In response to the Hawaii Catholic Herald July 21 article “Lunch break”:
I can’t imagine what Mayor Rick Blangiardi was thinking when he visited a parish food program with police representatives. His only two stated reasons given to Father Akiona were that a minority number of the people coming for meals had criminal records for petty crimes and the trash left behind is visible to hotel guests from the Waikiki Beach Marriott Resort & Spa.
To the honorable mayor, I would suggest he review the Gospel according to Matthew Chapter 9 Verses 10-12. While he was at table in his house, many tax collector and sinners came and sat with Jesus. The Pharisees saw this and said to his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?” He heard this and said, “Those who are well do not need a physician, but the sick do.”
—Quintin D. Bibbs
Aiea