Not returning to Hawaii for 4 years
We have visited your islands for decades and enjoyed our stays at your sister islands, but for the last 20 years have exclusively stayed on Hawaii Island.
As guests, we have done our best to be considerate. We follow your laws, respect your ocean, don’t litter or pollute, when in the ocean we use reef-safe sunscreen, never harass or chase dolphins, and we make a point to not visit your beaches on weekends as we understand and agree that your families should have first priority.
We love this place — its aloha spirit, flowers, magnificent trees and ocean.
Coffee, (Kona and Ka‘u), papaya, apple and ice cream bananas, ono, ahi, gelato — so many culinary delights from this island.
We have watched a praying mantis in a bar “dancing” to the music on the rim of a glass (yes, I have a video); climbed a pu‘u for the view and on the way up; watched dung beetles making a ball; were amazed watching the dancers at the Tahitian and hula competitions and the daring and skill of the community of surfers and paddlers on the ocean.
The awe we feel at Kilauea and the other magnificent volcanoes — their old and new flows of ‘a‘a and pahoehoe — is mixed with sympathy for all those who lost homes/livelihoods during the eruptions.
But, we are very proud Canadians. We will not return for at least four years, or until the fool in your White House leaves.
We know that, of all places, Hawaii understands the threat and reality of being taken over economically by unscrupulous, arrogant business/con men and religious zealots who are backed by military might.
We hope that you understand that we now must make a stand for our country.
We will miss you.
Aloha.
Lesli Bowers
Alberta, Canada
Never trust a car salesman
Earlier, the ultimate grifter, President Donald Trump, was selling Bibles (made from China) to the public to cash in more money for himself.
He is not making money off of religion, because he thinks of himself as The Almighty One, and even a king.
But now, he has stooped to an even lower standard by becoming a car salesman, promoting selling Teslas (at the White House, no less) on behalf of that dirt bag Elon Musk.
As a young boy, my dad told me of all the people you meet in your lifetime, never trust or believe a car salesman. Why, because they surreptitiously make you think that you are getting a great deal, when in fact you are being ripped off and the profits go in their pockets!
Prentiss Moreno
Hilo
