Letters to the Editor
Candidates certainly are working for the job
Kudos to the Democratic gubernatorial candidates who, as Kevin Dayton points out in his Aug. 25 piece, are "racing from media interviews to union gatherings to candidate forums to coffee hours at a pace that can grind down even the toughest political pro."
What I want in a governor is someone who is willing to work for the job, because it's indicative of his or her level of commitment once in office. I want someone who isn't satisfied with putting his or her face on television to reach the masses, but who wants to meet people in person.
This promises a governor who cares about real concerns of real people — not statistics and media sound bites.
Hurray for the hopefuls who aren't afraid to put in a good, honest effort at real me.
Bill Woods
'None of the above' should be a choice
It is too bad that "the powers that be" don't really give us the opportunity to exercise our right and obligation to vote.
Sure, there might be some name or names or issues on the ballot, but what if we don't like any of them? Our choice is then to not mark the ballot in that race — in essence, not vote. Why don't they give us another choice, "None of the above"?
I think this would then show how the voting public really feels about the candidates who are running. It would also let the voters say they actually voted in a particular race or on an issue
If you look at the voting returns online, you get to see the count of the number of blank ballots. I don't remember seeing these numbers in the returns on TV or in the newspaper. I also understand that blank votes don't count as being a vote cast, either.
At least this way it could be considered a vote. Some issues have been passed just because the blank votes were not counted as a vote. Come on, let's get the system changed.
Brent Hancock
Hawai'i Kai
Leasehold conversion bill is legalized theft
As a kanaka maoli and private landowner, I find it appalling that the City Council is considering approving Bill 53, which would force the Queen Lili'uokalani Trust to sell its leasehold lands to condominium lessees.
Forcing a private landowner to sell leasehold land to renters — with no benefit to the greater public good — is nothing more than legalized stealing, reminiscent of the United States stealing of the Hawaiian Kingdom in 1893.
The queen's trust benefits thousands of needy Hawaiian children each year, while Bill 53 would only benefit a handful of lessees.
Ku'e (resist and oppose), citizens of Hawai'i nei; do not let history repeat itself.
Nanette Naioma Napoleon
'Neighbor Islands' should not be used
I have been a resident of this state for over 12 years and I'm really getting fed up with the term "Neighbor Islands" used by all print and visual media.
This is the state of Hawai'i, not the state of Honolulu and some other islands. We are all one state.
When you want to talk about a specific local area, identify it by its county. It is because of that identifier "Neighbor Island" that Hawai'i (Big Island) has always been treated unfairly and not as part of the state of Hawai'i.
Ross Kuhnle
Pahoa, Hawai'i
Women should have equal surfing access
I was interested in reading your excellent article about how young women are joining and changing the surf scene ("Face of male-dominated sport changing," Sept. 2). Good for them.
However, I wondered at your statement that the girls are "delighting marketers but putting further pressure on crowded surfing spots." Of course it is true that each new generation of young men also adds to the crunch out there, and that the solution may be, as your article suggests, that access to surfing spots be gauged by skill level.
But I find it curious that such action is being considered as women seek a turf presence. It seems that when minorities attempt to change the status quo, there will be a like and equal reaction to slow the shift by instituting some form of segregation and glass ceiling. Except, of course, as you say, when the momentum is to buy the product.
M. Hulbert
Living each day as though it were the last
We, too, were deeply saddened by the Onishi family's extreme and sudden loss. We do not know them but we do have two grown daughters who have been the light and joy of our lives. We cannot even begin to imagine the pain the Onishi 'ohana and their friends must feel.
Jeannine Wheeler's beautifully expressed thoughts in the Sept. 1 Advertiser caused us to realize that we are two of many whose hearts and prayers go out to all who loved Dara.
When our children were born, we realized that as much as we dearly loved them, they would live lives in a world that sometimes cannot be controlled. We have tried to make good decisions based on available information, but in spite of our best intentions, we, like everyone, have suffered great pain simply because pain and death are part of the experience of life.
