It takes a natural disaster or major crisis to bring out the community spirit. The hearts of Hawaii people are always open when we see another in a condition of loss and confusion, and we are moved with respect and awe for the power of the elements.

But has anyone considered that the magnitude of the volcanic eruption that has brought international attention to the island of Hawaii may be an expression of the profound wrath of Pele over the battle to build the Thirty Meter Telescope on the other peak, Mauna Kea?

In the light of exploitation of the aina for commercial advantage and scientific exploration, we need to pause and reflect on the greater picture of spiritual and planetary consequences of our actions.

This is the time to remember that Mother Nature will restore the balance in her own way, and humans will have to adapt or be thwarted as a result of events that we have set in motion through our too-often shortsighted decisions.

Think Chernobyl, Fukushima, Kobe, Katrina, Kakaako.

Melissa L. Yee

Makiki

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Trump voters fed up with lawlessness

Rod B. Catiggay and the Democrats still don’t get it (“Racial resentment fueled rise of Trump,” Star-Advertiser, Letters, May 18). It was lawlessness, not racism, that fueled the rise of President Donald Trump.

The U.S. is a republic, not a democracy. A republic is the rule of law. Trump voters are fed up with lawlessness. Shouldn’t government value law-abiding taxpaying legal citizens above layabouts, criminals and illegal immigrants?

President Barack Obama made law enforcement a racial issue. That was divisive.

Law enforcement is not racist; it preserves our republic.

Rhoads E. Stevens

Hawaii Kai

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Driver demonstrated compassion for man

I saw an incident recently that left me wondering. As I was walking along the street near my office, I noticed a large dark car stopped in the middle of the next block, cars waiting behind. All of the cars in front had sped up trying to make the green light.

In front and along the right side of the car, an older man (who looked homeless), small in stature and disheveled, was facing the driver, wildly gesticulating to him.

Suddenly the driver, a large young man, stepped out of the car, walked up to the older man, and with a hand on his shoulder, escorted him gently across the street. He then went back to his car and drove off to wait at the stoplight.

If I was the driver, I would have driven around the man and hurried to make the light.

So as I stood watching, I wondered: Who taught the young man about compassion for a stranger, and why wasn’t I more like him?

Chester Naka

Makiki

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Scooters another road distraction

The arrival of Lime scooters as a business in Honolulu is regrettable (“Fines or jail time possible for Lime scooter riders, mayor declares,” Star-Advertiser, May 18).

This business offers one more distraction on the roads because it is not responsible for the actions of those who rent the scooter.

As a driver, I’m constantly adjusting to pedestrians who jaywalk; skateboarders who use the streets without regard to the rules of the road; bikers everywhere; scooters that zip into and out of lanes of traffic, ride on sidewalks, and park in limited parking spaces; and now Lime scooters — all of which want to use the city streets just as I do.

It’s not the bikes, karts and scooters that are the problem, but the people who don’t obey any rules that are the problem.

Bike lanes at least channel the riders and I know where to look for them. I can only hope that I will see every skateboarder or Lime scooter rider or every jaywalker in time so I’m not held liable for someone else’s injuries.

Rosemary Casey

Lower Makiki

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Beachboys belong at Kahanamoku statue

I agree with Thomas Copp that it is time for the city to provide for a nonprofit beachboy concession near the Duke Kahanamoku statue at Kuhio Beach Park, so that the beachboys will always have a place to ply their trade as outrigger canoe captains and surfing instructors (“Set up nonprofit beach boy stands,” Star-Advertiser, Letters, May 17).

For unknown reasons city officials decided to relocate the nonprofit beach boy concession to the Kapahulu Groin, which historically is a bodyboarding beach and is over a quarter of a mile away from the Duke Kahanamoku statue.

It is now time to bring the nonprofit beachboys concession back to its rightful place behind the Duke Kahanamoku statue and keep the Waikiki beachboys away from all future disputes.

Lori Ann Saxman

Waikiki