IRAQ

U.S. MILITARY SHOULD NOT BE WORLD'S POLICE

Thanks to the ceasefire called by Muqtada al-Sadr, there has been a reduction in violence in Iraq.

Now that the ceasefire is ending, we will see a resumption of the carnage, with no progress toward a political solution.

The spin out of the White House will be that this is justification for keeping the troops there. There will be no military solution in Iraq. Until political progress is made by the Iraqi government toward reconciliation, the presence of our troops there is a hindrance and is viewed as an occupation.

Our military is not the world police, to be used as a mercenary army of the oil industry, bankrupting the country.

How much is the oil industry paying for this fiasco? Oh, that's right, they are on corporate welfare while making record profits.

OIL OBSESSION

PRICE OF FREEDOM CAN BE VERY COSTLY FOR U.S.

While crossing the street today I saw a beautiful new Ford Mustang slowing down to look for parking. The license plate holder had a military theme and read, "The Price of Freedom."

I didn't have a chance to read the first portion of the sign, but I thought the message was still very clear to me: America's obsession with the automobile makes the price of freedom very costly indeed, for both our soldiers dying in the Middle East to secure oil access and Iraqi citizens trying to live free from foreign intervention and fear in their country.

ALOHA AIRLINES

MAHALO, FRIENDS, FOR ALOHA OVER THE YEARS

For days, I have sat in awe that Aloha is no longer there. We are all pointing the finger to find blame, and we will never be satisfied with a reason or reasons.

All I can say is that after flying with Aloha (since childhood) and as a commuter for the past 12-plus years, I saw the true Aloha in Aloha employees.

It is these individuals, the ones you see daily, dealing with the decisions of others who hide behind closed doors, calming the passengers with first-class snacks, offering the smile trying to make peace. This is for them — to say thank you for all that you have done for my family, friends and me over the years.

Some I know by name, others by voice over the PA or by face — Bobby, Paris, Martin, Sherri, John, Alisa, Sandy, Jennifer, Karey, Karen, Wendy, Tommy, Jane, Donna, Jason, Harry, Ron, Linda, Michael — and the rest of the Aloha family. You will all be missed. including Lesile and Jeff for helping me out as recently as March 18 and 27.

Goodbye to the friends I have made over the years.

ALOHA, A HUI HOU FROM PROUD EX-EMPLOYEES

As a proud former employee of Aloha Airlines, it bothers me that no public apology was made to our loyal customers.

I just want to take this time to apologize on behalf of myself and other dedicated employees of Aloha Airlines for all the inconvenience caused by the abrupt shutdown of our company.

Though we are hurt and now worried about bills and supporting our families, I felt an apology needed to be made. I hope that you accept this apology.

With that said, I now leave you with this: "This is Aloha Airlines with its final boarding call. We as proud Aloha employees stand as one. We are one big 'ohana. Mahalo to all of you, our customers, supporters and everyone who has flown with us. We would now like to announce our final departure. We bid you a fond aloha and mahalo from the dedicated employees of Aloha Airlines. Mahalo and a hui hou!"

AVIATION

TIME TO RE-REGULATE AIRLINE ROUTES, FARES?

Does anyone remember the Civil Aeronautics Board? It regulated airline routes and fares.

Does anyone remember the Airline Deregulation Act of 1978? It ended the regulation of airline routes and fares.

Does anyone think that might not have been such a good idea?

CEDED LANDS

HOMESTEADERS EXPECT LANDS ACCOUNTABILITY

OHA attorney Bill Meheula's assertions about homesteaders are false (Letter, March 21). The Sovereign Councils of the Hawaiian Homelands Assembly opposed the ceded lands settlement because it's common sense to adequately inform beneficiaries of the OHA/Lingle agreement.

Springing a $13 million cash plus three-parcel land deal on the community and expecting blind faith rather than informed support is poor stewardship. It's that simple.

The community meetings done by OHA and the Lingle administration after the fact and in a rush provided very little depth.

