Letters to the Editor

Dismissing students is not the best solution

I agree that the "proof of the quality of the school does not lie in the aberrant behavior, but in the way it is handled" (Nov. 6 editorial). I disagree, however, in the dismissal of the students as a way to "handle" this affair.

Dismissal from Kamehameha Schools means that some public high school will now be burdened with taking care of the problem that Kamehameha could not handle. Educating children is a home/school partnership. If I, as a parent, failed to teach my child properly, I would expect, given the time, money and emotion that I have invested in the school, that the school would help me through this ordeal and not abandon my child at a time of greatest need. These are students who still need guidance. This is an opportunity to teach, and not a time to abandon, them.

As a public-school educator, I am most opposed to the private-school practice of passing their problems to the public schools and would hope that our private schools would do their part in helping all of their students, and not only those who fit the private-school mold.

Let property owners pay for the police raise

Regarding Glenn M. Bunnell's Oct. 5 letter suggesting alternative sources for funding the recent HPD raise: It is preposterous to increase traffic and parking ticket rates to pay for this. Unsafe drivers are not the only citizens who are pulled over and ticketed.

First, let me say that I am one of those people who "cause most of the police work." For this I apologize, but as a black male in America, it is my inherent civic duty.

When was the last time you didn't have enough change in your car for the quick errand you were supposed to run downtown? Or maybe you were visiting Waikiki over the weekend and forgot to run back and feed the meter.

The $30 fines levied are high enough.

Paying for the raise should be the responsibility of those people the police actually "protect and serve." Let those fortunate enough to own property on this island pay a higher property tax; after all, it is you people the HPD actually works for. Those of us under the proverbial foot of the HPD cannot afford to give Hawai'i's finest what they truly deserve.

Explanation for fires, sharks doesn't work

Congratulations to Greg Sheindlin for his brilliant explanation (Letters, Nov. 6) of the cause of the recent California wildfires and Hawai'i shark attack: "the fanatical environmentalists," the "fanatical left" and the "Democratic Party."

That's much easier to correct than, say, global warming, the five-year drought in California, the fact that wealthier folks want to live in and near the woods and have their taxes lowered every other year without giving any money for public works to clean and clear brush. And on the shark front, there have been numerous recent scientific reports that as much as 90 percent of the ocean fishes are gone. Could it possibly be that we have sharks coming closer to shore where people recreate because of less food for the sharks farther offshore?

I have lived in Hawai'i for 30 years and have averaged swimming in the ocean six days a week. Everyone I know who swims or fishes talks about the steady decline in visible fish. Many visible turtles have tumors, which leads to their death and decline — less food for sharks.

I would wager that Mr. Sheindlin is listening to a little too much shock jock talk radio. As Rush Limbaugh recently discovered, things that may fly on talk radio may crash to land on television or legitimate print media where there is a more rounded and discerning public.

I would like to challenge Mr. Sheindlin to a public debate on this issue, either in a Honolulu Advertiser forum or on a local radio program like Robert Rees'.

Environmentalists, Democrats not at fault

This is in response to Gregory Sheindlin's Nov. 6 letter blaming environmentalists and the Democratic Party for the recent shark attacks and wildfires. His accusations are ludicrous, to say the least.

First, as unfortunate as shark attacks on humans are, the ocean is the sharks' home, not man's. The shark did not swim to shore to attack a human. Second, the trees did not cause the wildfires; arsonists did.

Unless he wants to credit the Republican Party for the crippling federal deficit, chaos in Iraq and still lagging economy (they say we're in recovery, but tell that to all the unemployed), it behooves him to base his statements on intellect rather than emotion.

Editorial wrongly equates volunteers with vigilantes

I was angered by your Oct. 24 editorial "Volunteer policing can encourage vigilantism." For your information, vigilantes are people who work outside the law, not those who are authorized to enforce it. Pretty soon you'll be calling our police and firefighters vigilantes.

Obviously, if a person uses the power of authority given to them by the government in an unethical, illegal way, they should be held accountable like anyone else, including police officers and firefighters. But if we accept your reasoning, we shouldn't have anybody enforcing the law because he might misuse his position of authority.

