Letters to the Editor

State shouldn't be held liable for tragedy

I am writing in response to Judge Dexter Del Rosario's ruling on the Sacred Falls incident. It is a tragic accident, but to hold the state liable for a natural tragedy is pathetic.

It seems that in these times, no one will take responsibility for himself. No one caused those rocks to fall off the cliff — it was a natural disaster. The next thing you know, the state will be held liable for every death caused by a natural disaster.

There were 10 signs posted along the trails that read "Warning flash floods and falling rocks." To think that flash floods and falling rocks are only going to occur together is negligence on the hiker's part.

This decision will only help to close places that locals use and people from all around the world come to see.

Isn't tourism our No. 1 industry?

D. Akagi
'Aiea

'Unequivocal' support for Israel is wrong

I appreciated reading the Sept. 23 commentary entitled "ADL meets Ben Cayetano," by Robert M. Rees. There is no doubt that our governor made a wise decision in not endorsing "unequivocal" support for the Israeli government.

Reasonable people expect the concerns of both the Israelis and the Palestinians to be understood if we are ever to have an honest and fair peace.

Our governor and our two members of the U.S. House — Neil Abercrombie and Patsy Mink — have made bold decisions, believing that peace can only happen if the concerns of both sides are addressed.

There are no doubt some people will use these wise decisions and try to translate them into saying our leaders are anti-Semitic, but we know better.

I applaud our leaders for making a noble stand for fairness and true peace and justice for all sides and for all people.

Rev. Vaughn F. Beckman
Chair, Friends of Sabeel in Hawai'i

'So help me God' should have stayed

"So help me God" was removed from the swearing-in of police officers. This in a world where the use of the "F word" is commonplace in our schools and public places, where our sexual behavior is not at its best, where family values are diminishing.

The oath of office has now fallen prey to a few individuals who have no values, who are driven by their own desires to remove a tradition that isn't even theirs to take.

I am offended that the few unhappy individuals of our society can dictate the removal of a few words that fulfill weeks of training and a desire to serve the public. Did someone ask the hundreds of officers, or family members, who also look forward to hearing these words, or members of the law enforcement community nationwide?

When I rush to a shots-fired case or a fight in progress, I know who protects me. In this day and age, we need God more than ever, even if it's just words to an honorable tradition such as the swearing-in of an officer.

Mitch Kahle, what community services have you done lately, anyway?

Leland Cadoy

Download absentee ballot application

While browsing the Internet, I found the State of Hawai'i Office of Elections Web page. I browsed the site and discovered a lot of useful information regarding the elections.

I read about "absentee voting." I downloaded the instructions and application. My wife and I filled out the applications, mailed them, received the ballots in the mail and voted.

If you feel you don't want to vote (besides being apathetic) for various reasons, I suggest voting by absentee ballot. You can sit in your home without any stress and take your time deciding whom to vote for. Try it; we did and liked it. I e-mailed the site to my friends, and they also voted by absentee ballot.

John Rosa

Lessors should not be forced to sell land

Bill 53 makes it easier for those lessees who want to buy the fee simple for their condominiums by having the city go through a condemnation procedure using eminent domain. Since when does a property owner get real-market value under those circumstances?

What people aren't saying is that those lessees signed contracts stating that they did not own the land under the residence and that if the lessors decided to take the property back, they would lose interest to the improvements made on the property. They knew this going in.

The reason people went into these contracts is that the rent on the property was dirt-cheap. Now they are whining because they finally realize that rents are going up and they have a valuable investment in their houses.

It is wrong for the city to support this bill because the lessors should not be forced to sell their properties if they do not want to. This is stealing for the good of the lessees. Eminent domain condemnation was not meant for this. The lessees have no right to change a contract at their desire.

If this is the way things are, then the Hawaiians should start condemnation proceedings on their land. We can start with Honolulu Hale and the state Capitol.

File Keliiaa
Wai'anae

Honolulu waterfront study being subverted

A number of years ago, I was invited to be part of a state-sponsored group that met and discussed how the Honolulu waterfront should be developed.

Oh, sure, there were many of us who were convinced that the whole thing was a sham, a ploy for getting the administration's game plan started. And at the meetings there was certainly evidence of that.

But to our surprise, when in the end the waterfront project was concluded, a rather expensive booklet was produced that declared that further development of the Honolulu waterfront must be water-related. Green areas, pedestrian walks and parks were envisioned.

Out of this came, I believe, the whole Aloha Tower complex, the university's acquisition of a piece of Sand Island shore for HCC's marine program and UH's water recreation facility, and a great deal more.

Now a medical school is being built on waterfront property. Can anyone explain to me how that conforms to the decisions made by the waterfront project?

Wendy Pollitt

'Standard English' simply doesn't exist

For Susan Endo and others who share her views, Pidgin is not a mark of illiteracy. To think so is to show a shallow knowledge of the language and languages in general.

First off, there is no such thing as "standard English." In North America, not even counting Canada, there are at least six regional dialects, with differences in spelling, pronunciation, usage and meaning of words — many with their own colloquial idioms, etc.

In England itself, where it all started, there are regional dialects so different that residents in adjacent counties have difficulty even understanding one another.

Pidgin is not some new fad; it has long, well-established usage with its own idioms, phrases, nuances and shadings of meaning not available in "standard English."

We continually use other foreign language words and phrases in our conversations when they are better suited to what we wish to express. That does not pollute our language. That, in fact, is the process by which American English evolved.

Think Pidgin is funny? It is funny, sometimes hilariously so. It is also beautiful in its ability to get a point across that standard English just cannot carry. Use it proudly: No shame, brah, no talk stink about Pidgin.

Norman MacRitchie