Posted on: Saturday, May 1, 2004

Letters to the Editor

Ko Olina Resort has never turned us away

I have always found the people at the Ko Olina Resort to be very helpful when my family goes to swim. We do go early and enjoy the beach most of the day. I have never been turned away.

I am wondering where it is said that Ko Olina even has to give us parking at the beach. When I go to the beach in Honolulu, I have to pay to park and then I have to walk to the beach. I am sure if Mr. Joe Burruso ("Ko Olina is denying beach access to locals," April 28) cannot find parking, he can always walk on without having a problem. How about a bike?

Maybe Ko Olina should start charging a dollar an hour or more to park, like downtown. Then it would be more than happy to put in more parking.

We all need to be more thankful for the things we have than complain about what we could change if we wanted to by just going earlier.

Kamehameha isn't responsible for all

This is in response to the April 22 letter by Dennis M. Tynan regarding Kamehameha Schools.

As a Native Hawaiian and graduate of Kamehameha Schools, I too know of the statistics cited by Haunani Apoliona ("Why OHA got into the fray," April 16). However, Dennis Tynan of Waipahu wrongly accuses Kamehameha Schools as "the real culprit for this unacceptable condition for Hawaiians."

First of all, Kamehameha Schools is a private institution created by a charitable wish in Princess Bernice Pauahi Bishop's will. Kamehameha Schools is not, nor should it ever be, responsible for the education of every single Native Hawaiian. That is the job of the public-education system.

Would anyone blame Punahou for depriving "the vast majority of deserving students the opportunity to experience a first-class education?" I don't think so.

Despite all this, Kamehameha Schools continues to expand its schools and programs to assist as many Native Hawaiian students as possible.

Instead of blaming Kamehameha Schools and telling it what to do, we should be thanking it for all of the opportunities it has created for so many Native Hawaiians.

Hats off to staff at Ma'ili Elementary

Thank you for writing the April 27 article about Ma'ili Elementary School. It is good to know that there is an effort being put into helping our children succeed in school.

I know from experience how hard it is to work with children, especially those who are academically challenged. It takes a lot of patience and hard work. It is encouraging to read that there are people who are willing to work with the children and are making a difference.

The children are learning to read faster and are retaining the information because of the efforts made by the school and staff. My hat is off to them. Keep up the good work.