Ending Sexual Harassment
Praise for a woman’s courage (March 23, 2018)
Our community owes thanks to Rachael Wong for helping put an end to men in power who sexually abuse women (“The Silence On Sexual Harassment Needs To End”).
Sexual harassment and assault have no place in our land of aloha. Yet sexual abuse has been tolerated for years, with whispered warnings of “watch out, don’t be alone with that man” and “don’t let him touch you.”
Wong’s courage has helped other women come forward with their complaints. Let’s hope others will follow in her path to assure that those who are abusing their power are identified, penalized and taken out of power.
We should use these recent events to assure we create truly safe places where sexual abuse and harassment can be reported, without fear of retaliation. Let’s assure that sexual assault and harassment are stopped, so that we can all enjoy this land of aloha.
— Ellen Carson, Honolulu
Hawaii Kai Tree
Buh-Bye, Trevor (March 24, 2018)
The takeaway from this Hawaii Kai tree-lights story seems to be that residents have the opportunity this fall to end Trevor Ozawa’s incumbency at the City Council (“Ian Lind: Playing Hardball Paid Off For Hawaii Kai Tree Lights”).
— Bob Jones, Honolulu
Snorkel Masks
A similar bad experience (March 24, 2018)
I read the article on Google regarding full face masks, not realizing that I had the same issue (“A Near-Death Experience With A Snorkel Mask”). I just had used new full-faced snorkel mask for snorkeling in Mexico.
We did not test them out prior, as we are also certified scuba divers and it seemed pretty straight forward. We were swimming in a spot were I could feel current. I seemed to be breathing harder and hence working harder heading toward the reef. I told my husband I was not going to be able to continue; I was in a short amount of time exhausted.
Don’t try this in the ocean.
Cory Lum/Civil Beat
Knowing I would have to go back, I inflated an emergency tube to signal for help from our boat. I still had 400 yards to swim for help. Reaching the boat, it took three men three attempts to get me in the boat as I was so lethargic. I took more than five minutes lying in the bottom of the boat breathing in fresh air to be able to sit up and get my bearings.
I have snorkeled for years and for hours at a time without issue with my regular dive mask and snorkel. Ironically, an older couple had similar masks. The gentleman started having issues fairly early on; people on a passing boat tossed their safety ring to him to be towed back.
Now I am realizing we were having the same issues. My husband’s masks kept fogging, and he kept continually clearing and removing the mask, hence fresh air breaths.
I have no doubt that this is what happened to me.
— Jacalyn Chies, East Bethel, Minnesota
Death Of Homeless Son
Homelessness is not a lifestyle (March 24, 2018)
Your take on this man glorifies the “nomad, no rules” life (“A Family Struggles To Understand The Death Of Their Homeless Son”).
I have lived in Waikiki for the past 45 years and have seen a lot of its deterioration because these homeless are stealing, sleeping, panhandling, pooping and urinating everywhere.
While he may have been more refined then most, the majority of these homeless people are druggies or drunks, and because of our constitutional laws we can’t force them into rehab facilities. The majority of the disgusting behavior comes from the chronic homeless, of which he was one.
Camping on beaches and in parks is illegal, so to glamorize this behavior is totally wrong and gives a subtle approval of his “lifestyle.”
Honolulu is in crisis with the homeless and, looking at the economics of Hawaii, it will get worse in the near future when more and more local elderly who lack the finances to cope will end up on the streets.
So our politicians have to suck it up and do two things: first, arrest and confiscate to keep them without a place to go; and second, provide for “safe areas,” which are not permanent homes. So they get the idea that they can be safe and clean but then they must get their act together.
Too many people have entitlement issues, and if you want to live in paradise, you got to work and contribute. If you cannot afford to live here, then you need to relocate somewhere else. This is the harsh reality of life.
I have many friends and loved ones who have moved from here because of the costs and now have better and decent lives. While it’s sad for the loss of this man’s life, let it be a warning that homelessness should not be a lifestyle choice.
— Stephany L. Sofos, Honolulu
Thoughts on this or any other story? Write a Letter to the Editor. Send to news@civilbeat.org and put Letter in the subject line. 200 words max. You need to use your name and city and include a contact phone for verification purposes. And you can still comment on stories on our Facebook page.
The post Letters: No Place For Harassment In Land Of Aloha appeared first on Honolulu Civil Beat.