Killing the economy kills people

Dear Editor,  March 28, 2020

The UN says 9.1 MILLION people die from starvation EACH YEAR. 3.575 MILLION die from unclean drinking water and 1.25 million people die from automobile accidents each year.

By contrast, so far, the Corona Virus has killed 21,177 people worldwide.

Incredible MASS DEATH is ever present in this world but for the most part, most of us ignore or don’t see it.  While we focus on trying to hoard toilet paper, death marches on.

In short, we make BALANCED decisions on life and death.  We may not recognize it but we accept a certain amount of RISK in life.  We may say “safety first”, but we really mean “kind of safe” but not as safe as it would really cost in terms of convenience, resources and time. 

Are we going to restrict use of cars?  Demand lower speed limits?  Donate more to food and clean water charities?  Demand our leaders to devote more resources to starvation prevention?

A world recession would deplete resources drastically for the poor, starving and thirsty.  

So while some will say that we should prioritize health and safety over the economy, there has to be a balanced judgement because money saves lives.

Killing the economy kills people.

Leighton Loo

Mililani, Oahu

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Impeach Harry Kim

Aloha Hawaii County Council members.  March 23, 2020

You are in a position to veto “pull the trigger” on Mayor Harry Kim’s failure to respond to our/your lockdown request due to his lack of statement or taking a sensible course of action accordance with wisdom or prudence that would be beneficial and life saving to all within our community.

As of midnight March 20, 2020, Mayor Kim had failed to respond by the time allocated by your board. Therefore; he should be penalized and/or fined for improper conduct and failure to respond.

The state's tepid response to the coronavirus mirrors the same poor leadership that was demonstrated with the TMT project. Instead of making the tough decisions required to allow TMT access, Ige completely mishandled enforcement, and Harry Kim wanted everyone to come together by joining hands for some sort of kumbaya session.

The coronavirus, and the life threatening warning signs had been anticipated for weeks in advance.  When the first case hit, instead of locking down the state and county, Ige simply suggested that people stay home, and that the tourists stop coming to our islands.  And as recently as Friday, Harry Kim was not committing to a "shelter in place" force of action. When faced with criticism, Kim responded with arrogance, resentment, defiance and anger layered with psychological deflection.  With both the coronavirus and the TMT project, the core problem has been with our state leaders unable to lead, and to make tough decisions even if the situation and/or crisis may seem extremely uncomfortable.

Right now, I think the most important message the state needs to hear is that a project like TMT is what we need to keep the floor from collapsing in Hawaii after the virus pandemic completely wipes-out tourism (which is currently happening right now with hotels teetering on the brink of bankruptcy).

In the 1960s, astronomy was brought to Hawaii after multiple tsunamis hit Hilo and the sugarcane industry collapsed.  Similar reason as to why we will need TMT in our near future.

It’s imperative, and of great urgency, that our state leaders and supporting agencies put their pride and indecisiveness aside and do what’s humanely right by us all.

Lisa Malakaua

Hilo Hawaii