Letters to the Editor

Seawall issue not there

I was somewhat dismayed by your editorial on permanent seawalls. You seem to be creating an issue where there is none. Your editorial takes a position against permanent sea walls, yet Kaanapali Alii has not requested nor been granted permission to install any permanent structure to protect its property. Kaanapali Alii has also not installed any steel plates.

June Jones hasn't earned his salary

After watching the news and hearing a reporter reveal the terms of June Jones' contract with the University of Hawai'i, I would expect him to maintain a winning team, season after season. I was outraged at the amount of money Mr. Jones receives when our education system is in shambles.

I am a ninth-grader who is currently attending Kapolei High School. I cannot understand or believe how our state has deprived students like me of much-needed funds and instead put those funds into the pocket of a man who seems to have no regard for students.

I don't care what other coaches on the Mainland are making; you cannot compare Hawai'i with colleges on the Mainland. We cannot compete with the caliber of nationally ranked teams, so why should we pay Mr. Jones a gross amount of money when he has not succeeded in what he is paid to do? Why are we paying for his children's private schooling? Why does he receive bonuses for winning games but isn't penalized when the team loses? In addition to his high salary, he is given incentives such as taking personal trips at our expense, such as the trip he took to the University of Oregon in order to search for a "better deal."

I'd like to know what kind of response Gov. Lingle has regarding Mr. Jones' salary. She appointed the UH Board of Regents. She said during her campaign she would appoint people who are responsible, thoughtful and fair. This issue is definitely none of those things.

Protesting against student disgusting

It is disgusting how these people are protesting against a child entering their Hawaiian school. It is called discrimination these days to have a school for only a certain race or background. What if there were an only white or black school in the Islands? I think these same people would have a serious problem with that.

Why not focus all of this negative attention onto something good like promoting the Islands and showing that people of all races can live here and feel comfortable? What is it hurting to allow children of other races to enter your school? The will of the princess? How about the will of God, for a change?

Student's mother knew she lacked the proof

Again, the will of Ke Ali'i Pauahi is being challenged. The mother of the young man knew full well she was unable to provide the necessary documentation, even using "hanai" as an excuse. Then, lacking any recourse, she jumped on the take-Kamehameha-to-court bandwagon.

Additionally, KS admissions bears some of the blame for having prematurely offered him a spot, without first ensuring that all the proper documentation was in hand. This young man will now be attending Kamehameha with a "temporary" cloud over his head, not to mention having to endure some tension or resentment from others. How terrible it will be for him to then be ultimately kicked out, if the final decision goes against his case. What a lousy way to use someone, just to prove a point.

I fear that this is a slippery slope toward breaking the will of Ke Ali'i Pauahi. I just hope it never happens in my lifetime.

Bus drivers should be designated 'essential'

The last time public workers went on strike, back in 1994, a select number of state employees was designated as "essential employees," which meant they weren't allowed to strike. It seems obvious that bus drivers ought to be designated the same, as they are essential to this island's public transportation system.

On the other hand, perhaps the mayor ought to follow President Reagan's lead when he fired the air traffic controllers when they went on strike in 1981. I'm sure there are hundreds of people, if not thousands, out there who would like to make more money than police officers, as we have learned of the drivers' overly generous pay scale.

Kudos to Outrigger

Hats off to Outrigger for going the extra mile for its employees in preparation for a bus strike. It is nice to know there is a local company that treats its employees like family. Shame on everyone else. .

The next phone call this local gal is making will be to Outrigger reservations so I can spend a long weekend (and my $$) in support of a company that supports the working people of Hawai'i.