Don't let controversy destroy our aloha
As the controversy about the Superferry continues it is becoming obvious that the biggest loss that we might suffer is our ability to live with aloha. It is what makes these islands and the people who call them home different from any place in the world. Living with aloha does not mean we will always agree with each other, but it does mean that we have respect for each other.
I was on board the first voyage of the Superferry to Kahului Maui on Aug. 26, and I saw the people of Hawaii enjoying an opportunity to be connected with friends and family in a new way. My stay on Maui could not have been better, and the beauty of the island was magnificent. I look forward to a time when I can enjoy the beauty of the islands and the people of Kauai and Hawaii in the same way.
That having been said, I would give it all up if it meant that we would lose the aloha that makes us who we are and Hawaii the special place that it is. I don't want to see these problems destroy the true beauty of Hawaii, its people. Over the years we have dealt with many issues and we have for the most part remained united as ohana with respect for each other and this place we call home.
Don McGough
Pearl City
People move to Hawaii, then start protesting
Back in the 1970s the "Seaflight" traversed this island chain without any problems, and they had an entire fleet of hydrofoils. Today we have one Superferry. What is the problem?
The problem is, we have a bunch of fools moving over here and pushing their weight around. I don't know about you, but I was looking forward to using the Superferry, and so were a lot of people I know. You guys knew about the Superferry for more than a year, why didn't you protest then? Why wait until it was up and running and screw your fellow residents of this state in the process? Come on, people of Kauai, and Maui.
These are the same kind of people who protested the H-3, who now use that highway on a regular basis. Come on now, stop the foolishness and hypocrisy.
Gary Forsythe
Waianae
We must never forget the evil behind 9/11
As I was surfing through the channels the other night, I landed upon the movie "Flight 93." It occurred to me that the horror and terror that those passengers must have felt was beyond belief. But even in those moments, they banded together and resolved to take control of a situation that was apparently hopeless. Each of them displayed the determination of past American men and women who helped make this country as great as it is today.
After watching the movie, it dawned on me that the anniversary of Sept. 11 is upon us. I chastised myself for letting the memory of that day lapse and losing sight of the sacrifice of thousands of Americans on that day. America cannot afford to do that. This is the most dangerous and evil threat our country has ever encountered. The men who attacked us, those who supported and still support them are pure evil. The threat is not from our own government. The cowards we are dealing with are not petty thugs who can be imprisoned and rehabilitated. They have one goal: kill Americans, the more the better, without regard for race, religion, political party or celebrity status.
If we are to survive this threat, America and her citizens must remain vigilant, but not act as vigilantes. The war against terrorism must be won and threats to American security destroyed.
Never forget Sept. 11, 2001, and make sure our children and grandchildren don't forget, either.
James Roller
Mililani
Civil rights group should reflect diversity
The staged hysteria concerning the new members to the Hawaii Advisory Committee of the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights is nothing more than an attempt to discredit anyone who might dare to disagree with the Hawaiian separatist establishment. The Star-Bulletin's slander ("
Our opinion," Aug. 22) of committee chairman Michael Lilly because of a limerick 28 years ago spoofing a convicted murderer, who happened to be of Hawaiian ancestry, is beyond the pale.
The mission of the USCCR is to achieve for every citizen equal legal protection under the Constitution regardless of race, color, religion, sex, age, disability or national origin. (See www.usccr.gov/about/mission.htm for a complete mission statement.) The state advisory committees help the USCCR feel the local pulse. The recommendations of previous Hawaii committees reflected only the politics of racial separatism and an agenda to segregate Hawaiians from non-Hawaiians. The newly appointed committee of seven Democrats, seven Republicans and three Independents is a triumph for ALL the people of Hawaii because it is more diverse and more representative of Hawaii's diverse population and viewpoints.
The Hawaii Advisory Committee members should not bow to the bullying tactics of this newspaper or Hawaiian separatist organizations, but rather adhere to the important task before them: ensuring that every citizen has equal protection under the law.
Sandra Puanani Burgess
Honolulu
Gabbard's party isn't the important thing
Democratic or Republican party -- it doesn't matter to the resident of Kapolei. We like Sen. Mike Gabbard, that's why we have him in the job he is in! The parties should be worried about whether or not they really have the citizens' best interests at heart. Out here we support Mike and his staff. He has given good, faithful and sincere service to this district. Thanks, Mike.
Brad Hayes
Kapolei
Appalachian State might be good for WAC
Maybe the Western Athletic Conference should consider Appalachian State football team to be a WAC member when Appalachian State becomes eligible to play in NCAA division IIa. Appalachian State just beat the fifth-ranked Michigan team and the last two years they have been the Division Iaa champs. Furthermore, they played Auburn two or three years ago and lost at Auburn by only 7 points.
Given that the WAC is really hurting on good quality football teams (except for Hawaii, Boise and Fresno), the WAC is also hurting because PAC 10, SEC, Big 10 and 12, ACC and others are scared to play Hawaii, Boise or Fresno. So by increasing the WAC division by one "up and coming" team like Appalachian State it would greatly help reduce the amount of teams we have to beg to play us to fill our schedule. Hopefully we can be like the other conferences where they have enough quality teams so they only have to look for one or two teams to play outside of their conference to fill their schedule.
Hurry up, WAC, before someone else snatches up Appalachian State.
Jeffrey Ung
Honolulu