Letters to the Editor

Local record ignored in Democratic diatribe

While Christopher S. Ovitt uses his Aug. 14 letter as a pretense for debunking myths about the Democratic Party, he liberally sows a few myths himself, like the Republican Party is in favor of "accumulating wealth through privilege rather than performance, avoiding competition through cooked books and deceptive reports, and using equity markets not to raise capital for productive ventures, but to run up private fortunes while running out on investors and workers."

In his defense, though, he points out that he is a young person — one would presume just out of high school or something .

Talk about "accumulating wealth through privilege rather than performance," that's the trademark career trajectory for political leaders these past 40 years in Hawai'i. You warm the bench all of your life until your turn comes up — and then you are expected to be anything other than an experienced bench-warmer upon becoming the governor.

Let's not do it that way again — please.

Mike Hu

Akaka Bill is a blow to our independence

I recently read an article about a forum involving three gubernatorial candidates, all of whom said they would do what they could to pass the Akaka Bill.

Did anyone bother to talk to Dr. J. Kehaulani Kauanui or other Hawaiian scholars regarding the bill? Is everyone blind? Don't they know that passing the Akaka Bill is the final blow to Hawaiian independence?

If passed, then plenary power will fall under the federal government, and we will be completely under its whims.

Perhaps fooling Hawaiians into believing that the Akaka Bill is the only way toward independence is the plan all along. If each candidate is willing to help the bill pass, then should I choose from among the lesser of all evils, or do I just not vote at all?

E ala kakou! Wake up! That includes candidates as well. Get all the facts before rushing into something without understanding the full consequences.

Raphael Kealoha Kaliko

Kapa'a Quarry Road eyesore, health hazard

Our city and health officials should take a ride on Kapa'a Quarry Road (a.k.a. "The Dump Road) sometime. It is a disgrace and surely must be a health hazard.

The trash is in danger of overtaking the road in some places and threatens the environment of Kawainui marshlands.

The transfer station is far cleaner than the road. There are signs posted stating "No Dumping or Littering," but they obviously mean nothing.

Since this is such a highly traveled road, it should be easy to catch these dumpers in action. They are brazen enough to unload their garbage in broad daylight.

Why are people so lazy that they take the trouble to go 99 percent of the way to the transfer station, then dump their trash before they get there? So much for care of the 'aina.

Janice Robb
Kailua

Restoring saltwater pool ill-advised, costly

Edward Bonomi's Aug. 13 letter reminded me that the half-baked idea of restoring the saltwater pool at the Natatorium has not yet been killed. My question is the same as it was the day I first learned that Mayor Harris was intent on driving this project home regardless of the consequences. Why?

Restoring the World War I War Memorial façade was a noble gesture. It stands as a deserving and proud tribute to the veterans of the Great War. But the associated saltwater pool? By not — apparently — reading the history of that costly boondoggle, are we destined to lug it down the same path again on the backs of us hapless taxpayers?

In these tough economic times, we need leaders with vision who can develop sound plans and allocate our precious tax dollars wisely. Restoring the saltwater pool is among the most ill-advised, costly projects I have seen blessed by City Hall. Get rid of that white elephant. Now.

Design a low-cost, low-maintenance use for the filled-in area (emphasis on low cost, low maintenance) that will be fitting and yet serve the public interest. My vote would be for a croquet lawn for the seniors who now use the beach park facilities or a volleyball court for the more active set.

All that said, I would certainly have no heartache if the saltwater pool restoration were funded and maintained privately in perpetuity. But who in their right minds would take on such a burden? Right. No one I know. No one you know.

Gary Meyers

Credit the Hawaiians for our being a 'model'

From his vantage point at UCLA, columnist Tom Plate deftly paints a portrait of Hawai'i in his Aug. 11 commentary that is all too often taken for granted by residents and visitors alike. That is, Hawai'i is not merely a superficial, "thrown-together polyglot archipelago," but a deeply integrated and multicultural society that offers the strength in its diversity "as a powerful economic and humanitarian force."

As Americans struggle to make sense of myriad religious, cultural and ethnic conflicts that plague our world, Plate offers that "Hawai'i is not a model of the future; in a sense, it is the future, or at least, a sane model for the world." That "model" is the host Hawaiian culture's unique contribution to the American mosaic — the aloha spirit.

In practice, it is our mutual respect for one another and an unspoken desire to advance together, leaving no one behind. It is why we feel great pride when one of our own succeeds abroad. It may also explain our wariness at unflinching assimilation into a larger, homogeneous culture that all too often emphasizes individual desires at the expense of the common good.

There is far more at stake than personal advantage, political control or corporate profits. In the budding global economy, Hawai'i's social harmony may well be the key to its success. Whether it endures rests upon our immediate and future decision-making and our ability to control our own destiny.

Rep. Marcus R. Oshiro
House majority leader

Senator's criticism of military off base

Regarding Sen. Bob Nakata's July 30 letter that complains about the military's use of the land in Waikane Valley: Although the military paid $2.2 million to the original owner's family, the senator continues to chastise the military for its use of the land.

If the Kamaka family accepted the settlement, it has relinquished control of the land and, therefore, technically, any right to tell the military how to use it.

Sen. Nakata criticized the Marine Corps for not informing the citizens of that area of its plans and intentions for using the land. I spoke to other community leaders, including neighborhood board leader Dan Bender and state Rep. Colleen Meyer. According to these local leaders, the Marine Corps sent a representative to all the area board meetings and has gone beyond expectations in keeping citizens informed of this and other situations that affect the community.

The senator's letter also states: "To offend the indigenous population, I think, would tend to foster ill feelings toward them, which would help the terrorists." This statement insinuates that Hawaiians would consider supporting the terrorists our country is now at war with. On the contrary, the training the military will do in Waikane Valley will help protect us against terrorism.

I trust that the spirit of aloha is strong here, and I am offended to think the senator believes that we would be so upset at the military that we would support the terrorists.

Nora Weil
Kailua