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LETTERS for November 15 issue

By Staff | Nov 15, 2012

Nobody helping the U.S. after Sandy

I guess that I am just a curious person, because every time there is a big catastrophe anywhere in the world – like a tornado, volcano eruption, earthquake or hurricane – the United States is usually the first to send money and aid to help.

My question is, how many different countries have signed up to help the United States after Hurricane Sandy?

ROBERT P. POTTER, Napili

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Halloween isn’t family friendly

Dancil is right. It is not pono for the county and LahainaTown Action Committee to spend taxpayers’ money to promote drinking and costumes – like women dressed up like hookers – to our keiki and call this a family friendly event.

The only part of Halloween in Lahaina that is “family friendly” is the keiki parade, which is fine. Otherwise, this event is all about money, which they admit, while they make their money at the expense of our keiki and our culture in our historic town district.

Hawaiians may act like they don’t care anymore, because they are tired of being the bad guys and fighting a fight they don’t win against the money, selfishness and greed of an invasive culture determined to get what they want, how they want, when they want.

“Ua Mau Ke Ea O Ka Aina I Ka Pono” may be the State Motto, but it continues to be exploited like the people of the aina for their aloha. The kupuna do not support the county bypassing the Cultural Resources Commission in our historic town district of Lahaina. What kind of legacy and education do we leave for our children – a Mardi Gras of the Pacific or the Hawaiian culture in this national historic town district?

PATRICIA NISHIYAMA, Lahaina

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Changes to Honolua already underway

I thought the surfing community was overwhelmingly in favor of preserving Honolua Bay, but I must be wrong. One group recently expended great effort to dig out a portion of the cliff at Honolua and build a permanent shelter. Clearly visible from over a mile away at D.T. Fleming beach, the construction defaced the cliff and permanently alters the landscape in the conservation zone.

I’m curious as to what part of “conservation” is so difficult to understand? The group who built the hale will say, “What’s the big deal? This is a great place to relax and watch the surf with our friends.” Developers will use the same argument when they build homes here. It illustrates just how hard it is to educate people to protect and conserve the land; to simply leave it untouched.

Sadly, construction of the hale shows how little influence environmentalists like the Save Honolua Coalition may actually have. One wonders if there was an effort to halt the construction and educate the builders, or if there is actually tacit approval?

The structure is now a permanent reminder of man’s intrusion into an otherwise pristine natural place. It gives Maui Land and Pine more reason to take stricter control of the area. It invites the DLNR to do the same. Perhaps the Save Honolua Coalition should organize removing the structure and attempt to repair some of the environmental damage. This would prove the sincerity of those who genuinely wish to see Honolua Bay left unchanged.

NAME WITHHELD BY REQUEST

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A sad election

It is one day prior to Election Day. We have the choice between Linda Lingle and Mazie Hirono for U.S. Senate. In my opinion, neither one is even remotely qualified to replace our retiring senator. Why don’t they make them like Senators Akaka and Inouye anymore?

When you read this, we will have (hopefully) elected the lesser of two bad choices. I don’t mind telling you how I voted (I already voted absentee): I left both boxes blank, since I cannot in good conscience vote for either Lingle or Hirono as senator. I hope that a lot of blank votes will be there, so they will get the message. But then I don’t think either one would care, as long as it’s the honorable senator… and the paycheck that comes with it, not to mention the power and influence. A sad day for Hawaii.

JOHN BLAHUTA, Lahaina

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Kula is America’s safest town

America’s safest town from natural disasters is Kula.

1. Located on the mountain at 1,500 to about 3,000 feet above sea level, it is completely immune from tsunamis and floods.

2. It’s protected by a 10,000-foot mountain (Haleakala) from hurricanes and strong trade winds.

3. Homes that are built on cement slabs attached to the blue rock of the mountain are protected from a severe earthquake.

Not to mention that there is almost no crime in Kula, convenient location, great bi-coastal view and best climate in the world…

DAN ZOFI, Kula

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Hana benefit canceled

We would like to thank all of you that have helped spread the word about the Emmsley benefit. Unfortunately, we are canceling the benefit in Hana due to the lack of bookings at the Travaasa Hotel Hana-Maui. In December, the art donations will be on display in Wailea. Once the details are finalized, we will send out a notice. Due to any inconvenience this may have caused, we sincerely apologize. Our family would like to say “mahalo nui loa” for all your kokua.

CAROLINE EMMSLEY-DEJETLEY

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Preserve funding for the arts

On behalf of my organization’s board, we respectfully urge Gov. Neil Abercrombie’s administration to support funding for the Hawaii State Foundation on Culture and the Arts’ Biennium Grant Program. We ask that his administration rescind any decisions or actions that would impose additional cuts to HSFCA’s already reduced Fiscal Year 2013 budget.

In Fiscal Year 2012, HSFCA Biennium Grant Program recipients were informed that Biennium Grant amounts would be reduced by 60 percent. This reduction, which came with no forewarning, was a difficult financial blow. Adversely affected organizations adapted as best as they could in the circumstances.

HSFCA staff has recently informed us that not only will the 60 percent reduction in Biennium Grant funding continue into Fiscal Year 2013, even further budget cuts are anticipated. HSFCA staff admitted that grant funding was sinking to its lowest level in 20 years, and that they had never seen it lower. The prospect of additional cuts midway through the biennium poses serious financial challenges for hundreds of nonprofit organizations that rely upon HSFCA and its statutory mission of furthering culture, the arts and the humanities. Such cuts are especially disheartening given recent news regarding the recovering economy and improvements in state revenues and budget balances.

HSFCA funding is a very small portion of the state budget, but those dollars accomplish much good. The arts foster creativity, expand our capacity to imagine, enliven our lives and communities, lift our spirits and reenergize our economy.

ROBERT POLLOCK, Ebb & Flow Arts, Kula