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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Monday, February 28, 2005

Letters to the Editor

Making firefighter jobs easier is paramount

Marijane Holmes Carlos' Feb. 14 letter states that it isn't fair for high-rise condo owners to pay for retrofitted sprinklers that would "make it easy" for firefighters.

Well, count me in among those who value the lives and safety of the 1,000-plus men and women who bravely put their personal well-being on the line whenever they have to respond to an emergency. Any steps taken that would make their jobs easier should be embraced, not scorned.

I find it interesting that Ms. Carlos would rather keep her insurance paid up than go into debt "for something that may never happen." Does she not see the contradiction in her statement? People purchase auto insurance, even though a car accident "may never happen" to them. Others purchase long-term-care insurance, even though a prolonged illness "may never happen" to them. The idea behind insurance is preparing for things that may never happen.

It's too bad that Ms. Carlos understands the importance of having insurance but, at the same time, seems oblivious to the value of sprinklers that may prove to be very valuable and life-saving should the worst ever happen.

Allen Nakamura
Kalihi Valley


Ward Churchill's own deeds disqualified him

Gerhard C. Hamm's suggestion (Letters, Feb. 24) that the state Legislature fails in some way to uphold the First Amendment right of free speech is cynical and offensive — and misses the point. The First Amendment is something we all hold dear, but the right of free speech does not include the right to use the auspices of the state's university to engage in deception. Access to the university is a privilege, not a right.

Given Ward Churchill's documented history — aggravated by his hate speech — he was unworthy to speak there, and the University of Hawai'i should have withdrawn its invitation.

Churchill got his tenure as a Colorado University professor by claiming he is Indian — despite having been renounced by the American Indian Movement Grand Governing Council, which has repudiated Churchill for representing himself as an Indian and a member of the American Indian Movement.

Then there is the matter of his academic history. Professors from two different universities have denounced him for what they say are plagiarism and making up facts in papers he has written about historical events involving Native American Indians.

It was against this background that I felt UH should not have allowed Churchill the privilege to speak there, as he is discredited by his own words and deeds.

Let the likes of Churchill step on a soap box and yell to their heart's content to anyone who would listen. But not on our dime.

Fred Hemmings
Senate minority leader


Sovereignty struggle is about a country

Regarding the joint commemoration of Martin Luther King Jr. Day and the Hawaiian kingdom "overthrow" anniversary: What David Rosen fails or refuses to recognize (Letters, Feb. 15), first, is that the struggle for Hawai'i's independence is about a country and its nationality, not about race. The Hawaiian kingdom was (is) an inclusive country with nationals of many races enjoying equal rights and protections, and that is what those of us who support independence seek to restore.

Second, later in his life, Dr. King took a strong stand against colonialism, imperialism and militarism. This, as much as his message on race, is what has relevance for Hawai'i historically and today.

Rosen also makes a statement about an article from the Los Angeles Times in which, Rosen says, "a Marine was quoted as articulating an apparently prevalent sentiment among Hawai'i-based military personnel and their dependents that 'we're just not wanted (in Hawai'i) ... I can't wait to leave.' " The sentiment expressed, however, when read in context, is clearly due to the fact that they are military personnel, and is based on the behavior and impact of the military, and has nothing to do with race. The article actually only demonstrates how widespread resistance is to the U.S. military presence in Hawai'i.

More and more people are recognizing the fact that Hawai'i is occupied, something that I have no doubt Dr. King would have opposed had he been aware of the truth of Hawai'i's history that has been exposed in recent years.

Scott Crawford
Hana, Maui


U.S. should have apologized sooner

When the Hawaiian monarchy was overthrown in the late 1800s by the Annexation Club, the president of the United States at the time was Grover Cleveland. Queen Lili'uokalani sent a letter to him, stating that she would step down from her throne until America recognized the wrongs it had done and restored her as queen.

Cleveland looked into matters and in his eyes, the doings of the Annexation Club were wrong, and he sent a message saying that the members should restore the queen to her throne. Of course, the provisional government refused to do this and now Hawai'i is the 50th state of the United States.

This happened in 1893, and after Cleveland admitted that the overthrow was wrong, nothing was done to apologize to the Hawaiians until 1993. Although the government did apologize, does it justify the crime that took place?

People do live happily in the Islands, and the economy has improved, but you cannot entirely cover the past or cancel out the bad with the good. I believe the annexation brought good to the Islands, but it would have been nice if the government had at least apologized before 100 years after the deed was done.

Stephanie Collins
Mililani


June Jones should be lauded, not condemned

I couldn't disagree more with Lee Cataluna's column about June Jones. Regarding the "rap star bravado" comment: He may not be the media's dream interviewee, but coach Jones tells it as he sees it, a quality that should be commended, not subjected to name-calling.

