Use cones behind parked trucks
Some years ago a friend of mine worked for Illinois Bell. He would complain about setting and picking up cones around his work site -- said he could do more work if he didn't have to bother with the cones. One day he found a child under the rear of his truck. He never complained again.
I would suggest that anyone who drives an SUV or a pickup truck place cones when parking in a driveway or at a campground. Maybe a TV station or an auto dealership could sponsor the cones. They could have their logo on them.
Anyone with children should make their own "cone," a 12-inch two-by-four painted red. Also an extra set for anyone who parks in their driveway.
I notice rear-view cameras are available on some cars. No fancy mirrors or rear-view cameras can see under a car where my friend found a child.
Paul J. Sander
Honolulu
Criminalizing drugs is the wrong approach
First we read about drug tests for teachers, now we hear that drug-sniffing dogs will patrol Lahainaluna High School. The "police state" approach to public health problems like substance abuse will certainly make for an interesting class discussion when the Bill of Rights is covered. But will it affect rates of use?
Based on findings that criminal records are inappropriate as health interventions, a majority of European Union countries have decriminalized marijuana. Despite marijuana prohibition and perhaps because of forbidden fruit appeal, lifetime use of marijuana is higher in the United States than any European country.
The drug war threatens the integrity of a country founded on the concept of limited government. It's not possible to wage a moralistic war against consensual vices unless privacy is eliminated, along with the Constitution. America can either be a free country or a "drug-free" country, but not both.
Robert Sharpe
Policy analyst
Common Sense for Drug Policy
Washington, D.C.
World Hula Festival is being copied
The World Invitational Hula Festival in its 16th year is battling to survive. Hula is loved worldwide, and it was a brilliant idea to invite halau to come to the piko to learn our chants and dances at the source. The WIHF atmosphere is one of ohana: helping each other and learning correctly.
Participants can ask the judges, who are cultural specialists and/or noted kumu hula, questions pertaining to the hula: costuming, performance, appropriate lei or other adornment. There are workshops on hula and other aspects of Hawaiian culture and traditions.
WIHF has always been held at the Waikiki Shell on Veterans Day weekend and has hosted halau from North America, Mexico, Spain, the Netherlands, France, Iran, the Philippines, Samoa, Japan and more.
Currently, there is confusion by WIHF participants and supporters. However, the only connection the brand-new upstart Waikiki Hula Festival has is that it is attempting to co-opt a longtime Hawaiian event. This apparent takeover appears to be under the auspices of the Waikiki Improvement Association.
World Invitational Hula Festival has been sharing aloha globally for years. I wonder, does aloha live in Waikiki or only crass commercial greed?
Lela M. Hubbard
Board member, World Invitational Hula Festival
Aiea
Census gives false view of Hawaiians' status
The 2000 Census is a travesty. Lumping native Hawaiians with other Pacific Islanders misrepresents the true nature of the population and conceals the truth of the history of Hawaii.
The United States has a history of racism and a dream of racial equality. It is a country where economic power, social power, incarceration and access to justice and educational opportunity can be defined along racial lines. It is a country that has tried to address historical racial discrimination, the disinheritance of native nations and racial injustices with preferential programs to provide opportunities for the achievement of equal rights and equal access to American benefits.
In Hawaii, the Office of Hawaiian Affairs was created to receive 20 percent of the revenues from ceded lands to benefit native Hawaiians, who, since the overthrow of the Hawaiian government, have not fully participated in the benefits and opportunities derived from their disinheritance of traditional lands and natural resources.
The right to this revenue is part of the organic documents of the state of Hawaii. In remaking native Hawaiians into Hawaiians and other Pacific Islanders, Census 2000 attempts to alter this beneficiary class, dilute the benefits and conceal the truth of history. Who benefits from this?
Charles Ka'ai'ai
Kailua
Perpetuating hatred is a wasted effort
Eric Po'ohina's letters to the editor are so full of hatred and racism based on his sense of victimized righteousness. His latest comment (May 18) that his definition of "aloha" means "get lost" reinforces that attitude.
He blames all Asians, whites, tourists, or anyone else he perceives as his enemy, as the cause of all Hawaiians' problems and sees history in only black and white (no pun meant). His words breed a negative and potentially dangerous energy in our multiethnic state.
No race or religion has a monopoly on good or bad. Both exist in every group and that is the reality of history around the world. While he may have understandable feelings about certain issues that need attention, to blame all Hawaiians' problems on everyone else is not right. I have seen Hawaiians who treat the land as their garbage can. I have seen Asians and whites taking care of the homeless, and I have also seen the reverse on both sides.
History is full of wrongs committed by all peoples. Hatred, racism, blame, and perpetuating these beliefs only rip apart the society. Let him use his energy and passion to do good, to change for the better of all who live here and love the land, and let him see the good or bad in the individual, not the race as the whole.
Caroline Viola
Kailua
State must test now for depleted uranium
It's the same old story, on roads, health care, education, public safety, parks, and the list goes on. We send our money to Honolulu, but we don't get much of anything back. We neighbor islands are treated like poor relations.
I am especially upset about the non-funding of House Bill 1452, that initially started out to test all suspected depleted uranium sites in Hawaii. The bill was stripped down to just one site on Oahu, then sailed through several committees only to be de-funded in the middle of the night. We are getting the short end of the stick in many areas where our safety may be in jeopardy.
The bill to test all sites and personnel for DU is crucial to our well being, more important than anything, since some contamination has already been discovered. HB 1452 cannot wait until next year, and I urge everyone to call or e-mail all representatives, to hold a special session and fund this bill!
Shannon Rudolph
Holualoa, Hawaii