Posted on: Wednesday, August 27, 2003

Letters to the Editor

The truth does indeed matter in overthrow

The Aug. 20 letter on Lili'uokalani was incorrect — even worse, a revision of history — in intimating that her own people overthrew her. The book "Does the Truth Matter?" was written by the same individual who now writes that her own people overthrew the queen.

Yes, the truth does matter. The constitution identified here that she is said not to have upheld was the one forced upon her brother, Kalakaua, and named the Bayonet Constitution of 1887, and was to deprive her people of the right to vote and was protested ever after.

Lili'u correctly disliked the forced constitution and only sought to restore to her people the vote with her proposed constitution of 1893 — a move that offered the opportunity to her detractors awaiting the right moment to have the ripe, golden pear (Hawai'i) fall into the right basket.

The 12 men who planned the 1893 overthrow of Lili'u, some of whom were naturalized citizens, seized the rights of 40,000 other citizens and arguably committed treason. But they adroitly reversed the treason charge to Lili'u to have her convicted and imprisoned, and they threatened to hang her supporters.

Lili'u did not take an oath to support or join the Republic of Hawai'i as a citizen and be subject to the charges against her. Even the 1887 constitution's author admitted it was not legally enacted.

Yes, the truth matters, even as convoluted as it is becoming by revision.

Hawaiians have faced their own persecutions

Regarding Tiffany Simon's Aug. 25 letter, which shows the Hawaiian community what little she knows of the greater issue at hand: I am appalled that this lady can question what the Hawaiian people have to be mad about. We might not have been persecuted like the Jews or killed off like the Indians, but we as a people have faced our own persecution and unfair dealings.

The protesters are doing what they're doing because they feel they are being cheated again, and their kids are out there because they were all denied a chance to attend Kamehameha and their spot was given to a non-Hawaiian, and they can't see any justice in that.

The issue of Brayden Mohica-Cummings is simple: When Kamehameha Schools could not verify that the mother or her son had Hawaiian blood, it took the appropriate steps. And because she was unsatisfied with the school's decision, she sued.

Everyone in Hawai'i knows that to go to Kamehameha Schools, you must be Hawaiian, plain and simple. This was stated in the will of Bernice Pauahi Bishop. It is unfair to all other Hawaiian kids that this non-Hawaiian be admitted. I had nothing but a 3.0 GPA all throughout high school, was an all-state athlete in two sports, and I was denied by Kamehameha Schools. As you will find, lots of Hawaiian kids share my story and also are baffled as to why Brayden was accepted.

Wheelchair users caught in the middle

We're in a bus strike, so people are encouraged to use alternate means of travel around O'ahu. What about those who are in wheelchairs? My brother and I are in wheelchairs, and it's one thing to not use the bus system. However, the Handi-Van drivers are intending to have a sympathy strike.

It's not like the wheelchair users can easily resort to alternate means of transportation. In fact, it might be the only means to get around. I appreciate the Handi-Van drivers' show of solidarity, but where does that put those who need their services the most?

Let's get our priorities straight on bus drivers

I cannot comprehend why a bus driver would make more than a teacher.

I recently returned from a one-year sabbatical teaching English in Japan and know firsthand that teachers are in the most underpaid profession for what they do. They are our future, our destiny. Sure, a bus driver serves an important role, as does a garbage collector, but let's get our priorities straight.

These bus drivers should all be fired; there are plenty of people willing to work for what they make now, which is more than teachers.

Pay raise isn't justified

Though I am a daily commuter on the bus, I do not agree on the pay raise drivers are seeking. I agree that the transit system on O'ahu is an important part in keeping our society functioning; however, I believe a position that does not require a college degree or protect the public safety should not be paid greater than police officers, firefighters and teachers.

Quit holding seniors, disabled as hostages

As a senior citizen, I feel obligated to express one dissenting voice concerning the bus strike and proposed fare increase. There is something very wrong when a bus driver makes more than a police officer, firefighter or teacher.

True, bus drivers have to deal with rude and obnoxious people. I hate to tell them this, but so do police officers, firefighters and teachers. Police officers and firefighters put their lives on the line every day, something no bus driver can say.

City Council: Please stop and consider that most seniors are on a fixed income, the disabled need our help and there are other sources of revenue that can be increased. If you want to give anybody a raise, give it to those who deserve it by protecting and educating us. If you want more of my meager life savings, charge me more every time I call for police, fire or EMS help. I'll gladly pay extra as a mahalo for their dedication.

Quit holding the seniors and disabled hostage.

Meeting over stairway was unfair to hikers

On Aug. 20, Rep. Ken Ito held a meeting that included state officials and Ha'iku Valley residents regarding the Stairway to Heaven. No solutions were found. There was also an unfair balance of voices invited to speak: 10 residents to one hiker. The trespassing in Ha'iku is bad, but closing the stairs isn't the solution.

