Local architects, designers
need the renovation work

It seems that in order to get satisfaction from the governor, you have to call him 100 times. Wish I had known that when I called recently to express my concern with a bill he signed, giving hotels a tax incentive for renovating. It lacked teeth!

To make it work in our economy, the bill had to have a clause giving hotels the incentive if they used local architects and designers and suppliers for the renovations.

Why give a tax break when many hotels use mainland talent and buy goods on the mainland?

We have a great pool of architects and interior designers in the islands. They could use the work, and the money earned, developing truly local themes, would be put back into our economy.

My comments were totally ignored. I feel that the governor truly doesn't understand the necessary dynamics to get our economy back on its feet.

Maybe I should have had 100 of my friends and associates call him to get the picture.

Judith Holden

Try to better understand
Christian fundamentalists

Writer Janice Judd (View Point, July 11) needs no defense from others; she wields a prolific pen. But the mean-spirited attack on her by Robert Day (Letters, July 18) deserves comment.

We should try to understand fundamentalist Christians like Judd. For example, they insist on reading the Bible literally. That is why, to them, evolution theory is anathema. The creation accounts in the Book of Genesis tell quite different stories when read literally.

Yet even to me, evolutionary theory is not yet fact. Consider this: Human nature remains the same as thousands and thousands of years ago. We are still prideful, envious, lustful, anger-prone, covetous, slothful, gluttonous.

Moreover, were we to take evolutionary theory to one possible conclusion, we would arrive at this -- after we destroy the planet to satisfy our insatiable greed, the cockroaches will still be around.

Therefore, regarding science vs. religion, let us understand that science treats of ignorance while religion treats of mystery. With the former, we can be led to think that we are "the masters of our fate, the captain of our soul." With the latter, we are given a fundamental truth: "Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto your own understanding" (Proverbs 3:5)."

That is what Judd, in her way, is trying to tell us. If we would conquer our pride and listen.

Alvin Nakamura

Recalling school yearbooks
would be token gesture

Attorney Daphne Barbee-Wooten, along with parents/relatives Sanders and Atkinson, express frustration that the DOE has not gone "far enough" in redressing Kalaheo High School's racially offensive yearbook controversy (Star-Bulletin, July 23).

The captions were in poor taste, humiliating, discriminating, harassing and racially insensitive. But it occurred. Upon notification, officials properly acknowledged the incident and took steps accordingly.

I am certain that the DOE doesn't espouse racism of any nature and am satisfied in their efforts in addressing this situation. The larger issue is one of our responsibility to our children.

Racial insensitivity is a fact of life. There is no prejudice in the selection process, whether directed against the African American, Asian, haole, Samoan, gay, bald or fat people.

These Kalaheo youngsters used this opportunity to take part in a live civics lesson. There was dignity in the manner in which they called attention to the incident.

However, in a scenario reminiscent of Little League Syndrome, adults interceded without regard for what is best for the children.

It is folly to hope that these yearbooks will be recalled, as Atkinson has demanded. It would serve no purpose except as a token gesture.

She apparently is willing to assuage her indignation for "some type of monetary compensation." Where is the dignity in that?

Hank Taufaasau
Manoa

'Nonessential' subjects?
There is no such thing!

In the Star-Bulletin's July 21 article on year-round schooling, Darla De Ville, director of the Hawaii Pacific Association for Year Round Education, said teachers are required to cover so many subject areas that nonessential areas such as art, music, physical education or health are cut back or neglected.

This statement insults all art, music, P.E. and health teachers who take pride in their jobs. We don't discredit other subject areas, so why insult us? We are part of developing the whole child.

Students who excel in our subject areas go on to successful careers as athletes, coaches, athletic directors, nutritionists, physical therapists, athletic trainers, musicians, producers, graphic artists, the list goes on. Oh yeah, they also become art, music, P.E. and health teachers, who get the same salary as other teachers.

Nonessential? Why is there a graduation requirement in health and P.E.? Why is the Pearl City High School marching band recognized internationally?

Why is it that for the past four years, Mike Awai and Susan Chun have won Teacher of the Year honors at Wahiawa Intermediate School? By the way, they teach those "nonessential" subjects, health and P.E.

Keone Kuniyoshi
Health and P.E. teacher
Mililani

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