitution of Hawaii prohibits it.

But in short, judges and prosecutors MUST be elected. There are many states in the United States where this is done, and justice is served a lot better. An appointment just gives them carte blanche. The powers that be in Hawaii ALREADY have way too much power!

JOHN BLAHUTA, Lahaina

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Thanks for helping me

I just want to say mahalo to a couple of guys who helped me out on Hui Road F on Saturday, June 9. They helped with a problem I was having, and I wanted to send them my appreciation.

Also, mahalo to the lady who stopped to see if I needed any help. Kudos to her also. They know who they are.

DOUG KARR, Napili

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Wrecked car is gone

Thanks to the June 7 letter from Mr. Hogsett Sr., we have removed the abandoned vehicle from behind the 100 block of Hiki Place. All you had to do was ask the right person.

THROCKMORTON SERVICE & REPAIR INC.