Remove the Sugar Cane Train’s tracks and signals

The Sugar Cane Train is — allegedly — bankrupt. Maybe it will again at Christmas and do the Kaanapali run?

Either way, I just wonder how long it will take until the tracks and lights at the main intersections south of there will disappear. How long will it take for all the stuff to rust away… 100 years? Longer?

The county does not seem to care, and the SCT doesn’t do anything. In the meantime, we will have the redundant tracks and signals — causing sometimes rear-end collisions — sitting there and being an eyesore.

Why do our esteemed politicians, Elle Cochran and Angus McKelvey, not do anything about it? Cochran does not seem to care, and McKelvey is hardly ever in West Maui, warming his seat in Honolulu.

A “You do it”–“No, you do it”–“No, I can’t do it because I’m bankrupt” situation a world class tourist destination can really be proud of. Not to mention the residents, who could make good use of a cleaned up space. But who cares about them?

Apparently not our “West Maui Representatives,” serving “proudly” according to their boasts.

Tourists stop at the signs (most don’t know the SCT is not operating anymore), and locals don’t: another rear- ender.

Way to go, Ms. Cochran and Mr. McKelvey!

JOHN BLAHUTA, Lahaina

Revoke SMA Exemption for monster home in Napili

(The following letter was sent to county officials.)

Under UIPA, please forward a copy of the recent letter from the Planning Department to Brown Development regarding vacation rentals. For the record, the advertising of vacation rentals has already occurred, and it was a private citizen who contacted the licensed real estate broker to inform them of the violation.

As such, the letter is misleading, and it your duty to immediately revoke the SMA Exemption for this unlawful development which was built using Hotel standards pursuant the Maui County Code. Please be advised the Department of Corporation Counsel is conflicted on all matters relating to this development.

CHRIS SALEM, Napili

Council members have been listening

When new property assessments threatened to send Hawaii’s property taxes sky-high, my colleagues and I at the Grassroot Institute of Hawaii were among the first to sound the alarm.

We followed up by supporting proposals that would reduce the impact of the higher assessments, including higher homeowner exemptions, lower tax rates and taxpayer credits.

And our council members have been listening.

In every county — Kauai, Honolulu, Maui and Hawaii — we have seen interest in providing property tax relief, and not just for homeowners, but for other property owners as well.

Multiple bills have already passed, and many council members have asked for more information about how to reform the property tax systems in their counties.

Several have even publicly thanked the institute for its work on the property tax issue.

It’s easy to be cynical about politicians and tax reform, but in every county, local policymakers have been heeding the calls to reduce the property tax burden for their constituents. I am grateful and humbled that our work has played a part in this.

It’s proof that by working together, we really can help make a difference toward lowering the cost of living, expanding opportunities and making Hawaii a place where we all can thrive and prosper.

DR. KELI’I AKINA, President & CEO, Grassroot Institute of Hawaii

A new take on ‘First they came’

Rewritten in 2023, “While I slept” is an alternative to the 1946 famous poem “First they came.”

While I slept… THEY came to destroy my ethnic culture, and I did not speak out because I bought into THEIR DIVISIVE propaganda and lies.

While I slept… THEY weakened the nations with THEIR addictions, and I did not speak out because I believed there was nothing I could do.

While I slept… THEY came for people’s human rights and freedoms, and I did not speak out because I never understood what human rights were and what freedom meant.

While I slept… THEY came for my livelihood and property, and I did not speak out because I believed I could not stand up against TYRANTS.

While I slept… THEY came for the children, my neighbors, my friends and my family, and there was no one left to speak out for me.

Because I was now all alone. I did not keep watch over my loved ones and GUARD MY NATION.

This applies to all ethnicities and nations around the world!

NAME WITHHELD BY REQUEST