SOCIAL SITES

WE CAN NETWORK, BUT DO WE COMMUNICATE?

I found your article about the usage of social networking sites such as MySpace and Facebook very interesting ("Meet the self-expressive Millennials," Sept. 28).

A few people quoted in the article delved into the psychological aspect of putting up pictures and videos documenting some of the most random or most important events in a person's life. Vanity, lack of social life, affirmation, trying to fit the mold, it's just fun, etc.

There is, however, the question of what has the usage of social networking sites done to the declining art of communication? Instead of calling people and speaking face to face, thereby practicing communication skills, you can now simply log on to MySpace and on to somebody's profile and leave them a comment.

As with texting, it is putting communication more distant, as if punching in somebody's number on either your pager, cell phone, home phone, work phone, or work cell is such an inconvenience.

Ever wonder what the next step in the downhill slide of courtesy and language is? The English language alone has gone from the intelligent, subtly layered language of Shakespeare to words and sentences so abbreviated it can be nearly impossible to tell what the person meant to say.

"The more elaborate our means of communication, the less we communicate," Joseph Priestly once said.

RESTAURANT REVIEW

CAFE KAILA SERVICE ATTENTIVE, COURTEOUS

I take strong exception to the tone of the review of Cafe Kaila by Kawehi Haug in last Friday's TGIF section.

While the headline of the review is really positive and the food is complimented, the reviewer faults the ambiance and the service. Friends and I eat breakfast at Cafe Kaila every other week on a weekday morning and we have never experienced "empty water glasses and uncleared plates," frenzied service "which doesn't exactly encourage leisurely mornings," nor "service with a grimace."

The service at Cafe Kaila has always been friendly, courteous and attentive. We have never had to wait for a table and we invariably spend an hour sitting at our table talking and enjoying the surroundings. We have never felt pressured to leave, even after asking for the sixth cup of coffee and receiving it with a smile. If the reviewer's experiences are based solely on weekend visits, that should have been stated.

My friends and I have spent years trying out breakfast places in Honolulu and agree with the reviewer that "Honolulu can't do breakfast." That's why Cafe Kaila is so exceptional.

The quality and freshness of the food and truly pleasant staff are what keep drawing people back to any restaurant. As the reviewer states, "People wouldn't be flocking to the cafe if they didn't know that it would all be worth it." That would explain why "everyone is smiling."

PRESIDENTIAL RACE

OBAMA UNDERSTANDS ISSUES THAT WE FACE

It was clear to anyone watching the presidential debate last Friday which candidate has a better understanding of the issues concerning America.

Sen. Barack Obama demonstrated an acute understanding of the comprehensive issues while Sen. John McCain looked and sounded unsure, confused and simplistic.

Look what eight years of unsure, confused and simplistic have done for our country.

RACIST E-MAIL

SUPPORTS CALL FOR JOHNSON RESIGNATION

The local chapter of the Organization of Chinese-Americans supports Gov. Linda Lingle's call for the resignation of Rex Johnson, CEO of the Hawai'i Tourism Authority.

He has forfeited his credibility and authority as a leader in promoting this state's tourism industry through the use of his state computer to disseminate racist and sexist jokes. His actions have demonstrated such an utter lack of good judgment and responsible behavior on the job that OCA-Hawai'i asks all fair-minded citizens to join together in seeking his resignation or removal as CEO of the HTA.

This latest revelation in addition to previous finding that Mr. Johnson forwarded a number of pornographic e-mails on his state computer should amount to the proverbial "last straw."

Is it possible that we would want Mr. Johnson to represent us in bringing the message of Hawai'i's pride in and celebration of its ethnic diversity to the rest of the world?

OCA-Hawai'i will be watching the actions of the HTA board as it convenes to deal with a CEO who has embarrassed our state to such a degree that he needs to be replaced as soon as possible.