My students have an active interest in preservation of our special island home, and are obviously outraged at the tree killings (the identify and names of students kept confidential under the Federal Student Privacy Protection Act).

“I think that Molokai Ranch shouldn’t be cutting down our ‘aina. I think that they should be taking care of the trees at Kaluakoi Golf Course because that’s our ‘aina and we need to take care of them, and not cut them down. It took 30 years for them to look beautiful.”

“I don’t know who is/are cutting down our healthy trees, but whoever it is, they should be ashamed because that’s really, really said and those healthy trees are part of our whole community. It also makes us really, really strong to do nice things like helping people who need help. So whoever is doing this awful thing should be ashamed.”

“Please don’t cut down these trees. These trees are important to the people of Molokai. And these trees are very, very beautiful. And the trees are very precious to this island.”

“If they cut down all the trees, then there will be no more, and then the people that live when we die will not get to see the trees. The coconut palms are precious to the Hawaiian Islands and are part of our ‘aina. These people should stop killing these trees!”

“Please do not cut down those trees. Those trees are very important to people in Hawaii. You can call my dad to build you a fence [instead of the coconut tree barricades]. These coconut palm trees are very beautiful. My dad is a contractor. He can build you a fence instead. His business is Hoopaa Construction.com. You might see his truck driving around, it’s white and has a sign on the sides. So, please, don’t cut down those trees. You can get other things like plywood or metal fencing. Put up that fencing around the golf course and then put up signs.

“Please don’t cut down these trees. These trees are important to the people of Molokai. And these trees are very, very beautiful. And the trees are very precious to this island.”

An especially outraged student who actually though how a tree would feel says:

“You should have an imaginary electrical line around, so when Molokai Ranch pushes over [a tree], they will get a shock or get burnt to death, for cutting down the trees, because that’s how the coconut trees feel now.”

I think the keiki have the right idea.

Diane Abraham, on behalf of 22 third graders
Kualapuu School