Letters to the Editor

‘Graduated college’ is not improper English

Regarding Paul Weber’s Jan. 9 letter complaining that a headline writer used the phrase "graduated college," contending that the phrase is improper English: I beg to differ.

The English language — especially as spoken in the United States — is not a static, unchanging, rule-adhering monolith, but a living, breathing art form. The phrase in question is an idiomatic entity, and has been used for generations when referring to one with a college degree.

Let’s stop dragging the language back to the past and let it run free. We have enough problems with words that, over time, have come to have less-distinct meanings and can be equivocated upon by politicians and spinmeisters to worry that idioms are destroying strict usage rules.

Andy Parx
Lawa‘i, Kaua‘i

Archery range is a danger to public

Kapi‘olani Park enthusiasts thought they would be one step closer to reclaiming the safety of the park with the announcement of the closing of the park archery range. The relocation of this facility to the Koko Head range or some other remote area such as Fort Ruger is only common sense.

Yet, motivated by the potential gain of 1,200 archery coalition votes, Mayor Harris is ignoring the safety issue of an archery range that is within 20 feet of the Diamond Head Tennis Center courts as well as some of the best picnic areas in the park.

The mayor wishes to expand the archery range to twice its size, as well as erect another unnecessary building on Kapi‘olani Park trust land. What about the potential liability and costs to the city as well as to the taxpayers? Just recently the model-rocket enthusiasts were banned from Kapi‘olani Park and, over the years, the kite fliers have also had the same threat.

On any day, one can observe these archers not only endangering each other but also people who are within arrow distance. Over the years, many errant arrows have fallen into various courts at the tennis center, some as far as 150 yards away from the intended target.

What are you waiting for, Mayor Harris? These are not recreational wood bows or wood arrows; these are compound bows, hunting bows, killing bows, with arrows of carbon fiber and other potentially deadly composites.

Robert Loera

Hawaiians should get political recognition

In response to Garry P. Smith’s Jan. 2 letter, "Hawaiians should not be ‘Native Americans’ ": Ka Lahui Hawai‘i agrees with that assertion. However, as an indigenous people illegally conquered and colonized by America, Hawaiians are similarly situated politically, culturally and spiritually.

As such, the United States should accord political recognition to Hawaiians as part of the reconciliation process mandated by the president and Congress.

For over 150 years, Hawaiians have suffered numerous attacks aimed at our right to exist. Since our inception in 1987, Ka Lahui Hawai‘i has been the only "taro-roots" nation that has continuously and consistently advocated for federal recognition of the Hawaiian nation. The nation is now stepping forward to deflect another barb aimed at wounding us all; the need for unity and consensus among Hawaiians is critical to protesting any diminishment of our rights and entitlements.

The National Congress of American Indians, the oldest and largest native organization established in 1944, is made up of representatives and advocates for national, regional and tribal concerns. The congress adopted resolutions authored by Ka Lahui Hawai‘i that support the sovereign rights of native Hawaiians and recognize the need to develop a true government-to-government relationship with the Hawaiian nation.

Another adopted resolution supports federal legislation calling for recognition of the Hawaiian nation and return of land to the Hawaiian nation.

Keali‘i‘olu‘olu Gora
Lukanela Kia‘aina (Lieutenant Governor), Ka Lahui Hawai‘i

Chance to improve TheBus slipping away

Hawai‘i continues to fall short when it has amazing opportunities.

The educational system could set national standards. The provision of medical and health services could be designed to ensure coverage and health improvement for all. The justice system could be redesigned to focus on making and keeping streets safe. Finally, the chance to improve public transportation seems to be slipping away.

The City Council is wrestling with fares for TheBus. On the one hand, it says, "Hey, use more public transportation." On the other, "Let’s raise the rates." Is there something wrong here?

I challenge the Council to do something gutsy and forward-thinking: Reduce the monthly pass to $15 and the single-ride fee to 50 cents, but increase the number of buses and frequency of runs. Add a 25-cent-per-gallon surcharge to gasoline. Triple the cost of license plates for cars.

If the Council doubles or triples the frequency of runs past my back door, I’ll sign the title of my car over to the good old C & C of Honolulu.

Raymond Heath

[back to top]