The following editorial was originally published in the Honolulu Star-Advertiser on Sunday, September 5, 2021 as part of the "Raise Your Hand" column in the Insights section.
PRO: A PRACTICAL CHANGE TO HAWAII TOURISM
“Not only are hotels understaffed, but Hawai’i is at full visitor occupancy while there is a severe shortage of other resources elsewhere in the islands…This prioritization of tourists’ wants over local residents’ needs caused an uproar within Hawai’i’s communities.”
- Carolei Edra
CON: ADDRESSING FLAWS IN HTA’S NEW PLAN
“If we want to move from accidental to purposeful perpetuation of what makes Hawai’i special, we need a Cabinet position or shared vision between the HTA and the government, or else any well-intentioned actions fall short.”
- Jamie Hirano
Related Articles
Programs like Summer Fun are more important now than ever in light of the COVID pandemic, during which in-person opportunities for children were severely limited. The diverse programming that Summer Fun offers can aid in rebuilding children’s physical endurance and strength lost during extended periods at home. Additionally, it provides opportunities for socialization and developing social cues — skills that were strained during the pandemic when children primarily interacted through screens.
Lowering the voting age to 16 will help to make voting a habit for young people. With more familiarity at a younger age, individuals will be more inclined to vote in future elections, improving overall voter turnout. Additionally, it communicates the importance of civic engagement and fosters active participation in democracy.
"According to the Oxford English Dictionary, “toxic masculinity” is defined as a set of attitudes and ways of behaving stereotypically associated with or expected of men, regarded as having a negative impact on men and society as a whole. Some individuals on the extreme end have appropriated the term to express their disdain for men, twisting the true meaning of the term."