Start a plant-based diet during Lent

Feb. 26 marks the beginning of Lent, the period leading up to Easter, when devout Christians abstain from animal foods in remembrance of Jesus’ 40 days of fasting in the wilderness.

The call to abstain from eating animals is as traditional as Genesis 1:29, yet as current as the teaching of evangelical leader Franklin Graham.

Earlier religious leaders like Methodist founder John Wesley, Salvation Army pioneers William and Catherine Booth and Seventh-day Adventist Church founder Ellen White all abstained from animal flesh.

A plant-based diet is not just about Christian devotion. Dozens of medical studies have linked consumption of animal products with elevated risk of heart failure, stroke, cancer and other killer diseases.

A United Nations report named meat production as the largest source of greenhouse gases and water pollution. Undercover investigations have documented routine mutilation, deprivation and beating of animals on factory farms.

Today’s supermarkets offer a rich array of plant-based meats, milks, cheeses and ice creams, as well as traditional vegetables, fruits, and grains.

Entering “vegan” in our favorite search engine provides lots of suitable products, recipes and transition tips.

LESTER NAITO, Lahaina

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Roosters belong on farms

To those owners of screaming roosters, we would like, as a community request, for one to put them on a farm or open field where they belong!

We have our right to peace and quiet as residents of a great community. There are laws and ordinances against noise after certain hours, and this as well should take into effect.

The roosters are definitely not following these hours – they crow all through the night and ridiculous hours in the mornings, and even throughout the day when they feel like it.

And what do you do as owners of these roosters? Do you not sleep like everyone else around you? What is your purpose in owning these noisy creatures?

Some people work hard at their night jobs trying to make a living and need to catch some rest during the day to get to their next day job. How can they rest by listening to these roosters crow?

There are subdivision and association rules against having farm animals for a reason! There are county and state rules on noise for a reason! If we were allowed to raise pigs, goats, cows, horses, roosters and chickens, like a farm, what would our homes become?

Won’t you consider, as owners of these roosters, to have respect for your neighbors to relocate them, so they and yourself may have some peace and quiet? What would it take? Would you rather have the whole community against roosters come knocking on your door?

Please take note, county officials, how important this matter is. Community, let’s make it a point to work together on this!!

NAME WITHHELD BY REQUEST

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Finally, an honest statement from the Kia’i

During the Feb. 17 news broadcast by Hawaii News Now, you will hear a TMT protestor say, “We alone are responsible of what happens up there on the Mauna.”

Remember your own words when it comes time to flip the bill for all that irreversible damage that your group “alone” managed to do.

That was the most honest statement coming from the Kia’i since this entire fiasco began.

And as expected, Mayor Harry Kim is wanting yet another extension of the moratorium agreement.

This time, he promises to speak to all the parties (eye-roll). I believe Ige and Kim are stalling until their time in office is up, so they don’t have to make a decision. Leave it for the next group of politicians to work out, in other words.

I don’t believe another extension should be granted, since the legislature agreed that a Blue Ribbon committee be formed so that the indigenous Native Hawaiians can bring their historical and political issues to the table legally and appropriately, without using the TMT as their scapegoat.

The issues of the Hawaiians are not and should not be TMT’s kuleana, period. So reopen the access road for everybody, including TMT.

I think we would all agree that religion and/or religious beliefs should not dictate or override the supreme laws of the land.

The Kia’i keep telling us that they are simply exercising their First Amendment right. However, the First Amendment in the U.S. Constitution says that everyone in the United States has the right to practice his or her own religion, or no religion at all.

And, our country’s founders knew that the best way to protect religious liberty was to keep the government out of religion altogether. So, they created the First Amendment to guarantee the separation of church and state.

The Establishment Clause of the First Amendment prohibits government from encouraging, promoting or establishing a religion in any way. That’s why we don’t have an official religion of the United States.

This means that the government may not give financial support to any religion.

Therefore, the taxpayers should not be held liable for the expenditures up at the Mauna – something I have been complaining about since day one.

So, I’m asking that our state leaders exercise their 14th Amendment right by recognizing the amendment’s first section, which includes clauses such as the citizenship clause, privileges or immunities clause, due process clause, and equal protection clause.

Because as far as I can see it, the Kia’i do not have a leg to stand on. Last card played? Doubt it.

I’m sure they will find another excuse to justify their unlawful actions and behavior.

LISA MALAKAUA, Hilo