honoluluadvertiser.com

Sponsored by:

Comment, blog & share photos

Log in | Become a member
The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Wednesday, July 17, 2002

Letters to the Editor

Hawaiians must break ties with state

As long as the state of Hawai'i is the custodian of the Hawaiians' land and money, all lawsuits will be lost in court.

Every Hawaiian must know that we need a group to take charge of the custodial rights, free of state interference. As citizens of the United States, we are bound by the Constitution, including the state of Hawai'i's; therefore, the state agencies such as OHA, Hawaiian Home Lands, etc., must be replaced with an independent Hawaiian-run agency.

What happened to all the meetings with the Native American Council? The sooner this issue is resolved, the sooner all citizens of Hawai'i will benefit.

Andrew Ha'ena Ditchen
Las Vegas


Why is it assumed child is Caucasian?

I have read a lot of online postings and articles about the non-Hawaiian being admitted to Kamehameha Schools on Maui. Many of them seem to have the same "It is just the white man oppressing the Hawaiians again" theme.

Why are so many assuming that it is a white child who is being admitted? Could this child not be Japanese, Chinese, Filipino or, most likely here in Hawai'i, of mixed race? As far as I have seen, they have not said what the ancestry of this lucky child is.

Steven E. Marsh


Conservatives have champion in Carroll

Andre Kalata's July 9 letter to the editor, "State GOP, Lingle out of touch on gays," definitely begs a response. I agree completely with his take on the "new GOP" and its propensity to disenfranchise thousands of conservative religious voters who cannot with good conscience support Lingle's agenda.

However, all is not lost. I respectfully submit that there is another Republican candidate running for governor who is not afraid to associate himself with conservatives of all faiths, but is indeed seeking to give them an alternative.

Men and women of faith will find a worthy candidate in John Carroll. Not only is he a man of faith, but he is also committed to strong family values. He brings years of legislative experience, possesses a teaching degree, a law degree, is a veteran, a businessman and retired airline pilot.

Rather than retreating and surrendering their power, I urge all the "faithful" in our state to rise up and search out quality candidates such as Carroll.

If indeed there are tens of thousands of conservatives in the Republican Party, then your vote could very well turn the tide in this election and in the future direction of our state.

Marla Wade


Historic Trail success because of involvement

Thank you for the July 7 article about the Waikiki Historic Trail. There are many supporters who made the project a success. I hope to thank each one of you personally for your assistance.

The trail project is a great example of how you as a citizen can get involved with redefining your neighborhood. Each community has its own secrets waiting to be told, and there are many ways of sharing this story with residents and visitors alike. My hope is that someday the Waikiki Historic Trail can be linked to various other interpretive sites around our island.

I urge all O'ahu citizens to get involved in grassroots programs such as the vision team process and support interpretive exhibits in your community. The Kapahulu, Diamond Head and Waikiki vision team provided tremendous support for the project and were central to its success. The Waikiki Historic Trail by George S. Kanahele is an example of what you may want in your own neighborhood to remind, inform and celebrate community history.

To the vision group, Hilton Hawaiian Village, Queen Emma Foundation, JTB Hawaii and the Shirahama Community in Japan, the Hawai'i Convention Center Authority, ABC Stores and King's Village Merchant's Association, Outrigger Hotels, Duke's Waikiki restaurant, Shorebird restaurant, I thank you for your generous support in sponsoring markers.

Mahalo to all the city efforts on the project. Special thanks to Councilman Duke Bainum and city employees for their support, encouragement and trust in making this project happen.

Thanks to my hui, Lars Erickson, the Bishop Museum Photo Archive gang and Betty Santos for hanging in there and working together to complete the project with a smile. Also, the George S. Kanahele 'ohana for all they have shared over the years.

God bless all of these organizations and people, for they are the real heroes of the Waikiki Historic Trail.

Charles H. Palumbo
Waikiki Historic Trail facilitator


Perception wrong on 'instinct' letter

Regarding the July 1 letter headlined "When did 'instinct' become acceptable," which was in response to my June 27 letter about "Man and his instincts": Regrettably, Amelia Woods had a wrong perception and an entirely contradictory mindset about the whole context of the intent and purpose of that letter.

"Instinct" is a characteristic intrinsically imbued in all mammals, whether we like it or not. Without it, no one could survive even for a day.

Webster's dictionary describes the word instinct thusly: "a natural or inherent aptitude, impulse or capacity." The Chambers dictionary further explains: "the impulse by which animals are guided apparently independently of reason or experience."

It should be obvious that the implication of my letter was not that I am condoning sexual abuse of children by anyone because it is a natural "instinct" of men to mate. (Please A.W., look up the word "mate" in the dictionary). But, rather, it is because the clergymen are forbidden to exercise the second most profoundly instinctive desire (to mate with a woman) that they are compelled to discharge their "pent-up" urge and desire by molesting children.

Who is to say if those men were allowed to lead a normal conjugal life that they would still abuse children?

I will say it again: To impose a mandatory celibacy, whether to a man of the clergy or of the laity, is contrary to the laws of nature. Isn't that the reason for all the perversity?

T. Ono
Hilo


What synchronization? Red lights rule in city

I just read the July 11 propaganda piece — uh, I mean article — on traffic light synchronization. All I can conclude is that the city's definition of "synchronized" is one that cannot be found in any dictionary, except of course a bureaucrat's.

