Kamehameha could augment resources

In line with your Nov. 7 editorial on a Plan B for Kamehameha Schools is perhaps the possibility of KS augmenting the resources of public schools on Hawaiian Home lands.

The kids who attend these schools are of Hawaiian heritage and have the greatest needs, e.g., shortage of experienced staff, an inadequate supply of books and training aids, upgrading classrooms and other structures to those found in well-off areas, etc.

If Pauahi Bishop's intent was to provide the means for a greater number of Hawaiian kids to succeed in learning, then surely this idea should be considered.

Kamehameha students are already exposed

I disagree with Clyde Hedlund (Letters, Nov. 10) and his belief that Kamehameha Schools should allow 30 percent of the "best students in the world" to be admitted into the school.

Hawaiian children are usually of mixed race, so there is no need for exposure to other cultures, as implied by Mr. Hedlund. As for recruiting the "best students" around the world, a student can go to college to compete with others, so there is no need to open the doors to a non-Hawaiian.

I believe the Hawaiians-only policy isn't "rather insular," as described by Mr. Hedlund. I am non-Hawaiian, yonsei (fourth-generation Japanese), and I believe the Hawaiians-only policy should be upheld.

I have Hawaiian friends who see Kamehameha Schools as a positive venue that brings hope for Hawaiian children to achieve a quality education. Hawaiians already have a high rate in many socioeconomic problems, such as a high percentage of population in prison, so why would anyone want to take away their hope?

Claim against Rainbow papaya is unfounded

Eloise Engman's Nov. 3 letter about Rainbow papayas is filled with misinformation that seeks to advance her anti-biotech agenda by making readers needlessly fearful despite scientific data to the contrary and our own everyday experiences that tell us this fruit is safe.

The claim, for example, that the use of antibiotic-resistant gene "markers" in biotech crops is helping to fuel the increase in bacterial resistance to antibiotics is irresponsible.

No doubt, Ms. Engman already knows that the transfer of resistance-gene DNA from biotech foods in the human stomach has never been observed, even in controlled laboratory conditions that make such an event much more likely. Second, the resistance genes used in biotech plants are taken from nature and are not created in the lab. Third, the process of gene transfer among bacteria is very rapid, especially compared with never-observed plant-bacteria transfer, and has already spread resistance worldwide to the same antibiotics used in biotechnology.

However, to reduce this theoretical risk, the FDA has recommended that biotech developers use gene markers for which antibiotic resistance is already widespread in nature. Moreover, new non-antibiotic markers are being developed, and this activist myth will soon become even more of a non-issue.

Thousands of people have been enjoying Rainbow papaya for years with no ill effects. Ms. Engman's friend could have suffered health effects caused by any number of things, such as improperly washed food. But eating Rainbow papaya was not likely one of them.

Fallujah cartoon wasn't fit to print

In the past I have found several of Dick Adair's cartoons politically offensive. His effort in the Nov. 9 Advertiser surpasses all his other questionable presentations. It is not only politically offensive, it is morally offensive also.

On what basis does Mr. Adair attempt to link our current action in Fallujah to the worst abuses committed in Vietnam? Could it be his desire to keep alive the charges made by John Kerry during the recent campaign and also made by him 30 years ago — most of which have been demonstrated to have been false? On what basis does he permit himself to invent an atrocity when, to my memory, he has never seen fit to focus on the actual atrocities and barbarism of the Fallujah and Iraqi insurgents and terrorists?

Journalists and cartoonists are of course free to write and create as they see fit. But editors exist to correct their errors or excesses and to determine what is fit to print. By printing this cartoon, you have added your failure to his Alice-in-Wonderland perspective.

Come down hard on graffiti vandals

In reference to the recent arrests of graffiti vandals in and around 'Aiea, I applaud HPD for its perseverance.

Most of those arrested were adults, and I believe heavy fines and heavy community service requirements should be given upon conviction. In the case of minors, the parents should be heavily fined for the costs of cleanup and HPD manpower, in addition to the minor receiving a heavy community service sentence.

Teams of volunteers could be formed and be ready to remove the offending material immediately so there can be no bragging rights. Pass an ordinance requiring an adult to be present when markers or spray paint are purchased; this has had great success in Southern California.

Reasons for coming down hard now are obvious when viewed in relation to other cities nationwide. Graffiti is always followed by gang activity. Territories are laid out, violence gets worse, etc. In addition, drug use will escalate, and we already know that drug use here is at epidemic levels.

By coming down hard now, the end costs will be less. Hawai'i will not be compared to East Los Angeles, and people will be able to enjoy the beauty of the state.

