Stop printing political rants

I feel it’s time to voice my dislike for the practice of your newspaper to continually print letters that are political rants, both from conservative and liberal proponents, that seem to take up the majority of space in the letters column each week.

We have just come off a particularly nasty election season that has left our country in tension, disunity and even violence… and to continue the mudslinging and slandering – regardless of who’s right, who’s wrong or which side you’re on – is only counterproductive to the main goal for the majority of rational Americans today: the goal of healing and re-unifying.

Your newspaper is called Lahaina News, and there is plenty to be concerned with and discuss within our own community rather than continuing the already tiring barrage of political whining that we have been so exposed to, or rather overexposed to, this past year.

Can we now, please, try to move forward and concentrate on what’s good and what’s needing to be fixed in our own wonderful town of Lahaina ? I pray we can and we will. Imua. God Bless America and God Bless Lahaina.

PASTOR HARRY TIMMINS, Lahaina

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Kahoma is worth protecting

The Weinberg Foundation missed their opportunity and sold a “pearl of great worth.” David Malo’s homestead was sold to Stanford Carr Development Kahoma Village LLC.

The developer began erecting the dust fence on the property in Lahaina, with grading and grubbing to commence.

It is hopeful that anyone involved will come into agreement that Kahoma is worth protecting. The historical survey, prepared for the Army Corps of Engineers in 1979, concluded the area is “eligible for inclusion on the National Register of Historic Places.”

Hawaiian ingenuity of developing an inland fishpond and an important civil war battle took place on this land prior to western contact. The property was entrusted to David Malo by Kamehameha III (L.C.A. 3702). It’s the last of the open space in the historical region of the Kingdom of Hawaii’s capitol.

History is His Story (God’s story): love. When learning about the history of Hawaii and what David Malo wrote – “the book that contains the word of Jehovah is of a value above every other treasure because it contains salvation for the soul” – you find Christ’s love toward us in redeeming us from our sins. It is the reason for the season… Christmas.

This land has been miraculously protected all these years from development. Thankfully, those responsible for the future of the property are equipped with the resources to protect this land and able to develop a historical community park.

Stanford Carr, along with the aid of Goodfellow Bros. Construction, is blessed with this golden opportunity to do what’s pono and preserve this special historical place – not out of compulsion but for the sake of love.

“Love always protects.” Virtue transcends time. It displaces selfish ambitions and esteems others. “Love never fails.”

MICHELE LINCOLN, Lahaina

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Salvation Army appreciates support

The Salvation Army Lahaina Lighthouse Corps would like to express our deep appreciation for the partnerships and kokua with our annual Thanksgiving Kupuna and Homeless Program luncheons. A HUGE MAHALO in gratitude for giving generously of your time and energy, and for your donations of food and door prize gifts. We look forward to another successful and bountiful season next year.

To our volunteers: 5A Rent A Space, Pastor Allen Haia and members of Lahaina Christian Fellowship Church, Uncle Job Cabato and Carmel Lei for your sweet kanikapila, Vidella Nagasaki and The Salvation Army Women’s Home League, Maria Nader, Allison Parker and the keiki of Mana’o’i’o Baptist Academy, Kaunoa Senior Center Lahaina, and The Rotary Club of Lahaina Sunset.

To our food donors: The Bakery Lahaina, Buff Weaver and Koa’s Seaside Grill, Chef Ryan Luckey and Leilani’s on the Beach, and Chef Tom Muromoto and the Kaanapali Beach Hotel.

To our door prize donors: 5A Rent A Space, Aloha Mixed Plate, Atlantis Submarines Maui, Captain Jack’s Island Grill, Cool Cat Cafe, Duke’s Beach House Maui, Expeditions, Janet Bostick of Hair Salon Unlimited, Hawaii Gelato, Hula Grill Kaanapali, Honu Seafood & Pizza, Kimo’s Restaurant, Leoda’s Kitchen & Pie Shop, Mala Ocean Tavern, Maui Ocean Center, The Plantation House Restaurant, Roy’s Kaanapali, Star Noodle Restaurant, and Warren & Anabelles.

RITA LEI MEDINA

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Lahaina Lighthouse Corps True holiday spirit

Among other things, the holidays are a time of giving and receiving gifts. The question most often asked of people is, “What did you get?” Much less frequently asked is, “What did you give?” Invariably, the inquiries concern material gifts. Purchasing a gift can certainly be thoughtful and a wonderful gesture, especially when it’s backed up by your actions.

However, the most valuable presents are those that aren’t sold in stores. When you give your love, your time, help someone in need, aid another in solving a problem or overcoming an obstacle, you give something priceless.

The true spirit of the holidays is giving. When you give, you receive. You can get anything in life you want by helping enough others get what they want… but only if you give without expecting anything in return. The impact of giving isn’t limited to just the holiday season; it’s something that has value all year.

The power of giving is often underestimated. When you give unconditionally, you don’t just impact the recipient; you start a chain reaction. By brightening the life of one person, you also affect all those who they then touch.

No gesture of giving or kindness is too small. Holding the door open at a store, helping someone carry groceries to their car, letting another car in front of you, saying please and thank you, and saying hello to a stranger you pass on the sidewalk are some of the many things you can do daily.

For family and friends, your time is one of the most precious gifts you can offer. Are you there for others when they need you? Do you offer a hand without being asked? Do you help out when asked?

Too often, people get caught up in their own desires, thus losing sight of the needs of others. A person who tries to get through life by looking out for himself or herself first is invariably frustrated. Often this person views life as a competition to determine who can accumulate more.

On the other hand, those who are concerned for the well-being of others are happier, more content, and more satisfied. By giving without expecting, they in turn receive the things they need.

Giving is a simple concept that works every time it is applied. There will be people who don’t appreciate what you do, but it doesn’t matter. You are giving without anticipating anything in return. Besides, there will be many more who are thankful for your efforts.

If you don’t treat others well, buying a gift won’t compensate for your behavior. The recipient might like what you give them, but it won’t make up for your actions. You can’t bribe someone to forgive the way you treat them with a present.

The best gift you can receive is the joy of making someone else happy. Being unselfish is a wonderful way to live. When you give with no ulterior motives, your actions are seen as genuine. Should you expect something in return, your behavior is always suspect. We all know people who do nice things only when they want something in return.

Make giving a daily routine. Don’t start and end with the holiday season. Every day is a good day to do something nice. When people feel good due to your actions, you can’t help but feel happy yourself. And that is priceless. The most significant action you can take is having a positive impact on the lives of others.

BRYAN GOLDEN