Letters to the Editor
New ferry terminal design has problems
It was good news ("Ferry terminal set to open on O'ahu," June 2) that the state is starting to plan an interisland ferry system. It is surprising news that a ferry terminal has already been built in Honolulu Harbor at a cost of $5 million and will open next month, although the ferry design has not been demonstrated, accepted by the public or approved by the Legislature.
The optimum ferry terminal for a combination passenger and roll-on/roll-off ferry contemplated by the state should have two levels, the upper level for passengers plus shops, and the lower level for automobiles, trucks and cargo. The new terminal is one level, less safe and less secure. The $5 million of our money could have been better spent.
E. Alvey Wright
Kane'ohe
Big Island community doesn't want new prison
Perhaps the Lingle administration has not paid attention to the clear, consistent and overwhelming opposition by residents of the Big Island to each plan that has come along to locate a prison facility on this island. More probably, the administration is simply using the tried-and-true political method of continual assault on the community's will until it collapses from emotional exhaustion.
The Big Island community knew that this issue would be visited upon us once again by "our representatives" and that it would have "new and improved" on the label. But how can any human being overcome inherent addiction while caged like an animal?
Democrat, Republican, whatever — the community knows through repeated bitter experience that our politicians and bureaucrats represent the special interests of big money and those who are just visiting, have second homes, or have yet to move here before they give any preference to the interests of the vast majority who actually reside here.
Otherwise, there would be good schools, affordable housing and acceptable traffic flows, not to mention decent prisons. But, as one famous comedian loved to say, "I don't get no respect." And so fewer and fewer people bother to vote.
Of course, this all suits the powers-that-have-always-been just fine, though they'd rather die than admit it. Democracy has always been fiction in Hawai'i, but everyone loves the book too much to throw it away.
Charles Flaherty
Honaunau, Hawai'i
How can Hawaiians trust the Akaka bill?
In recent months opinions regarding the Akaka bill have generated some interesting and thought-provoking letters.
Domestic laws of the United States make all its citizens accountable for acts of wrongdoing. What makes a government entity responsible and accountable for acts of wrongdoing? International laws ratified in treaty by the participating governments.
Treaty: a formally signed and ratified agreement between two nations or sovereigns; a treaty is not only law in each state, but also a contract between signatories.
In the westward expansion, numerous treaties between the United States and Native Americans were broken — many blatantly and with disregard to "liberty and justice for all." In the days of the Hawaiian Kingdom, the United States signed treaties with the kingdom, recognizing Hawai'i's sovereignty. And yes, it broke these treaties as easily and blatantly as it did with the Native Americans.
Five generations later, though the Akaka bill is not in its technical term a treaty, the parties negotiating for an agreement are in essence negotiating a treaty. Regardless if the bill is passed, how can anyone expect us, as Native Hawaiians, to believe our benefits, entitlements, people and culture will be protected by the U.S. government? As you can see, the United States in this case lacks credibility and confidence by many Native Hawaiians.
Let's protect our people and culture by changing the required qualifications for our benefits. Instead of saying "must have Hawaiian or 50 percent or more Hawaiian blood," change it to "a direct descendant of a citizen of the County and Kingdom of Hawai'i (Jan 17, 1893)." This will eliminate the race and blood issue. But do not ask us to trust the same government that broke our treaties.
Oliver Dukelow
Waihe'e, Maui
UH, fans are lucky to have June Jones
The phrase "the price of Paradise" has a different meaning to someone like coach June Jones. He has never once complained about his salary, nor has he ever used his success as a negotiating tool as a reason to leave the Islands to further his career.
The University of Hawai'i and the fans of UH sports are extremely lucky to have someone so dedicated to giving back to the school he once attended. I hope that Mr. Frazier keeps this in mind as he undergoes contract negotiations with coach Jones.
This is a perfect example of someone who loves the Islands so much that he would forego the opportunity to coach in the NFL to seek peace and happiness in Hawai'i.
"Lucky we live Hawai'i?" ... no, "Lucky we have June Jones."
Dave K. Uemura
Aliso Viejo, Calif.
Project Graduation salvaged with aloha
With trying to keep our children safe and away from drinking on the streets of Farrington Highway, three women saved this year's Project Graduation for 50 students. When things fell apart, funds were short, the bus to transport our students to and from the event was canceled ... what else could go wrong?
These strong women were determined to make this work for our students, who truly worked hard to graduate. They were not going to let them down. A fund-raiser was put together, the Iron Workers Union Hall was opened to have the event with music, food and entertainment.
Another rescue came from Louis Gomes of Ground Transport Inc., who donated a bus to transport our Nanakuli kids to and from the event.
With all of this put together for the kids ... this year's Project Graduation was a big success. Our students were safe off the streets because of people who cared. Much mahalo for your spirit of aloha and, most of all, the spirit of giving.
