Lahaina Chiefs need volunteers

As we all know Lahaina, we are like our own little city once you past the Pali. We are the only town on this side of the island.

And when it comes to sports, we most likely dominate in all. Football, basketball, baseball and soccer — whatever the sport may be, Lahaina takes first in all.

But the one thing we have come up short on in present years is coaches. My name is Aundre Hale; I’ve been coaching in Lahaina for about ten years now and I’m now the head coach for the 14u team in Lahaina, the Lahaina Chiefs football team.

As we all know, COVID-19 took a toll on sports on Maui like no other place in the U.S.A. With that being said, our 2021 season only had one division, the 14u team.

This year, and for years to come, I would like to see all our divisions out there on the field participating. So, what I’m asking for is for volunteers to help with other divisions, which include 12u, 10u, and Tiny Mites.

We need coaches, board members, and anyone willing to give back to their community.

Anyone willing to volunteer can reach our president at marilynvalencia72@gmail.com or head coach at popoloboi420@gmail.com.

I look forward to hearing from our Lahaina community.

AUNDRE HALL, Lahaina

Bills will boost jobs

To reach the state’s goal of 100 percent renewable energy by 2045, we must continue to seek common sense solutions to become more energy efficient, including state buildings.

The state is one of the largest consumers of electricity in Hawaii, so it only makes sense that the very entity that sets the goal leads by example.

Currently at the State Legislature, two bills are going to conference committee relating to energy efficiency, HB1801 HD1 SD1 and SB2963 SD2 HD2.

These bills will require the state to implement cost-effective energy efficient measures in its buildings and the design of all new state buildings to maximize energy, water efficiency and energy generation potential, and use building materials that reduce the carbon footprint of the project.

In the previous legislative session, these bills did not pass. However, it will be critical for the Legislature to pass one this year to stay on track. Furthermore, these bills will be job creators and a boost to our economy.

Businesses and residents are doing their part — so should the state, which is why we support the “Lead by Example” Initiative in partnership with Blue Planet, Elemental Excelerator, IBEW Local 1168, Ulupono Initiative, Hawaii Energy and Hawaii Solar Energy Association.

Please contact your Senator and Representatives to support these bills.

SHERRY MENOR-McNAMARA, President & CEO, Chamber of Commerce Hawaii

NATO should help Ukraine

The following is true. It is happening now. These are real humans. These are peoples’ homes and businesses. This is real blood flowing in the streets. This is a peaceful nation. There are 30 countries in NATO. Sometimes, world peace must be achieved, and then preserved, by defeating one evil demon!

Vladimir Putin IS that one evil demon! Ukrainians’ freedom has all but been taken away by this evil incarnate. He is the one and only driving force behind crushing Ukraine. The Ukrainians are being forced, by this demon, to either give up their freedom or continue to be slaughtered by the thousands.

The evil events in Ukraine are perfect examples of the old quote: “Fool me once, shame on you; fool me twice, shame on me.” That is to say, “The huge amount of shame that Vladimir Putin has placed squarely on the member nations of NATO.”

The NATO nations believed, time and again, in Putin’s promise to negotiate a peaceful settlement agreeable to all parties. Believing Putin only allowed him more time to solidify his evil plans to destroy a peaceful Ukraine.

I have watched the world news reports, most of which are about Ukrainians and the slaughtering of civilians and the total destruction of their homes.

Ask yourselves, “How in the name of humanity can the 30-member nations of NATO continue to just watch this, and take no action to stop Vladimir Putin?”

This “take-no-action” decision is absolutely in violation of the true meaning and purpose for the very existence of NATO. Please know this evil incarnate will not stop until the whole of NATO nations aim their full collective forces right at Putin.

In closing, I believe the free world stated “never again” after Hitler slaughtered tens of thousands of “citizens of the world.”

Perhaps when Vladimir Putin is forced to stop, then maybe we can state, once and forever, “never again,” and do any and everything in order to make it a reality forever!

TIM BLEDSOE, North Augusta, South Carolina

GOP is pathetic

The Republican Party is pathetic, totally discredited and worthless in every respect.

The complete contempt that the average corrupt Conservative crackpot politician has these days for our Democratic Republic is cringe-worthy.

Right-wing GOP politicians clearly prefer Putin’s Russia, and some are stupid enough to say so openly.

Due to historical voting patterns, 2022 is a mid-term election year in which the Democratic Party is likely to lose their slim majority in the U.S. House of Representatives.

However, Red State Overreach (far-right fascist Republicans pushing the political envelope way too far in their neck-of-the-woods) will sink any chance Republicans had of legitimately winning a majority in the U.S. Senate this November.

JAKE PICKERING, Arcata, California