Stop congressional stock trading

When we elect lawmakers to public office, we expect them to put the American people’s interests above their own. But that’s not always what happens.

In early 2020, before most Americans were familiar with COVID-19, members of Congress were briefed by top public health officials about the threat posed by the virus. In the following days, Republican Senators Kelly Loeffler and Richard Burr offloaded millions of dollars worth of stock.

Our laws simply don’t do enough to keep our elected representatives from using the private information they receive in the course of their duties for personal profit. Congress must strengthen these laws to prevent insider trading and conflicts of interest.

An overwhelming majority of Americans — including nearly eight out of ten Republicans — agree that members of Congress should not be allowed to buy or sell stocks while in office.

It’s past time for our leaders to get on board with the majority of the American people and pass legislation to stop congressional stock trading.

TERRI THOMAS, Lahaina

Council should reconsider funding for cultural center

(The following testimony was sent to the Maui County Council in opposition to the $54 million CIP appropriation for the Hawaiian Cultural Complex included in the Fiscal Year 2023 Budget.)

Though I favor the use of some public funds to be used to establish a Hawaiian Cultural Complex, I strongly oppose the appropriation of $54 million in the current Fiscal Year 2023 budget. I urge the members of the council to reconsider the appropriation and devise a plan which is more inclusive of the neighborhood and the public, and whose funding level is more in line with the real priorities of the community.

Please vote NO on this item and send it back for further and more detailed consideration that includes a much higher level of public participation.

Though the county has in the past funded some part of various projects for specific ethnic and heritage groups, it has never before allocated such an extravagant amount of money for the benefit of one particular group to be paid for entirely by public funding. It has also never authorized this lever of spending without any financial documentation whatsoever and without any meaningful participation from any group other than the proposed beneficiaries.

The administration and the proposed beneficiaries have made extensive and elaborate plans for this building and its future use, but so far it’s all been on the down low. Very little of the information has been shared with the public in general or the immediate neighborhood in particular, and no other alternative and more inclusive uses have been invited or considered.

As a resident of Wailuku Town with a home one block from the proposed site, I see local needs that are far more urgent and much higher priority for public funding than this complex. If the county is going to sell bonds to the tune of $54-plus million, I would hope that money would go to housing for local residents, as well as addressing other urgent public health and safety concerns such as homelessness, mental health, drug addiction and neighborhood law enforcement.

I also fear that if such a structure is built, it will be too small for its actual intended use and difficult to expand in future years.

Since no financial documentation of any kind has been provided on how this exorbitant amount of money has been arrived at, nor are any specifics about who would run it, who could use it, and how much it would cost to maintain it, I feel it is obviously premature to allocate these funds, especially in one lump sum. Like the council members who voted to fund it in stages, I doubt that even if passed these can be encumbered successfully within 18 months.

This project has merit, but to allocate huge amounts of money in a hasty manner without any specifics or public input (other than the voices of those who will directly benefit) seems like something that is done for political and not cultural purposes, and may very well backfire. What will happen in years to come when it becomes a money pit that cannot sustain itself and requires an ever higher level of financial support. Where will that money come from?

I urge you to reconsider and vote NO on this CIP appropriation on first reading.

SUSAN HALAS, Wailuku Town

Area has limited resources for traveling groups

(The following letter was sent to Congressman Ed Case.)

I was sitting in the Honokowai Farmers’ Market this Memorial Day morning. In walks a large group of Japanese camera crew/camera club. Super! Lights, cameras and reflection of Hyatt art.

My thought was a tour group of about 30 traveling together — historically uncommon to West Maui for many years.

The farmers’ market went into override mode. Chairs for less than 20 people (no folding chairs either).

My point is the West Side of Maui has limited resources for a traveling group, outside of the resorts.

LEO JOSEPH THINER, West Maui

Remember? Refresh? Enjoy!

It is with time we all hear, read or learn “The Declaration of Independence.” The following is a portion how it was written. That will be followed by the next portion. Each portion will be followed by the next part until all parts have been published.

We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common Defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.

BONNIE DEROSE, West Maui

Support the Ukrainian people

I am happy to announce that this letter is now being circulated throughout the entire country of Ukraine and Russia. Every government, church, bank, university and many other institutions have been e-mailed. The feedback is overwhelming. The Ukrainians are ready to defend themselves, and the Russians want no part of this war.

As a citizen of and believer in democracy, I applaud the efforts of the Ukrainian people. Their efforts are similar to what is happening in many other parts of the world. Believe it or not, one thing that overrides capitalism and political correctness in the United States is the right to have one’s voice heard. This is the foundation of which our democracy is built on.

The Ukrainian people should continue to defy Vladimir Putin’s powerful armed forces so that Ukrainian democracy can continue to thrive.

It is unfortunate that the United States compromised on one of its most fundamental values in order to protect its economic interests in Eastern Europe — something that happens all too often domestically as well. It is not the Ukrainian people that are attempting to expand NATO power, but rather it is Vladimir Putin who has engaged in intimidation to prevent the will of the people (both Ukrainian and Russian) from being heard. Why else would he stoop to such underhanded tactics to block various means of communication among the citizens of Ukraine and Russia?

Vladimir Putin, you have had over 20 years to acknowledge Ukraine and have failed them by your own choosing. The days of your despotic regime are finally coming to an end, as it appears the desire for freedom will continue to sweep among the Eastern European nations as well as Russia.

Accordingly, let the call go forth among all citizens of Ukraine that your brothers and sisters of democracy (from all over the world) are with you during every trial and tribulation you may encounter during this crisis.

Vladimir Putin, you little weasel… let Ukraine go!

JOE BIALEK, Cleveland, Ohio