Homesteaders, or 50-percenters, as Mr. Meheula calls us, are beneficiaries of this trust. Expecting accountability, expecting trust assets to address homestead needs is our kuleana. We do so not at the exclusion of any other beneficiary. The Sovereign Councils of the Hawaiian Homelands Assembly expects OHA to sit with its brother, the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands, to identify the incredible opportunities that together advance all beneficiaries and, indeed, the state.

For Meheula and OHA to suggest that 50-percenters should take these concerns elsewhere is exactly why blind faith cannot be extended. We agree with the wisdom of the Senate: Do the work of stewardship, inform beneficiaries and let's return to the Legislature in 2009.

It should never be an inconvenience to a public trust to consult with our people. Every Hawaiian, 50-percenter or not, should be encouraged to participate, question and testify on public-trust issues. To suggest anything else is unacceptable.

HOMESTEADERS, IN FACT, ARE BENEFICIARY CLASS

I'm disappointed. The Advertiser should know better than to dismiss such an important distinction as Hawaiians who qualify under the Hawaiian Homes Commission Act from those who do not. The Advertiser is wrong when it said in a March 18 editorial that "homesteaders have no status separate from other OHA beneficiaries in the ceded land issue."

On the contrary, they are the beneficiary class of the ceded land revenues intended for the "betterment of conditions of Native Hawaiians."

When the amendments from the 1978 Constitutional Convention were passed, they did not dilute the beneficiary class, they merely charged OHA with administering those funds.

Those funds are still intended to help meet one of the major obligations that the people of Hawai'i accepted when we became a state: the administration and fulfillment of the Hawaiian Homes Commission Act.

The Advertiser may quibble with the timing, but don't dismiss the comments of homesteaders. It is their trust that is being affected.

'IOLANI PALACE

GUIDELINES SHOULD BE SET FOR MOVIE FILMING

I would like to applaud Palani Vaughn, Clayton Hee and others for objecting to the movie "Barbarian Princess."

Is it now the policy of the Department of Land and Natural Resources and the Friends of 'Iolani Palace to allow any producer full access to the palace? Why wasn't a final script required? If a producer on 'Olelo wanted to make a movie inside 'Iolani Palace, would that be allowed?

Can any producer waltz into Honolulu and the Hawai'i Film Commission will toss taxpayer dollars (through tax credits)?

As much as the producer talks about respecting Hawaiian culture, Native Hawaiian historians and cultural experts were ignored. In addition, was the Cleghorn family involved and their permission even granted?

The state should also require all stakeholders to come up with concrete guidelines for the filming of the palace.

GOLF COURSE

KAHUKU GREENSKEEPERS DO A WONDERFUL JOB

For about seven years I've been playing with a group at Kahuku Golf Course twice a month.

The rest of my group (Gordon Arakaki, Larry Ikeda, Roy Matsuo and Ron Okazaki) wanted me to write to commend Glenn Kakuni and his staff for the excellent condition of the course, especially the greens. They are in beautiful, pristine condition, as good as any you'll find on any course, public or private.

We appreciate what Glenn and his workers do for us, and are grateful for their devotion and pride in their work. You really have to see the greens to appreciate how beautiful they are. I also play regularly at Ted Makalena, which Glenn is also responsible for, and the greens and fairways are in great shape also. Glenn and his staff there do a terrific job, for which I'm deeply grateful.

UNION VOTE

LINGLE SHOULD SUPPORT WORKERS, VETO HB 2974

It is pathetic to see our state legislators failing to promote the same democratic ideals that got them elected.

Secret ballots allow Republicans to vote for Democrats and Democrats to vote for Republicans. It is the only fair way that people can vote their conscience without the fear of repercussion.

I am shocked that our state senators and representatives are so determined to push the union agenda that they've passed a bill (House Bill 2974) to deprive workers of this same right to vote anonymously on whether to join a union.

If workers want a union, they will vote for it. What's next — a system that forces us to vote for president by sign-up sheet? The governor should support workers and veto HB 2974.