I don't know how much you know about June Jones' program, but he runs that team like a big family and stresses family and academics heavily. There is no meddling with academic scores or athlete qualification, as most big schools do. Instead, the program offers tutored study halls to keep academics in line.

If you watched any of the games with a brawl, during those games, you saw Jones warning the refs to get the game under control when he saw tempers building. I've spoken to the players in those games and they confirmed this. It was the officials' mismanagement of the game that allowed things to get to that point (that's their responsibility), while the opposition's coaches were doing little or nothing to help the situation.

Coach Jones has earned his keep tenfold; look at the gate revenues since Fred vonAppen.

I'm not taking anything away from Kahuku and its coach. Hats off to a great team. If I had to choose between the two, I'd take Coach Jones in a heartbeat.

Jim Linkner
Kailua


Family, consideration at heart of solution

I have read several recent articles and editorials concerning violence within the local school system. Many people appear to be trying to place the blame on the teachers, schools or the local government for the lack of civility. I believe this problem is a little bigger than the teachers.

The root of these issues stems from the families of these unruly children. These problems deal with race as well as the parents not enforcing the concept of respecting authority. I don't say it is entirely the parents' responsibility, but too many parents in my area believe they have no responsibility concerning the actions of their children.

Also, it appears that the government and schools are looking for ideas to help in lessening this increased violence, so I'd like to provide an option. For the past seven years, the Army has actively participated in a program titled "Consideration of Others." These are small groups dealing with racism, sexual harassment, substance abuse and many other things. It has helped to better understand those around us, and incidents with these issues have declined.

Shawn Clement
Wahiawa


Superferry would support island trade

Hawai'i needs a more sustainable and inexpensive form of interisland transportation than the airplane. I believe the Superferry has the potential to tie the Islands together into more of a community that exchanges goods and services more freely.

Right now, each island lives apart — each in its own world. The Superferry can help to break down this isolation, which may lead to greater interstate commerce, which would benefit everyone.

Let's not depend on California for all of our food. Let's make it economical for food and goods grown on the Big Island or Maui to be more available on O'ahu. Support the Superferry!

William Nuessle
Kailua


Interesting dilemma

Due to the current preponderance of potholes on our roads and streets, I am wondering how the Honolulu Police Department personnel can determine whether people are driving under the influence of alcohol, or just dodging potholes.

John W. Holmes
'Aiea


Violence against refs must stop

I have been a football official in Hawai'i for 15 years and have worked in youth football, high school football, arena football and, most recently, the Hula Bowl. I have received threats against my life, my safety and the safety of my family. I have had a number of close calls of violence, and I know of other officials who have had similar experiences.

An argument has been made that officials should not receive special treatment and if they did, it could motivate other groups to seek additional protection under the law. Sports officials are on an island of their own. No one goes to see them work, and they do not get credit for a correct call or a call that goes in favor of a fan's team.

Officials do, however, get blamed for an incorrect or controversial call that does not favor the team that the fan is rooting for. That being the case, on any given night after taking the time to review a play, usually one second or less, a decision is made that will favor one team and penalize another. As soon as the result is announced to the crowd, that official is now the target of ridicule, verbal abuse and the possibility of violence as a result of administering a game based on the guidelines of fair play.

The crowds for my games usually run in the range of 2,000 to 3,000 fans. When half of them are upset about the outcome of a play and I am the messenger of that result, it creates an environment that is ripe for an altercation. I do not know of any other industry or special-interest group that can change the emotional environment of 2,000 people with a single gesture. In some cases at the high school level, we work with crowds of up to 20,000 people.

The verbal abuse is getting worse, and the physical threats are increasing every year. This dangerous trend should not be allowed to continue. Most of this type of activity comes from the stands or just outside the facility. Before the end of the game, people usually have had time to cool off and think about things, but for some it just seems to boil over.

The sports arena is an environment that we have established to give our kids an opportunity to learn sportsmanship, teamwork, compassion, competition and the value of holding your head high for your best effort and not necessarily the final score. When we allow people to enter that arena and assault the administrators in the form of a coach or official, we are allowing them to steal the environment that we have established to teach our children core values and replaced it with violence and disregard.

Officials love the games and the players involved. The drive to continue is one of community service and compassion. It is only a matter of time before more and more states pass this type of bill. We can step up to the plate and take charge of this situation, or we can wait until something terrible happens and one of our officials is severely injured or killed as a result of the continued tolerance of violence against officials.

The truly sad part about this is that when it happens, it will have been witnessed by our children at the event.

Matt Sumstine
OIA, ILH and HHSAA football official; NFHS Hawai'i Football Official of the Year, 2004-05