Learn candidates’ positions on important issues

Upcoming elections are critical on every level. Hawaii could become a “Death Destination.” Past rulings show the overwhelming majority of current lawmakers consider the ending of life as a right.

Hawaii is one of only ten states, along with Washington, D.C., that legalized physician-assisted suicide. Legislation hashing out details for nurses and physician-assistants to write lethal prescriptions and allowing telemedical exams is pending. This could lead to “suicide tourism.”

Correcting the 1973 unconstitutional ruling, the United States Supreme Court’s Dobbs decision overturned Roe v. Wade. State lawmakers will decide Hawaii’s abortion laws. Over half of the country already have laws with some abortion restrictions. With that in mind, Hawaii could become a desirable destination to end the life of an unborn child. Legalizing abortion, even up to full-term, under the current administration could happen.

Before voting, find out the candidate’s stance on these two issues. “Decide between life and death, between blessings and curses. Now choose life, that you and your descendants will live.” (Deuteronomy)

MICHELE LINCOLN, Lahaina

Tear down the monster house

The county should just seize the Brown Napili monster house property by eminent domain.

Tear it down… make it a park. Do not make it a cultural center or anything else. It is an eyesore no matter what you make of it. Tear it down!!!!

SU CAMPOS, Napili

Applicable working history

Our Declaration of Independence was written in 1776. It is now nearly 250 years since written by our founders. Possibly readers of our original declaration are impressed that the messages written then still apply?

While reading this document, remember “He” is the King.

“He has refused for a long Time, after such Dissolutions, to cause others to be elected; whereby the Legislative Powers, incapable of Annihilation, have returned to the People at large for their exercise; the State remaining in the mean time exposed to all the Dangers of Invasion from without, and Convulsions within. He has endeavored to prevent the Population of these States; for that Purpose obstructing the Laws for Naturalization of Foreigners; refusing to pass others to encourage their Migrations hither, and raising the Conditions of new Appropriations of Lands. He has obstructed the Administration of Justice, by refusing his Assent to Laws for establishing Judiciary Powers.

He has made Judges dependent on his Will alone, for the Tenure of their Offices, and the Amount, and Payment of their Salaries. He has erected a Multitude of new Offices, and sent hither Swarms of Officers, to harass our People, and eat out their Substance.

He has kept among us, in Times of Peace, Standing Armies, without the consent of our Legislatures.”

BONNIE DeROSE, Lahaina

Implement a shared vision to improve Maui County

I am sharing the vision of the world in which I choose to live — this is the most important single answer we want to convey to the people of the world. If we choose to change the paradigm under which the political system exists, we must keep our sights on how we want the world to be, work to take ideas for what the future can be, and act from this vision in all we do, no matter how challenging it may be to do so.

We hold a vision of a world where we have all the answers for all the people. We can have development and responsible environmental choices in the same programs. We can cooperate and make lots of money — so often the commodity we all need in this world — and bring the bickering to an end.

We can foster goodwill and economic assistance between the large economic powerhouses and environmental progressives, like me. We can marry the old and wise ideas and traditions of a past Hawaii with the high-tech futuristic solutions of today… and tomorrow. There can be answers to all of the problems we face. We simply must HOLD THAT VISION… and take ACTION!

Vision, desire and action all walk hand-in-hand. When there is vision, we create what we see! It is NOW, not some future unreachable hope!

I offer to share a vision of a beautiful future, consciously creating and implementing an economic and environmental integrated action plan, to promote art, music and the cultures of the world to fuel research and development in environmental solutions, thereby creating jobs and effectively diversifying the economy.

The goal is to link up individuals and nonprofit companies, all making money and helping us towards our goal. Our primary, originally charted purpose is to promote the arts, music and cultures of the islands, and through that promotion, create “sales” that inflow money to us to be used for the necessary research, development and implementation of important environmental programs and products, and job creation, coupled with education.

We can establish a major renewable energy demonstration project using cutting-edge technologies here in Maui, thereby creating jobs through the process for the people of Maui and for the peoples of the world, by actualizing a continued “real” paradise… a perfect marriage of vision for a brighter future.

We can be a living, breathing global example, where goodwill and cooperation has brought greater yields than through competition. A vision without action is a daydream. Ideas are only effective when they are implemented.

It is only through cooperation and mutual benefit that we, as a local, statewide, national and international community, can hope to grow and prosper, with a balanced overall plan to regenerate new leaders capable to continue the actions of that plan — a plan that requires the action and dedication of its people; a plan of vision; a plan of peace; a plan of faith; a plan of compassion; a plan of God. In other words, a plan of love.

Join me. Be a Dreammaker.

JASON W. SCHWARTZ, Candidate for the Maui County Council’s Kahului Seat