Letters to the Editor
Yoshimura admission is too little too late
Considering the records of his City Council colleagues Rene Mansho and Andy Mirikitani, Jon Yoshimura's admission of guilt regarding his "hit and run" accident seems quite mundane. Yet, let us not forget that Yoshimura, while under the influence of just "one drink," hit "something" and sped away.
If it were a pedestrian or if there happened to be someone in the car, his fleeing could have had tragic consequences. We can be charitable (after all this time) in forgiving this lapse of character by Yoshimura "the citizen," but can we be as charitable with his lack of integrity as an aspiring "politician" for not accepting the responsibility of his actions at the time when it mattered most?
Charles F. Fasi
Better enforcement, not more laws, needed
We do not need more traffic regulations. We need stricter and more consistent enforcement of current traffic regulations.
It is currently illegal to speed, drive recklessly, change lanes without signaling, have illegal window tint, modify cars without a reconstruction permit, place safety checks anyplace except on the rear of the car facing to the rear, drive with an expired registration, drive with an expired safety check, drive without proper insurance. The list is endless.
Until the police enforce and observe the existing traffic regulations, people will continue to be killed and injured by the thoughtless few.
David M. Murray
Solve our garbage problem by recycling
I am surprised that our garbage problem has taken this long to catch up with us. I read the entire article in the Sept. 1 paper and failed to find one mention of the most obvious solution: recycle.
Most states have a deposit on glass bottles. That is a win-win solution in which the money and the bottle are returned. The money from the unreturned bottles should go to the state to help in its efforts to maintain landfills. Aluminum cans, plastic and newspapers should be picked up in separate containers and then recycled. Not a glamorous or easy solution, but it's the only right one. Currently to recycle, you need to go to specific places and often find the bins full. What then?
Recently there was an article about the company that recycles our junk cars. It should be first in line for a break financially for the parts its needs to strip off and dump. This company is doing our beautiful state a huge service.
Barbara Williams
Theft from Pahinuis is theft from us all
I was shocked when I read the story that Cyril Pahinui's guitars were stolen.
It was just Aug. 31 that I listened to this man play his magic at Borders in Portland, Ore. I'm from the Islands, moved up to Oregon three years ago and I'm still affected when a story of this kinds reaches us. Ê
More so, we all feel for him, since his wife, Charmagne, is from Eugene.
The individuals who have done this obviously have no remorse in what they have done. They have not just stolen from the Pahinui family, but from everyone.ÊI remember listening to Pops' music as a kid and hear him in Cyril. The best thing these thieves can do to get back on track is to return those guitars. Ê
I don't think anyone would want to be remembered as the person who stole from one of Hawai'i's slack key masters.
Jason T. Fabrao
Beaverton, Ore.
Cyril deserves better than what happened
To the individual who stole musical instruments from Cyril Pahinui, return them immediately. He is continuing a significant musical and cultural legacy from his father.
Others along with Cyril travel throughout the world sharing their unique musical heritage and represent Hawai'i. They deserve better than what has happened.
The guitars instill spiritual and cultural equity versus financial values.
Regardless who did this wrongful act, if you are a musician or not, you are marked, and I hope your hands feel it.
This message also gives notice to others who did this in the past.
Thomas T. Shirai Jr.
Mokule'ia
Whatever happened to our 'live aloha'?
I was shocked to hear of the theft from Cyril Pahinui's home.
This is not the Hawai'i I call home. What is going on when somebody takes even a clock from another's home? We all miss the great Gabby Pahinui, but this is no reason to steal from another.
I am sure the clock, mandolin and other items that were stolen had great meaning to this family and can never be replaced. Whatever happened to "live aloha"?
Clint Brink
