Letters to the Editor
Send troublemakers to another world
We've reached a whole new dimension of Hawaiian leadership when Frenchy DeSoto, the "Mother of OHA," wrote that Sandra Puanani Burgess cannot be Hawaiian, despite her Hawaiian blood (Letters, March 16).
It seems the Hawaiian identity problem is getting simpler all the time. Now blood doesn't count, and no one is Hawaiian, including DeSoto herself. Or maybe we can start to be more straightforward about what's been true all along: We're all Hawaiian.
Either way, it's becoming very clear that some of the Hawaiians just like to fight. Can't we just send all the troublemakers off to another world so the rest of us can be Hawaiian in peace?
Of course, we know what the malcontents will do when they get to their new home. They'll spend all their time and energy voting each other off the island.
No problem. We can handle. We'll send missionaries.
Mike Keolomakapu'u Pettingill
Kailua
'Education governor' has priorities wrong
As a financial manager, I can tell you that in a reasonable budget there is never "no money." The priority of items to be funded is the issue. Education in Hawai'i evidently has little priority with our "education governor."
This is the right time to make a significant change in our education system. Are our children not worth the sacrifice? It's time to do the right thing because it is the right thing to do.
Put aside political expediency and posturing. Get a backbone, Governor, and grow a conscience, too.
C.M. Kisian
Kailua
Special-ed children shouldn't be priority
I was appalled at the threat of legal action by attorney Eric Seitz to not allow teachers to strike because of the needs of special-eduction children (March 14).
Don't get me wrong; my heart goes out to those who are less fortunate. However, enough is enough. Seitz is a clear example of how arrogant and selfish some advocates of special-ed children are. Their only concern is what may be best for their child, with no regard for the majority of the children who are not special ed.
Mainstreaming special-ed students has already caused numerous disruptions in classrooms that affect the learning environment for all our children — just ask any teacher.
Now, Seitz believes the only people who matter in these teacher negotiations are the same special-needs children. Never mind that our teachers are the worst-paid in the nation. Never mind that all children will be affected by a strike. Never mind that the entire educational system needs to be revamped so that all our children benefit.
Seitz' only agenda is to make sure that special-ed children continue to receive a disproportionate share of dollars that are pegged for the education of all children.
Monty Pereira
Kane'ohe
Money to pay for ad could be better spent
I have a question for Gov: Cayetano: Why did you spend $10,000 of state money, money I could have well used to buy books and resources for my very outdated library collection at Kailua High School, to purchase a full-page ad in The Advertiser?
One of the privileges of being the governor is that you can call a news conference "for free" any time you want. You could have called a news conference and had your chance to defend your outrageous position against the state's teachers.
You are asking teachers to be more accountable for the intellectual growth of our students. Do we as taxpayers get to ask for fiscal accountability from you?
Adele Wilson
Librarian, Kailua High School
Strike would hurt UH for years to come
I am concerned about the perception of the University of Hawai'i to potential students. We always talk about the "brain drain," about how talented students from Hawai'i are leaving for the Mainland.
It will only get worse, much worse, if a strike occurs.
Students will feel the state doesn't support the university, and there will be the perception of UH as a second-rate university. You may think a strike will hurt the professors and the students only in the short term, but believe me, the effects will linger, perhaps a decade or more.
The professors work long hours, with dedication for their students. They deserve better pay and working conditions. Don't let this strike occur.
Bernard Riola Jr.
Make public schools requirement of job
If there were a requirement that all elected public officials send their children to public schools instead of private schools, I believe public education in Hawai'i would be top priority.
Because their children's education would be directly affected, the lawmakers would be more inclined to appropriate the funds so that any public school would be comparable to a Punahou or an 'Iolani.
There would be ample books and updated computer equipment; building facilities and grounds would be properly maintained. Teachers would be paid a higher salary that would reflect the cost of living in Hawai'i.
All of Hawai'i's children would then receive an education "second to none."
Mike Otake
Definition of illegal 'camping' is shaky
If camping without a permit is illegal in city parks, and if camping is defined as "sleeping or preparing to sleep," an awful lot of people, many of them tourists, are illegally camping on our beaches every day.
