Krauss' column on Olohega was incorrect

This response to Bob Krauss' April 3 column, "A queen mother's last wishes," is based on my master's thesis research (Betty Ickes, UH-Manoa, 1999).

Descendants of Eli Jennings have given Krauss two versions of how their ancestor acquired Olohega. Neither mention that before Jennings seized Olohega (Swains Islands) in the mid-1800s, it belonged to the Tokelau people — a claim that Tokelau people still pursue.

This yearning, thus, to "restore Swains back to its former glory" is rooted in an ignorance or denial of history. Nevertheless, it appears that a costly flag-raising ceremony on May 13 will be commemorating the 80th anniversary of Olohega's inclusion in the U.S. territory of American Samoa. Given its severe budgetary shortfalls, American Samoa would do well to buy medication for its hospital instead.

Other corrections to Krauss' column: The people buried in the second cemetery are Tokelau natives, not accidental travelers. Olohega had no kings or queens; it was ruled from Fakaofo, Tokelau's ancient seat of power. By 1989, most structures on Olohega, including the "family mansion," were already "wrecked," thus, not FEMA-qualified.

Krauss' repetitions of Jennings' claims continue the violence that imperialist journalism has visited on the history of our native people. Without any reference to Tokelau, Krauss has textually removed Tokelau people from Olohega.

Gov. Lingle respects the state's workers

I question the content and timing of the letter from Speaker of the House Calvin Say regarding the binding arbitration award granted to the Hawai'i Government Employees Association ("Lingle's remarks on public pay increase are divisive," April 25).

Rep. Say accused Gov. Lingle of being "hurtful" to state workers when she criticized the arbitration award. The truth is, while Gov. Lingle believes binding arbitration is the wrong approach (as did Gov. Cayetano), she has nothing but respect for state workers and has said so on many occasions.

The governor believes a far better way to negotiate is through traditional give-and-take at the bargaining table. Using that approach, the state just reached agreements, pending ratification, with the Hawai'i State Teachers Association and the United Public Workers. These mutually respectful discussions resulted in agreements that would provide fair compensation packages state taxpayers can afford, and honor our teachers and public workers for their dedicated service.

This brings me back to the timing of Rep. Say's letter. With the legislative session wrapping up on Thursday, Democrats and Republicans in the Legislature and the governor's office should all work together in the spirit of collegiality.

Time is rapidly running out, and residents statewide are waiting for results.

Why are Realtors, of all people, opposed?

Some wonder why the Realtors are spending time and money to defeat an excise tax increase for public transportation improvements. Aren't they making more money than ever with our increasing housing prices and sprawl? Shouldn't they help pay for the much-needed infrastructure to support that sprawl and development they are making their living from?

The issue for the Realtors is that they pay the excise tax on their commissions. For an average-priced home in Honolulu selling at $550,000, at 6 percent, the commission would come to $33,000 on the sale of one home. Let's say the Realtor does not share the commission or have any business deductions and is responsible for the entire excise tax. Keeping the math simple, at 4 percent excise tax, the Realtor would pay $1,320, at 5 percent the Realtor would pay $1,650, or $330 more for that $33,000 commission. For many that is the cost now of a few tanks of gas needed to get to and from work.

Gas prices are going up (AAA estimates it will top $3 a gallon this summer); commute times are increasing; we working folks are spending more and more of our resources on fuel; business costs are rising due to increasing congestion and transportation costs, and yet we still have those who will tell you public transportation investment is wrong. Why?

It's unconscionable

The state excise tax, which increases the cost of milk and bread and other food for Hawai'i's overburdened families, and is collected over and over again throughout the production and distribution stages, is a mean and insidious tax. To consider raising it is unconscionable. Shame on our legislators.

Film-incentive bill would have put Hawai'i on map

Sean Hao's article on Friday did not adequately speak to the benefits of the film-incentive legislation, which was unsuccessful this year despite widespread support.

House Bill 1590 was not a new tax credit but a refinement to existing tax incentives that would have saved the state money and put us on the map as one of the world's most competitive and beautifully diverse film locations. After years of trying to get a competitive film-incentive package passed at the Legislature, this year felt by far to be our best hope ever, with an unprecedented level and breadth of support.

We are grateful to everyone who supported this effort, especially the hard-working people of this industry who rallied together in an attempt to make it happen. For the record, HB1590 would have:

• Provided a competitive alternative to the investment tax credit under Act 221/215, actually reducing the amount the state gives out in film tax credits.

• Created skilled, well-paying jobs for our local pool of film industry workers, as well as workers in related businesses.

• Provided training opportunities for our students and young professionals to hone creative and technical skills.

• Kept our students and young professionals from leaving Hawai'i for quality film and digital media jobs and careers elsewhere.

• Built production infrastructure by stimulating growth and development of our local production-support companies, such as those that specialize in editing, visual effects, animation and production equipment.

• Inspired and empowered the artistic and cultural creativity of Hawai'i's own filmmakers.

• Offered "free" positive promotional exposure for the state.

• Diversified Hawai'i's economy by promoting a clean, nonpolluting, highly skilled, highly visible industry.

Above all, this measure would have enabled Hawai'i to truly compete with other jurisdictions that offer attractive production incentives.

This is a sad moment for Hawai'i's film industry. Every time we come to the brink of getting traction toward our common aspiration of a diversified economy with good jobs for our kids, we blink.