Since hikers were given virtually no opportunity to speak at the meeting, I would like to offer rebuttal to three points:

• The negative publicity of the stairs' off-limits status entices many who enjoy the thrill of the forbidden.
• If (per the residents) there are "hundreds of hikers a day," then how much weight will 100 signatures on a petition carry versus 31,000 climbers a year (assuming 600 per week)?
• I invite any Ha'iku resident to stay in my neighborhood. I have helicopters and car alarms disrupting the peace through the night and drug use and prostitution in front of my home.

I empathize with the disturbances caused, but we must stop pointing fingers and start finding solutions. We need discussions with all sides equally represented and real solutions formed.

Forget about contract and get behind team

For those of us who love the UH football team, the June Jones contract is a non-issue as the new football season approaches. For those nosy people who insisted on knowing what he makes simply because state law allows it, now what?

We wanted a coach who could take us to a higher level, and Jones is doing an excellent job toward that end. Quality does not come cheaply. You pay for what you get. And you got a quality coach.

Let's drop this thing about Jones' contract and rally behind the team, and hopefully at the end of the season we can all raise our arms and yell "Mahalo, Rainbow Warriors!" for another great winning season.

Kaneohe Ranch should respect Kailua diversity

As a lifelong resident of the Kailua community, I think all Windward residents should be deeply concerned about the direction that Kaneohe Ranch seems to be taking on the revitalization of Kailua Town.

It is increasingly apparent that Kaneohe Ranch is interested in rezoning its leased properties, in particular the Hamakua and Hekili street areas, to the extent that many thriving, long-term establishments may be forced to close. These include small eateries and taverns, and light industrial automotive and home repair services, vital to the town and its character.

Kailua has long been a beach community serving Windward residents and visitors. It should not be forced into conversion to "higher-end" shops, similar to those in the Ward Estate area, recently "revitalized" under the direction of the current Kaneohe Ranch head.

Although Kaneohe Ranch owns the property, its revitalization plans should respect the diverse business fabric that makes Kailua such a viable community. For the sake of Kailua as we know it, and for future generations to enjoy, it behooves all Kailuans to get involved, monitor these plans and speak up.

Wahine needed better coaching in USC loss

Monday morning quarterback? I'm no exception. I had some interesting though controversial thoughts after witnessing the defeat of the Wahine this past Saturday:

• It seemed as if there was, in coach Dave Shoji's own words after last year's NCAA semis, a need for better coaching. The lineup shuffling, at least to a layman, appeared to be somewhat panic-driven and in desperation rather than one that builds confidence by sticking with a set group. I guess they call that adjusting.

In contrast, USC's substitutions were more orderly and done with the objective of distributing time and building confidence on its bench.

• From this local's point of view, it seems that a number of non-Hawai'i recruited players are not given adequate time to prove themselves under fire.

I'd like to see more confidence given to the likes of certain right-side and middle players and of course more or equitable time given to a special redshirt Mainland freshman setter.

USC is a great team, but with a little better mentoring, our team has the talent to be able to take them to at least four or five games on our home court, don't you think?

Eliminating Jones Act would have huge effect

My experience manufacturing in Hawai'i and operating a foreign trade zone for 15 years that imported raw materials for manufacturing leads me to conclude that the impact of a Jones Act exemption for Hawai'i far exceeds any of the estimates thus far printed in various commentaries on the Jones Act.

I suggest, therefore, that Cliff Slater and Sen. Gordon Trimble are on the right track in their comments but underestimate the long-term positive impacts exempting Hawai'i from the Jones Act would have on our state economy.

Currently, foreign flag vessels do not bother to consider Hawai'i as a port of call since the volume of cargo is small coming from Asia to Hawai'i. Furthermore, the Jones Act requires that the first stop after leaving Hawai'i be a non-U.S. port. With the elimination of that restriction, which would allow vessels to proceed directly to other U.S. ports after a Hawai'i stop, we would see foreign flag vessels setting up routine schedules that include a stopover in Hawai'i.

The traffic from Asia to the United States is the direction of most cargo flow into the U.S. Mainland. The return trip to Asia, however, from the U.S. Mainland results in foreign flag vessels that are full of empty containers being repositioned. If a stopover in Hawai'i were legal, these containers could be filled with cargo bound for our stores and warehouses.

Therefore, the exemption from the Jones Act for Hawai'i would permit a foreign flag vessel to "top off" with Hawai'i-bound cargo. "Topping off" implies a marginal shipping rate that would translate into greater competition to the benefit of the local consumer.

Get an exemption for Hawai'i from the Jones Act and give the marketplace three years. I predict we will see (1) increased product sourcing for Hawai'i consumption from Asia; (2) reduced shipping costs for all products coming from the U.S. Mainland or from Asia; and (3) increased service levels making Honolulu a true shipping hub. I can predict this because I know that once the U.S. Mainland cargo is available to all shippers (especially the foreign flag vessels that currently run back to Asia less than full), shipping companies will rush to add Hawai'i to their stopover schedules.

Slater and Trimble are on the right track. Their estimates of the results are just too conservative.