Odyssey triggers anti-woke thunderstorm

Dear Editor,  June 15, 2026

The new Odyssey movie—already dubbed “Oddity” by the internet—has triggered a full anti- “woke” thunderstorm, mostly from people who have seen exactly one trailer and 900 opinions.

Black actress Lupita Nyong’o as Helen of Troy is considered a departure from the usual blonde fair skinned Greek supermodel tradition. Wanting more Greek actors? Fair. Acting like Troy has fallen again because of casting? Maybe hydrate.

Ironically, this allegedly “woke” casting is somewhat anti woke and anti DEI because it EXCLUDES Greeks from the role (and most of the main roles).

If Helen were played by a gorgeous Asian actress, would I complain? I’d probably secretly love it (just don’t tell my wife).

Tiny transgender Elliot Page (allegedly) as mighty Achilles has also become (funny but perhaps nasty) meme fuel, since Achilles is usually imagined as a giant warrior and, thanks to Brad Pitt, a man whose abs needed their own trailer.

I’m not into forced “wokeness” either, but that is a subjective judgement.  Still, producer Christopher Nolan usually delivers, and I am embarrassingly easy to lure into theaters with well-done action and violence.

Also, it’s a fiction movie based on an ancient poem based on Greek mythology. Demanding strict historical accuracy from myths is like asking Zeus for a notarized affidavit.

So criticize it or skip it. Just maybe watch the movie before declaring Troy destroyed again—this time by trailer reaction.

Free speech works best when it stays sharp without getting cruel—especially near the birthday of the country that supposedly CELEBRATES differences.

Leighton Loo

Mililani, Oahu

  *   *   *   *   *

Widen Saddle Road?

Dear Editor,  June 1, 2026

I’ve read both online and on Facebook letters and comments urging the State DOT to widen Saddle Road to four lanes and place a concrete divider up.

These individuals don’t realize the degree of difficulty it was to get Saddle Road improved as is.

The highway goes through some of the most environmentally sensitive areas in the state. If it wasn’t for Pohakuloa Training Area, there probably wouldn’t be the will to go through the permitting processes or the available funding to improve Saddle Road to what we know today.

There are other options available to reduce traffic fatalities up on Saddle Road instead of paving over more of paradise.

I recall during the Thirty Meter Telescope protests, the area was covered by police officers. There weren’t any significant amount of fatalities during that time. This is something to think about.

Aaron Stene

Kailua-Kona, Hawaii