Letters to the Editor
Lingle has the right to support president
John Witeck, in his March 5 letter, seems to be oblivious to the fact we are at war, and calling Gov. Lingle's support of the war "despicable" makes me wonder where he's been since 9/11.
Evidently Witeck does not believe in the unalienable right of self-defense. And as the president said recently on national TV, we do not need the permission of the United Nations to defend ourselves and our shores and those of our friends throughout the world.
Just because our state House of Representatives passed a resolution opposing the U.S. liberation of Iraq does not mean that the governor cannot disagree. It's her duty to speak out for what she thinks is the right thing to do. And to insinuate she is so "enamored" with President Bush that it has clouded her thinking is typical psychobabble from the left.
Joseph A. Shorba
It's better to protest even if it ruins the day
Kelly Bixler (Letters, March 10) might disagree with the message of people who are protesting a war against Iraq, but I must object to two points in her letter:
- Saddam Hussein did not bring about Sept. 11, 2001; thus, attacking Iraq cannot be justified as retaliation. Attacking Iraq would be an unprecedented pre-emptive attack on the part of the United States.
- One can love this country very much and still be appalled by what the administration is planning to do in our name. There are many, myself included, who support this country and its Constitution, wishing very much that the strength that we have would be used for the right rather than for corporate greed and military imperialism.
I would rather see a beautiful day "ruined" by people protesting for peace than devastated by a nasty, unjust war.
Genie Sakaguchi
Kudos for sponsoring state teacher of year
I wanted to commend the Hawaii Dealers Automobile Association for sponsoring the Hawaii State Teacher of the Year recognition program.
For the past five years or more, the HDAA has raised the level of recognition bestowed to the one state winner and the seven district winners selected out of a field of 13,000 public school teachers in the state of Hawai'i from grades K to 12. Each winning teacher is given a brand-new automobile to use lease-free for the whole year.
The response this gesture generates from our community is overwhelming — the pride of the teacher community in the recognition acknowledging teacher quality and dedication; the pride of the school community (parents and students) shines bright knowing that their teacher at their school was chosen for excellence; the pride of the business community recognizing the value of investing in education.
From March 20 to 23, the present and past state and district teachers will be on hand at the Convention Center for the annual automobile association show. Please support education in Hawai'i, teachers and the Hawaii Dealers Automobile Association by attending the show.
Roberta R. Zarbaugh
Hawaii State Teacher of the Year 2003
Kapa'a Middle School
No parking wise choice
At last, somebody has put the needs of children before car parking. Preventing parking behind Jefferson School keeps the children safe, and local residents will no longer suffer the 24/7 car alarms from this area. Well done, City Council.
Lois Raynor
Jean Ikeda tribute was much appreciated
Words cannot express how grateful we are to the Aloha Chapter of the Alzheimer's Association for the special tribute to our mother, Jean Ikeda, at "Moonlight and Magic" this past Saturday evening.
Chairman Paul Brown and co-chairs Jean Ariyoshi, Tom Moffat and Jesse Colin Young are to be congratulated for producing a magical evening for our family and the 400 guests in attendance.
We also wish to recognize the presence of Lt. Gov. Duke Aiona and his wife, Vivian, former Gov. and Mrs. Ariyoshi, Mrs. Vicky Cayetano and her mother. Additionally, actress Michelle Phillips and newscasters Pamela Young, Gary Sprinkle and Ben Wood also attended. To them and all the guests, we wish to say "Mahalo nui loa."
We send our heartfelt thanks to director Janet Bender, director of development Cissy Shaner and all of the wonderful staff and volunteers who helped behind the scenes.
Mom and Dad were touched at seeing so many of their dear friends in attendance. So many people have been affected by Alzheimer's, it is gratifying to know so many of you cared enough to work toward funding research and providing caregiver support to the families of Hawai'i.
Again, mahalo from the entire Ikeda family.
Lucy Ikeda Molloy
Let's wait before we legalize the Segway
Senate Bill 1051, which would legalize Segways on sidewalks, is quietly sailing toward becoming law. Is there any doubt that the major reason for this legislation now, even before most here have even seen a Segway, has everything to do with money?
The bill would allow the Segway to travel on the sidewalk at 8 mph. The potentially dangerous situation of an adult on one going at that speed, especially to the very young, old and those otherwise not nimble enough to quickly get out of the way on our many narrow sidewalks, would seem to warrant a much more careful and thought-out approach.
There are many more Segways running on the Mainland; isn't it prudent to wait for more facts and data to become available before blindly legalizing them here at the urging of those motivated solely by profit?
The law would also allow them on bike lanes, and that seems a sensible first step if one must be taken now. San Francisco has banned them from the sidewalk, and it seems far too premature to allow them on our sidewalks for the corporate bottom line.