Police need to get serious about crime

According to recently published reports, almost 600 motor vehicles are reported stolen each month on O'ahu.

Police estimate they make 50 arrests for motor vehicle theft per month — leaving one to wonder what happens to the other 550 cases.

A story in the Nov. 2 Advertiser reported about a 36-year-old man who was arrested for auto theft. This was his 64th arrest.

The theft rate for motorcycles in Hawai'i is almost three times higher than on the Mainland. Our insurance rates are among the highest in the nation.

So why are the police in Pearl City making "wiping out graffiti a priority"?

I couldn't believe the story in Monday's Advertiser. The police are bragging about making a few graffiti arrests? Who made this a priority? Graffiti is ugly, but rampant vehicle theft has serious economic impact.

I strongly urge the police to take a second look at what should be made a priority. Hawai'i needs to stop the practice of "catch and release" for habitual criminals and get serious about fighting crime. Ignore the graffiti; catch a criminal.

'Aloha diplomacy' works well with Taiwan investors

Thank you for the insightful editorial ("Diplomacy a must for Taiwan mission," Nov. 8) regarding the necessary balancing act between a relationship with China and a relationship with Taiwan.

Thank you also for recognizing that the trade and investment initiative with Taiwan is desirable. Hawai'i has always been dependent on the flow of offshore capital to the Islands. Tourism is, among other things, a channel through which Hawai'i attracts capital from outside sources.

It is axiomatic that the best time to attract investment is when there are positive economic or financial results, as there currently exist in Hawai'i. Conversely, the worst time to seek investment interest is when times are bad at home. That was the case with attempts over the past decade to attract interest from Asian investors. It is now time for quite a few outside sources of capital to take a fresh look at Hawai'i.

The upcoming trip in December is the beginning of a multi-step program to draw foreign capital into sectors of importance to Hawai'i's economy. We are leading with real estate-related projects, which is a good starting point for the "hard" asset orientation of Asian investors. Next year will see visits to Hawai'i by Taiwan investors, including to the "Made in Hawai'i" festival next June at the Neal Blaisdell Center.

As for diplomacy in navigating the treacherous waters on both sides of the Straits of Formosa, Gov. Lingle has made it clear that Hawai'i conducts its relationship with any and all friends from abroad with the aloha spirit. The aloha spirit is what makes Hawai'i different and is a source of the respect we earn. The aloha spirit demands that, absent atrocious or oppressive behavior, we do not leave foreign leaders sitting on the tarmac at the airport.

However, "aloha diplomacy" will dictate that we will not stray into the difficult issues such as sovereignty, where any states' role defers to the U.S. State Department policies. The citizens of Hawai'i can be assured that the state's best interests will be the top priority as we seek a role in the Asia Pacific markets.

KITV erred in canceling movie

Regarding the Nov. 12 article "Stations seek FCC clarity on rules" about KITV 4's decision not to air "Saving Private Ryan" on Veterans' Day: I'm currently living in the San Francisco Bay Area, but I was born and raised in Honolulu and my parents still live there. Last night, the ABC affiliate here chose to air "Saving Private Ryan." What I don't understand is why KITV 4 chose not to.

I read all the excuses that KITV 4 general manager Mike Rosenberg gave for his decision — the FCC isn't clear on its standards, and he was afraid the station might lose its license. What he failed to consider is how decisions like this affect the direction of America's media and censorship. The more stations that bow out due to the mere possibility that they may be fined or taken off the air, the more the government is going to determine what is and is not "decent" enough for us to watch.

Already, Americans are told that breasts are dirty and freedom of expression is only OK if it's done the right way. Now, KITV is running scared because a movie about the reality of our past has too many "F" words in it (the fact that it wasn't the grotesque amount of reality-based violence that scared Mr. Rosenberg, but was instead a four-letter word, is something that I find humorous).

I appeal to local affiliates: Trust your citizenry and take a chance on quality programming, even if it doesn't fit the tiny mold of "decency" that the FCC so arbitrarily defines.

KITV took away the rights of its entire viewing public by not airing "Saving Private Ryan." It took away the right to choose. It took away an opportunity for parents to educate their children on the reality of humanity and war.

If some viewers would find the language or violence offensive, all they would have to do is change the channel. It's not as if there weren't several warnings before and during the film about its content.

Instead, KITV 4 made the choice for all its viewers because of the slight chance it could get in trouble. Mr. Rosenberg needs to realize that some things — like freedom of expression — are more important than his own job. I can only imagine what is next to be banned. "Schindler's List," perhaps?