'BEGGING'

LITTLE LEAGUERS HAD LITTLE TIME TO FUNDRAISE

A July 30 letter from Frank Sanpei of 'Aiea talked about the Little League kids "begging" on the streets. Here are some "facts" surrounding the street "fundraiser" done by the state champions.

These two teams worked hard to win their respective division state titles and had a week or two to raise money to represent Hawai'i at the regional level on the Mainland. With only a week or two to raise funds, these kids "took to the streets" to raise money. They were asking for help from the community so that they could represent Hawai'i (and not only Pearl City) at their respective division regional playoffs. These kids "worked" in the sun for many hours. If they had more time, maybe they could have sold chili, sweet bread, etc.

Go Pearl City Little Leaguers in your respective division playoffs as you represent Hawai'i in Oregon this week!

Deanna Lee | 'Aiea

KAMEHAMEHA

AKAKA BILL WOULD HAVE INVALIDATED LAWSUIT

The 9th Circuit ruling on the Kamehameha Schools admissions policy is, unfortunately, correct under U.S. law primarily because the United States currently classifies Hawaiians as a race of people, not an indigenous people.

If the Akaka bill were law — since in this specific case apparently Princess Pauahi's will was not sufficient protection for the "Hawaiians first" admissions policy — federal recognition of Hawaiians as an indigenous people could have stopped this lawsuit in its initial stages.

This case points out the need for the Akaka bill to become law. No, it does not please everyone, nor does it solve every wrong, real or imagined. But it is an excellent starting point.

It gives recognition to Hawaiians as an indigenous people instead of a race of people, and thereby protects against challenges that would damage or destroy programs or institutions specifically for Hawaiians under U.S. laws, which do not allow for racial discrimination.

Without the Akaka bill, rulings like the 9th Circuit's decision against Kamehameha Schools are going to continue, and all programs set up specifically for Hawaiians will be dismantled or severely diluted so that they are of little or no benefit to Hawaiians.

There is too much confusion, and as a result too much uncertainty and even fear, of what the Akaka bill will really mean. That dilutes the unified front everyone in Hawai'i — Hawaiian or not — needs to present to get the Akaka bill passed. Without it, the Hawaiians will continue to be "just another race" in the eyes of the U.S. government.

Anne Sabalaske | Kuli'ou'ou

SHORTCOMINGS

LIQUOR CHIEF SHOULD GET FULL CONSEQUENCES

Considering the number of liquor inspectors who have been found guilty of taking bribes, how can we allow their immediate supervisor to ride off into the sunset, complete with a retirement package? Did he not select these individuals? Did he not supervise their activities?

Obviously not, and therefore, he should bear some of the responsibility for these shortcomings.

Furthermore, how can anyone involved in the transition of this individual even think of suggesting that the administrator be allowed to continue to work from his home until retirement? He should accept his responsibility and move on now.

If it was the attorneys involved who came up with this solution, shame on them, as they have let their profession down.

Richard S. Mau | Honolulu

HOME SECURITY

GATED COMMUNITY MAY DETER THE BAD GUYS

Reports say the mayor of Kaua'i opposes a "gated community" because it violates the spirit of "E Komo Mai." He does not realize that E Komo Mai is no longer the belief system of its good citizens; instead, it has become the slogan for burglars and other criminals who lurk outside the homes, who think they are welcome to come in and take what they want.

We are tired of being burglarized over and over. After this latest burglary, we've got the house locked up like a fortress, every single minute. Those who approach are not treated as friends but as suspects.

I can't enjoy the trade winds or the sights and sounds of our neighborhood. I miss seeing children walk to school, and can no longer wave at my neighbors who are driving by or enjoying an evening walk.

This is not the Hawai'i I moved to 40 years ago.

The developers on Kaua'i have been listening to this message — residents want security — so that's what they have designed. A gated community won't keep all the bad guys out, but it will certainly slow them down.

Judith G. Jones | Honolulu

RAIL UNNEEDED

SERIOUS SOLUTION TO TRAFFIC IS SECOND CITY

It's unfortunate for all of us on the Leeward Coast that our elected leaders continue to put public works projects above the need for traffic-congestion relief.

As a 28-year resident of the worst traffic location in the state, 'Ewa Beach, I think I can propose with some credibility that the solution to our traffic congestion is not the need to put more union members to work; the solution is to really make Kapolei a destination point instead of the bedroom community it has become.

Why would we need a $3 billion rail system to move people to downtown if, instead, their destination was Kapolei? A new UH-West O'ahu campus offering four-year degrees, new state and city services buildings, even maybe a new Wal-Mart will attract enough traffic to spread the current uneven direction that drivers are forced to travel. Instead of the morning west-to-east traffic, we would have a more even east-to-west flow and vice versa in the afternoon.

We don't have an alternative-transit problem; we have an alternative-destination problem. Instead of digging a big hole in the ground to give union workers a guaranteed 15-year paycheck, let's put our tax money into changing the direction people travel instead of inventing new ways to move them downtown.

Garry P. Smith | 'Ewa Beach