Flea market owner is being persecuted

The stadium authority is being punitive in its actions against Edward Medeiros. When I learned that his office was searched for a list of his vendors, I was stunned that something like that could occur.

State department heads should have ethics training requirements and be held responsible when they overstep their bounds.

Evelyn Pacheco
Hilo, Hawaii
Via the Internet

Sailors would rather keep their bell bottoms

Regarding the story "Navy getting new look as bell bottoms are phased out," Star-Bulletin, Aug. 30: I was in the military and stationed in Hawaii in the '70s. The Navy work uniforms were forced on us then. They were not practical nor were they comfortable.

We were not forced to get rid of our bells then, and you see which pants won out. Leave it alone.

Peter Cady
St. Augustine, Fla.
Via the Internet

Big Isle sheep hunt is necessary to save bird

MoonStar Rae's Aug. 18 letter condemns the hunt to remove sheep from Mauna Kea. Without the hunt, however, the palila may go extinct. With the hunt, the sheep as a species will survive.

The federal Endangered Species Act requires the state Department of Land and Natural Resources to remove sheep from an area on Mauna Kea designated as the palila's critical habitat. The sheep threaten the palila by grazing on shoots of the mamane tree, the bird's unique source of food, and other resources.

It is unfortunate that any eradication is necessary, but it is reality. Without the hunt, the little boy and girl Rae refers to in her letter may ask, "Where have all the birds gone?" Unless we are prepared to sign the death certificate for the palila, eradication of the sheep must continue.

Jeffrey Mikulina
Director
Sierra Club, Hawaii Chapter
Via the Internet

Lani Kai was a compassionate artist

It was with shock and a wave of nostalgia that I learned of actor/songwriter Lani Kai's death.

I had the privilege of meeting him in 1967 while I was on tour as a "child singer" with Don Ho and the Aliis in California. During that tour to the Carousel and Melodyland theaters, I contracted a bad case of the Asian flu and was confined to my parents' hotel room.

All of the folks on the Don Ho show's floor kept their doors open, "Hawaiian style," to look after each other. Lani sent over his two poodles, Alii and Darryl, to keep me company.

Lani was a quiet, kindly young man, who knew how miserable a sick child could be with little to occupy her time other than watching TV or trying to do homework; his sympathy and companionable dogs made an unpleasant time pass more quickly.

I will always treasure the memory of hearing the little bell on Darryl's collar jingling as he ran down the hall to come and take a nap on my bed, and the memory of his owner's gentle thoughtfulness to me and my folks. Aloha, Lani.

Mindi Reid
Seattle
Via the Internet

Quotables "This thing smells so bad, they could smell it in Russia." Henry Peters OUSTED BISHOP ESTATE TRUSTEE Criticizing Probate Judge Colleen Hirai's decision to temporarily remove him from his job -- the second such ruling against Peters "If they got me wearing Speedos, I'm going home." Ben Cayetano NOVICE ACTOR (AND GOVERNOR OF HAWAII) Joking about his acting debut on "Baywatch Hawaii"

Clinton is a coward not to support Taiwan

While the Clinton administration puts forth a doomed appeasement policy, the courage of Taiwan President Lee Teng-hui in the face of Communist China sends a lesson: No one stands as strong as when he stands alone.

One wonders if the money that has been funneled to the Democratic Party and President Clinton from China or military espionage has undermined the U.S.

Our nation lacks a sound, pro-democracy policy toward Taiwan. This places millions of people in that country at risk.

Taiwan is a democracy with one of the world's most prosperous economies. President Lee, in his call for a state-to-state relationship with the People's Republic, does not leave the confines of "one China."

However, the intimidation he has faced from China and the public abandonment by the Clinton administration shows both nations' weakness for principled standing.

Harry J. Friel

Internet brings out worst in some people

Recently I participated in an Internet chat room conversation with people from Hawaii. Someone with the term "Japanese" in his screen name came in and began insulting Hawaiians. To my surprise, all the Hawaiians then began insulting the Japanese.

The verbal barbs dripped with hatred and anger. When I attempted to reason with one particularly angry person, she replied, "Why shouldn't I say that (racial insults)? It's the truth."

Hatred like this must be learned. It certainly wasn't picked up from today's politically correct TV, movies or music. The only other outlet I could think of was friends and family.

Is this the legacy we wish to bring into the year 2000? Are these the values we want our children to learn?

Chad Wago
Via the Internet

There's no impropriety on part of Friends

The Friends of the Natatorium would like to respond to a misleading Aug. 25 letter by Juan Rivero, in which he implies impropriety on the part of the Friends.

For more than 13 years, we have worked tirelessly to restore this national historic, architectural and recreational treasure. We are a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization whose membership includes kamaaina, veterans and preservationists.

We have consistently operated in accordance with our mission statement, especially as articulated in item No. 1: "Restoration of a monument dedicated to the people of Hawaii who served our nation in World War I."

Our mission statement does not address operating or maintaining a restored Natatorium. This notion was discussed only AFTER the city made it clear that an outside (non-city) operator would be sought; it approached the Friends.

We would respond to a request for proposals as would any other interested organization.

Ron Yasui
Pearl City
Via the Internet

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