Letters to the Editor

Massive layoffs would solve problem

Gov. Cayetano is warning of massive layoffs if the state Senate proceeds with a plan to give public unions the pay raises they are seeking.

Right on! We’ve been complaining for years that a major cause of our stagnant economy is a bloated bureaucracy. Let’s trim the government and give the remaining workers the compensation they want and will then deserve.

Robert Chanin
Kailua

School construction is being mismanaged

A big mahalo to reporter James Gonser for letting the public know who is responsible for our overcrowded schools (Feb. 25).

Here’s the official process under state and city laws: The Land Use Commission approves conditional zoning for development; the Department of Planning and Permitting ensures compliance and imposes additional conditions under unilateral agreements, including certification from the Department of Education for adequate schools; impact fees are collected from the developer to go toward building the schools; school land is planned up to 20 years ahead based on out-build of the project.

Simple, right?

So why do we consistently have overcrowded schools throughout the state? Why are we building multitrack schools that cost the same to build as an adequate school, but up to double per student to operate?

It comes down to a few people not doing their jobs, while the taxpayers pay through the nose for their incompetence.

Now we are told that some employee in the DOE Facilities Department is ignoring statewide land-use zoning laws for adequate educational facilities because he doesn’t want to "overbuild" schools. Also, it is the planning and permitting director who believes that overcrowded schools are OK because children grow up eventually, after all.

Call the people directly responsible for this mismanagement — Mayor Jeremy Harris and Superintendent Paul LeMahieu — and express your displeasure that city and state ordinances are being ignored. The provision of adequate facilities must be based on current laws, not on city and state employees’ misguided opinions.

Laura Brown
Mililani

There’s a reason dogs shouldn’t run loose

Regarding Jim Henshaw’s Feb. 13 letter telling his pitiful story of how he was wrongfully cited for breaking the law by letting "Scruffy" run loose on the beach: It’s always the other guy’s dog that bites and hassles people. Not my dog. My dog is nice.

Well, you may like your dog, but maybe I don’t want your cockapoo yapping at my kid, OK? And maybe your dog doesn’t bite, but lots of people’s dogs do bite and lots of people get bitten. That’s why there’s a law against letting dogs run loose.

Terry Davis

Is it time for Democrats to admit defeat on Felix?

I must comment on House Speaker Calvin Say’s Feb. 18 letter. While he claims his only interest is the "welfare of Hawai‘i’s special-needs children," one has to ask, where has he been for the last eight years Hawai‘i has been under the Felix Consent Decree?

The answer is, of course, he has been in a leadership position in the House. Now that he is the speaker, he expects us to believe the Felix "solution" just appeared today. With the power of the House behind him, he would rather spend his time preventing the Republicans from holding a genuine public debate over raising the age of consent to 16 years old from the youngest in the country, 14.

Mr. Speaker, you and your fellow Democrats have been in control of the Felix "solution" for a decade and have not implemented it properly. Is it time for you and your colleagues to admit failure and let the House Republicans offer a public debate over this issue, or will you prevent that also?

Erm Gartley
Kane‘ohe

Stephen Alm should be given new term

The people of Hawai‘i would be well served if the new Bush administration would reappoint our U.S. attorney, Steven Alm.

Alm has been an effective and productive U.S. attorney, rigorously bringing many cases to trial that have benefitted our state.

He has deep roots in the community, has established excellent working relationships with such agencies as the FBI, drug enforcement and local police. His noteworthy work in the "Weed and Seed" program has helped result in a 70 percent drop in crime in targeted areas.

Although it is customary to replace Democratic with Republican appointees under current circumstances, President Bush himself has advocated bipartisan appointments.

Local Republican leaders could work for continued benefit to our state by recommending to Washington their support for this fine U.S. attorney.

J. M. Wylie

Banning fireworks isn’t about Chinese culture

Regarding the Feb. 26 letter by Anthony Au, "third-generation Chinese," on banning fireworks: No one is contesting Chinese New Year’s fireworks, so your "complaint" is irrelevant.

The banning of fireworks is not discriminatory, but a health and safety issue. This would in no way preclude anyone from celebrating "New Year’s or ancestors’ month." In fact, this would not preclude anyone’s legal religious practices.

However, it would help those of us with major respiratory illnesses and protect everyone’s hearing. It would also preclude terrorizing the many helpless animals and pets in the state that have no control over the situation.

If you want to celebrate, attend Chinese New Year’s celebrations in Chinatown, as I always do.

No other ethnic group has such a lengthy and joyous celebration of New Year’s as the Chinese have with the many lion dances enjoyed throughout Honolulu.

By the way, I am first-generation Chinese (my father immigrated from Canton, China) and second-generation Chinese on my maternal side. I honor my ancestors, but not at the expense of my fellow citizens or helpless animals.

Maile Oshita Nicholas
Hawai‘i Kai

Mansho should be praised for her efforts

How can anyone fault Rene Mansho for using countless hours of her own time and (possibly) some campaign monies to promote cruise tourism in Honolulu and Hawai‘i — tirelessly, always enthusiastically, with aloha.

