A large percentage of residents have refused to take the COVID-19 vaccine because of stubbornness, selfishness or ignorance. With the emergence of the delta variant, we are now paying the price. The number of infected has risen well beyond 400 per day, far greater than previous counts.

The delta variant has proven to be far more infectious and the vaccinations are not as effective in preventing it. Compounding the issue is that the vaccinations are now suspected to be waning in efficacy as time goes on.

Once you get COVID-19, it’s too late to get the shot. The vaccine will not help once you catch the virus; your life is on the line. Scientists now say that the current wave will get a lot worse until fall because too many people are ignoring safety guidelines and are unvaccinated.

The biggest threat is that the virus may mutate into another variant that is immune to the vaccine. This means we would revert to even higher infections than pre-vaccination levels. God help us then.

Jon Shimamoto

Mililani

Trump could encourage supporters to vaccinate

First, a disclaimer: I am NOT a fan of Donald Trump and certainly do not want him as president in 2024.

With the above being said, but with the goal of saving lives by convincing people to get vaccinated, I have another kind of motivation especially for those Trump supporters not vaccinated. If Trump were really the “stable genius” he thinks he is, this is what he should do.

At a rally, or better yet, in a PSA on television, Trump could address his base, many of whom are unvaccinated. I have written his speech for him:

“My fellow Americans, you have supported me and I know how loyal you are. I have no doubt that you want us to Make America Great Again. I need all of you. I love you and I know you love this country. I don’t want to lose any of you hardworking, patriotic Americans to this China virus. I got the vaccine and so did my family. I ask you today, as my loyal supporters, to get vaccinated for yourself, for your loved ones and for me, Donald J. Trump.”

Ann Evans

Kapiolani

Ask what you can do for your country

Vaccination denial: I get it. Vaccines for COVID-19 aren’t fully approved yet by the Food and Drug Administration, although scientific data shows it’s safer than not. Many have chosen to neglect the advice of experts, whether it’s because of fear, misinformation or personal belief.

I humbly ask of those to think of a quote from another era: “Ask not what your country can do for you; ask what you can do for your country.”

If not for country, what about for your family, the kids and kupuna around you who plead for normalcy? Are we so self-absorbed we cannot engage in this cause together?

Russell Tong

Nuuanu

Federal pressure can restrict our rights

Federal government officials indicate that they are not mandating mask-wearing or vaccines in response to COVID-19. They are “highly encouraging” or “recommending” private businesses, academic institutions and state and local governments to do exactly that, in violation of the constitutional rights of Americans.

I am not anti-mask or anti-vaccine, but when the federal government “highly encourages” or “recommends” mandates for masks and vaccines at local levels, the result is the eventual segregation and ostracizing of U.S. citizens. Those entities (businesses, academic institutions, local governments) are now agents of the federal government and infringing on the rights of Americans.

These quasi-mandates promoted by the federal government are end runs around the Constitution. If the federal government wants to mandate masks and vaccines, then pass legislation. Emergency orders and executive directives are no way to do business in a free America.

David Biacan

Wahiawa

Limit building permits to control growth

The recent influx of tourists in our islands illustrates the need to regulate and limit our growth in Hawaii.

All the short-term vacation rentals cause increased demand for housing for local working people and the cost of housing goes up. The workers need affordable housing.

Our water supply is for our children and grandchildren. Are land speculators sweeping the truth about our water supply under the rug? I do not buy some of the water-usage figures being quoted.

We can limit our growth by limiting building permits, based on a Ninth Circuit appeals court ruling in Construction Industry Association v. City of Petaluma (1975).

I think the Hawaiian islands can support only a finite number of people comfortably. The growth is from immigration, both legal and illegal.

Some might argue the right to travel, but I think the reality is that Hawaii can only accommodate so many people at a time and Oahu is fully developed.

Phil Robertson

Kailua

Hotel industry distracts by blaming B&Bs

As in the best traditions of Trumpism, we are told by the offshore hotel and visitor industry to “look over there” — it’s the mom-and-pop vacation rentals that are creating overtourism.

Gary Zane

Ewa Beach

Thanks to garbagemen who work rain or shine

I live in rainy Manoa Valley on a road that does not accommodate an automatic pickup garbage truck. I have watched the men who lift and empty trash barrels into the older trucks.

I want to say thank you to them. They work in rain or sunshine.

Mandy Bowers

Manoa Valley

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