Letters for Sunday, September 22, 2019

Message of aloha: Go back to Idaho

This article (Sept. 19) shows how horribly out of touch you are with the Hawaiian culture and the island of Kauai. I am not even going to tell you why I say that but if I were you, I would be so embarrassed that I would go back to Idaho or wherever you come from.

Tom Thompson, Kauai

Allegations show pattern of behavior

You are correct that allegations are not in and of themselves proof of guilt. They are concerning when they fit a pattern of behavior. Brett Kavanaugh appears to fit a pattern of binge drinking and socially irresponsible behavior that is not commensurate with an appointment to SCOTUS.

Nominees to the highest court should be of impeccable moral standards, as they most carefully consider the weight and impact of changes of the legal decisions which impact the very fabric of our society. Jurists like John Roberts enjoyed a wide berth of margin in their nominations because of such integrity. Is there some particular reason you’ve chosen to use your print publication to defend the misdeeds of a frat boy?

Harlan Kanoa N. Sheppard, Ewa Beach

The importance of speaking up in a time of crisis

As we all know, the Earth is facing a climate crisis. People across the entire planet are both listening to what the science says and experiencing first hand the impacts of the climate crisis.

To be united across the planet on a singular issue is a powerful message to the global leadership meeting this week at the U.N. Climate Summit. In 2015, 195 countries and governments signed the United Nations Paris Climate Agreement.

But this historical agreement is nothing other than just that unless we are all willing to make the transformational change needed to reach the overriding goal of limiting global warming to 2 degrees Celsius (with best efforts to limit warming within 1.5 degrees).

So why are we on Kauai joining in the Climate Strike? Because our voice matters, too, and so do our actions. Our Climate Strike is not only about demanding that global leaders fulfill their commitments, but that our county government and community members all play their role as well in addressing the climate crisis.

Anne Walton, Kapaa
Source: The Garden Island