Letters to the Editor

Crime resolution rate in Honolulu a fiasco

Since hearing that over 90 percent of Hawai'i's major crimes go unsolved, we have yet to hear from the mayor or chief of police. If it were reported that 50 percent of major crimes were unsolved, that would be reason enough to be extremely concerned.

Chief Lee Donohue should be removed immediately, and the mayor should step up to the plate and let the community know how he is going to deal with this fiasco.

For those who have had to contact the police via 911 and have been put on hold, or simply have not gotten a response, these numbers probably aren't surprising. For a civilized society, the numbers are outrageous.

Even the City Council has its head in the sand on this issue. After acting quickly to pay the Teamsters and police pay raises, by raising taxes, they are now nowhere in sight. Who's accountable, Hawai'i? Do you care?

Japanese will come back in better times

I'd like to portray a brighter side of the economic picture for the now-reeling Japanese tourism industry in Hawai'i.

After returning from a recent two-week trip to Japan, I predict that in five years, Japanese tourists will be returning in the numbers equaling those of the late '80s and early '90s, provided the following two important changes take place:

• The world terrorist threat subsides, easing up the tense security requirements, especially at the airports.

• The recent government reforms initiated by the Koizumi government become a reality. These reforms will lower government taxes and release more money to the people.

The people are financially well-off; however, they are spending their money within their borders. Gourmet restaurants were full, some attracting long lines outside. High-priced specialty shops selling European goods and brand-name items were filled with customers. I can understand the reason for naming Tokyo the highest-priced tourist destination in the world.

The automobile and high-tech industries are still making huge profits, as shown by the trade balances in favor of these industries. My prediction will become a reality when the world is at peace and terrorist-free, and the government succeeds in implementing its reforms. The Japanese people are eagerly awaiting travel outside of their borders.

Afterschool program study seriously flawed

Your editorial ("Afterschool programs no magic success bullet," Nov. 13) on the supposed failings of the federal afterschool funding initiative — 21st Century Community Learning Centers — relies on deeply flawed conclusions from a single, and highly controversial, study conducted by Mathematica Policy Research for the federal government.

Policy should be based on sound research, but this study's methodological failings were so significant that even its authors acknowledge that the "(f)indings for the elementary school centers in the evaluation do not generalize to all elementary school centers." Moreover, the study's negative findings fly in the face of years of sound research by highly respected academics. The study is not without value, but it certainly does not tell us that afterschool programs are failing, as you suggest.

Afterschool programs are not perfect, and programs are right to continually focus on improving their methods — a considerable challenge given the absence of sustained, sufficient funding. But to brush past this study's severe problems — some of which even its own researchers acknowledge — is a grave disservice to the parents, educators and children who rely on federal funding to create afterschool programs.

Charles Bishop, not his wife, set up the schools

So, it's really great that the greatest benefactress of the Hawaiian people, our Princess Pauahi, left her estate for the establishment of the Kamehameha Schools. The estate is the greatest endowment of an educational institution in the world, estimated at between $6 billion and $10 billion.

Why, then, after 116 years, was the name "Bernice Pauahi Bishop Estate" removed from the estate? Could it be because the last name of the "beloved princess" was haole?

Well, I have some really shocking news. Her husband, Charles Bishop, not Pauahi, was the greatest benefactor of the Hawaiians.

At Pauahi's death, in 1884, he found out that 353,000 acres of land his wife inherited in 1883, plus 22,000 acres from her parents, were valuated at probate at $474,000, which would just cover the cost of building the schools and ... no more.

He therefore contributed $2.5 million ($375 million to $750 million in today's value), or 84 percent of the total estate assets.

For details, see H.W. Kent's 1965 book "Charles Reed Bishop — Man of Hawai'i."

After World War II, Mr. Kent was elected president of Kamehameha Schools and served in that capacity for 16 years.

Holiday reminds us of what's truly important

Thanksgiving is truly a time for personal, family, community and national unity. It is the least commercialized holiday in America. Thanksgiving has a strength and gentleness that transcends our daily lives and reminds all of us how specially blessed we are.

We are blessed to live in the United States of America and the state of Hawai'i, with the unlimited opportunities this country provides for all the people.

We are blessed to live in a community where neighbors care for each other. In areas where neighbors have forgotten each other, Thanksgiving provides a loving opportunity to rebuild lost relationships and remind communities what is truly important.

We are blessed to have families. Some with blood relatives, others with adopted relatives. The act of giving thanks and breaking bread together renews, restores and refreshes our precious bonds. Every day we are reminded of the pitfalls of modern life. Thanksgiving gives families a chance to experience what is truly important.

We are blessed to be ourselves. Thanksgiving gives all of us a silent, peaceful opportunity to take stock in what is good in each one of us. It opens the door, once again, to find opportunity for loving recovery, inner peace and enlightenment. Thanksgiving reminds each individual to experience what is truly important.

Thanksgiving is our gateway to love, peace and understanding for ourselves, our family, our neighbors and our country.

God bless Thanksgiving.