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LETTERS for July 21 issue

By Staff | Jul 21, 2016

Residents need access to information during power outages

Something is terribly wrong, and it’s not what you think. Yes, the road is dangerous and our pipes are crumbling, but…

Recently, West Maui was not only cut off from the rest of the island by the road being closed (because of the brush fire), we were also cut off from the rest of the world. The cable went out, so no TV news. The Internet went out, so no web news. The cell phones were out; we couldn’t let people (our bosses) know we were stuck.

All this would have been less traumatic if even one radio station had been giving updates about the situation. I am shocked that Homeland Security has not addressed the problem of automated radio stations.

In case you don’t know, the airwaves belong to the people, and radio stations pay for a license to use them. Along with that privilege comes the responsibility to be an information source for the people. By automating the programing and by being operated remotely, there is no one to make announcements in case of an emergency.

What do you think will happen in a life and death storm? A transistor radio with changeable batteries may be the only way to get information. A VHF (battery type) will allow you to have two-way communication. If you think the web will be there when you need it, God help you.

JAN DOEHI, West Maui

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Alternate route needed for West Maui access

So! Our mayor gets stuck on the Lahaina side and has a revelation! “We need to do a study… we need an ALTERNATE route!” True, true and also true – that is exactly what the citizens of West Maui have been saying for 25 years (that I know of).

Where is the airport? Where is the hospital? Duh! Just think – if we had spent all the money on punching a tunnel through the mountains or an elevated highway through one of the valleys, thus disturbing as few archeological sites as possible, instead of on studies, and EIS evaluations, and consultants, and a worthless mini-bypass and an expensive “Lahaina Bypass” (that was also a parking lot during the recent fire), we could have an ALTERNATE route by now.

Yes… by all means; let’s pay for another study and more consultants to tell us what we already know. Arakawa, it isn’t rocket science. It IS a no-brainer, and since most of the powers-that-be fit into that category, one would have thought it would have been realized 40 years ago.

BUTCH FOWLER, West Maui

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Right the wrongs in Hawaii

Businessmen were largely responsible for the illegal overthrow of the Hawaiian Kingdom. It’s in everyone’s best interest to make right that wrong. Necessary changes must occur. Integrity and justice are essential for success.

Guidelines for affordable housing are flawed. Immigration of the homeless population is uncontrollable. Off-island investors impede housing for locals. Government regulations, taxes and unnecessary entities are primary factors contributing to stagnation of financial growth.

“Act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with our God.” (Micah 6:8)

Overcoming circumstances and victorious living begin by admitting mistakes and forgiveness, followed by recompense and restoring what we can.

Facilitators can apply principles evident in the Hawaiian culture to establish a model for a flourishing society. Godly governance encourages healthy and prosperous development. “If you follow My (God’s) statutes you will eat all you want and live safely in your land.” (Leviticus 26)

Hawaii’s agrarian economic history has proven successful and beautiful. We can achieve a robust fiscal environment when land is utilized for what it produces.

Diversified agricultural pursuits will protect Hawaii’s thriving tourism while creating industries. It’s beneficial for food security and an ideal opportunity to provide commodities globally.

Malama means “to take care of.” What happens mauka affects makai. Pule (pray) before you proceed. Work and play; do things God’s way “with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Forgive whatever grievances you may have. Above all else put on love. Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts. Always give thanks to Ke Akua.” (Colossians 3)

MICHELE LINCOLN, Lahaina

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Campaign nonviolence: A growing movement

Is America tired of its violence yet? While the media reports on the onslaught of shootings, militarism, police violence and hate-motivated violent crimes, growing numbers of citizens are taking a stand in nonviolent action and community organizing nationwide.

And, from the increased involvement in Campaign Nonviolence, the grassroots movement that organized more than 375 actions in a single week in all 50 states and seven countries to end all forms of violence, it appears that many Americans are serious about creating a culture of active nonviolence.

More than 10,000 people participated in Campaign Nonviolence’s annual Week of Actions in September 2015, and organizers say the number may double this year. What is it about this endeavor that captures the imagination of people in all 50 states and seven countries?

Campaign Nonviolence and its initiating organization, Pace e Bene, propose that war, poverty, racism and climate destruction are all forms of violence. They encourage people to connect the dots between the many issues in our world, and the commons threads of physical, emotional, structural, systemic and cultural violence that run through the challenges we face.

The movement promotes and educates about the viable, nonviolent alternatives such as restorative justice, conflict resolution, living wages, sustainability, unarmed peacekeeping, nonviolent civilian-based defense, peace teams, racial and economic justice, nonviolent communication and renewable energy.

In 2016, Campaign Nonviolence launched the Nonviolent Cities Project, which offers organizing tools for transforming the systems, structures and practices of one’s area into nonviolent alternatives. Campaign Nonviolence organizers work in their local communities year-round, offering education, book clubs, workshops, film screenings, local campaigns, training in schools and churches, and nonviolent actions in support of the goals of the movement.

Each year, participants in Campaign Nonviolence take public action to promote the concept of a culture of active nonviolence and to oppose all forms of violence. During the Week of Actions this Sept. 18-25, more than 125 actions in all 50 states are already being planned.

Pace e Bene staff estimate that the number of actions will quadruple by September. People are invited to engage in marches, rallies, demonstrations, peace circles, prayer vigils, workshops, educational events, celebrations, civil disobedience, blockades, sing-ins, sit-ins, leafleting, tabling, community conversations and much more, all in support of a culture of active nonviolence.

People will challenge war, militarism, militarized policing, mass incarceration, wealth and income inequality, military recruitment in public elementary schools, ecological destruction, global warming, fossil fuels, pollution, toxins, water privatization and poisoning, poverty, low wages, racism, bigotry, hatred, bullying, gun violence, domestic abuse, lack of affordable healthcare and more.

Groups, individuals, organizations and movements are all encouraged to participate during the Campaign Nonviolence Week of Actions. More than 200 organizations have endorsed the movement, including Fellowship of Reconciliation, Voices for Creative Nonviolence, War Resisters League, Code Pink, Meta Peace Teams, Veterans for Peace, Popular Resistance, World Beyond War, Nonviolent Peaceforce, HipHop Caucus, Pax Christi, and Global Exchange.

Campaign Nonviolence’s vision of a world of active nonviolence strikes a chord of yearning in the hearts of a violence-weary public. Another world is possible. The alternative nonviolent practices have been field-tested for years, and now is the time to build a movement to mainstream those ideas, concepts and projects into our communities. The Campaign Nonviolence Week of Actions offers an opportunity for engaging your local area in these concepts and endeavors.

RIVERA SUN, PeaceVoice