'IOLANI PALACE

DON'T TAKE ANGER OUT ON INNOCENT VISITORS

Who do these people think they are? All Hawaiians have rights, not just them. I'm part-Hawaiian and my sister goes to Kamehameha Schools. When they locked up the palace, where did their locks and keys come from? The Mainland. When they drove over in their cars to 'Iolani palace, who do they think invented cars?

The picture shows two members of the group locking the gates. Where did they get their sunglasses and their printed shirts? Who created and discovered that process?

I understand that they're still mad about the overthrow, but they don't have to take it out on innocent tourists and visitors who haven't even done anything. I'm so disgusted! They make all of us look bad. I just drove past the palace and I saw about three groups of tourists trying to get inside the gates.

The article said: "The Web site states that Akahi Nui is the great nephew of Queen Li-li'uokalani and heir to the Hawaiian throne." It also says that he has been recognized by the United Nations.

Activists, you can still fight for your rights, but just think about all the things you use in your everyday lives. Most of them are from the Mainland of the descendants that originally took over the throne. I hope everyone gives this a thought.

GASOLINE

UNLIKE MAINLAND, PRICES GO UP, STAY UP

I continue to be amazed at the apathy of Hawai'i consumers when it comes to gas prices. I just returned from a business trip to Florida where prices ranged between $3.59 and $3.70, having decreased eight cents in the past week.

Upon returning to Hawai'i, I noted that prices had not been reduced one cent in my local area. If you believe that prices in Hawai'i lag 30 to 60 days behind Mainland prices as gas station owners and gas companies would have you believe, then I have some oceanfront property in Nevada for you.

If that's the case, why did prices go up day-to-day, matching Mainland prices during the recent run-up in oil prices? To those who fought the gas-cap bill and ultimately had it rescinded, after only letting it stand for about six months, you have to ask yourself, was it worth it?

DOE SPENDING

SCHOOL SYSTEM MUST BE FOCUSED ON ITS STUDENTS

With the recently exposed Florida conference million-dollar expenditure for DOE employees, I wonder when the education system ceased to be about students.

I can think of no instance in my high school years when I listened to administrators share what they learned at a conference. I did listen many times to students share their learning experiences from high school trips and events. Yet students have to fund their travel, while the DOE spares no expense to send their employees to the Mainland.

I understand that intentions were most likely good. The DOE wanted their administrators to teach their teachers so that their teachers could teach their students. But the effectiveness of that trickle-down plan is questionable. Instead of offering the administration expenses-paid trips to Florida, the school system should be sponsoring student activities where they learn first-hand.

I believe that were the DOE to put that million directly into student activities instead of sending their employees to Florida, the net benefit to students would be tremendously greater.

Maybe next time it should be the administrators walking door-to-door, candy bars in hand, asking for someone to sponsor their junkets.

EDUCATION

NO CHILD PROGRAM SHOULD BE REFORMED

Mr. Kawamoto describes our public schools as "among the worst in the nation" (Letters, Aug. 11). He suggests that the start of our economic nightmare can be traced back to our public schools not producing "workers with a high level of knowledge and skills." While many citizens think increased oil prices have caused problems in our island economy, he predicts headlines like visitor count down, unemployment up, tax revenues down, and Mr. Kawamoto imagines that public schools are to blame.

Contrary to his nightmares, the public schools are producing quality graduates. I know many parents, including myself, who believe that public schools have done a fine job in preparing their children for the future.

Readers can find on the front page of The Advertiser that same day an excellent article by Derrick DePledge. He writes a balanced piece about public education and the impact of No Child Left Behind requirements.

Instead of blaming public schools, this article looks at the laws that are directly impacting the school's progress. He quotes from politicians and educators who envision public schools improving not just in test taking skills but also in thinking skills. The biggest nightmare will be if NCLB is not reformed.

RAIL TRANSIT

TIME TO GET PEOPLE OUT OF THEIR VEHICLES

I can't believe I'm still seeing advertisements and news reports that promote HOT lanes as an option to a rail transit system. Don't we get it? It's no longer a matter of convenience (how long we sit in traffic), it's only the future of our planet. Any option that centers on individual vehicle use is staggeringly short-sighted and irresponsible.

The objective needs to be providing options to get people out of their cars, not creating the capacity for more of them, even if they go faster. Yes, rail transit is expensive, but Hawai'i residents had opportunities in the past to build a system at a fraction of the cost, and in better economic times. Now it's a social and environmental necessity.

Rail opponents: If you still don't get it, I'll include a selfish and short-sighted argument: How much are you paying for gas?

SONAR

NAVY'S TESTING CRITICAL TO NATION'S SECURITY

This is in response to "Navy sonar: Poor choice to allow sonar use elsewhere," by Ashlyn J.H. Souza (Letters, Aug. 18).

Ms. Souza's letter refers to Navy sonar use as an "experiment" and also wonders if Navy use of sonar is necessary at all since it may be harmful to whales and dolphins.

Navy use of sonar is not an "experiment." It is a long-used method of locating other ships and submarines and is therefore absolutely essential in protecting our ships and submarines from enemy attack so they can continue protecting you. The Navy must practice sonar use constantly to remain competent in its use and to develop the ability to detect newer quieter submarines.

Or would you prefer having Chinese and Iranian submarines lurking around Honolulu Harbor? Some of the practice must be in a near-shore environment because that is where enemy submarines will hide when they can because that is precisely where they are difficult to detect.

I accept that sonar can be harmful to whales and dolphins who share the ocean with us, but if these noble animals are sometimes killed or injured, we must accept that sacrifice to protect our sailors.

Can danger to small numbers of whales and dolphins compare to having the enemy sink one of our aircraft carriers with 5,000 men and women?

BASKETBALL CAMP

PROGRAM OFFERED UNIQUE EXPERIENCES

The "In the Paint" skills camp sponsored by Mayor Mufi Hannemann was a unique experience for me as a player. I had the opportunity to meet and learn from various accredited coaches from the state, and of course the mayor himself, a former 'Iolani School basketball star.

All of the participants had the honor of listening to the mayor talk about his career and learning from the tips he gave us. During the three-week camp, the coaches focused the program on basketball conditioning, and the fundamentals of the sport including passing, shooting, ball handling and "in the paint" post drills. Although I have some prior experiences of basketball experience through other clinics and teams, I still learned a lot of new things. I felt that the camp was able to help basketball players of all skills and ages.

From the influential words of the mayor, to the vigorous workouts, the camp was most definitely enjoyable, unique and beneficial for my basketball skills. I had the chance to meet many other basketball players from other schools and also reunite with some old friends. The entire experience at the camp was wonderful. I think I speak for everyone when I say I would like to have this camp again next year and many more years to come.