I used to participate in Aloha Boat Days as a volunteer coordinator, and Rene was always first on Pier10/11 for ship arrivals at 6 a.m., driving in from central O‘ahu. Rene was always the last to leave as well. In my opinion, she is one of the most outstanding examples of what the aloha spirit is all about. She should be embraced, not ridiculed.

Greig Trowbridge
Palm Springs

Invasive pictures aren’t appreciated

When I heard about the accident involving UH football coach June Jones, I, like the rest of the State of Hawai‘i, wanted to know what condition he was in and what the prognosis was.

What I didn’t need to see was a picture of his grieving teenage daughter, Nicole, placed on the front page. We can all feel the grief that this family has gone through; we don’t need the images.

No more invasive pictures like this, please.

Divisiveness won’t solve any problems

The pain that underlies the Feb. 25 comments by Alani Apio ("1,000 little cuts to genocide") are one more reason the divisive hype surrounding native Hawaiian "issues" accomplishes little for anyone — native Hawaiian or not.

America is a land of great spiritual opportunity for those who get an education, work hard and stay out of trouble. On the other hand, the entitlement mindset (e.g., "someone owes me something because of what I choose to believe happened a hundred years ago ... ") is bounded by profound societal and personal risks.

Those who choose the latter lifestyle will get little or nothing of genuine value for their effort — and they will make themselves and others miserable in the process. Therefore, because so few individuals actually benefit, tax dollars should not be spent on projects designed to "recompense" an entitled few.

Indeed, it’s time Hawai‘i and the federal government stop wasting precious resources on such mean-spirited nonsense. Instead let’s get our schools fixed, foster respect for others and get to work.

Mike Rethman
Kane‘ohe


These Islands belong to all Hawai‘i citizens

Regarding Alani Apio’s Feb. 25 Focus commentary: He speaks of "Warriors" — well, I am an old man who was a "Warrior" in his youth. I witnessed the effects of war on people, so I pray he will cease these veiled threats and learn that we all need love and truth in our hearts if a solution to this issue is to be found.

Apio needs to spend more time with his neighbors of all cultures in these Islands. I can assure you my family and friends do not sit around the kitchen table daily and grumble about Hawaiian demands, lawsuits and false claims of history.

For the most part, we are concerned with paying our taxes, paying the rent or house payment, and the future of the children of Hawai‘i.

However, I do wonder if 23 years ago, had we not established the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, if the hundreds of millions of dollars that now choke its coffers would be enough to help our public schools out of the dilemma they now face, keeping in mind that all the funds from ceded lands went to the Department of Education prior to OHA’s establishment. Would this help Native Hawaiians? Of course — the vast majority attend public schools.

All of the people of Hawai‘i are just trying, as Hawaiians are, to make ends meet and enjoy our beautiful state. That’s right, our beautiful state. It belongs to us all, not a race or culture. We all live in these Islands, and all our ancestors came here from somewhere else. There are no superior cultures or religions in America. There is one quote in Apio’s letter that I do agree with: "Give me a break."

The only cuts Apio has are self-inflicted.

Roger Grantham
Lahaina

Culture is no excuse for being exclusionary

Alani Apio’s Feb. 25 commentary suggests there is common ground in the debate over Hawaiian sovereignty. We all support participation in Hawaiian culture. But that goal is harmed by programs that exclude people from participation based on ancestry.

Cultures are learned and lived, not genetically inherited. We all benefit from learning about and participating in Hawaiian cultural activities. Traditionally, Hawaiian culture has welcomed newcomers and new ideas.

Apio’s cultural argument does not justify exclusionary programs like the Office of Hawaiian Affairs and the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands. Programs that exclude people based on ancestry violate both the Hawaiian tradition of openness and the American Constitution.

They pay off some people, regardless of any knowledge of Hawaiian culture, while driving away others who appreciate it and want to participate. Blood-based programs divide Hawai‘i along racial lines, aggravating the racial resentment illustrated by Apio’s overheated rhetoric.

To learn, practice and take pride in culture, people do not need separate ethnic governments. Government best assists people to flourish culturally when it treats them as equal citizens, guaranteeing them individual rights of free expression and association. The First Amendment protects these rights for everyone. Democracy is stronger when citizens have a diverse range of cultural choices. The state properly subsidizes Hawaiian culture with public money so that everyone can participate.

Let’s drop the obsession with blood and follow the Hawaiian and American tradition of openness.

Patrick W. Hanifin

Writer of ‘1,000 cuts’ has refreshing style

Thank you, Advertiser editors, for printing Alani Apio’s first of three articles ("1,000 little cuts to genocide," Feb. 25). He has a refreshingly honest and natural writing voice.

I, and I’m sure thousands of other readers, native Hawaiian or not, thoroughly enjoyed his slam-bam, to-the-point "na‘au" opinions. We happily anticipate the next two pieces. Right on, Alani!

Marisa M. Plemer

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