Posted on: Tuesday, October 28, 2003

Letters to the Editor

Embrace teens and their sexual identity

I found Kathy Martin's letter on gay proms filled with ignorance. It saddens me that she has the audacity to write about something she obviously knows nothing about. It's true that many teenagers face hormonal changes and question their sexuality, but what's wrong with teenagers claiming to have attraction toward the same sex?

What's wrong are people like Kathy Martin who think teens shouldn't "declare" who they can be attracted to. What's wrong is her statement about teens who act on their perceived sexuality — that it "will put them at a greater risk for sexually transmitted diseases, drug and alcohol use, depression and suicide."

All the risks she writes about happens to teens, whether they're gay or straight. Teens who feel they can't be who they are would be susceptible to the risks Kathy Martin writes about due to being shunned through ignorance, not by sexual orientation.

If we had acceptance in this world, we wouldn't need a Gay & Lesbian Alliance and "pro-gay propaganda." We also wouldn't need to have a separate prom. The fairest solution is teaching all kids empathy and acceptance toward others.

Seek only most skilled, passionate person

After all the previous visitors bureau lunas, including the latest, Tony Vericella, have presided over gold-plated, money-wasting boondoggles (trips, luncheons, conferences, ad nauseum), we are again seeing musical deck chairs on the Titanic.

Now John Monahan, who presided over the dissolution of a decades-old kama'aina business (Liberty House) is to head the HVCB. Why? Obviously, his marketing instincts are not the best. Who does this guy golf with?

Here's a novel idea: Let's openly recruit the most skilled and passionate person for this huge financial responsibility. This never-ending parade of defeated politicians, failed businessmen and their families being offered chance after chance to fail again on our tax dollars must end. I'd bet some bright, committed social marketer like Jeff Mikulina would do an honorable, energetic job in this position. Or how about a marketing professional with a proven track record? Lolo idea, huh?

Public service is a privilege. People of Hawai'i, let's dump the tired "usual suspects" who feel entitled to "rule" over the rest of us.

Patriotism is not issue in opposing Iraq war

I am tired of those questioning the patriotism of those of us opposed to the Iraq war. I would like to know what their record is as Americans that they think their option is more patriotic than the opinion of those of us who oppose the war.

My credentials as an American are as follows: My paternal ancestor came to America in 1651. I have ancestors who fought in the French and Indian Wars, American Revolution, Civil War, Spanish-American War, WWI, and probably all the wars in between. I served in the Navy during Vietnam, and my stepson has just completed basic training for the Army. I believe in a strong national defense, and am proud that my son is willing to fight for his country.

All this doesn't make my opinions any more correct than anyone else, but it does give me a right not to be questioned as to patriotism.

I firmly believe that the present administration is going against everything that America has ever stood for. When we went into Afghanistan, I was completely behind the administration, as we had proof that the country was sheltering Osama bin Laden, who had masterminded the attack on the World Trade Center.

In Iraq, we had a tyrant but we did not have a present and direct threat to our country. We have a president who does not think we have to be responsible citizens of the world and that just because we are strong enough, we can wipe out any country that doesn't agree with us. He talks about all the horrors of Saddam Hussein and how many innocent people he killed, but he doesn't even bother to keep track of all the innocent people that we are killing.

We must stop military's Pohakuloa occupation

I haven't bothered to read the Pohakuloa draft environmental impact study. I'd rather not sully my precious time. Other than the latest corporate whitewash, it has no news to offer. However, I plan to testify at the Pohakuloa EIS public hearings in November.

Big Islanders have known for years what's up there — a sacred place. We've witnessed depleted uranium and other weapons of mass destruction our weekend warriors toss around with abandon. Should some choose to refute this news, then give us Geiger counters and free access to the firing range.

Living on Mauna Kea, I heard the bombs' reports and saw red-cindered smoke blot out Hualalai. I felt my 'aina rattled by volcanic battle.

The short-term economic benefits to the Big Island from the War Machine will forever, for all practical purposes, pollute tourism, fishing and agriculture — the mainstays of our local economy.

This is a NIMBY issue. Not In My Back Yard! The unheralded, grass-roots anti-war movement must run rampant war out of here — and only hope its next victims of aggression can stop it, over there.

Only peace and preservation can save us. Only we can wreck our 'aina. Peace begins at home. Stop Pohakuloa's occupation.

Get U.S. ordnance off my island.

Regents having trouble with the 'vision thing'

Well, it didn't take long for Linda Lingle's UH appointees to the Board of Regents to start dismantling opportunities for Hawai'i's Leeward communities and trash a plan that could have built a true metropolis on O'ahu as opposed to a snarling mess of traffic and concrete.

Knocking the legs out of the vision of a second city by trying to kill UH-West O'ahu not only limits opportunities for a university education for huge portions of our population, it eliminates any hope of completing a second city and creating some real long-term solutions to O'ahu's growth and transportation issues.

Perhaps folks are having a little trouble with the "vision thing."

West O'ahu campus is no 'pipe dream'

Plans for the proposed West O'ahu campus must proceed.

One of the three newly appointed regents who oppose a West O'ahu campus said that the vision of a university campus on the Leeward Coast is a "pipe dream" and that the "tough decision" to refuse to open West O'ahu should've been made long ago.