The fact is, I think you hate Mike Gabbard so much because he's against same-sex marriage. And you just automatically have a knee-jerk reaction against anything he supports.

Hawaiian community strengthened by many

Applause and a heartfelt mahalo for Dr. Rockne Freitas, Dr. Ko Miyataki and the staff of the Ke Ali'i Pauahi Foundation. It was because of their commitment and dedication that additional meaning and value is now given to the Order of Ke Ali'i Pauahi Awards, which were presented on Nov. 5 at the Hawai'i Theatre.

For the first time in the history of the award, the selection process included members of the community, who were asked to participate by making recommendations of any individual from any walk of life whom they felt had contributed to the well-being of the Hawaiian people and the strengthening of the Hawaiian community.

Furthermore, the honorees were selected by a panel of outstanding community leaders who shared in the vision of an award that recognizes people who have given of themselves to improve upon our culture, people and community.

The award now honors those persons who demonstrate the servant leadership values of Bernice Pauahi Bishop. The splendor of the evening was made special by the Kamehameha Class of 1972, which motivated and inspired entertainers and performers to give of their talents to honor these recipients.

The honorees — a botanist and professor, a physician and environmentalist, a musician and composer, a kumu hula and foundation executive, a retired Army general and leader, and a former Kamehameha trustee — made us all proud. Their selection, introduced by the hostess of the event, Dr. Elizabeth Buyers, inspired us all.

Stryker brigade will hurt area economically

As one of 200 concerned citizens in Hilo speaking out on expanding the Pohakuloa Training Area for the new Stryker brigade, I pointed out that the draft environmental impact statement predicts an extreme increase in noise and dust from maneuvers and transport in this area near Waikoloa and the resort hotels and golf courses of the Kohala Gold Coast.

This will mean economic losses for folks who now own homes in the area, and I question whether honeymooners and cruise passengers want to watch war games at the cocktail hour. Dust will surely reach the telescopes atop Mauna Kea.

Dan Inouye says this is a done deal. Hmm. Since they brought it up, isn't it time to shut down Pohakuloa? If it isn't big enough for modern military activities, then surely they can find a nice 23,000-acre plot in the middle of Nevada or Colorado or Oklahoma. And it would save us taxpayers $1.5 billion.

Article about zoning violation is weird

Some news stories should be listed under "news of the weird." According to the Nov. 7 paper, the North Shore Country Market is being evicted from its location because the property is zoned for agricultural use, and selling locally grown fruit and vegetables is a zoning violation.

So what is the city going to do with the property? Grow tomatoes? No ... it is going to use it as a runoff field for toilets from a nearby property. And this isn't a zoning violation? Come on, folks, let's get real.

Kahanamoku statue should be protected

However, it is very disrespectful to Duke's legacy and to the Kahanamoku family when some folks put their hands over, point to or rub the "private area" of the Duke statue while their picture is being taken. Continuous climbing on and clinging to the statue also causes faster wear and tear.

I believe that some sort of fencing or posts should be placed around the statue to keep people off and to maintain the respect the Big Duke deserves.

Complying with the ADA simply makes good sense

Neither Mr. Philips nor his clients make up the rules. The federal government publishes a detailed guide for compliance in a publication called the Americans with Disabilities Act Architectural Guidelines (ADAAG). Follow ADAAG in all new or renovated construction and you will have no problem with the act.

Incorporate as many of the guidelines as reasonable and feasibly possible into your existing place of business, keep a complete record of your proactive effort and you should not have to end up in a federal court. It's simply that easy.

The United States put a man on the moon in less time than businesses have chosen to comply with the ADA, yet it takes a strong will and often deeply offended individual social protester to force compliance through the only means provided by the federal government (being the federal court system) to enforce compliance with any civil rights act, including the ADA.

These people are not villains, although you may be annoyed at some of their righteous indignation. The attorney gets his fees only, and in my experience, those fees are very reasonable when my client recognizes his or her responsibility early. The claimant receives nothing — no kickbacks from the attorney, no court awards — nothing but justice.

You shouldn't have to be sued into compliance. It's less expensive, less offensive and socially responsible to just do it.