Letter: Do research, don’t trust social media comments

Thanks to Bob Sigall for his recent column, “Mehau did it all: From sumo wrestler to cowboy, the head of HPD’s Metro Squad wore many hats” (Star- Advertiser, Rearview Mirror, Sept. 6).

When I first saw that headline, I wondered why Sigall would be writing about a “bad guy.” Somewhere along the way, I had formed an opinion that Mehau had done something really bad, although I couldn’t even remember what it was.

After reading the article, I learned just how wrong my opinion was. It had started decades ago with someone labeling Mehau “the godfather of organized crime.” Investigation after investigation, however, found no evidence to back that up.

Social media make it much easier these days to spread information, some of which is misleading or downright false.

Recently “connections” of certain people, businesses, Gov. David Ige and the Thirty Meter Telescope have led to claims of wrongdoing.

Absent additional evidence, such claims are not fair to the people involved or to those who wish to know the truth.

I encourage people to do their own research before blindly accepting someone else’s comments.

Natalie Iwasa

Hawaii Kai

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