HAWAIIANS

KAU INOA FIRST STEP IN SELF-GOVERNING ENTITY

In response to Justin Hahn's Aug. 23 letter, Lee Cataluna's column on Kau Inoa was right on the mark.

Cataluna correctly pointed out that with the T-shirt comes the reminder of the serious consequences that have resulted from the loss of native lands and subsequent eclipsing of native identity associated with human health and education costs that negatively impact all Hawai'i citizens.

And while Mr. Hahn worries that Mr. H. William Burgess may some day be considered a "second-class citizen" for not being able to "speak up" in the Kau Inoa process, Mr. Hahn should know that Native Hawaiians in a lot of ways are already treated like second-class citizens in their ancestral homeland.

The goal of Kau Inoa is not disenfranchisement. Kau Inoa marks the first step in creating a Hawaiian self-governing entity by establishing a registry of individuals who are eligible to participate in the creation of the entity.

For this to happen, Hawaiians everywhere must come together and make crucial decisions about how to create an effective and productive form of governance that will best serve their interests.

Kau Inoa is an opportunity for Native Hawaiians to pull together. To equate this step forward with the disenfranchisement of non-Hawaiians is yet another thinly veiled attempt to continue the disenfranchisement of Hawaiians.

Once again, Kau Inoa takes nothing away from anyone in giving Hawaiians their right to build a nation.

UH QUARTERBACK

FAN SEES FUTURE FOR BRENNAN — IN ATLANTA

With Michael Vick's legal woes, wouldn't it be interesting if the Atlanta Falcons drafted the University of Hawai'i quarterback next year?

Surely, Coach Jones with his Atlanta connections will put in a good word for Colt Brennan.

I can see it now, Colt leading the Falcons to the playoffs, rejuvenating the city of Atlanta and bringing more pride to the Islands.

RESPONSE TO LETTER

HANNEMANN'S ACTIONS WERE MISCHARACTERIZED

Peter Chisteckoff's Aug. 24 letter comparing building Honolulu's mass transit system to the Iraq war is uninformed and insensitive.

The letter ignores the full spectrum of solutions Mayor Mufi Hannemann is implementing to address our traffic congestion catastrophe.

These include a new ferry system, construction of a new traffic management center, continuing expansion and improvement of our city's award-winning bus system, integration of that bus system with the proposed mass-transit system and more bikeways and walkways for those of us inclined to travel in those modes.

I note that the mayor is also "walking the talk" in that he and his Cabinet regularly work out of Kapolei Hale, supporting the concept of having people live and work on the west side of O'ahu.

Does this sound like arrogance to you? I think a better word to describe the mayor's actions would be leadership, and I thank him for that.

HAWAIIAN TELCOM

NAME IS MISSPELLED, UNLISTED NUMBER LISTED

Customer service at Hawaiian Telcom is bad.

For more than two years, I've carried two lines with them, and have had nothing but problems — from no service for several days after big rain storms, to an unlisted number listed in a phone book for two years, to their "inability" to spell my name correctly in their e-mail services.

After being told to call back in a few months after the kinks were sorted out, I was told it was impossible to spell my name correctly in their system. This week, I found out that I am listed in the Paradise phone book (name spelled correctly). They paid Hawaiian Telcom for my information at the beginning of the year, a few months before Hawaiian Telcom started their "unlisted ad campaign."

Now, even though I never wanted my number listed — something they can't seem to get right — I see that I am once again in the Paradise phone book and am getting no help or call back from Hawaiian Telcom management.

FRUIT FLIES

IRRADIATOR IS NOT IN PUBLIC'S BEST INTEREST

Your article on Pa'ina Hawai'i's proposed fruit irradiator ("Fruit fly irradiator approved," Aug. 21) leaves your readers with the inaccurate impression the irradiator is a done deal. It is not.

Review of the project is not at an end, as the article claims.

On behalf of Concerned Citizens of Honolulu, Earthjustice is pursuing the challenge before the Atomic Safety and Licensing Board that it brought in 2005, with a hearing scheduled for early 2008. Should the board conclude Pa'ina failed to demonstrate the safety of its irradiator to Hawai'i's people and environment and/or that the environmental review was inadequate, the board will pull the license.

