Letters to the Editor
'Adopt a Library' would solve problem
The Kapolei residents' endeavor to obtain books for their library and the state librarian's sanctimonious refusal to accept such assistance call to mind a very appropriate analogy:
A destitute person is on a street corner in Chinatown holding a sign that says, "Hungry — Please Help." The expected and desired response is to reach into your pocket and hand the person $5. The correct response is to escort the person to the nearest restaurant and buy him a meal, or direct him to the River of Life Mission, which feeds the hungry every day. Cash when given easily could go to uses other than food.
Our government bureaucracy, including the state library system, is a cash addict. Given the choice, the Kapolei Library doesn't need money — it needs books, by any means available. If we can "Adopt a Teacher" to provide school supplies, why not "Adopt a Library" to provide books?
Besides, what's wrong with reading rooms? I thought that the primary reason for libraries was to provide books for people to read.
Al Coleman
Waipahu
Conservation district essential at Pupukea
Regarding the June 5 story "Fishing ban stuns old-timers": I am a longtime swimmer, diver and snorkeler in Hawai'i. I can remember a time of cleaner water and more abundant marine life. I am amazed that Hawai'i has so very few marine life conservation districts, considering how important the marine environment is to us.
On O'ahu, there are only three: Hanauma Bay, Waikiki (from the Kapahulu groin to the Natatorium) and Pupukea. These constitute a very small percentage of O'ahu's coastline.
So I was glad to read the story about the new limits set for the Pupukea Marine Life Conservation District. Thanks are due to those who worked over a long period of time (Sen. Robert Bunda, the Department of Land and Natural Resources, the Pupukea Task Force and all other community members who participated) to establish these limits for a district that had become "seriously diminished," and for which there was community consensus that something had to be done.
I am sympathetic to the old-timers who find it hard to understand why they can no longer fish where they have always fished, and where they assume their children and grandchildren would fish in the future, but I hope they and other ocean users can learn to understand and respect the limits as being for the good overall — which should, among other things, include better prospects for fishing in the future.
Barbara Downs
Perception is reality on business climate
Gov. Ben Cayetano's piece in Sunday's Focus section — "Why must we kowtow to Mainland opinion?" — avoids the obvious issue: Perception is reality.
If three studies cited by Mike Fitzgerald of Enterprise Hawai'i and two Forbes articles aren't enough proof that there is a perception that Hawai'i's business climate sucks, then perhaps the governor should take off the blindfold and earplugs for just a moment. It's sad that a state with such potential can't see the forest from the trees.
As a taxpayer, I'm disgusted that the state continues to invest so much wishful thinking in a rebound in the hospitality industry and so little energy in creating a business-friendly environment.
Being so remote is enough of a handicap. Bridging the gap is a must.
I'm usually a bleeding-heart liberal in matters of governmental responsibility, but I see my state as in the pocket of big labor and socialist dreamers. It's long past the time to become practical and visionary.
Ron Fell
Kohala Coast, Big Island
Hawai'i must take responsibility now
Mahalo to Bob Rees for his compassion for the children of this state who have been "kicked under the rug" by the Department of Education and the federal court (Counterpoint commentary, June 10).
The examples of abuse he cited are common and widespread.
The state appeared to be making progress during the course of the Felix decree, only to have it be dismantled when the Legislature shifted financing for mental health services from the Department of Health to the Department of Education. This had the effect of creating educational policy before supports were in place and hearings could be held at the Board of Education.
Simultaneously, community groups were dismantled by the court, and the focus of the decree shifted from building services for children to the special interests of those involved with the court. This led to the current investigation by a legislative committee.
Meanwhile, children's lives lie in jeopardy. Each day lost can never be recovered. If the state does not take responsibility now, it will forever pay for those who were not able to achieve lifelong independence because they did not receive even rudimentary support when they were young.
Laura Brown
Mililani
Unchecked spending, apathy hurt Hawai'i
Interesting that Gov. Cayetano uses a negative word like "kowtow" referring to Forbes' assessment of Hawai'i's business and political climates. Repeating such ridiculous garbage, or even refuting it, just gives it more credence.Ê
True, we do get poor grades for our business climate, as well asÊour overall education system,Êbut what is even worse is the unchecked government spending and virtual apathetic response of our citizens.
I thought "kowtow" meant going along with tradition — or maybe "playing the game." Does that mean Ben holds all the cards? ThisÊpractice makes for ripe and fertile ground of "The People's Cayetano Republic."
