With the holiday and Christmas seasons upon us, I can’t help but be reminded of Hawaii’s precious kupuna — especially those who depend on adult children and others to help them with everyday tasks.

Hawaii’s seniors are truly amazing, and have incredible stories to share of sacrifice and the many contributions to all of us.

As they age, memory begins to fail, falls start to happen and doctor and hospital visits can increase, starting a cycle of depression, anxiety and fear — emotions our parents are understandably too proud to share.

Sometimes in the busyness of life our seniors are sadly overlooked. Being there with an extra hug, a few minutes longer with our time and thanking them for who they are and all they’ve done can truly make all the difference in their quality of life.

Sharing and living aloha is a special and unique way we show we truly care for each other — one of the great legacies of our precious kupuna.

Janet Hochberg

Aina Haina

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Change leaders in government

What a sad state of affairs (“Former governors take sides in 2018 primary,” Star-Advertiser, Oct. 15). The only two viable candidates for governor are two Democrats with virtually identical positions on every major issue.

Does anyone think that Hawaii is on the right track? Under Democratic leadership we have a rail project that will bankrupt us, public beaches and parks taken over by the homeless, and higher and higher taxes.

It is time for a change. When will the people of Hawaii wake up and stop electing the same people/party over and over again?

Jeffrey A Keating

Kapiolani

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Let Airbnb hosts share their homes

Regarding the negative article about short-term rentals (“Seminars touting vacation rentals draw protests,” Star-Advertiser, Oct. 10), it’s important to point out that Airbnb listings represent less than 1 percent of the Oahu housing inventory. Also, the majority of Airbnb hosts are sharing their primary homes with guests while living on site, and continuing to be responsible community members and contributing to civic activities.

These rentals are small and not appropriate for long-term renting — and if they were to rent long-term to a couple, it would bring two cars onto the street plus cars from visitors. Vacationers almost always just have one car and no guests, which is actually less disruptive to the neighborhood.

Many of these hosts are locals who depend on the short-term rental income in order to continue living in these homes. We need updated regulations that allow hosts to benefit from Hawaii’s tourism industry and also preserve our neighborhoods.

Helen Petrovitch

Kailua

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Sword has role in chief selection

Honolulu Police Commission chairman Max Sword should watch and listen in a different room to a live feed of commission interviews of the finalists for the police chief position (“With HPD panel leader out of chief choice, others must be unanimous,” Star-Advertiser, Oct. 11).

The same goes for the deliberations by the other commissioners. If the commission becomes deadlocked at 3-1 for someone other than Thomas Aiu, Sword could cast an unbiased, fully informed vote for the front-runner if he is in agreement with the choice.

Michael Ho

Moanalua Valley

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Monitor collecting of huge arsenals

By all accounts, the Las Vegas shooter gave no indications of his intent, but I think this is not the case.

I don’t know how guns are registered and accounted for, but if there were a central registry, at some point a buzzer would sound and someone would turn to a co-worker or supervisor and say, “I wonder what this dude is doing with (for example) 25 machine guns? Maybe we need to pay him a visit.”

Maybe he’s just a patriotic revolutionist stockpiling for the next tea party, or he’s just innocently gathering these weapons until he reaches 50 and can trade them in for a thermonuclear device, but I would say that this quantity of destructive weaponry is in itself an indicator that something’s likely up.

If there’s no central authority or agency with the ability to track such a massive personal inventory —well then, there should be.

Jared Wickware

Kalihi

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California fires heart-wrenching

Doesn’t it break your heart? It broke my heart and I teared up when I saw the picture of “California Republic” in the Views & Voices section (Star-Advertiser, Oct. 13).

The editorial cartoon told it all and should have been on your front page to illustrate the devastation of property and of the lives of people and animals who perished. For all of the many thousands of people who survived and lost so much, be comforted with love and very needed assistance. Bless you all.

John Keala

Maili