Bring back the aloha to Lahainaluna High School

Lahainaluna High School was the very heart of aloha in West Maui. When I attended my first opening year rally as a teacher eight years ago, the feeling was so warm, the singing so rich, the culture so strong, it made me cry happy tears at being there at that moment in the long and wonderful tradition of our community.

No point in going over why and where and how that aloha has gone. What to do? Ho’oponopono comes to my mind. Mediation in a safe environment where students, parents, teachers and administrators can share their feelings, their hopes. Where apologies can be made, forgiveness offered and the job of educating our students can move forward.

Changes have to be made by everyone. I was adversarial with Emily DeCosta pretty much from day one of her tenure until a couple years ago, when I sat a ten-day silent meditation and realized I needed to quit being a “bad girl” who was pushing Emily’s buttons for the sheer adolescent joy of it.

I never apologized for my bad behavior, but I’m apologizing now. That’s what many of us need to do. Be humble. Listen to each other.

There isn’t an easy fix at our high school, but there is a fix. Bring back the aloha.

HIKI NO – can do!

NANCY YOUNG, Lahaina

——————

Advocate for project to help the homeless

Here’s one story of homelessness. It takes place near the proposed Lahaina homeless camp. It begs the question: why aren’t we jumping at the chance to provide an alternative for families like this?

On Statehood Day, a surfer gets out of the water at Puamana. As he waits for his turn to shower, he witnesses a mother bathing her young son. She helps her child into his Princess Nahienaena Elementary School T-shirt. He is ready for school.

The surfer, recognizing the situation, explains to the mother that there is no school because it’s a holiday. He reads the disappointment in her face as the realization sinks in. It means no breakfast or lunch for her son that the school provides.

Winter will be here soon; the homeless camp in Lahaina would provide hot showers and offer shelter from the storms. Literally and figuratively, we all experience “storms” in our lives. Why wouldn’t you want to offer hope?

Consider your fears and concerns, then think about those less-fortunate in our community that need your compassion and understanding. You have the ability to do great things by a simple gesture of support.

Resolving homelessness is complicated, but one easy solution is being made available to try. You have power; your voice matters!

Take time to be impactful! Maui’s County Council members need to hear from you now. Please advocate for Lahaina’s agricultural homeless camp, which would provide food and shelter. Demonstrate love and help change lives!

To reach Maui County Council members, e-mail elle.cochran@mauicounty.us or call 270-5504; michael.victorino@mauicounty.us or call 270-7760; robert.carroll@mauicounty.us or call 270-7246; riki.hokama@mauicounty.us or call 270-7768; mike.white@mauicounty.us or call 270-5507; gladys.baisa@mauicounty.us or call 270-7939; don.guzman@mauicounty.us or call 270-5501; don.couch@maui county.us or call 270-7108; stacy.crivello@mauicounty.us or call 270-7678.

MICHELE LINCOLN, Lahaina

——————

Be grateful to Hawaiians for sharing

Unfortunately, race issues are sprouting up all over the world today. Before they happen here in Hawaii, let’s take some time to be grateful to the Native Hawaiians for peacefully sharing these islands with us who have come here to live.

Helping their poor and incarcerated for starters; learning their customs and language would show some aloha. A stranger’s smile makes my day, and kindness goes a long way. Make donations to local charities helping Hawaiians. Do some homework and find out who is assisting Hawaiians needing help.

There are a lot of ways to show aloha. If we leave our hearts open, others can find their way in.

ENRIQUE GUZMAN, Lahaina

——————

Is ‘The Donald’ full of hot air?

Donald Trump might be the blustery answer to meglomaniac Vladimir Putin, who fancies himself a Czar of foregone empires, or a match for North Korea’s Kim Jong Un, whose nuclear posturing is much like that of The Donald – but without the comb-over hair. It may be that Mr. Trump, multibillionaire, has tentacles into the nefarious subterranean goldmines of Isis, rogue nation, and can subvert its funding once and for all.

Perhaps he can point his middle finger and in his most strident voice say, “You’re fired,” to any number of dictators pocketing billions of dollars while their people pay with their lives for the chance to escape, either by boat or on foot.

Does he envision Mexico as ripe for annexation to the Great State of Texas as a means to end the systemic immigration problem? All Americans who are not of indigenous heritage owe their presence to a lifeline of immigrants past, including Mr. Trump.

If the United States can elect an actor to fulfill the role of president, how far-fetched is it to think that Donald Trump could be the next in line to hear the words, “You’re hired.”

The Donald is immensely entertaining and farcical. He is fortunate that as an American, he has the right to say and do as he likes. His sensitivity to the plight of those who are unable to speak for themselves is not a feature readily displayed, but if he speaks the language of those undercut and underserved, he can use his loud voice to awaken the deaf ears of a government asleep.

Is it conceivable that Donald Trump can make a Congress of selfish, less than amiable cohorts ever work together for the betterment of the people they were elected to serve?

Donald Trump has immense notoriety. It is no small feat to traverse the political jungle and jockey for position. Is there anything else more substantial? Does he have the ability to lead and coalesce the diversity that makes up the country as well as navigate the circuitous thinking of other countries and cultures?

A hot air balloon rises, then descends when it runs out of fuel.

NAME WITHHELD BY REQUEST