The Congresswoman And ‘The Limelight’

She’s actually a grandstander (May 24, 2018)

I fail to understand why Civil Beat would choose to quote the polled Mililani resident who said that Tulsi Gabbard “doesn’t really seem like she’s there for the limelight like the others.” (“Civil Beat Poll: Tulsi Gabbard Is Hawaii’s Most Popular Politician”)

No congressperson or senator from the state has ever sought the limelight more than Gabbard. Compare her, for example, to Sen. Dan Inouye, who of course did more for the state and nation than any of his local predecessors or successors: Even in the Iran-Contra Senate hearings, the senator, who was one of the chairs of the investigating committee, sought a low profile.

In contrast, Gabbard, who has a dubious ideological background for a Hawaii Democrat, has made a point of seeking national coverage, particularly during the 2016 election. On what basis (other than religious affiliation) did Gabbard see fit to welcome the president of India — a dubious character himself — when he visited the U.S. after taking office? For what reason did think she was the person to visit the odious president of Syria?

These activities did nothing to serve the state, or, indeed, the nation.

Tulsi is a grandstander if ever there was one.

— Paul R. Brandon, Ahuimanu

Not Voting For Any Of Them

“Pro Nazi-nanny state liberals” (May 24, 2018)

Just read your article about the “Dimocratic” candidates for Congress (“Chad Blair: Candidates For Congress Sound A Lot Alike In Dissing Trump”).

I wouldn’t vote for any of these bleeding heart, pro Nazi-nanny state liberals. Tulsi being the most popular politician in the state shows just how extremely socialist progressive Hawaii’s politics have become. I support our duly elected president and look forward to his re-election in 2020.

Your article is a pipe dream. The socialist dimocratic party will never give up its control of the progressive nanny state it has created. The public employee unions will see to it that any candidate that threatens their control will not be elected.

— Stan Webb, Honolulu

Hawaii’s Lure, Or Lack Of It

Will Hawaii become another Florida? (May 24, 2018)

Neal Milner is right, but does not go far enough (“Neal Milner: Hawaii’s Lure For Ex-Residents Is Not As Strong As You Think”). The business climate in Hawaii is very much against small business and all for the “big guys.”

A good example is the case of Airbnb vs. David Ige. The world’s No. 1 industry is tourism, Hawaii’s the same. Still, people are forced to jump through almost impossible hoops to establish a legal B&B.

Why is that? Because the big hotels win? B&B guests bring the same dollars to our economy as hotel guests (restaurants, souvenirs, etc.).

If this trend continues we will become another Florida; all retirees and no fresh blood. Young people can’t afford to live in their own home state. What a shame!

— Peter Trunk, Kihei

Coming back to Maui (May 24, 2018)

Just finished reading Neal Milner’s story on former residents moving back (or not) to Hawaii, and wanted to add our story.

We moved from Dayton, Ohio, to Lahaina, Maui, in 1983 to complete the purchase of The Lahaina News, a failing twice-a-month tabloid. We immediately made it a weekly, serving the residents of all of West Maui.

I was the managing editor of Dayton’s two dailies, The Journal Herald and the Dayton Daily News; my wife, Nancy, was a sales representative of Universal Press Syndicate, selling comic strips and columns. That’s how we met, of course, and had not even been married a year when we moved to Lahaina.

We were very successful with The Lahaina News, although the first year was touch-and-go. In the second year, things grew to the point that we were able to add seven employees to our mom-and-pop operation. Soon, readers and advertisers let us know that The Lahaina News had become a vital part of the West Maui community.

By 1987, we had become so successful that the newspaper acquired several inquiries for purchase. We sold the paper that year; terms of the sales required me to stay as editor.

In 1989, my wife was accepted into the seminary of Unity, and we (especially me) reluctantly moved off the island so she could attend school and be ordained as a Unity minister. Later, I also attended school there and was ordained.

We did ministry on the mainland for almost 30 years (returning to visit our beloved Maui often); when retirement beckoned, we decided to return.

Our decision was based on a couple of things: first, we were drawn by Hawaii’s culture, including song and dance, and by our remembrance of the respect for the aina. Second, we still had many friends who still live on the island, and we loved them dearly.

Third, the Maui Arts & Cultural Center had been completed, and it was a huge draw for us. In fact, while we were still on the island in the early ’80s, Nancy had worked for the capital campaign, helping raise the $30-plus million to build the MAC.

Yes, Maui is more expensive than it was then. And yes, it’s a long way away from friends and family on the mainland. And the time difference is sometimes a nuisance.

But we could not resist returning when we had the opportunity. Even though we are not Hawaiian-born, Hawaii has captured our bodies, our hearts, our minds and our spirits.

We have returned for good. And it is very, very good.

— Bill and Nancy Worth, Kihei