Power Plant

Put these resources toward solar or wind energy

Thank you for Jason Armstrong’s well-written piece on the Big Island’s wood-burning power plant (“Big Island: Wood-Burning Power Plant Raises Environmental Concerns,” Sept. 7).

This vital information brings to light a plan that is archaic, environmentally harmful and wasteful.

While I read it I began to wonder what century the planners live in. This is 2018, not 1918.

That $200 million investment in burning tons of wood and recirculating tainted water into our system should be immediately diverted into up-to-date solar power or wind generated energy.

I call on Gov. David Ige and Mayor Harry Kim to personally step in and bring some common sense back to our island.

— Steven S. Foster, Kamuela

Kamehameha Film

Communication will accomplish more than criticism

To the author of “Hollywood’s King Kamehameha Concoction” (Sept. 5): This could be a great opportunity to make sure the studio and Mr. Dwayne Johnson get things right. Open up a dialogue with Mr. Johnson and his production company.

Send your article to him to show your concern. Convince him to have the right Hawaiian scholars, biographers and cultural representatives to be advisors to tell film so that the legacy of the king and your people can be depicted fairly and correctly.

I have family in Hawaii and have learned some history about the life of King Kamehameha and would love to know more. I’d always heard that this idea for a film has long been a passion project for Dwayne Johnson that one day he’d like to bring to film.

I think communication is important and your protection of your culture can help develop this film. I know a lot can not be covered in a two-hour film, but what is depicted should be correct, responsible and truthful.

As a fan of the actor/wrestler, the Hawaiian people and culture, I hope something positive can come from the possibility of the film being made and that it will open the eyes of the people around the world of a truly great culture and people.

Thank you for your time.

— Vince Dellapente, Newport News, Virginia

Desecration demoralizes Hawaiians

We believe many Native Hawaiians struggle today translating and expressing their cultural and familial responsibilities to a non-Hawaiian-driven world. The desecration perpetrated by those who haven’t the slightest idea how their “butterfly effect” will demoralize seven generations past and present is criminal.

Hawaiian culture is not a patent owned by any illegal occupiers who stole the Hawaiian Kingdom and with it the future of all our Hawaiian people.

The apology by the United States of America has no value if it allows its U.S. corporations to once again steal our ancestors and their identity by profiteering without the permission of the Native Hawaiian people.

I was taught by my Native Hawaiian family and my Native Hawaiian community that the most precious things on this earthly plain are founded in learning, guiding and protecting our past, present and future through education and values that represent our Native Hawaiian way of life.

We should not permit the genocide of our culture and our beloved alii. What will be left for the next seven generations?

E Hawaii au, e Hawaii nei.

— Mahienaena and Keaweaheulu Brown, Honolulu

Campaign Solicitations Are Overwhelming

And what’s wrong with an old-fashioned check?

In this election season I — like many others I’m sure — have been bombarded by online pleas for political donations. At first, I made small donations online to several candidates I support. Later, though, I began to feel inundated by demands from people I don’t know in many other states and constituencies! People I can’t vote for anyway.

Yes. I understand that like-minded candidates form alliances and we need that to continue our messy but awesome system of democracy.

But meanwhile my credit card information is in the hands of who knows who, not just in Hawaii but all over the country. It may or may not be well protected.

All of this made me feel wary and frustrated.

Many of us have computers these days, but hesitate to put too much personal information out there. I wonder why these candidates don’t put an office or P.O. address on their sites for people who would like to support them but would feel safer writing an old-fashioned check. Seeing the reports of the millions of dollars these sites bring in — maybe this is naïve of me, but politicians seem to be missing segments of the population, maybe many who need help the most.

OK, last bit. Some years ago I saw the musical “1776” in the Ford Theatre in D.C., where Abraham Lincoln was assassinated. The theater had been closed for 100 years after his death before it was restored. I sat in a seat not far from the draped presidential box, which was never used again. The play is a musical comedy spoofing Congress and politics and resonates today. My own state rep in 1776 appeared to be drunk much of the time, and history suggests he was.

But there comes a moment when you realize what these men did fighting out issues and yes, fears, and then declaring independence from what was then the biggest empire in the world. When they finally sign the Declaration of Independence and the Liberty Bell rings, there isn’t a dry eye in the house.

The message is clear that democracy is a messy and dangerous business. But worth more than living with tyranny.

— Kathy Titchen, Honolulu