Legalize pakalolo
Legalize pakalolo
Cannabis has no more of a social stigma today than a glass of wine, but it appears the state of Hawaii smoked the pakalolo memo.
While many states have legalized, Hawaii is still arresting adults for small amounts of pot, and has an overly restrictive and expensive medical cannabis program.
Medical patients and adult consumers face constant police harassment and violation of constitutional rights under prohibition. This is unfair.
Let’s end the witch hunt and live pono with legal pakalolo.
Eric Hafner
Mountain View
Rent control needed
People around the world see Hawaii as a paradise, but not too many will speak the truth about how expensive it is to obtain a job and the cost of living. That is, until they chose Hawaii to live and make a home here.
Men and women who are behind bars doing time eventually will be released and can tell you that once they are, they have no place to go because of the lack of job opportunities, unaffordable rent and Hawaii’s cost of living.
Not only inmates suffer with this situation, but also our upcoming high school graduates will because of limited resources and opportunities. There are a few choices that contribute toward having a successful future, and that is either joining the military, college or living off welfare.
Many people in Hawaii ask themselves, “How can Hawaii help us with job opportunities?” The answer to that question is that to help everyone, we need to lower the cost of living. Government should establish rent control. Rent has escalated where it is so difficult for families to live independently.
By lowering the cost of living, people will be motivated toward finding jobs, and also Hawaii will lessen the homelessness crisis.
James M. De La Cruz
Hilo
Why dissent?
Recently, the state Department of Land and Natural Resources board voted 5-2 in favor of granting the construction permit for the controversial Thirty Meter Telescope atop Mauna Kea.
Is it possible to get the mana‘o (reasoning) of DLNR board member Stanley Roehrig for his “no” vote on permission to construct?
Mr. Roehrig is involved intimately in academic, cultural, philanthropic and social aspects of contemporary Hawaii. I know I am not alone in seeking personal, internal peace in this important decision concerning Hawaii’s future.
I, with others, have wrestled with the report on the DLNR website, but find myself short of satisfaction and clear understanding. Hopefully, Mr. Roehrig will simplify and clarify his reasoning.
Our U.S. Supreme Court history has numerous instances where the dissenting opinions turn out to have been the wiser.
Tomas Belsky
Hilo