Watch the fine print
I am writing in regards to SB472, which deals with decriminalization of possession of less than an ounce of cannabis marijuana.
As a known “felon” for the heinous, victimless crime of growing cannabis, I was excited to see this bill coming forward. (Of course, I would have preferred legalization across the board, and when the judicial committee killed that bill, I was wishing I had free time on my hands so I could have polled all the legislators to see their true intentions.)
Anyway, there is a glaring mistake in this bill. If you look at Section 8 of Hawaii Revised Statutes dealing with a first-degree crime, they are reducing the amount of cannabis possession from “a pound or more” to “more than an ounce.” Which means if they pass this bill as written it will be making it a first-degree offense out of something that was already a second-degree offense — possession of 1 ounce to 1 pound.
Please write your legislators today. I don’t know if this was a mistake or intentional, but we need to really change our cannabis laws now!
Sara Steiner
Pahoa
Ho is a bully
It’s bully-ism, Mr. Nelson Ho (Your Views, Feb. 24, Tribune-Herald). Why use fear, sensationalism and intimidation, along with blatant threats, simply because you did not get your way?
If your purpose is truly to share civic information and teach peaceful diplomacy, then obtain a facility, promote your topic and invite youth and the community to attend your event outside of the school day. Interesting content, well-publicized, will draw an audience, perhaps even with students from more than one school.
However, it’s important for our children to understand that to threaten and bully just isn’t honorable or appreciated.
Julene Ignacio
Hilo
In defense of wife
Amy Okuyama has a loving heart. She helps Hilo High School’s library to be a safe and nurturing environment for students who came from negligent or abusive families. Unfortunately, not all students were raised in a nurturing home; my heart cries for them.
Over the years, I have seen students waiting to talk with Amy, more like a parent than a teacher. She has a loving spirit.
Amy, keep up your good work and being a needed watch-person, allowing students to choose their own path after providing them the choices they have.
I have been married to Amy for nearly 38 years. We have learned from our failures much more than our successes. I support an open debate and allowing students to develop good critical thinking skills that will serve them and the community well.
Make one thing better each day!
Carl Okuyama
Hilo
