Letters to the Editor

We should preserve our unique strengths

The Forbes article "Trouble In Paradise" was an eye-opener. Yes, there are many issues that need to be addressed if Hawai'i is to be among the top states for doing business.

It is easy to criticize the government (and I am not defending it), but why is it that Hawai'i needs to be "high tech" to keep up with other cities?

The rich soil and the ocean of our paradise is God's gift to its inhabitants. We should therefore focus more on agro-based and water-based industries in Hawai'i. Why should we try to copy other states? We should preserve and build on our unique strengths.

If people are leaving Hawai'i to go to the Mainland for more high-tech and better-paying jobs, let them. I would rather live off the land with my 'ohana instead of joining the rat race on the Mainland.

Raj K. Bose

Senior citizen center in Nu'uanu isn't wanted

Thank you for your May 13 coverage on the proposed Nu'uanu Valley Center for senior citizens. I am a senior citizen (and member of Vision Team No. 12) and a fifth-generation resident of Nu'uanu Valley.

It is a shame that the city is still proceeding on a project that will eventually cost upward of $1.5 million. I oppose new construction of any type on all three locations because needs can be met by attending nearby existing public facilities within a two-mile radius of Nu'uanu.

It is a waste of valuable city funds (which we don't even have due to budget cuts), and projected maintenance costs are not even factored in. The Parks Department has already said "it cannot provide manpower or funding to manage or maintain a new building." So why build it?

Nu'uanu Valley is rich in significant Hawaiian history. Let's leave it as open space and preserve our cultural heritage. We don't need any new public buildings.

The city consultant on this project did not do his homework in obtaining necessary facts prior to his public meetings and has left many unanswered questions. Let's not have a second "Battle at Nu'uanu" erupt because of irresponsible city administrators.

Mike Ellis

There should be a club especially for teenagers

I am writing to you today about the late-night entertainment available to Hawai'i's teens. Our options, based on our budget, are few. My friends and I are trying to decide where to go for our after-prom party. We can't figure it out.

Sure, we could go cosmic bowling, but we did that last year. We could go to the movies, but then we wouldn't be able to talk and "party." We're not old enough to go clubbing, and even if we were, we wouldn't go because of the atmosphere of clubs.

I'm not being picky here. It's just that I'm tired of going bowling or to the movies. We need something new.

I think there should be a club especially for teenagers — a club without alcohol, cigarettes or nasty music. There should be a place we can hang out late at night where our parents won't worry about us getting drunk or high.

Now that would be fun.

Alyssa Buted

The first UH men's championship? Nope

Congrats to Coach Wilton and the team for their recent NCAA men's volleyball championship. It was a great win. But contrary to published reports, theirs was not the first men's NCAA championship for UH.

That distinction may belong to my dad, Terry Albritton, who won an individual NCAA indoor gold medal for UH men's track (shot put) in 1976. But Dad seems to think there was a swimmer or boxer a decade or two before him who was the first. You may want to research this.

Anyway, way to go UH volleyballers for the first "team" championship.

Shane Albritton
Wailuku

Man terrified family without provocation

I am writing this letter due to a terrifying incident that we (my 14-year-old son and 3-year-old daughter) experienced at Ala Moana Shopping Center on May 7.

A guy came up to us and started mouthing off. He was twice my size. We hoped that he'd eventually leave, since we didn't do anything to provoke him. Nonetheless, he didn't. He started calling me "dummy" and "to learn to speak English." I pretended not to speak any English to discourage him from talking any further.

Then, out of the blue, he kicked my daughter's stroller so hard she spilled her ice cream. He finally walked away.

He must be full of rage to do such a thing to a child. Two men who were behind us the whole time came to our aid, in case he came back again. Several other people were horrified by what they saw.

It wasn't pleasant to experience such an incident when you hear about the aloha of these Islands. I do wish to thank those two wonderful men who came to our aid. I hope you read this.

E. Thomas