Moreover, Pa'ina cannot begin to build its facility, much less receive radioactive cobalt, until it secures a lease from the airport and an SMA permit. Those processes provide additional opportunities to hold the responsible agencies accountable for protecting our health and safety.

By quoting only project boosters, your article inaccurately suggests the irradiator would be a boon to Hawai'i's agriculture.

The Nuclear Regulatory Commission reached the contrary conclusion, finding the irradiator would confer only small economic benefits.

Given the risk of radioactive releases in the event of a natural disaster, airplane crash or terrorist attack, this irradiator is hardly in the public's interest.

FERAL POPULATION

MAUNA KEA SICK CATS SHOULD BE EUTHANIZED

So there is a significant population of sick cats roaming the slopes of Mauna Kea, spreading their myriad diseases to one another and to others of God's creatures.

The cats are killing off and threatening the very existence of Hawai'i's already dwindling bird population — several of which are on the endangered species list.

Is that acceptable to anyone? Why aren't we euthanizing those cats, instead of counting them?

What are we thinking, or are we thinking at all?

SAFETY

O'AHU'S WATER IS TESTED BOTH AT ORIGIN, IN PIPES

In a recent letter (Aug. 21), Nelson Smith inquired if the tests conducted for the Board of Water Supply's annual water quality report are performed on samples taken at the point of origin (sources) and if tests are done on the water in the pipes (distribution system).

The Board of Water Supply tests water samples collected from our sources and distribution system.

The results of these water quality tests are shared with our customers in our annual water quality report, or Consumer Confidence Report, as required by federal regulations.

Accompanying the Consumer Confidence Report is a supplemental information pamphlet designed to address many of the common questions regarding the quality of our drinking water. For a copy of your report and water quality informational pamphlet, please visit our Web site, board ofwatersupply.com.

O'ahu is blessed with water that is among the best in the world. BWS is committed to making sure it's also the safest. Use all the water you need — just don't waste it.

HIGH COURT RULING

LEGISLATION PLANNED ON PARENTAL DISCIPLINE

Thank you for your informative article regarding parental corporal punishment ("Conviction reversed in parental discipline case," Aug. 19).

Many parents believe it is appropriate to strike or hit a child for discipline. Other parents would never use this method of punishment.

I respectfully disagree with the Hawai'i Supreme Court regarding the use of one's fist against a minor. Thus, I will introduce legislation next session that would not allow using fists to discipline a minor child.

I believe more discussion is needed regarding striking a child with inanimate objects, such as rulers, wire hangers, shoes or other items that could break bones or cause injury.

Some individuals feel children who come from violent households become violent and abusive themselves.

This issue of corporal punishment definitely deserves more debate and dialogue.

HONESTY

RESIDENT FINDS HIS FAITH IN HUMANITY RESTORED

After shopping at Lowe's in Waikele and returning to my van, the man in another van next to me said the truck on the other side of me had backed in and hit my van on the rear tail light and cracked it.

While I was looking for the owner of the truck, a man came out of The Sports Authority and identified himself as the driver of the truck. He said he was sorry and would replace the tail light.

That same day, he called to say the Honda dealer had to order it and he would call me when it came in.

When it did come in, he delivered it to my home.

It really made us feel good to know there are still some honest men out there.

Thanks again, Kenneth Tamura.

CHINATOWN

HPD MAKING PROGRESS IN FIGHT AGAINST DRUGS

The Honolulu Police Department uses a variety of ways to attack drug dealing.

Arresting street dealers is one way. In-depth investigations into high-level drug organizations is another. Because a significant amount of anti-drug enforcement is conducted by plainclothes and undercover officers, it is understandable that the public may not always realize the scope or depth of our operations.

A recent letter stated that the police seem unable to stop drug dealing in the Chinatown area. This is partially true. HPD has always recognized that the police can't do it alone.

However, we are making progress. So far this year, our officers have made 92 arrests for drug possession and drug dealing in the Chinatown area.

HPD will continue to do everything we can to stop drug dealing. But we need everyone's help. Drug dealing is driven by drug use and addiction, societal problems that require a coordinated, long-term effort and commitment from families, legislators, the medical community, social service agencies, businesses, schools and others.

HPD will also continue to enforce pedestrian safety laws, including jaywalking, in the Chinatown area. It's another way of protecting the public.