Our little family decided long ago that in the good times and the difficult, we would always try to live each day as though it were the last day for one of us. The uncertainties and pain of life take on a different importance. The normal urgencies seem somehow less urgent. Death, sudden or otherwise, becomes an everyday very real possibility.
These realizations may tempt some to fear. We have been motivated instead to live productive, loving lives of thoughtful challenge and healthy growth, helping, healing and encouraging — unconditionally — any who might do the same, not in spite of what may happen but because we choose to do so.
Our choice is to live out every day with gratitude, grace and aloha. We pray that Dara's life and death will yet result in goodness, faith and peace in all who were touched by her.
Mark and Diane Yasuhara
Community jelled by Weed & Seed
The Aug. 29 editorial regarding the Weed & Seed program in 'Ewa conveyed our community's support and activism for the program. It's like the whole community has gone through metamorphosis.
Before Weed & Seed, I felt as if I were just an individual going about my own business surrounded by other individuals. Now, it seems as if we are all on the same page working for the same ideals, and neighbors are working to transform the streets into real neighborhoods.
The insight and efforts of Sen. Brian Kanno and Rep. Willie Espero to bring the Weed & Seed program to 'Ewa/'Ewa Beach through legislation that funded the program's expansion should be recognized. They played an important role in bringing this successful program to our community.
Lyle Halverson
'Ewa Beach
Kaimuki boys left a lasting impression
For two weeks in August, I had the immense privilege of hosting four boys from the Kaimuki baseball team competing in the Babe Ruth Cal Ripken World Series (ages 11-12) here in Mattoon, Ill.
Hawai'i, these boys should make you proud. It was a humbling experience to be with children so young who had such a tremendous respect and understanding for their culture and heritage. I received the education of a lifetime from these boys, and I will be eternally grateful.
The coaches of Kaimuki impressed everyone with their sportsmanship and class. The boys received positive comments and a pat on the back regardless of the circumstances, and the positive attitude of the team was a reflection of their coaches. Without exception, these were the finest 14 boys I have ever met.
Ronnie Hirokawa, Nick Tasaka, Grant Liu and Sparky Gonzalez, thank you for being my boys for those two weeks. You are a credit to your parents and your city, and I look forward to the day I can visit you.
Brian Daniell
Mattoon, Ill.
Two books talked about Hawaiian missionaries
Mahalo to Bob Krauss for his interesting column on Sept. 1 about Hawaiian missionaries to the Marquesas from 1853 to 1883, and the descendants of the missionaries still in the Marquesas, the Kekelas, the Kauwealohas, the Hapukus and possibly others.
This story is also told in Albertine Loomis' 1970 book, "To All People: A History of the Hawaii Conference of the United Church of Christ," Honolulu: Hawaii Conference of the United Church of Christ, pp. 142-178; and in Titus Coan's 1882 biography, "Life in Hawai'i," New York: Anson D. F. Randolph and Co., chapters 13 and 14.
It would be interesting to know if the 'ohana in Hawai'i are aware of this heritage, and if they have contact with their 'ohana in the Marquesas.
Barbara Grimes
UH defense should let actions do talking
Congratulations to the UH football team for their wonderful win over Eastern Illinois. But please, will the UH players on defense just shut up, already?
We heard them boast during training camp about how good they were up front (the defensive line and linebackers) and yet they gave up 36 points and 475 total yards to a Division I-AA team. Who do they think they're kidding?
Again, Kevin Lempa's unit is the weak link for the Warriors. Until that changes on the field, anything the defense says is shibai.
Please, you guys, I support you with all my heart, but let your actions do your talking for you.
Lee Black
Don't lend support to any hotel strike
I just saw a television advertisement asking Hawai'i residents to support Hawai'i's Local 5 union. How can we support this self-serving group when all of Hawai'i is in such a poor financial state? Anyone with any common sense knows a strike by the hotels would certainly worsen Hawai'i's economy and affect all of us.
Perhaps the union is doing this on purpose, using Hawai'i's fragile economy as a pawn in negotiations. If this is true, shame on them. If it's not true, then it's simply poor management on the part of union leaders.
Either way, this strike should not be supported by anyone.
Michael Young
