City Councilwoman Andria Tupola should resign immediately from the Honolulu City Council (“City Council member Andria Tupola not vaccinated, and not planning a run for governor next year,” Star-Advertiser, Aug. 5).

An unvaccinated City Council member is a horrible example for our city and sends the wrong message to the people. Her selfish “me first” attitude should not be tolerated from a public servant. If she continues to spread misinformation about vaccines, then she is a detriment to our government and has no business representing the people of our city.

The primary purpose of government is the protection of its citizens. This is a collective effort. Tupola spurns the basic notions that hold our society together. As such, it is she, not the vaccine, that is the true detriment to every person living in the city.

Sidney Goldstein

Downtown Honolulu

Council member should set a better example

I am a resident of Makaha and was very disappointed when I read the article about my City Council member, Andria Tupola, not planning on getting vaccinated (“City Council member Andria Tupola not vaccinated, and not planning a run for governor next year,” Star-Advertiser, Aug. 5).

I have always thought she had a good head on her shoulders and have supported her since she ran for state House while living in Maili. Usually one issue is not a deal breaker for me when I am considering someone for office, but this issue is. I will not be voting for her in the future.

She is setting the wrong example to the people on the Waianae Coast, which has the lowest vaccination rate in the state. Even though she has had the virus, she should be vaccinated, especially with the delta variant being so much more contagious as well as more virulent.

She said it is unclear how much immunity a person who has contracted the virus has. This is exactly why the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention encourages people who have had the virus to get vaccinated.

Carolyn Frank

Retired registered nurse

Makaha

We are making progress against COVID-19

As the pandemic drags on, fatigue and frustration sets in. It is easy to blame others (anti-vaxxers) for the continued COVID-19 hassles and never-ending restrictions. Even though it feels like life will never get back to normal, we are moving forward.

In Hawaii, thanks to vaccinations and social distancing, businesses are opening back up and schools are operating in person. Yet with these successes, we must remain vigilant because COVID-19 is still prevalent across the globe.

There is a large difference between vaccination programs between wealthy and poor countries. More than 80% of all vaccines administered have been given to high- and middle-income countries. Less-wealthy countries rely on COVAX initiatives to protect their population. We should support COVAX initiatives and other development agencies to help combat COVID-19 globally so that we all can get our lives back to normal.

Deven Aruda

Wailuku

Campbell classrooms crowded despite variant

As the mother of a teacher at Campbell High School, I object to the idyllic picture of a classroom pictured in the Star-Advertiser (“Back in the classroom,” Star-Advertiser, Aug. 4). There are eight students who are adequately distanced in a room with air that is purified (as described in the article).

Now visualize 3,000 students returning to Campbell High School to classrooms with 30-plus students. My daughter, along with several of her colleagues, have 35 students in a class. She is in a portable classroom with questionable ventilation. She loves teaching but is afraid for her students as this delta variant spreads throughout our state. She is immunized.

Jo Kanehiro

Kailua

Spend more to protect keiki, kupuna from virus

A large part of the COVID-19 funds Hawaii is receiving should be going to the state Department of Education to help make schools safer for our keiki. Private schools have the funds and ability to put up plastic barriers, provide face shields and more, but how do our other keiki who attend public schools benefit from COVID-19 funds that actually are our hard-earned dollars?

Gov. David Ige and DOE officials should do more to fight for those monies to properly outfit our public schools and keep our public school keiki safe.

Also, I don’t remember any of those funds being designated to help independent seniors living on fixed incomes. They are faced with the same challenges everyone else faces — spending more for protective equipment, paying for home delivery — all without outside income to help with these expenses.

I’m sure many could eventually end up on the streets also. Is that necessary before their needs are addressed?

Linda Teruya

Makiki

Falls of Clyde can be saved for posterity

The two proposals submitted to state Department of Transportation (DOT) to remove the Falls of Clyde from Honolulu Harbor show that there is support for ensuring that the National Historic Landmark ship is not lost to posterity (“State received 2 proposals in bid for removal of the Falls of Clyde from Honolulu Harbor,” Star-Advertiser, Aug. 3).

However, only one is focused on ensuring that the ship has a new life, certain to be preserved and restored for another role in her 142 years as an invaluable part of maritime history.

The DOT can only choose the Falls of Clyde International proposal to safely return the ship to Scotland. Its plan for her future is one that understands how an historic vessel can be relevant in the 21st century.

As legal owners of the Falls of Clyde, we endorse their proposal.

Bruce McEwan

President, The Friends of Falls of Clyde

>> Contact: 529-4831 (phone), 529-4750 (fax), letters@staradvertiser.com, staradvertiser.com/editorial/submit-letter