Stop dwelling on race, embrace brotherhood

Is it wise to take excessive pride in being Hawaiian? Or Anglo? Or Black? Or Latino? Or Asian? Or Scandinavian, Semitic or Slavic? Or Native American, East Indian or West Indian? Tribalism and racism are divisive and counter-productive to civilization.

Would it not be better to embrace brotherhood and celebrate the positive contributions of all members of the human race? Repeatedly singling out and reproachfully bringing up past mistakes of selected groups or individuals identified with groups is a negative venture.

No single solution to homelessness

An assumption is made that all homeless people are the same. I'm not an expert, but it seems quite obvious that they fall into different categories. Yes, some are lazy and shiftless, some are drug users, some are mentally ill, and some are responsible people who have full-time jobs and just cannot afford the $1,000 or more a month to rent an apartment. Therefore, it is unrealistic to expect a single solution.

The City & County of Honolulu and the state also share responsibility. Our lawmakers and bureaucrats see the problem, yet make no effort to maintain low-income and subsidized housing.

It also might be a good idea to show students what is likely to happen if they do not focus on their studies. Yet the state has to bear responsibility for the lack of textbooks, failure to maintain buildings and allowing tenure that makes it virtually impossible to fire ineffective teachers and administrators.

We need knowledgeable people to look at the problems objectively and provide viable recommendations, and legislators smart enough to enact them.

Fixing borders is separate issue

The United States must control who is allowed into and who will remain in the country. A home is not a home unless the owner controls who comes through his door. A country is not a country unless it controls its borders. More than 10 million illegal immigrants in this country is irrefutable evidence that the borders are not controlled and that government has failed.

The attack of Sept. 11, 2001, has made the vigilant exercise of that power essential to the safety of Americans and the preservation of this country. Before going off to fight the enemy in foreign lands, the homeland must first be secured. What have we gained if we win in Iraq and lose an American city?

Controlling the borders is separate and distinct from immigration policies. Immigration policies presuppose that the borders are controlled. It is futile to have immigration policies if illegal immigrants so easily flaunt them.

First, preserve this nation by securing the borders; then, let us discuss immigration policies. Confusing these issues in the halls of government continues to hold our country at risk.

Beef up patrols on U.S.-Mexico border

There has been so much talk lately about "broken borders" between Mexico and the United States. Immediate action should be taken.

I recommend that police headquarters and military training areas be established toward and along the lengths of the border in question.

Their continuous presence at or near the border could discourage trespassers from infiltrating over or under the fences. In addition, more air cover, sensitive electronic devices and floodlights should be in place.

Airport desperately needs improvement

Improvements to the Honolulu airport terminal couldn't come soon enough. I never thought much about our airport until I saw Narita International in Japan and Kuala Lumpur International Airport in Malaysia. Our airport pales in comparison.

What I liked best about both airports is that they welcome people to stay and lounge with the travelers before having to say their goodbyes. There are stores, restaurants and many places to sit and relax with friends and family.

Upon returning home, I really saw our airport for the first time, this time like a tourist visiting our island. In the trek from the arrival gate to immigration, we had to go outdoors to board the Wiki Wiki bus to the main terminal. It was hot and muggy, and smelly with fumes from the jet planes and the bus. The bus was old and people were jammed inside, with the driver yelling out instructions to move back. I was embarrassed. This is the first thing our visitors see and experience. This is something we've got to fix, and it can't come soon enough.