Shinnyo-en Should not be on Memorial Day

Dear Editor    May 30, 2023

I am a HUGE supporter of changing Shinnyo-en Floating Lantern event to Sunday evening (still over Memorial Day weekend).

I am a 30 year Army Veteran and I am upset that they are doing this on Memorial Day, when that is the day set aside to remember our fallen in the US military.

I love the theme and the reason for doing the Floating Lantern Festival, the pageantry, the beauty of floating lanterns and the sunset is breathtaking…but please do NOT conduct this on Monday, Memorial Day.  It isn’t that hard to change it to a day earlier next year.  

I have politely asked them multiple times to change their date and I did not receive a response at all.  We need movement on this from our elected leaders and the news media.  

We always have great memorial ceremonies at Punchbowl (Mayor) and Kaneohe Veterans Cemetery (Governor), but this Floating Lantern Ceremony diminishes our solemn day to remember our fallen in the military, not relatives/friends who didn’t serve.

Aloha, 

Pete Tingstrom

Kaneohe, Oahu

30 year Disabled Veteran

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Open Letter to ‘Honolulu Resilience Office’

Aloha Director Gonser,    May 11, 2023

Jet aircraft fueled by petroleum distillates aren't going away unless we crash Hawaii's economy.

Electric vehicles, net of battery production via coal fired plants and gigantic mining operations and fueled by local fuel-oil generators, are not reducing the CO2 output.

And the power grid in Hawaii is approaching capacity, with rail demands and push for electric cars while ruling out LNG, nuclear, and closing 15% of our capacity at the coal plant!  At my residence in view of 30 giant windmills when the wind blows they turn and my power goes out.

What is this 'transportation' push to zero carbon going to do to us?

Looks like it enriches a few and impoverishes and demobilizes the rest, with the net effect on the world's climate so miniscule as to be indiscernible.

Let's focus more on ADAPTATION, not tilting at windmills to simply remain in alignment with a propagated narrative of feel good save the earth based on clearly incomplete science and impractical engineering.

Mahalo,

Boyd Ready

Haleiwa, Oahu

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Iroquois Point Elementary School Water Drive

Dear Editor, May 8, 2023

Regarding ‘Fevella, HSTA Gin up Phony Fears about unsafe drinking water at school’, May 2, 2023:

The Iroquois Point Elementary School water drive was requested by three Iroquois Point teachers to their local union chapter, twice. The union did nothing to help them, so I said I would.

The water fountains at their school are still turned off. I’ve personally tried in 2022 and last month. No one is saying that this was about Red Hill. I’ve contacted the Navy and Marines for donations and I did not place blame on anyone, but asked for assistance because teachers were asking.

This school was hit with a fuel leak contamination and then lead in the water. The state is telling the school the water is fine, yet leaving all the water fountains off until they change the pipes. This does not change the fact that people are scared and don’t trust what’s being told to them.

I don’t think that getting water donations for a school hit by all of these water issues while their water fountains are turned off is much of a story, but it is blown out of proportion. This story is about people who want to ensure they drink clean water and are on a campus they can’t leave for upwards to 8 hours a day. I think it’s a fair request.

I imagine if that were me and how I would feel. If my kid was still at that school. He went there when he was in special Ed preschool for ages 3-4 and that I would be worried about him drinking potential lead, no matter how low the concentration. He had enough issues without lead in the water.

Respectfully

Julie Reyes-Oda

Former Leeward HSTA Chair