Thirty years ago, the "tough decision" was made — build West O'ahu. It is a vision and decision that was actively supported by Govs. Burns, Ariyoshi, Waihee and Cayetano, by all the presidents of the University of Hawai'i, and by the members of the Board of Regents and the state Legislature who served throughout this period. All of these individuals were serious-minded people who heard all of the pro/con arguments, understood the importance of the campus and made the "tough decision" to proceed.

The easy decision is to focus only on the present, make noises about costs and refuse to build for the future. Had this "bean counter" mentality prevailed with other projects, Hawai'i would not, for example, have the community college system, a medical school or a law school providing professional opportunities for our young adults and leaders for our community.

Good dreams for the future never die, nor do they fade away.

The vision for West O'ahu remains as relevant and vital today as it was 30 years ago.

Ignore Calvin Say and focus on Gov. Lingle

I read with sheer disbelief several weeks ago an article quoting Calvin Say, the speaker of the House of Representatives, as stating that Gov. Lingle was acting hastily in convening a study of our educational system.

There are few, if any, intelligent people who are not ashamed of the level of academic achievement that Hawai'i students have been rated on a national scale. Gov. Lingle is 10 months late in getting started. Rep. Say is many years behind to recognize the crying need for a re-evaluation and restructuring of our school system.

Every parent, and those who will have school-age children, should recognize the vital importance of our governor's proposal and become a working part of it.

Kolea analogy perfect for president's visit

Mahalo to Lee Cataluna for her column comparing the visit of George Bush to the migration of the kolea. They come, they get fat, they leave. Although I love the plover, the analogy was perfect.

Now I hope Ms. Cataluna follows it with a column about our governor reassuring us that Bush "cares" about Native Hawaiian issues. Apparently, all he cares about are money and power. Native Hawaiians have neither. And since the governor is asking us to elect people who will support more development for the rich, it is hard to imagine that she actually cares, herself.

Why no coverage?

Since you took the time and space to explain "How and why we covered the Bush visit the way that we did" in Sunday's Focus pages, please now explain why you didn't cover the 2-mile march and rally against U.S. military policies in Iraq that happened on Saturday. Does the paper not feel that dissent against the U.S. government is newsworthy?

Judging Bush's visit

It has been said many times that the best way to tell how good a Republican president is doing is by the number of protesters he draws wherever he goes.

Mahalo to all the people at the Hilton Hawaiian Village on Thursday. It's good to know that our president is doing an excellent job.

Zoo Fence Artists will miss Kekoa Kaapu

As Zoo Fence Artists, we were saddened to read about the passing of Kekoa Kaapu at such an early age and so suddenly.

When we had our problems a few years ago, he was a strong supporter in speaking on our behalf in a number of ways to keep us in Kapi'olani Park.

Mayor Harris has also been a genuine supporter of the Zoo Fence Artists, and we were not big donors. We hate to see him go. The candidates for mayor for the next election are questionable regarding our status to continue in Kapi'olani Park. We have been there for 50 years and will fight to be able to continue.

We hope our next mayor will be as supportive as Kekoa Kaapu and Mayor Harris.

Salary cut makes all of us in Hawai'i poorer

Anyone who has mastered a musical instrument must have the reflexes of a surgeon and the toughness and stamina of an athlete. The Honolulu Symphony has more than 60 of that kind of person. All of them have worked for a salary that could at best be described as modest. One-fifth of that modest salary has just been cut.

It is tempting during hard times to reduce funding in areas that are deemed discretionary. But the Honolulu Symphony (a first-rate organization in a small city) is as much of a part of our lives' fabric as a university — or, for that matter, a football team. It has, for decades, enriched us all, its quality increasing each year. The richness and variety of its repertoire — exposing us all to musical worlds that give depth and meaning to musicians and non-musicians like — is not something that should be diluted.

No one is asking that a musician's life be easy. One can hope only that the difficulty of that life not be compounded by something less than a living wage. In times that are uncertain and often frightening, the musicians of the Symphony help to elevate us all. A pay cut makes all of us in Hawai'i at least 20 percent poorer.

The Rock's role as king is sure to flop

Much is being written about Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson taking on the difficult role of the great King Kamehameha. He is sure to be the lead in a movie to be shot in about two years or so.

First, he wants to brush up on his acting ability. And an undefined segment of the "Hawaiian community" is quite opposed to this whole thing. But, you see, so far, so good.

So what if Dwayne's facial features are a far cry from those of the great king? So what if his skin color is clearly different from that of the king? So what if Dwayne is not conversant with the Hawaiian language? So what if he might not be able to pronounce the fast and emotion-laden sentences of a busy and warring king as the script will require? So what if Dwayne is not fluent in his Samoan, either? And so what if the part, to be memorable, requires a schooled and seasoned actor? So what if he plans to brush up his acting potential by making a few more action flicks?

So what? After all, this will be "Hollywood as usual." And after all, perhaps a half-Polynesian is better than no Polynesian at all, as Dwayne himself put it. Can't wait as I keep imagining a repeat flop of a picture à la Michener's "Hawaii"!