Patty Kahanamoku Teruya
Nanakuli
Open up the sea lanes
To make special arrangements for foreign carriers to transport tourists between islands to create jobs for Americans is a commendable idea. However, we now need to permit foreign vessels to provide sea freight service between the Mainland and Hawai'i. Doing such would be in the interest of the consumer and would bring competition into a market that, for all intents and purposes, is a closed one.
Bill Sharp
There's a way to deal with seat belt ticket
I believe I have found the answer to Tiana Dombrowski's June 2 letter in which she questions whether the seat belt law is to increase the use of seat belts or to generate revenue for the state.
It is my understanding that the founders of this country wanted to ensure that the state would never be able to take unfair advantage of the people by using its power to enforce its laws as a power to gain revenue for itself. Therefore, among other rights, the founders guaranteed to the people under the Constitution the right to never be deprived of any of their money without due process of law and the right to remain silent in the event they are accused of having committed any crime.
The only reason why the state is able to generate revenue today by enforcing laws is that the people fail to exercise these rights. If every person accused of having failed to fasten his or her seat belt were to remain silent when asked to plead to the accusation, each and every such accusation by the state would be an expense for the state.
This is evidently what the founders intended.
Clarence Shak
Fasi deserves to be Honolulu's next mayor
I came across Frank Fasi's May 8 letter stating that he is running as a candidate for his former post as mayor of the City & County of Honolulu. Those of us who have followed his many accomplishments over the years can give credence to his persistent efforts to run and run again. Fasi, an idealist and a successful businessman, merits the mayoral position.
As a voter, I am vouching for his candidacy for this prestigious position. His track record has proven the validity of his qualifications. He has capabilities and experience to be a most reliable administrator for our city government, and, as his slogan explains it, "I get the job done."
So please consider Frank Fasi as our next mayor. Don't leave him out of the race. Shaka, Frank!
Henry Kiani Peritt
Hoku awards show captured Hawaiiana
For me, highlights of the Na Hoku Hanohano Awards show included: seeing Nina Keali'iwahamana's obvious enchantment listening to the gorgeous voice of Raiatea Helm; sharing in Nathan Aweau's victory "dance" of joy; laughing with Augie as he enjoyed a l-o-n-g hug with a lovely presenter; and being treated to the wonderful kupuna voices of the Kalama 'ohana.
These were all special aspects of the aloha spirit: finding joy in another's accomplishments, showing it when you're happy, creating laughter for all and honoring your elders. These are things that have made me a grateful guest for 30 years of this beautiful land and its very special host culture.
J. Mick
Kailua
Taxpayers are losers over city dumping fine
I never have figured out who is the winner when one government agency (supported by taxpayers) fines another government agency (supported by taxpayers).
I see where the state is going to fine the city over illegal dumping. And the city is going to appeal (which uses up valuable legal resources).
As I said, I do not know who the winner is, but I sure do know who the loser is — the taxpayer.
R.D. Greenamyer
Mililani
Forget the knee-jerk
Regarding the June 2 editorial "Don't like helmets? Learn from Ching": Here we go again. Proposed mandatory helmet laws. A knee-jerk reaction to remove more of our rights. Most of us are responsible motorcycle riders. Let those who ride decide.
D.J. Freitas
Kane'ohe
Mothballed troopships could be prison answer
Hawai'i needs more and better drug treatment facilities, but costs and "not in my backyard" are formidable deterrents. Perhaps this would work:
Convert troopships from our mothballed fleet. They have ample living and working areas and facilities for dining, cooking, exercise, laundry, dispensary, library, electrical power and communications, plus pumps and tanks for pollution control, although these would probably have to be updated at federal expense to bring them in line with current regulations.
A troopship can carry more than 2,000 personnel, so 750 inmates plus 150 more for therapy and other services would not crowd the ship. The services now send their troops via planes, so the Defense Department has a lot of these ships with no apparent use for them. Our representatives would ask Congress for one or more ships plus the funds to de-mothball, convert, outfit, move them to Hawaiian waters and maintain them for, say, five years, during which time they would be the core facility for a drug treatment and rehabilitation experiment.
Some potential benefits:
- No building construction costs.
- Lower operating costs than on land.
- Smaller guard force.
- Facilities could be available within one year.
- Requires no extensive environmental studies.
- Increase or decrease bed spaces by adjusting the number of ships.
- Assures immediate start of therapy and drug rehabilitation the same or next day after someone decides they want to get off drugs.
- Quickly removes addicts away from neighborhoods and off the streets.
- Frees up space at existing facilities ashore for those who cannot remain away from their families, e.g., teens, mothers of infants, the infirm, the only breadwinner in a family.
- Offers treatment much earlier to those who have used drugs for a brief period before they become hardened addicts.
The ships would be anchored approximately 20 miles offshore, too far to swim back, but close enough to transport personnel and supplies.
Only those who demonstrate a sincere attitude and the ability to kick their drug habit would be treated on the ships. Hardcore cases, incorrigibles and disruptive and abusive inmates should receive treatment on land.
Ed Cesar
Kahalu'u
