Origin of the speeches gets lost at university
It is curious how the University of Hawaii at Manoa catalogues two sister Semitic languages. In it current schedule of classes, Arabic is listed under "Hawaiian and Indo-Pacific Languages and Literatures" while Hebrew can be found in "Languages and Literatures of Europe and the Americas." Perhaps someone at the university needs a course in geography.
Charles E. Frankel
Honolulu
Akaka's record makes him worthy of support
Both Sen. Daniel Akaka and Rep. Ed Case are outstanding candidates for the U.S. Senate. I support Akaka for a few reasons.
First, Akaka had humble beginnings, whereas Case was much better off.
Second, I'm a laborer. I know for sure that Akaka is very much pro-labor.
Third, I felt at ease when I've contacted Akaka's office locally or in Washington, D.C. and asked questions. His staff has been courteous and knowledgeable. I've actually received a few letters back from Akaka.
I fully endorse Akaka in his effort to get the Akaka Bill through. I believe the crux is to bring to the American people the fact that the native Hawaiians were wronged in the past, and that there needs to be some righting.
As a retired veteran who served in the first gulf war, I applaud Akaka for what he's done for the veterans. He wants to increase our benefits and especially to help those veterans who need the help the most. Of the two candidates, who has served in uniform during a war?
Action, rather than rhetoric, is what matters to me.
I hope the best candidate wins. However, I believe "The best man for the job is on the job."
Lawrence M.O. Chun
Kailua
Ferry will bring more crime, traffic to Kauai
I am against allowing the "Superferry" to come to Kauai. We hear talk about how the agriculture, animals, pests and environment will be monitored and protected, but so far no one is protecting our island. Our island has become all about money and greed and overdevelopment. We do not have the roadways to accommodate the traffic already on this island. If the ferry is allowed to bring more cars, it will be horrible for those of us who have to get to work and school.
I lived on an island in Alaska several years ago. The drug users and dealers, the homeless and ill, and the criminal element used the ferry system to move from island to island when their welcome was worn out in each place. I can't believe that anyone could believe that would be a good consequence for Kauai.
In the last six years I have noticed a huge increase in gang taggings on buildings, instances of road rage, and much less aloha on this island.
Please stop this island from becoming just another tourist trap that does not offer a healthy environment for families and children. Please stop the ferry from landing on Kauai.
Lee Hill
Lihue, Kauai
President's obsession with Iraq is criminal
The president has finally admitted that Saddam Hussein had nothing to do with 9/11, after earlier acknowledging that there were no weapons of mass destruction in Iraq.
One might argue, then, that he, Vice President Cheney and Defense Secretary Rumsfeld could be charged with criminal conspiracy for perpetrating, under false pretenses, the invasion and occupation of that sovereign nation, resulting in immense loss of life and resources.
The war began as folly and has descended into obsession. It was initiated fraudulently and is being perpetuated maliciously. It began as misfeasance and continues as malfeasance.
Worthy of indictment, indeed! Alas, that's only wishful thinking, because our criminal justice system does not yet cover such moral offenses. Perhaps one day it will.
Ralph E. Burr
Honolulu
Statehood protesters speaking for many
To celebrate statehood is saying that the wrong that was committed to the Hawaiian people in the overthrow of their lawful government of the Hawaiian Kingdom was the right thing to do ("Statehood celebration at palace gets heated,"
Star-Bulletin, Aug.19). Statehood for Hawaii is the perpetuation of the overthrow of the Hawaiian Kingdom government that was no threat to the United States.
Native Hawaiian nationals who protested at the recent statehood celebration at Iolani Palace did what should have been done in 1959 and 1900 and 1893.
Richard Pomaikaiokalani Kinney
Waianae