Reform welfare
Reform welfare
The article on the overcrowded maternity wards (Tribune-Herald, May 3) does not come as a shock to me, nor should it have been a shock to North Hawaii Community Hospital. One cup of coffee at Walmart while watching the shoppers coming in would be a sufficient evaluation of the maternity situation.
The article had many statistics, but notably missing were those that caused the loss in revenue to the hospitals. I would have liked to have seen how many mothers were not married and on welfare. Maybe if those numbers were high, then it would fortify my thought that having babies is a commercial venture for many. If that is the case, what future is in store for the newborns?
Lawmakers, think of those thousands of babies and the lives awaiting them. Reform the funds allowed for babies. How about limiting the amount for the first, then one half of that amount for the second and, after that, the rest is on the mother and the father?
Carmine Spada
Pahoa
Tell them ‘mahalo’
May 12-17 is National Police Week. National Police Week occurs every year during the week in which May 15 falls and recognizes the service and sacrifice of law enforcement. It is a time set aside to honor those officers who lost their lives in the line of duty and those officers who daily give their lives in service to our communities.
Every day on the Big Island, officers don their uniforms and head out into our streets to ensure our safety. In the course of doing so, they often subject themselves to dangerous situations and deal with dangerous individuals.
During ride-alongs, we see our officers have to deal with people who are impaired by substance abuse, mental illness or just bad judgment. They respond to domestic violence calls, traffic accidents, affrays, burglaries and many other types of calls for help. They are thrown constantly into highly volatile situations that require them to respond in a matter of seconds. They work shifts that require them to adjust their sleeping habits and lifestyle every month. They miss special family functions and holidays, causing stress to their family relationships. During natural disasters, they dress, put on weather gear and head out into the storms to ensure public safety.
Let’s take time during Police Week to show our officers how much we appreciate their sacrifices for our safety and security. You can stop by the station nearest you and drop off a note of thanks or some homemade goodies.
If you have been the recipient of the kindness of an officer who has responded to your request, send a letter to the chief recognizing them. Every letter received goes into their record and is noted. Any act of appreciation will go a long way to improving morale in our Police Department.
Big Island chaplains Renee Godoy, Ted Lesnett, Evan
Carmichael, Allen Townsend and Lani Larrua