Celeste Voeks
Commercial hydrogen already being produced
Your June 7 editorial on hydrogen fuel was right-on. I am glad to see that someone is taking notice.
In reading the editorial, I can't help but notice words like "planned" and "working on," while we already have a plant in Campbell Industrial Park, producing commercial hydrogen, using the latest "Plasma Arc" technology, converting medical waste to energy.
Let's get on with it and put Hawai'i on the map. Let's work together and not just "talk."
Richard Lim
Asia Pacific Environmental Technology
Patriotism should not be a part-time thing
After Sept. 11, American flags were flying everywhere, and it seems everyone wore red, white and blue.
Nine months later at the Kamehameha Day Parade, when our colors passed by, including one time preceded by a banner that said "Stand Up For America," none of the hundreds of people in the area from which I was watching (with the exception of the four people in our group) stood to show their respect. None of the men present removed their hats.
How quickly we forget. Patriotism should not be a part-time thing.
Dave Berry
What about exposing all who are incompetent?
I read with interest your article on disciplining physicians who give substandard care or cheat. I got on the Web site and read the names of the local MDs who have been disciplined. I recognized some of the names and know a few more who should be there.
But let's not stop there. How about a list of auto mechanics who are less than honest or are incompetent. Or architects. Or restaurants whose kitchens are not too clean. Or journalists who don't check their sources. Or accountants. Or teachers. Or lawyers.
Or do I go too far?
Argyl D. Bacon, M.D.
Thank you for the lei at Punchbowl
I read in The New York Times about the people of Hawai'i who volunteered their time to make lei to put on the graves at the National Memorial Cemetery at Punchbowl. My brother, William Niader, who was killed in action on June 12, 1945, at Kunishi Ridge, Okinawa, is buried there.
I am grateful that these people honor my brother and the thousands of other service people who died for their country. I am sure other families, as I am, are thankful to the volunteers for remembering. Thank you also to your newspaper for their help.
Frank Niader
Clifton, N.J.
Okuda devoted to family, Judiciary
With the exception of The Advertiser's Jerry Burris, many have written about Tom Okuda who knew so little about him. It is clear to us that people very often misunderstood my father, and that is true even of those who benefitted from his true heart and spirit.
With his passing on Dec. 4, our family lost a devoted husband, a loving father and a proud and caring grandfather. He was the center of our family. Few people have been more supportive, comforting and encouraging to those he loved, and his memory and personal values will live on in our hearts.
We miss his strength and guidance in caring for our family, his patience and tolerance for those less fortunate, and his forgiveness for those who did not understand what is truly important in life. He is forever loved and respected for what he was most proud of achieving and what he considered as the most important roles — husband, father and grandfather.
We remember how he lived his life. He rose from humble beginnings and devoted his entire professional career to working for the state Judiciary. He always felt his job was his hobby, and his work ethic and single-minded dedication to strengthening the Judiciary were legendary. He began his career as a court reporter in the rural courts, and through old-fashioned hard work, he became the manager of the Traffic Violations Bureau and eventually became the deputy administrative director of the courts.
In 1970, his programs at the Traffic Violations Bureau were cited by the American Bar Association for excellence in traffic court administration; in 1972, he was recognized by the Hawai'i Supreme Court with its Outstanding Achievement Award for designing a new traffic citation system. Soon thereafter, he was recognized by then-Gov. John A. Burns with the first Governor's Award for Distinguished State Service, and in the early 1980s, the National Center for State Courts recognized the Hawai'i Judiciary as one of the most outstanding court operations in the country.
My father's critics have attributed much to his ability to lobby and the successes of his efforts. But the truth is that he never benefitted or profited personally from any of his perceived successes. He always said the citizens of the state and the Judiciary benefitted from improved public services, new buildings, expanded programs and increased staffing.
He had a remarkable talent, approaching that of a genius, for ascertaining and accepting the strengths and weaknesses of human nature, and his understanding of people was often recognized and admired. His actions showed a deep and abiding respect for others, and he thought nothing of sacrificing for the ones he cared about, often putting other people's welfare ahead of his own. He showed a genuine concern for all those he came across and had the rare gift of making everyone feel that they were special and had his complete attention.
His approach to life, perceptions of power and public service are reflected in an old Chinese proverb, "The sea is king of a hundred streams because it lies beneath them."
The amazing thing was not that he knew so many people, but that he knew so much about them — their names, problems and concerns — as well as what gave them joy. He always got a "kick" out of helping people solve their problems.
He left us with one important message — that life is short and we must live it to the fullest and what counts is that you give from the heart.
Tracy Okuda