I suppose it would be too much to ask to be able to drive down King Street at 10 in the morning, albeit slightly faster than is legally allowed, and not hit every single red light. The traffic engineer may have his excuses, but I suggest that city is confusing "synchronization" with "confusion," which wouldn't be a new thing.

It isn't just King Street. It's Vineyard Boulevard. It's Wilder Avenue. It's in the morning, it's in the middle of the day, it's in the afternoon.

The city claims to have spent millions on synchronization. That may be true, but from this driver's vantage point, it looks like money wasted.

James Ko


Horrible traffic flow intentionally created

I enjoyed Mike Leidemann's well-researched article about traffic lights on July 11. Thanks for the hard work on the issue.

However, I think the bureaucrats and politicians he spoke to are ducking the real issue in order to avoid looking like the misguided micromanagers they are.

As someone who spends eight to 12 hours on the road each and every day (all over O'ahu), I've gotta tell you that the real issue — which too many people mistake for "lack of synchronization" — is that the city and state transportation departments have intentionally created horrible traffic flow by making stoplights on main roads turn red — even when no cars or pedestrians are crossing that road. Yes, lights that turn red, for no reason whatsoever, each time a group of cars is given the green at a previous light.

I've seen and heard news reports in the past one to two years that have referenced this issue, but to my knowledge, the local media have never really delved into the consequences of this ridiculous policy to the average driver. From time to time, some of these governmental megalomaniacs have conceded that they "experiment" with undercutting the efficient flow of traffic in order to reduce speeding — even when not one single car or pedestrian is waiting to cross that main road.

These intentionally screwed-up stoplights have a far more detrimental effect upon law-abiding drivers than the ever-growing number of reckless maniacs. If we have problems with speeders and red-light runners, then get them off the road — don't screw up the traffic flow for the law-abiding majority of us.

Eric Ryan


New sidewalk ramps aren't worth expense

I have to disagree with the July 3 commentary "Oh, for lack of a simple sidewalk ramp," by David Shapiro. I think Shapiro doesn't understand the modern technology we have for the wheelchair and hasn't considered the cost of building 7,600 new sidewalk ramps.

Since Hawai'i's economy is bad, Shapiro should think of better ways to use taxpayer money — not to mention the headaches construction of these ramps would cause.

We have great technology for everything we use today. We have wheelchairs designed to go up stairs. Since we have such amazing technology, it would be easy for the wheelchair companies to put a flashing light on the wheelchair itself or design some way to turn a corner. Then the government could subsidize the purchase of these chairs for the handicapped. It would be much cheaper than building 7,600 new sidewalk ramps.

How much would these ramps cost? Since one ramp costs around $1,400, the total price would be more than $10.6 million. There are also maintenance costs to consider.

I think there are better ways to spend this money. For example, road repair, better schools and facilities, tourist attractions, including free trolley buses around Waikiki. Since the government doesn't have boundless money, it should think more carefully about spending it.

Keisuke Yamagishi


Outpouring of aloha at Jack Wyatt services

A beautiful day in Waikiki was made even more special by the genuine outpouring of aloha by those celebrating the life of Jack Wyatt.

Services were held the morning of July 13 for Jack, our dad and brother; and what a special time that was. Friends, family and special friends from the paddling, running, sailing and swimming communities celebrated a true friend to the people of Hawai'i.

We would especially like to thank Nappy Napolean (who, as Jack had written, is a "fine Hawaiian"), his family and the 'Anuenue Canoe Club; Olga Caldwell; Mindy Jaffee; Kaili Chun; Grant Kamisugi; Connie Comiso-Fannelli; and the Sheraton Maui and Waikiki.

We would like to thank everyone who was a part of Jack's life and spirit for allowing us to share our memories of his life with all of you. The true spirit of aloha lived in this day. The memories of Jack were shared by everyone attending and even those who were there in spirit. From the blowing of the conch, beckoning all present, to the music of bagpipes playing as we wished Jack a warm goodbye, his life was celebrated on and off the shores of Waikiki. This was a special time, saying aloha to a special man.

Thanks to all of you who have shown your love for a man who has touched many. Thanks to all of you who have shared in the joy, contentment and optimism of Jack Wyatt: a dad, a brother, a grandfather, a great-grandfather and a true friend.

Christine Wyatt, Cheryl Ferreira, Jackie Greene, Jonnel Wyatt, Gordon Wyatt


Come see what we did with affordable housing

Since Honolulu Habitat for Humanity was created in 1988, we have built 42 homes on O'ahu for low-income families.

None of these families would have qualified for a home mortgage from a financial institution. And yet, through our program — and their own hard work in helping to build the homes — they each earned a 20-year, no-interest mortgage with payments of less than $300 per month.

Our latest project is a 45-home affordable-housing subdivision in Kapolei, due to start in September, that will provide each of 45 low-income families a three-bedroom, two-bath home, with a two-car enclosed garage, perimeter fencing, in-ground sprinkler system and landscaping for $70,000.

At 10 a.m. on Saturday, July 20, we will dedicate (bless and turn over to the family) our 42nd home. This is an excellent chance to see what we do and how we do it. The old house the family lived in is in the front, and the new house we built is in the back. The public is invited to attend the dedication.

Please RSVP by calling Honolulu Habitat for Humanity. You'll be amazed at the difference.

Jose Villa
Executive director, Honolulu Habitat for Humanity