Letters to the Editor
Democratic criticism of Lingle ill-founded
In response to the Democrats saying that Linda Lingle is the heavy hand of the Republican Party and the rest of the Republicans are pawns: That's absurd.
I joined the Republican Party because it had the primary goal of establishing a healthy two-party system while returning integrity to Hawai'i's government. In every Republican meeting that both Linda and I were a part of, I always experienced sharing of ideas and thoughts, and at no time was there ever a dictatorship.
Linda is an outstanding leader who constantly encourages people to have their voices heard whether or not she is in agreement. I've seen her and the other leaders of the Republican Party implement ideas and suggestions from others.
Before the Democrats accuse Linda of being the heavy hand in the Republican Party, maybe they should sit in on a Hawai'i Republican Party executive meeting or our state convention. They may learn the true meaning of a democracy.
Lynn Finnegan
Impression of Lingle as overbearing wrong
I am writing concerning The Advertiser's characterization of the relationship between Hawai'i GOP Chairwoman Linda Lingle and the House Republican Caucus.
It has been subtly suggested in the pages of your paper that Lingle bosses Republicans around and is overbearing and heavyhanded. Whether or not such was your intent, that is the general impression one gets. But it is mistaken and erroneous.
I cherish my close and cordial working relationship with Lingle. As an individual representative and as House Republican floor leader, I have never found it the case that she has told me or any members of my caucus what to do. It might make fascinating news copy, but it has not been my experience. It's flatly incorrect.
If she were a man, she would be praised for her strong leadership. But because she's a woman, the Democrats have nothing but negative things to say about her as a leader. We must banish that sort of bias from Hawai'i. Look at the gains we've made as a consequence of having her steady hand there at the party coordinating with elected Republicans.
Lingle has worked well as a leader who brings together and unifies Republicans as we work together for true reform. Hawai'i's last best hope is a revitalized two-party system.
I'm proud to work with her for the people of Hawai'i.
Rep. David Pendleton
House Republican floor leader
Princess' will doesn't say 'Hawaiians only'
Kamehameha Schools' Hawaiians-only admissions policy is not required.
Princess Pauahi's will says part of the budget shall be devoted to orphans or indigents; and regarding only such orphans and indigents, there is a preference (not requirement) for children with aboriginal blood. See the legal section of angelfire.com/hi2/hawaiiansovereignty.
Few of today's Kamehameha students are either orphans or indigent. Regarding all others, the will does not support the racially exclusionary admissions policy. Neither should our tax dollars, in the form of federal and state tax exemptions or grants.
True, every race can attend Kamehameha, as long as they have Hawaiian blood. But could a school admitting only children of Irish ancestry get tax-exempt status? Even a school focusing on black studies cannot require African ancestry.
The princess' will has been broken before, abolishing its illegal absolute requirement that faculty must be of Protestant religion(s). The will also clearly wants the curriculum to be focused on vocational training and moral development, despite the college-prep direction the trustees have taken.
The racially exclusionary admissions policy is entirely at the trustees' discretion. It's time for them to change it, or risk destroying a wonderful school.
Ken Conklin
Kamehameha Schools has made progress
We agree with your May 18 opinion that Kamehameha Schools needs to serve more Hawaiian children. However, because the editorial is responding to information almost 18 months old, an update is in order.
The systemwide changes at Kamehameha Schools since 1999 have been awesome. In the last 12 months, we have:
- Adopted a comprehensive strategic plan responsive to stakeholder needs.
- Changed our entire governance structure to reflect leadership committed to experience, expertise and accountability.
- Approved the building of permanent K-12 campuses on Maui and Hawai'i to serve more than 2,200 students.
- Increased 12-month preschool enrollment to more than 1,330 children, and approved building new preschools in Waimanalo, Waimea and Paukukalo.
- Implemented first-ever spending and investment policies.
- Spent more than $150 million (over 3%) on educational purpose.
- Initiated educational outreach efforts involving partnerships with public and private, Hawai'i and non-Hawai'i groups and organizations aimed at extending Kamehameha Schools' reach to thousands of more students each year.
We all feel the urgency and importance of realizing the potential of Ke Ali'i Pauahi's legacy, and we appreciate that The Advertiser's editors share a similar enthusiasm for this coming to pass.
Hamilton I. McCubbin
Chief executive officer, Kamehameha Schools
Let the people speak on gambling in Isles
I take exception to your editorial in the May 27 Focus section. I agree with the governor concerning the gambling issue. Put it before the voters of this state.
I noticed in your editorial the same problem that exists within our society today: Let anyone come up with an idea, and there will be 10 people waiting to dissect it and give you a thousand reasons why it can't be done.
The governor made no mention of asking the voting public to decide on all the policies, procedures and guidelines concerning legalizing gambling, but rather a simple, "Do you want gambling or not?" That would seem to be the first logical step in the formulation of any plan.
It has been my and others' firm opinion that for too long, Las Vegas money paid to certain government interests has kept gambling out of Hawai'i. The high-rolling Asians would much rather have a shorter trip to Hawai'i to lose their millions than have to fly all the way to Vegas. Add in the weekly charters and other flights from Hawai'i with our local populace on their way to make deposits in Vegas and you have a considerable amount of income for the state.
Illegal gambling flourishes in Hawai'i and has for many years. Wake up, Hawai'i. While gambling may indeed spawn some problems, none is worse than watching untold millions either leaving this island or bypassing it.
