It was a hate crime
The dismantling of the ahu on Maunakea is a religious hate crime — a hate crime perpetrated by those in authority who sneak around in the night causing destruction and, in the morning, declare themselves righteous and good in the eyes of the law.
But what might be legal might not be righteous or good. In truth, as the state carries the big stick, it has gotten away with repeatedly violating its own conservation and desecration laws.
Sacred land is conservation land. Conservation land is sacred land. The continued destruction, desecration and disrespect of the people, places and culture that make Hawaii unique should cause outrage among all conservation organizations, religious institutions and those concerned with racial justice because what the state does to one, the state can do to all.
That the protectors, as John P. Lockwood rightfully points out (Your Views, Tribune-Herald, June 23), have refused to personally profit from the debasement of Maunakea reveals a continuance of a millennial-old tradition of discipline and stewardship to safeguard the environmental integrity, sustainability and natural beauty of these islands for future generations, as well as all those who have come here and now consider this paradise their home.
Judith Burke
Hilo
Open churches to homeless
I see that a lot of the locals want to do something about the homeless population on this island. I have an idea, but maybe it won’t sit too well with some of the residents.
Why don’t the churches in town open up their doors to the homeless 24 hours a day? Then, they can feed or provide clothing and other essential needs to those less fortunate, all hours of the day and night.
But then again, maybe the religious folks want no part of “help thy neighbor” as stated in the “Good Book.”
Can you imagine how the homeless individuals would change when, instead of congregating along Ali‘i Drive, they would move into the churches along the way?
Of course, the religious community always has its hand out for donations, but perhaps those funds are only to settle claims against pedophile priests.
Michael L Last
Naalehu