Yoshimura would have disappointed Churchill

It was Winston Churchill who said, "People stumble over truth and get up as if nothing happened." In Jon Yoshimura's case, what we have is a Honolulu City Council chairman who will look you straight in the face (KITV-4 interview) and lie.

Call it Bill Clinton finger-wagging local style. It's too embarrassing even to laugh at!

One can't help but wonder if Churchill's words reflect the condition of our nation generally, and the state of our state specifically. Our vote is the caster oil that cleanses a liar's mouth, and disinfects the stench left by those who believe they are above the law.

Robert Malo
Via the Internet

Don't whittle spending on schools, social ills

I agree with most people that Hawaii needs a smaller, more efficient government. However, what do we cut and eliminate?

Education, public safety and vital social services should remain untouched. Everyone always writes and complains about our "bloated" state government, but they never shed light on where we can eliminate costs.

Smaller government, yes! Eroding public education, drug addiction programs and violence, no!

Ryan Tin Loy
Via the Internet

Pauline didn't receive a fair trial

I am thoroughly disgusted with the result of the Frank Pauline Jr. trial. Politics have once again corrupted Hawaii. Where could Pauline have received a fair and impartial trial with the media blitz that has surrounded this crime? Not in Hawaii, and definitely not on the Big Island!

Although the actual rapist has still not been found, which is proved by the DNA sample, the Big Island police and prosecutor have found someone else to blame. How can anyone be sure the actual perpetrator of this horrible crime has been caught without a DNA match?

Pauline's story included only himself and the Schweitzer brothers, all of whom have been disqualified as matches to the DNA sample obtained from Ireland's hospital bed sheet. Until a DNA match is found, justice will not have been done on the Big Island.

There remains reasonable doubt that Frank Pauline Jr. committed this crime.

Kaipo Simpson
Laie

Race played a role in Ireland killing

Frank Pauline was right. He is a liar.

The prosecutor was right. Pauline was a member of a pack of murderous animals that savaged an innocent child for no reason.

Or was there a reason?

That awful, dark and disquieting element of so many violent crimes in Hawaii, whether it was the tourists who were shot, beaten and raped at Sacred Falls years ago or Dana Ireland ambushed on her bicycle. Race hate.

What everyone must ask themselves and no one wants to speak openly about is whether this would have happened to a dark-haired, dark- skinned girl in Puna.

Does anyone really believe that the witnesses in the criminal trial actually referred to Ireland in such a benign manner as "that pretty lady?"

I doubt it. I have lived here nearly 40 years. It is still our dirty little secret.

Steve Lane
Via the Internet

Dana Ireland Archive

Quotables "Women are too quick to be under the knife because a doctor recommends a hysterectomy. We don't just castrate, do we?" Cynthia Monsour 48-YEAR-OLD KAILUA WOMAN SUFFERING FROM FIBROIDS Who opted for a new medical procedure, uterine fibroid embolization, instead of the usually prescribed hysterectomy to control heavy menstrual bleeding "We gave our Federal Express carrier a dozen (roses) one year, and he gave one to a lady. She asked how much it cost, and when he told her it was free, she started to cry. She told him she had never received flowers before, even from her husband." Howard Nakamoto OWNER OF BERETANIA FLORIST Who will, for the fourth straight year, give away free bunches of roses tomorrow in honor of "Good Neighbor Day" in Hawaii

Dartmouth needed lesson in sensitivity

As a visiting mainlander and Dartmouth alumnus of almost 20 years ago, I'd like to applaud Friday's "View Point" column by six recent graduates of the college.

Dartmouth fraternities have a long history of decorating their drinking with ethnic stereotypes.

Aaron 'Aina Akamu acted courageously in raising the issue of the fake luau, and went the extra mile to meet with its organizers, who in turn responded better than they would have in my day. When this became a campus-wide issue, Akamu did his best to turn it into an occasion for education and reflection.

Difficult issues will arise in any multicultural community. What's important is being able to confront them honestly, and learn from them. This Dartmouth story is thus in many ways hopeful -- this is how a community should deal with problems.

How sad, then, that we get knee-jerk conservative reactions from so many (including the Star-Bulletin's strikingly unfunny cartoonist Corky). One Friday letter-writer sees everyone's nationality as an excuse for a party. Let's hope that a multicultural society means more than all of us getting equally drunk.

Colin Danby
Seattle, Wash.
Via the Internet

Authentic luau would give insight into culture

I laud Aaron Akamu's bravery. It is his responsibility to demonstrate to his fellow classmates at Dartmouth why the luau is a sacred event.

Perhaps his Hawaiian campus group can co-sponsor a formal luau with the Hawaii Visitors and Convention Bureau. This may be a positive step in healing the rift among those students not sensitive to the Hawaiian culture.

Glenn Matsuki
Los Angeles
Via the Internet

Airlines fares are suspiciously similar

I'm glad to see Aloha Airlines expanding its horizons, so to speak (Aug. 19, "Aloha mainland! Airline spreading wings"). Still, if there's any monopoly that either the state or federal government needs to investigate, it's the airline industry.

Just go online to the Internet site, Expedia.com. Judging from the identical fares being offered by different airlines, it is obvious there is no competition.

James Ko
Via the Internet

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