Toshi Takata
Cockfighting should be decided by voters
Our laws regarding the prevention of cruelty to animals are distorted and represent the unconscious hypocrisy of this state.
We decry that dogfighting and cockfighting are cruel and inhumane, but to abort human life is acceptable because it's a matter of "choice."
It's ludicrous and pathetic to wail over a chicken's life but not the destruction of the life of an unborn child. Do we revere a chicken's life more than an unborn child?
In cultures where bullfighting and cockfighting are tolerated, these events are viewed as art and sports while people place wagers and are entertained by them. So it is with boxing and football, where human beings bash each other to a pulp, drawing blood — sportingly, that is — cheering and screaming and often with feverish excitement, and our society wagers on who will prevail.
Denigrating one culture for its beliefs and morals is a form of ethnocentricity. We should respect other cultures for whatever their ways of life are and whatever they choose to practice or be.
Why not put this issue to a referendum and let the majority of voters decide their preference on cockfighting? Once and for all, put the issue to rest in a democratic way.
Alfredo Cabacungan
Waipi'o Gentry
'Kalaeloa Village' could house O'ahu homeless
The growing homelessness situation saddens me, and I agree with Mayor Harris that we need a comprehensive center that would provide all of the services needed for our homeless population.
It seems to me that our federal, state and local governments could work together to accomplish the mayor's proposal for a "campus-like facility" by using a portion of the abandoned facilities at the former Barbers Point Naval Air Station.
Already in place are numerous vacant housing units, an unoccupied medical clinic, along with deserted classrooms and office buildings. Since all of these buildings are already in place, I believe that a "Kalaeloa Village" could be incorporated for much less than the $6 million facility our mayor proposes.
It's irresponsible for our politicians to allow the facilities at Kalaeloa to sit abandoned and deteriorating, surrounded by overgrown and dead landscaping, when they could be used for such a noble facility to better the lives of those in need and assist them in getting their lives back on track.
Perhaps able-bodied residents would be required to work a set number of hours as maintenance workers and groundskeepers to assist with upkeep costs, and also get on-the-job training skills at the same time. The now-unused Navy Exchange or former McDonald's could be used as a drop-off center for community and corporate donations of food, clothing and household goods for the residents.
It just seems like a waste that all of these buildings and grounds sit unused, especially in this time of tight or nonexistent budgets when they could be put to use in such a beneficial manner and at a savings to taxpayers.
As a generous and loving community of hospitality and 'ohana, we must provide the proper facilities to assist those down on their luck, some with substance addictions or mental problems. With the appropriate nonprofit organization running "Kalaeloa Village," it could be a great asset to our homelessness situation, and not only a shining example of how we take care of our own in the Aloha State, but a showcase of creative redevelopment for a portion of a closed military facility.
Another idea: Use other abandoned facilities at Kalaeloa as the beginning of the West O'ahu UH campus. Social services students could get hands-on experience working at "Kalaeloa Village."
Daniel Hoover
'Ewa Beach
Personal diplomacy worked after Sept. 11
State Sen. Donna Mercado Kim was quoted as saying that "some people from Japan" told her that Hawai'i's special tourism mission to Japan following 9/11 didn't work (Advertiser, March 14) .
As someone who spent a week taking part in that very intensive mission (on my own time and at no expense to state government, I might add), I must say that the senator has been badly misinformed.
We met in Tokyo with Prime Minister Koizumi, Cabinet ministers and tourism industry leaders to try to kick-start the flow of visitors from Japan following the terrorist attacks. With the help of local sumo stars Akebono and Mu-sashimaru, the delegation received extensive media coverage in Japan, delivering the message that Hawai'i was safe, open for business and eager to have visitors come back.
Let me tell you what "some people from Japan" told me about our mission. The CEO of Japan Airlines told me: "Thank you for coming. You have laid the base we need. Now we feel we can properly market Hawai'i."
The chairman of the Japan Travel Bureau told me: "Without your trip here, it would have been a long time before Japanese would have felt comfortable coming to Hawai'i again."
The same message came from top leaders of the Japan Association of Travel Agents and major tourism corporations. These companies were prepared to commit millions to market Hawai'i, but needed our message of welcome to set the stage for Japanese consumers to be receptive.
Certainly, the Japanese visitor market continues to struggle. Given the state of their economy, we won't see a return to the "good old days" anytime soon.
However, it is clear that the picture would have been worse without that extra personal diplomacy in 2001.
The culture of Japan was very sensitive to a situation such as 9/11, just as it was to the previous Gulf War. If there is a war with Iraq, leaders from Hawai'i who understand Japan's culture and have contacts in its business establishment must again be prepared to personally deliver our message once more. As in past missions, it will be important for our governor to be part of any effort to communicate to this vital audience.
Walter A. Dods Jr.
Hawai'i chairman, Japan Hawai'i Economic Council
