Zero hassle
After getting my first COVID-19 vaccine at Edith Kanakaole Multi-Purpose Stadium, I thought of writing a letter about my experience.
Sunday’s editorial cartoon prompted me to actually do it. The drawing depicted four masked folks waiting in the vaccine line, each with complaints or odd, irrelevant thoughts.
Lest the negativity deter anyone, I want to share my “grueling” experience.
Being in group 1C, I made my appointment easily online, for 12:40 p.m. to 12:50 p.m. We arrived and parked at 12:35. I walked in, took one look, and came right back to the car.
“You might as well go do your shopping now,” I told my wife, “because there must be 100 people in a single file line. Looks like it’s going to take a while.”
My apprehension was unwarranted. That initial line moved at a steady pace, as did every other step in the process.
From beginning to end, it was a smoothly operating machine, even with max capacity. I understand 4,000 of us received a vaccine on that single day. Never encountered a single bottleneck.
Including the 15-minute observation period after the shot, I was back in the car at 1:15. Fortunately, my wife hadn’t left, wanting to share her time shopping with me.
The medical staff, the volunteers and the Hawaii National Guard were all gracious, knowledgeable and well-prepared. The planning, coordination and execution were excellent.
Mahalo to you all. And, for anyone reluctant to go through the hassle, there was none.
Peter Easterling
Pahoa
‘Patient and upbeat’
To Department of Health, Hawaii National Guard, volunteer staff and the scheduler who was very accommodating, mahalo for facilitating the Johnson &Johnson vaccinations on March 16!
Everyone was helpful, patient and upbeat!
Our first glimpse of hope in a year, and the community is very appreciative.
Katie Kosora
Hilo
Boost minimum wage
Aloha. My name is Tyla Kalvaitis, and I’m from Hilo and currently reside on the Big Island.
Living here throughout the years, I have seen many of my classmates leave the islands in search of a cheaper and more affordable state, where they can live comfortably knowing that isn’t as possible here.
Living on the islands for the majority of my life, I’ve always had to work two to three jobs and juggled school just to make ends meet. Lots of the time, It was difficult to juggle sleep, diet and schoolwork, and one was often neglected.
I truly believe raising the minimum wage could help people like me, the new generation coming up, and would decrease the amount of locals who are leaving in search of a better life.
State Rep. Richard Onishi needs to hear Senate Bill 676 or our chances to change the minimum wage will die today (March 25).
Tyla Kalvaitis
Hilo