Let the people speak.
John L. Shupe
Kaho'olawe perfect for gambling casino
Perhaps I am naive, but why is this a bad idea?
Give the Hawaiians the same sovereign rights given to the Native Americans of the Pacific Northwest, and clear the way for the Hawaiians to turn Kaho'olawe into a Hawaiian-run casino-gambling island.
I don't know if you could clear all the unexploded ordnance to make it safe, but if that were possible, you could put Hawaiians to work restoring the flora, fauna and dignity of a Hawaiian island.
Not enough water? Build a desalination plant.
How to finance all this? A casino on Kaho'olawe.
The legislation for such things already exists in the Pacific Northwest. I regularly go to the Seven Cedars Casino in Sequim, Wash., which is a small, friendly, clean, well-lighted and pleasant place to go. The casino has not inspired corruption or prostitution in the area. It provides a bit of nightlife in an area that basically closes down at 8 p.m.
I know Hawai'i is afraid casino gambling would inspire corruption, prostitution and thuggery in island neighborhoods. But if you isolate it all on Kaho'olawe, there is no neighborhood to infect.
Ben Marcus
Sequim, Wash.
Kalihi Baptist helped make clinic possible
Great story about Jory Watland and Kokua Kalihi Valley Clinic (May 26). Jory has been the real visionary leader of the clinic since its inception nearly 30 years ago.
But its establishment relied upon finding a site for the clinic, and that's when he talked with another Kalihi pastor, Henry Webb of Kalihi Baptist Church. Kalihi Baptist, located on the corner of Owawa and Gulick, had the vacant property available that the clinic needed at the ideal rent: $1 per year.
The third member of the triumvirate was Dr. Charles Judd, the first medical director and key person in obtaining medical and dental services from his colleagues. Without the clinic, many newly immigrated Pacific Islanders would not have a place to get necessary care and counseling about their medical and dental needs.
It would be impossible to calculate the public health value that the clinic has been to Hawai'i over the years. I'm glad it continues to innovate and reach people who have needs.
Robert Gillchrest
Former clinic board member
Radio stations hold key to future success
Regarding the May 29 article written by David Butts on Hawaiian music slumping: Radio stations have a huge influence on what the public buys. The stations continue to play "mainstream" artists with big names. Unless there is a "promotion package" to offer, the new artists without clout and money will fall by the wayside. And who's to know if among those fallen artists is a "hit" song or CD?
For the future musicians of Hawai'i, I hope the radio stations find a creative way to play all the new music for the public to hear so that the Hawaiian music industry can thrive again.
Franny 'Ilima Villareal
'Ukulele Instructor, Na Keiki 'O Waimanalo
Heiau isn't endangered by proposed project
We wish to thank John DeLima, in his May 17 letter, for expressing his concerns over the possible destruction of historic sites by the planned development adjacent to the Hawai'i Kai Post Office. We also wish to reassure him that no historic sites will be destroyed by the proposed developments.
We believe DeLima is referring to Hawea Heiau, which was on Kaluanui Ridge. Hawea Heiau was reportedly partially dismantled in 1930. It appears that by the 1960s, much of the remaining site was destroyed during road construction for the development of the Mariner's Ridge subdivision.
Development of the Kalele Kai Condominiums did not affect the heiau, as they were built on fill lands put in that area during the development of Hawai'i Kai in the 1960s. Further, the landowners of the proposed development adjacent to the post office have complied with all applicable laws concerning historic sites. The recorded location of Hawea Heiau is mauka of this area.
We invite DeLima and any other interested members of the public to visit our office in Kapolei in order to review the reports and correspondence on file concerning this part of Hawai'i Kai.
Don Hibbard
Administrator, Historic Preservation Division, Dept. of Land and Natural Resources
HSTA doesn't hire, promote teachers
The assertion that the teachers' union protects and promotes incompetent teachers is an oft-repeated myth that needs to be exploded.
HSTA neither hires nor promotes teachers. Those functions are performed by the Department of Education. There is a process in place for the removal of any teacher found to be incompetent. The union merely seeks to ensure that teachers are treated fairly and receive due process as provided in the contract.
HSTA is more than just a labor union; it is a professional association that promotes the professional development of its members. It has no interest in protecting incompetent teachers. Indeed, the association struggled mightily during recent negotiations for a contract that will help the state recruit and retain qualified teachers.
Unfortunately, those efforts may be sabotaged by the teacher-bashing coming from a misinformed few.
Wray Jose
Mainland more likely to experience backlash
The concern about an Asian backlash from the movie "Pearl Harbor" is more of a concern on the Mainland than in Hawai'i, where there is a significant Asian population.
One aspect of the movie and all of the events around the bombing of Pearl Harbor is that all of the perspective is from the military personnel. America tends to forget that Hawai'i was part of America and the people who lived there had their home state (actually territory at the time) bombed.
Biron Lim
Randolph, N.J.
What paradise? It's still got bureaucracy
I feel so bad for Kathy Holz's son, who had to go through those problems just to get another license. The right thing to do would be to complain to the right people.
However, people need to wake up and stop being so naive. Hawai'i is beautiful, yes. But it is not "paradise." It's a typical place with its cities and towns and their societies and problems. Everything in Hawai'i will not run smoothly just because people see it as heavenly bliss.
Besides, every state has its various rules for a driver's license, and Hawai'i is no exception.
Kalani Mondoy
Glendale, Calif.
