Make it a monument
President Biden just restored three monuments cut by Trump (Tribune-Herald, Oct. 8).
Trump previously cut millions of acres from Utah monuments to lift restrictions on mining and other Energy Development ventures.
This was referred to by opponents as a “massive land grab.” Biden just restored those vast lands back to the monuments that he considered sacred to Native American tribes.
Biden fulfilled a promise to restore monuments to their full size, upholding the principle that America’s national parks and monuments are protected for all time and for all people. It iterates the president’s dedication to “conserving our public lands and respecting the voices of indigenous peoples.”
With Biden in office and Kai Kahele in Congress, we should start that conversation for our sacred mountain Maunakea, with Lake Waiau as the center piece.
Napo‘opo‘o and Honokahau are national park monuments. Just initiating a conversation concerning the mauna as a national monument is a game-changer, I believe.
C. M. Moana
Hilo
Battle of stubbornness
Welcome to COVID-19 forever.
Just like the flu virus, COVID variants will always evolve. Hence, yearly flu shots. Expect yearly COVID shots.
Of course, anti-vaxxers aren’t changing their minds. Yet, they should be thanking us folks who did get the shots, which actually protects them due to crowd immunity.
These uninjected disbelievers could spur another surge. A third wave beyond Delta.
Who’s missing out? Venues are opening up for those who are vaccinated. After all, our government decides the rules.
Here’s to an awkward mahalo to COVID. Reminds us that we aren’t as smart as we think we are — compared to a virus.
Lloyd Fukuki
Waimea
Russia won
Democracy in America is a failed experiment.
Republican governors are replacing patriots in every state, whose job it is to maintain elections, with partisan hacks.
One by one, all of the “swing” states are getting new election officials who will put party over America, and will start “losing” votes.
So, say goodbye to America. It’s about to die.
And for all of those Republican voters out there who think it will be great for votes not to count in America, be careful what you wish for.
Just look at election integrity in places like Russia, North Korea and the Middle East. Because your “guy” is going to do what’s best for himself, not you.
They will continue to call themselves the Republican Party, but that’s dead too.
And that’s why America is about to fail.
Anyone putting party over country is a fake American, and fake patriot. Vladimir Putin loves you, because you won his war for him.
Don’t worry. Your reward is coming soon enough.
Dennis Chaquette
Keaau
