End it now
It seems to be the popular Hawaiian “thing” to protest everything, so I, too, must protest the Maunakea protesters, who incorrectly call themselves “protectors.”
They are, in fact, desecrating what they claim to be protecting, with tactics right out of Saul Alinsky’s communist handbook for rebels.
They desecrated endangered native vines on the pu‘u with their crowds.
They desecrated the access rights of everyone who wants to access the mountain.
They desecrated the finances of the county and all us taxpayers to the amount of millions and millions of dollars, and growing.
They are desecrating the finances and jobs of construction workers who want to support their families.
They are desecrating the education and futures of their own keiki.
They are desecrating the rights and sensibilities of the silent majority of people who support the Thirty Meter Telescope.
They are desecrating the rule of law in our society, and sooner or later the government must enFORCE the law, and, yes … it will be done with force if the protesters do not voluntary cease their illegal activities.
Science and culture can coexist peacefully on Maunakea, as they have for decades, except for the communist-inspired rebels now attempting to have their illegal ways.
This vocal minority is saying “NO” to $1.4 billion that will benefit everyone on this island, directly or indirectly. They are desecraters much bigger than what they claim to “protect.”
It is high time for this to end.
Henry Kaul
Pahoa
Police expenses
In regard to the Hawaii Police Department wanting to move ahead with the $400,000 funding of the body cams, it would seem prudent that this budgeted expenditure be put on hold until the $4 million-plus unbudgeted police expense to date for the Maunakea fiasco is reimbursed first.
That should be the police chief’s recommendation to the mayor. Again, that would be the prudent business decision to make.
Robert M. Yamada II
Hilo