Letters to the Editor
Thursday, May 30, 1996

Misnaming of B-2 shows cultural misunderstanding

Just when I think we may be learning something about the consequences of weapon use, I realize that assault weapons are still sanctioned for both military and civilians. President Clinton is retaining the production and use of land mines "needed in Korea."

And now, Sen. Daniel Inouye has the effrontery to name a B-2 stealth bomber "The Spirit of Hawaii."

The Spirit of Hawaii? Do we not all maopopo the mana'o of aloha? It certainly is not what this bombing machine is constructed to do.

Juel Kameamakamae Gustafson


Name is appropriate given historic Hawaiian weapons

George Washington once said, "If you want peace, you must prepare for war." Our state should feel honored to have one of the 21 B-2s named "Spirit of Hawaii."

Here's a history of naming our nation's weapon systems with Hawaiian names:

nĘThe light cruiser "Honolulu" CL-48 served effectively throughout World War II.

nĘThe battle cruiser "Hawaii" CB-3 was under construction at the end of World War II. Her two sisters, the Alaska and Guam, served during the last year of World War II.

nĘThe fleet ballistic submarine Kamehameha SSBN-642 is based at Pearl Harbor, now serves as a Special Forces vessel. She is named after the warrior who invaded Maui, Molokai and Oahu in 1795, united the Hawaiian Islands and brought to an end both intra and interisland warfare that had gone on for centuries.

Naming the new B-2 "Spirit of Hawaii" is therefore proper and in the best tradition of our 50th State.

Alan S. Lloyd
Kailua


Aloha spirit should never stand for weapon of war

The aloha spirit does not include destruction of property and killing of people. Did Senator Daniel Inouye forget where he came from?

I wonder if future generations will equate "aloha" with blood and war instead of getting along with each other?

Tom Carrido


A sarcastic rationalization for not funding schools

If archaeologists from the Bishop Museum can go exploring to the tune of $17 million and require another $7 million to complete its findings under H-3, why do we have to listen to the high schools screaming for more financial aid from the state?

Surely we are more wise to invest in our past rather than the future.

After careful microscopic analysis, archaeologists might discover that 2,000 years ago they didn't have doors or toilet seats, or paper for that matter in schools.

Investing in our future would be heartless, especially when our graduates decide to tour the Bishop Museum one leisurely Sunday afternoon to observe their findings, and realize the hardships they suffered at school have not changed much over time.

John L. Werrill


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