Letters to the Editor

Don't forget: A car is a dangerous weapon

After reading what's been printed in the papers concerning the Maui police shooting, I felt it was necessary to remind people that a car, although commonly used for transportation, is in fact a dangerous weapon when used by a fleeing felon.

I wonder if those same people interviewed who thought it was unnecessary use of force by police would feel the same had this person continued fleeing, and in the process hit and killed their mother or father or sister or brother or child. Under these circumstances, I'm sure those same people critical of the officer's split-second decision to shoot would probably change their tune.

Citizens must hold Kawamoto accountable

Shame! Sen. Cal Kawamoto's grab for power in an attempt to deflect investigations of his own alleged wrongdoings should be an affront to us all.

As the Campaign Spending Commission investigates the senator, he, as influential chairman of the Transportation, Military Affairs and Government Operations Committee, strategizes to muzzle and suppress the commission (a body designated political-influence-free) by putting in place the ability for the Legislature to fire the commission's executive director without cause, and also allow the Legislature to appoint members to the commission.

Are good government practices dead? The commission, providing checks and balances to our system, is being undermined and put into enormous jeopardy by a power-hungry senator who is trying to protect himself, his position and others connected to his alleged wrongdoing. Then he expects us citizens to sit back in apathy and let him do it.

Let's not yield to his efforts to bury the standards of integrity and character that are a part of our heritage. We must hold him accountable for past actions and deny his attempts to avoid the consequences. It is our right as well as our responsibility to do so. If we see and do nothing, then the shame will justifiably be ours.

Basic research shows U.S. induced overthrow

Frank Scott (Letters, Jan. 23) claims that the view that the overthrow of the Hawaiian kingdom was an illegal act by the United States is "not supported by available historical data," and that the actions of the U.S. minister had "no proven effect on the overthrow."

Apparently, Mr. Scott has not done even basic research on the subject.

Diplomatic agents of a country, those "officers clothed with its authority and wearing its uniform," as President Cleveland said, are representatives of their government, which is responsible for their actions regardless of whether they are done with proper authority.

In a Dec. 18, 1893, address to Congress, Cleveland stated that, "The lawful government of Hawai'i was overthrown ... by a process every step of which ... is directly traceable to and dependent for its success upon the agency of the United States acting through its diplomatic and naval representatives."

The findings of fact in the 1993 apology resolution state: "Without the active support and intervention by the United States diplomatic and military representatives, the insurrection against the government of Queen Lili'uokalani would have failed for lack of popular support and insufficient arms."

Car dealership is wrong for Block J

For once, I agree with an Advertiser editorial (Jan. 26). The land parcel known as Block J is definitely the wrong location for a car dealership.

Just in context of the neighborhood, it's all wrong, surrounded by a fire station and a church, and just a half-block away from the State Capitol. Also, ironically, there's a large bus stop on Beretania Street right in front of the parcel.

How can you sell cars when buses are lined up, blocking the view of all those shiny new cars? (Of course, the sight of all those new cars probably is a strong temptation for bus riders.)

Someone please tell Pflueger to build something else on that piece of land — or, better yet, offer to trade some more appropriate piece of land.

Commentary dismissed kingdom citizen rights

Anne Keala Kelly should be commended for her courage and honesty in telling how OHA's Hawaiian enrollment is contrary to the spirit and facts of Hawaiian history and the extant Hawaiian kingdom (Focus commentary, Jan. 18). She properly states that the Akaka bill threatens to exterminate the public will of independence and replace it with an Indian tribe subject to the U.S. Department of the Interior.

How disappointing, therefore, that this scholar of kingdom history would so easily dismiss the interests and rights of such a large part of the population as the descendants of non-native citizen-subjects. Keeping in mind the need for unity among all Hawaiian nationalists in the independence movement, it is counterproductive of Ms. Kelly to use unfounded stereotypes to attack a fellow Hawaiian kingdom national and independence supporter such as Big Island rancher Freddy Rice.

Kelly and others should read the recent interview in OHA's Ka Wai Ola in which Rice — a Hawaiian national through his great-great-great-grandfather who was naturalized in the kingdom in the mid-19th century — eloquently stands by the kingdom's legal traditions and declares his preference for Hawaiian citizenship in an independent nation.

Drivers, be careful about changing lanes

I've noticed a very dangerous driving style that has contributed to accidents and close calls on the freeways here on O'ahu. The unnecessary lane changing has to stop. Not to mention that it's being done while drivers are moving at a high rate of speed.

Our beautiful island is only so big, so where could we possibly need to be to have to get there so fast?

The HPD is pretty bogged down with other security matters, so we as drivers need to take the lead on this issue now, before we rack up a deadly number of fatal car accidents for the New Year.

Krispy Kreme first set up shop in 'Aiea

I offer a comment to your front-page story on Jan. 26 about the long-awaited opening of the Krispy Kreme doughnut shop in Kahului.

The first doughnut shop to call itself Krispy Kreme in Hawai'i was actually opened on O'ahu, in the 'Aiea Shopping Center in the 1980s. I can attest that the doughnuts I had there were identical to the many that I have had since on my many trips to the Mainland.

It is too bad that there was not enough interest — and hype — to keep the shop open. Perhaps it was ahead of its time.