Letters to the Editor
Wednesday, June 19, 1996

Minimizing family abuse
just leads to more deaths

The week of June 3 was a horrible one for us. It brought the same old refrain of domestic violence.

After the murder of Philimena Haili by her husband, your reporter quoted people who said there had been no history of abuse or evidence that violence had been a problem for this couple. But domestic abuse is not always evident to neighbors, passers-by or even other family members.

It is a well-kept secret, to preserve the dignity or safety of the victim. And it happens in all kinds of families.

People who knew or lived near the Hailis expressed disbelief at the crime. It is possible that there had been abuse but it had not been named, or worse, that it had been minimized by friends and acquaintances as "no big thing."

Let this be the last time anyone concludes that violence is "just a domestic thing." A domestic thing was fatal for Philimena Haili. It is tragic for her children and it has her husband facing murder charges.

Let us move one iota closer to peace, with the acceptance that violence and guns result in death. Denial keeps us stuck where we are, rather than moving forward.

Nanci Kreidman
Executive Director
Domestic Violence Clearinghouse
and Legal Hotline


Marumoto must apologize
for insulting the NRA

State Rep. Barbara Marumoto's unfortunate remark addressing the recent state Republican convention that "we are not the party of beer-swilling, gun-toting NRA members" is a shocking example of a bluenose stereotype. It is also a typical Hawaii GOP shoot-yourself-in-the-foot blooper.

Why would Marumoto want to alienate a large, politically active bloc of voters, who happen to believe that lawful private ownership of firearms has personal security and recreational value and is one cornerstone of the freedoms our republic is based on?

With Bob Dole preaching "tolerance" on volatile issues like abortion, Marumoto owes the NRA and its members an apology.

Maxwell Cooper
Vice President
Hawaii Rifle Association


Forget about the hunters;
what about the animals?

With all the arguments swirling around preservation of native forests and hunters' rights, the animals being killed seemed to have been forgotten ("Saving the aina," April 25).

Deer, sheep and other mammals are regarded as nothing more than "alien invaders" and a "menace." Neither your writers nor the people they quote comment on the difficulties or suffering these innocent animals endure in attempts to eradicate them by state and federal governments and private landowners.

No one disagrees that plants and birds need to be protected. But the end result of fewer animals, which is hardly guaranteed, should not justify the use of cruel and violent means.

Why aren't humane methods of animal control being researched or practiced?

As director of the state Division of Forestry and Wildlife, Michael Buck should be leading the way. But every solution he proposes revolves around the expansion of hunting.

Not once has he addressed the use of animal contraceptives delivered in bait or by dart guns - a humane and increasingly popular way to limit animal populations.

Nor will any revenues from the hunting fees and postage stamp program that Buck proposes go to methods more enlightened than wholesale slaughter.

Sue Salisbury


Palama Settlement made impact
on young lives

The Palama Settlement's centennial celebration heard voices in unison saying the same thing: "We felt loved, respected and safe there."

My sister, brother, four cousins and I walked from Robello Lane to the settlement and had the structured support and activities which gave purpose to our hours of fun.

We always felt welcomed and involved, and most certainly respected. Our working parents always knew we were safe and doing "healthy stuff."

Isn't it amazing that every voice heard at the celebration spoke with deep aloha for that special place in Palama/Kalihi?

Those of us in our 50's and 60's today shared a benevolence which will remain in our hearts forever, and, sadly, nevermore.

Judith L. Lewis


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