For example, try going to Hanauma Bay around noon on a day it's open to the public and you'll see a lot of people on the beach "sleeping or preparing to sleep" without a permit.
Does the City Council really want to criminalize this behavior?
Nobu Nakamoto
HPD acted properly in information release
I do not agree with your March 12 editorial that suggests the Honolulu Police Department is attempting to intimidate or inconvenience state official Ronald Sakata for releasing confidential information. You have unfairly criticized the department.
I can understand why the media doesn't like privacy laws, but if Sakata intentionally released Clyde Arakawa's Social Security number and home address, he committed a misdemeanor. It should be investigated.
Police officers are justifiably concerned that the only time Sakata did this was in the case of a police officer. The release of an officer's home address could endanger the officer and the officer's family. I can recall that at least one Honolulu police officer was murdered because a criminal knew where he lived. Giving out an officer's home address is not, as you suggest, a "relatively minor" mistake.
It is unreasonable of you to suggest that the Police Department should ignore its duty because of the "appearance" of favoritism. Appearances are often deceiving and can lead to unfairness and injustice. Your editorial appears to take a biased position against the Honolulu Police Department for upholding the law.
Michael G.M. Ostendorp
Throw out the sign on minimum speed
I drive over the Pali frequently to town from the Windward side. It irks me to read the posted speed sign of 40 mph encouraging drivers that it is OK to travel 40 mph minimum in the left lane.
This sign should be eliminated.
Other signs should be modified to read "commercial vehicles and slower drivers MUST use right lane." Then we can go back to passing on the left.
Thurlow Chun
Kailua
Mentally ill patients shouldn't be moved
Regarding your March 13 article on the mentally ill: Seriously ill mental patients are being moved into residential areas, and the article says more of the State Hospital patients should be living in the community.
The numbers show the State Hospital now spends $171,250 per year on each patient ($27.4 million divided by 160 patients). This appears inefficient, to say the least. Perhaps the answer is to make the hospital larger rather than smaller to more efficiently use tax dollars and better serve more patients.
Are there only 160 acute patients out of the 21,000 "seriously" ill? The $62 million per year now spent on 4,500 patients in a "residential setting" or as outpatients ($13,777 each) is cheaper, but at what cost to safety in our residential areas?
Complaints have been received from parents in Kailua who are afraid to let their children play "out front." Will we see the typical government response that action will be taken only after a serious incident has occurred?
We all have compassion for people with health problems. From the patients' perspective, dispersing seriously ill mental patients into residential areas may increase the difficulty of monitoring the quality of care.
Charles A. Prentiss
Kailua
Civilian visits help keep military strong
There is nothing wrong with civilians on submarines. Nor is there something wrong with civilians riding in Thunderbird or Blue Angel jets, or in M-1 Abrams tanks.
You see, we have a governmental system that puts the civilians in charge of the military. The commander-in-chief is a civilian, as are the secretaries of defense and all of the services. Congress is made up of civilians. They control the defense budget, military spending and, to a certain extent, the commitments of the military.
The alternative is an autonomous military. Historically, autonomous militaries take over their own country and sometimes move on to try to take over the world. Japan of World War II is but one of many examples.
Our system is good. But, for the military to be understood, for their welfare to be protected and for their missions to be guarded, civilian interaction must take place. Civilians at all levels must be given a chance to see not only the capabilities of our military but also the importance of its missions, the shortfalls in personnel and equipment, and the impressiveness of the military person's dedication.
There must be grass-roots support in order to keep our military strong. Some see the civilian visit to the USS Greeneville as a joy ride for the jet set. Trust me, such visits and orientations must take place if you want a healthy military.
Having been involved in many such visits by civilians to Navy ships and installations, I know that those civilians who participate in such events walk away with a very new and very positive appreciation for their military, especially its people. We must keep civilians involved and informed.
If we don't, the military will lose its technological and personnel advantage. American military personnel are the best in the world. So is our equipment. For the future of this great country, let's keep it that way.
Ross Word
Captain, U.S. Navy (Ret.)
Kailua High '65
Conway, S.C.
