Koreans aren't given
respect they deserve

How curious that the abduction of Koreans to Japan during the occupation should be described as "conscription." It is no wonder Koreans living in Japan still bear with indecision their political loyalties, the education of their children and even their friendly associations.

After no less than being selected and kidnapped for their tall physiques and aquiline features that many Asians found so attractive, these Koreans and their descendants continue to be denied naturalization by one of the most ostentatious societies in the world.

Oh, speaking of subjects obnoxious, what makes Americans believe that the 442nd, 100th Infantry was a solely Japanese organization? Perhaps systematically omitting Koreans is a way of life.

Check any resource book at the Bishop Museum for a roster of this group and you will find the name of my father, who retired from the Army, Lt. John Y. Ko, a full-blooded Korean.

Sorry to have to taint so many memories armed only with historical fact, but it's high time this man was acknowledged. Don't tread on me.

Maureen B. Ko

Use surplus to enhance
the visitor experience

Here's a suggestion about what do to with the surplus landing fees that Governor Cayetano gave to the airlines in a windfall giveaway: In New Zealand, the airport luggage carts are free, signaling a clear welcome to the arriving tourist.

Compare this with Honolulu's $1.50 charge, which is the first of many ways that we tell visitors all we care about is their money.

Outside of the airport, the visitor to New Zealand find signs of welcome and aloha, such as an adequate number of clean bathrooms in the parks and around the scenic tourist destination points, places where there are no admission charges!

Why don't we spend $30 million on our own public recreation facilities, enhancing our islands' beauty and, as good hosts should, provide our visitors with services that show we care about their experience?

This would go a lot further toward bringing people back, as well as having them tell their friends positive things about their Hawaii experience, than giving $30 million to HVCB ever will.

John Proud

Liquor commissioners
are very fair and 'proper'

City Councilman Mirikitani undoubtedly feels a strong obligation to represent his constituents and, therefore, has continued to push the reversal of the Honolulu Liquor Commission's decision on the Nauru Tower Havana Club case.

However, to accuse Chairman Orlando Soriano and Commissioner Chu Lan Kwock of improper contact with the applicant misses the boat.

First, commissioners need to know more about a particular premises than what they can read in an investigator's report. This is especially true in controversial cases.

Therefore, there are times when they need to go out and look for themselves, and even converse with applicants on the scene.

Second, it appears that the "ex parte contact rule" was not intended to preclude such essential visits and contacts by commissioners, but to preclude ex parte communications by attorneys, consultants and applicants.

The present commission votes with integrity and unusual fairness, and is not deserving of the castigating remarks put forth by Mirikitani.

Eugene T. Carson
(Via the Internet)

Editor's note: Eugene T. Carson is former
administrator of the Liquor Commission.

Current situation is
best reason for an elected AG

Last November, voters approved holding a constitutional convention. The state -- namely, Attorney General Margery Bronster and Chief Elections Officer Dwayne Yoshina -- ruled at the time that the measure had passed and that a Con Con would be held.

In response to Gary Rodrigues' and his cronies' lawsuit in opposition to a Con Con, the Supreme Court finessed the English language and ignored hundreds of years of electoral history to rule that blank votes should be counted as no votes.

Did the state see fit to appeal the court's decision on behalf of Hawaii's people?

Oh, no -- the AG meekly accepted it. Worse, when federal Judge David Ezra ruled in July that the flawed election had violated people's constitutional rights and that a new election would have to held, the attorney general and state leaders arrogantly defended the state Supreme Court's jurisdiction and decision!

They claimed that a special election costing $2 million would be too expensive. What about the taxpayer-funded Bishop Estate probe? Isn't that costing tax dollars? Isn't our fundamental right to vote important enough to warrant the expense? Not according to the attorney general.

When a Con Con is finally held, and eventually it will be, we should consider an amendment calling for an elected attorney general. At least an elected attorney general will act in the best interests of the people, not in the best interests of the governor.

Whitney T. Anderson
Senate Minority Leader
25th District (Kailua-Waimanalo)

Saturday, September 27, 1997

Students have nothing
to be embarrassed about

In response to the Sept. 15 letter submitted by Justin Clemente, how sad it is that because of the controversy concerning KS/BE, those who attend Kamehameha Schools feel guilty by association.

With all of this negativity, who is telling the students that they are NOT to blame for what's happening around them?

I frequently visit the Kamehameha campus and am always impressed with the respectfulness and well-mannered nature of the students. They are the legacy of Princess Pauahi's will - not the buildings, the money or the estate. Just the students.

Ed Josiah
Kapolei
(Via the Internet)

Charitable trustees must
have charitable hearts

To put things in perspective, we need to point out that the problems concerning Bishop Estate are similar to the scandal that rocked the national United Way. As you recall, this charitable agency was scandalized when the super-high salary of its CEO was exposed.

Although aggressive, profit-minded individuals may be acceptable or admirable in many business and investment organizations, a charitable trust needs leaders with charitable hearts. Their motivation, goals, rewards and personal achievements must be consistent with the goals of the benefactors. The leaders must put the children first - not themselves.

In these times, Bishop Estate should be doing more to fulfill its trust responsibilities in providing for the basic educational requirements, as required by the will, for as many children as possible within Hawaii.

Ilean Overton

Trustee Jervis can do
one more thing for public

Bishop Estate trustee Gerard Jervis has abandoned his sinking clique by publicly revealing his four years of failures. Now he should resign over his conflict of interest in accepting the trusteeship from the state Supreme Court which he helped to choose.

Jerome G. Manis

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Bishop Estate Archive

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