Mahalo to the good Samaritans in Pahoa
I recently passed my 80th birthday. Like many kupuna, I have my good days and bad days.
Last Monday, my kupuna wife and I went to Longs Pahoa to pick up prescriptions. On the way across the parking lot, I stopped to retie a shoelace. I lost my balance.
When a body hits the asphalt, the asphalt always wins. No matter how hard my wife and I tried, I was helpless on the ground — scraped and bruised and bleeding.
A few moments later, a man who had come from one direction and another man from the other direction were by my sides. I’m average in weight, but these two men lifted me as if I were a feather.
Other people came from other directions to show their concern.
A shopping cart was procured, and I was soon firmly back on my feet and using the cart for balance. The good Samaritans went back to what they were doing. My wife and I continued our errand.
I realized I hadn’t got names of these wonderful Samaritans. But I am so grateful to those who stopped to assist an old man with their strength and compassion.
Mahalo nui loa to all those who look out for us kupuna.
Russell Jobst
Hawaiian Paradise Park
Don’t leave kids, pets in the car
Please do not leave your animals or kids in your vehicles when you shop.
I see this bizarre and criminal behavior too much on the Big Island. It only takes a few minutes in a car to heat up as much as 120 degrees — even on a cloudy day. Many people find out the hard way.
Just be smart and keep your animals at home, and take your children in the store with you. The danger people put their kids and pets in, just out of laziness and entitlement, is astounding.
Don’t wind up being a sad story in the local press. Be good parents and pet owners.
Allen Russell
Hilo
Keep ‘Agent Orange’ out of White House
The first ballot appeared in my mail box last week. And although my tiny drop of a vote might not seem like much, I will take this moment more seriously than ever before.
My first memory of the importance of voting came because I grew up very near the home of Franklin D. Roosevelt on the Hudson River, and it was palpable how much the community and my family revered this man.
I also have been thinking of the seriousness of this upcoming election. I know that I will vote for whoever is the Democratic nominee regardless of the twists and turns of the next three months, because I cannot allow Agent Orange to renter the White House. The contamination will be irreparable.
I’m very hopeful that our united votes (I mean all who are capable and legally qualified to vote, regardless of age, race or gender) will take this to the goal line of a true democracy. This is more precious now than ever before.
Encourage any family and friends, wherever they live, to participate.
Toby S. Hazel
Hilo