A new year of peace and promise
The Star-Bulletin asked readers to send us their thoughts, ideas and hopes for 2007. Longtime readers and students of all ages responded by e-mail, fax and post. The predominant theme was a hope for peace -- in faraway lands and right here on our busy streets. More New Year's letters will appear in next Sunday's Insight section.
From students at Nuuanu Elementary School:
United Earth
One of my hopes is that the United Nations increases membership to every country in the world, thus being rechristened the United Earth Assembly. The name would be as straight as possible, because it unites the Earth, and it's an assembly.
I also hope that Israel and Lebanon stop quarreling. Just forget about war. There are more important things at hand than religion. The whole Middle East is in uproar. Stop quarreling already!
Lance Nakano, age 10
First impeach, then withdraw
My hope for 2007 is that George W. Bush gets impeached or thrown out of office. This is because the troops will then be withdrawn from Iraq and Afghanistan. Another reason George Bush should be impeached is so that there will be a different president to yell "VETO" to bad laws, such as the National Security Law, which invades the privacy of the people by searching through our e-mail to look for possible terrorism. Impeaching George Bush would make the world a better place. So, we should all pitch in and impeach George W. Bush.
Jake Ramos, age 11, grade 6
More earthquakes
What I expect is a new PlayStation 4 to come out and make everyone interested in buying it. Also, I hate to say this, but I expect more earthquakes, so be prepared. You never know when one will hit us. And last but not least, the gas prices to rise. Boy, do I hate that, and whatever happened to that gas cap?
Trent Thompson, age 10, grade 5
Shelter and clothing
I think the world should give more charity money in 2007. I will give the money to poor homeless people. The money will repair the homeless shelter so it won't break down. Also the money will help give the homeless people better food. Last, I will give money for their clothes, because who wants ripped up clothes?
Another thing for the world is for China's taxes to get lower. I want their taxes to get lower because some parts of China are very poor. Another reason is because some Chinese people can't afford taxes that they have to live in huts instead of houses.
Kyler Matsuura, age 9, grade 4
Save the grandmas
I would like doctors to come up with a cure for terminal cancer because I lost someone very dear to my heart, my Grandma. I do not want any other families to feel the same way I did when I lost my Grandma. This is why I would like doctors to come up with a cure for terminal cancer.
Leilani Etherton, age 10, grade 5
Talk it out
In the year of 2007 I want world peace which means NO WAR!!! I think that in the past we have had too many wars and I want that to change in the future. It starts with you. You have to try not to get angry as easily as you probably do. Try to talk out your problems. Fighting is a childish solution. You can think of other solutions. Use them.
Brianne Tengan, age 9, grade 4
Be more friendly
"Don't smoke! No more wars! I want this because many people die in war and I don't want this to happen. No polluting. Don't pollute because if you do many many fish will die and be extinct. People could be more friendly, because like if you are nice to someone they will be nice to you too. Homeless people can have homes because when I look at homeless people on the streets I feel sad and sorry because they don't have homes."
Jordan Ehara, age 8
Nuuanu Elementary School, grade 3
The following are from adults:
Go fast, save money
According to scientists, Hawaii's sitting on a tectonic plate that's moving closer to Japan daily. Maybe we should wait on the new rail system. And when Hawaii and Japan merge, we can connect to their "bullet train" rail system and save billions.
Imagine going from downtown to Kapolei at 185 mph in about 10 minutes. By the time you empty your wallet for the fare and sit down and get uncomfortable, it's time to get off and walk or hitch-hike home from the station!
Speaking of solving traffic problems, did you notice how few cars were on the road on Christmas Day? It's a good time for shopping and avoiding the long lines. "But Dad," my daughter responded, "most stores aren't open." To which I replied, "It's a double play -- not only do you avoid traffic, but you save money!"
Smoky Guerrero, Mililani
Newsworthy gifts
Dear Santa: I miss you. I have ever since growing up made it my turn to give instead of get, and to earn my own gifts. But just for old time's sake, please grant me one last gift before age parts us forever.
It's nothing and everything really. It has no cost, but I can't buy it at any price, so you are my only hope. All I ask is that next Christmas you fill my stocking with news clippings that:
» show Hawaii's governor hugging one of Hawaii's magnificent parents who sacrifice and work and suffer to give their children a safe home, especially the mothers who delay their own gratification until they are sure the males they let father their children are men enough to be fathers.
