Giving thanks for police
I would like to say thank you to the Big Island police officers. Recently, we were traveling home late from Kona, and in the middle of the lane straight ahead of us was a stalled car. It was dead, right in the middle of the road.
There was a lady on the side of the road trying to call for help on her cellphone and having no luck. We all tried to reach the number she had for roadside assistance. After waiting for what seemed like a long time, we finally called 911 and shortly we had a policeman on the scene.
He was friendly and very helpful at about 11 p.m. at night. Thank you, officer.
Upon returning to our home in Puna, and after retiring for the night, we heard a voice outside on the road. A man was crying out — sad cries, angry cries.
Not long after, police cars arrived. When I looked outside, I saw four policemen and what appeared to be two firefighters/paramedics.
Clearly, the man was bothered and distraught. He was crouching on the ground, and his hands were cuffed behind his back.
As I watched from the window, the police watched as the paramedics crouched down by the man’s side. There was no loud talking or threats to the man. They seemed to know how to treat him with some respect, which made me respect them all the more.
Eventually, they guided him to the police car, with no resistance on his part. Everyone drove away peacefully, and within about an hour all was quiet again.
For all the criticism police officers are given, I knew we were being protected by them that night. I don’t know their names or who their families are, but from Hilo to Kona I would like to say thank you to them and their families for the good they do — even as so many of us sleep and are unaware.
Mahalo. Mahalo. We are grateful for you.
Karen Marie Heinzen
Keaau
‘Silent majority’
The reason the past permeates the present and the future doesn’t change is because so many American voters remain a silent majority.
I agree with you that politics of yesterday and today are terrible, so much so that you choose not to vote.
But voting is not about changing the past, it’s to change the future, and when you join in to vote, the future will change for the better.
There is no reason not to vote, only excuses. Then there’s only one reason to vote and that’s our collective posterity, which includes your children and grandchildren.
John P. Begg
Pahoa
