SCHOOL CLOSINGS

ADVERTISER COVERAGE IS INCREASINGLY BIASED

Recent Advertiser coverage of the school closure issue (Page One, Jan. 26), is reflective of its editorial stance recently revealed on Jan. 28 ("Time, money wasted in school closure process").

The glaring front-page error indicating that Waiahole Elementary is also an intermediate school when in fact it is not, and the lack of coverage of substantive arguments that defend reasonably the individual communities' right to have access to schools within their communities, is at best slipshod work.

At worst it is manipulation of public policy by emphasizing and supporting only one side of the issue. The Advertiser editorial position that community representation in working task forces that examine all the possible solutions is somehow a right to be denied because it's not quick enough reveals a disconnection with the people side of the equation.

Further, The Advertiser's presentation of Laraine Yasui's letter Jan. 30 (large headline-sized font and priority placement) shows an unbalanced approach to this important community issue. Fair and balanced — an overused term but a relevant need in this case.

LEGALIZING GAMBLING

OREGON WOUND UP WITH REGRESSIVE TAX ON POOR

I've read the opinions that legalized gambling would solve many of Hawai'i's shortfalls in revenue. "Why send our money to Las Vegas when we can keep it here? The gambling profits would help support the schools, the homeless, senior services and create jobs."

These opinions mirrored my own before my home state of Oregon legalized gambling because I enjoy a little gambling myself. The Oregon pitch was "half the profits for schools and the other half for economic development." In my opinion, what resulted in that state was a regressive tax on the poor. The old dice-shooting saw "Ca-mon! Baby needs a new pair of shoes!" describes the mindset of many of the poor.

Years later, Oregon schools are not better off financially, in fact they have been in trouble. Oregon's gambling revenues did provide some positive jobs, but the greatest job increases were in the fields of pawnbroking, divorce, bankruptcy and criminal defense law, social work and police.

In my opinion, the cost of the social ills created would be many times greater than the value received from gambling revenue, and, yes, I do go to Las Vegas or Reno once a year.

MAKUA VALLEY

WHAT ELSE IS THE ARMY NOT TELLING US?

In Jan. 31's front-page article, federal Judge Susan Oki Mollway criticized the Army for an "extraordinary and inexcusable delay" in taking steps to increase cultural access in Makua Valley.

The Army responded by claiming the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service prevented them from using controlled burns up until 2006. That was three years ago. In 2005 the Army Technical Center for Explosives Safety issued a standard to the Army, which would allow public access at Makua if the paths were cleared of ordnance down to a foot. That was four years ago.

All of this time should have allowed the Army to plan, budget and request funds to provide the access requested, and to complete the necessary unexploded ordnance clearance.

The Army did not mention that it wasted two years and a good chunk of the million dollars proposing "overlook" access over the objections of cultural practitioners who explained that meaningful cultural access requires actually reaching cultural sites (e.g. to place Ho'okupu). In some cases the Army's "overlook" access would have left cultural practitioners more than a football field away from these sacred sites.

Finally, the Army didn't explain why it ignored numerous requests to consider new information in completing its list of high priority sites to be cleared for access, nor did they explain why it excluded public participation, in the review and selection of these sites.

What else are they not telling us? And why?

VACATION RENTALS

B&B OPPONENTS ARE THE REAL OUTSIDERS

The opposition to B&Bs say guests are destroying "their" neighborhood. However, they are destroying Hawai'i: our people, traditions, culture and hope for the future.

Anti-tourist residents harass visitors with false charges that they are breaking the law. They spy from ladders and roofs into their neighbors' homes and yards looking for vacationers. They note license numbers of "suspicious" cars they believe are driven by "outsiders." Inspectors are called again and again, even on local weddings or parties at private homes.

One person has lied about guests keeping her up with noisy swimming pool games, but no vacation rental operates near her home. She still tells this story to officials.

The opposition wants to keep visitors away. They think no one else should walk "their" beaches, eat at "their" restaurants or shop in "their" stores.

They are like white supremacists against other races — except they target tourists. They are the real outsiders. The values of kanaka maoli and true kama'aina are not the values of these malihini.

Enough! They have put me and my keiki at risk of losing our home which was passed down from tutu and they obstruct the little income we have to pay our taxes.

I say these people have gone too far. Aloha is the true spirit of Hawai'i. Let us live in harmony with each other, and use Bill 6 to help homeowners.

OBAMA RECOVERY PLAN

DO CRITICS WISH MORE MISERY FOR CITIZENS?

I'm reading a number of letters from people who wish that Obama and/or his recovery plan fail. These people, Republicans I gather, have shown their colors as not red, white and blue.

Do they realize that the recovery affects millions of hard-working, decent people, those who have lost their jobs, homes and savings? Do these writers really wish additional problems and misery on people? I hope not. We are not a red and blue country, but I trust, a united country. Have we become, like the Roman empire, a country on its downward spiral because of the rotting from inside? I hope not.