» covers a Bono-like extravaganza proclaiming that America sent $10 billion to Africa to help the amazing parents who, against all odds and at immense personal sacrifice, keep their children AIDS-free in the midst of such horrible and brutal conditions.
» advertise an hour-long documentary devoted to lauding the parents who raise fit, trim, active children, and celebrating the work they do and sacrifices they make to give that gift.
Please, Santa, bring us the sanity to reward, honor and demonstrate admiration for those who honor their obligation to the children they bring into the world. Now that I am grown up, I know that economic laws are implacable, so the world will always deliver what we pay for. Just help us learn again to pay for the right things.
George L. Berish, Honolulu
A small wish
Peace on Earth.
C. Keith Haugen, Honolulu
It's quick, so be thankful
For all of us, without exceptions, to be born once, to live once and to die once is the only way to go, wherever that may be.
And it happens so fast and quickly, we never know; here today, gone tomorrow. So let's be thankful for what we've got and to be living in the greatest nation on this Earth, despite some shortcomings: the United States of America. And to top it off, to be living in the greatest state of all the states in America, which is Hawaii nei.
Happy New Year!
Tetsuji Ono, Hilo
All aboard!
Gas prices are near $3 per gallon, "rush hour" is more like "rush day," and yet there are naysayers who still are not convinced that rail is the ideal solution for Oahu. I've been a Honolulu bus rider for more than 20 years and have experienced superior commuting by rail in other states.
My wish for 2007 is for the rail naysayers to get on board the rail project and turn their energies to finding creative ways to fund the project, such as public-private partnerships, instead of coming up with the same old tax-dollar complaint and insisting that buses can do the job better than rail.
Lyn Pyle, Honolulu
A wish for the world
"I want peace in the world. Next year I hope there are no more wars. I also hope that everyone does not get into lots of fights. Without war a lot of people would be happy. I am making this wish because many people are getting hurt. I want that to stop."
Hennessey Ellis, age 8
Nuuanu Elementary School, grade 3
From students at Sacred Hearts Academy:
I hope to let go of the anger, sadness and pain of the past and forgive people who have hurt me. I hope to treasure the people who have and will stand by me through times of trouble. Most importantly, I hope to seize every opportunity to laugh until my sides ache.
Angela Yuen, grade 11
No more procrastinating
I don't pretend to know what the future will bring. 2007 will mark my departure from high school and entrance to the adult world. In June, I will be on the fast track to my ultimate career and lifestyle. I'll be 18 in April and able to vote, pay taxes and pay for my own gas. But there are bigger, better things for which to look forward. Like college. And more college.
Perhaps when I'm 18, I'll be able to effectively schedule my life. Procrastination got me through most of high school, but it's not a very valuable skill in the work force. The year 2007 will be my "experiment in adulthood." I want to plan ahead to get ahead, especially when college enrollment starts in spring.
Alana Reis, grade 12
Family time
Families are essential to bringing change in the world; so one important 2007 resolution is to create more family time. Less television, more board games and group outings are great ways to make that happen. My family makes a point to have a council or lesson every Monday, so we can all contribute ideas and suggestions, or just bond and play games. Creating family traditions also strengthen bonds and produce memories that everyone can share.
Vania Pharis, grade 12
Come home, brothers and sisters
In 2007, I want my brother to come back home from Iraq safely and I want him to tell me all the stories of how he saved injured men's lives. I want my brother to come out of the military a soldier who has experienced the unthinkable and be recognized, along with all those other soldiers, for what he has done in Iraq. I hope my brother becomes a successful doctor and goes to school where he wants to because I know he has earned it. Finally, for it to be a perfect year, I want my cousin in Sweden to get better so he could come to Hawaii to stay with my family and me.
Junel Solbach, grade 11
More gratitude
It's so easy to start complaining when your hair frizzes because of the rain or when you forget your lunch at home, but my goal as the new year approaches is to cut out complaining altogether and replace it with gratitude. An attitude of thankfulness and gratitude will, over time, generate true joy and happiness. This is what I wish for myself and for those around me, "Joy to the world, peace for every boy and girl ... "
Ashlyn Read, grade 12