Letters: Bashing Micronesians Is Not Cool

Readers also commented on the fight over a new Supreme Court justice, electric vehicles and mental health care.

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Micronesian Immigrants

Speaking up for Micronesians

My concern regarding the severe prejudice towards Micronesians is: is it the mainlanders here that are being so prejudiced, or is it locals as well? (“#BeingMicronesian In Hawaii Means Lots Of Online Hate,” Sept. 19) I am local and I have never experienced or heard about such bigotry in my personal or professional life. I would love a response that reflects intelligence, PLEASE!!!

— Makiana Mendez, Puna

Kavanaugh Hearings

Hirono doing the right thing

Three cheers for Senator Mazie Hirono for speaking out directly to Mitch McConnell the Republican Senate majority leader: “To do the right thing” in the Kavanaugh judicial hearing. (“Hirono To Kavanaugh: ‘Do The Right Thing,'” Sept. 18) Go for broke, Senator, these power grabbing, ancient men need more straight talk. As a Native American tribal chief would say: “They speak with forked tongue.”

— A.Locascio, Waikiki

Electric Vehicles

Another aspect to this story could be the fact that EV registration fees recently went up dramatically which, for many, has nearly cancelled out the cost-savings and incentives to owning an EV.  On one hand, the state has a goal to reduce carbon emissions, while at the same time, policies are enacting that work directly against these goals.
— Cheryl Reeser, Makawao

Mental Health Care Crisis

Consider a different model

The Collaborative Care model in Article Two of the series on mental health care shows promise as a demonstration for people with mild to moderate mental illness. (“Innovative New Program Plugs Some Holes In Mental Health Care System,” Sept. 18) Many people who are symptomatic cannot wait weeks or longer for an appointment with their provider in current clinic practice! Such models as Assertive Community Treatment (M.Test and L. Stein) reach the most severely impaired. In this type of service, an interdisciplinary team consisting of a psychiatrist, psychologist, social worker, case manager, and peer support specialist meet daily to review the case load to see who might need urgent attention. Mobile team members dispatched into the community visit each individual as soon as possible, doing whatever is necessary for their care needs. This model has been shown to reduce hospital stays and emergency room visits. Letʻs hope the state mental health authorities and insurance companies will support innovations such as the Collaborative Care Model and Assertive Community Treatment!

— Randolph Hack, Honolulu

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