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Editorial unfairly targeted museum

Your June 9 editorial ("Federal concern on Hawaiian artifacts") misstated important facts, and left out others.

First, nowhere in the letter from the National Parks Services' Katherine Stevenson is there a demand that the museum "explain the holdup in resolving the dispute." Her letter was a response to a letter that had been sent by Bishop Museum President Donald Duckworth.

Second, your questioning the museum's credibility is based on an incorrect presumption. Never has anyone associated with Bishop Museum stated that the law prevented the museum from releasing information on this issue.

In written statements and at the press conference held in April, Dr. Duckworth specifically noted that the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act allows for an agreement of confidentiality when the parties involved deem it necessary. In 1994, when the four original claimant groups began repatriation discussions, they agreed together that all discussions and actions should be held confidential, and asked Bishop Museum to agree as well. The fact that the museum honored the word it had given for as long as it did speaks in favor of its credibility.

Third, your editorial incorrectly states that the museum's loan recall will occur only if the claimants do not "reach agreement on the handling of the artifacts by July 1." You are confusing the loan recall with repatriation and disposition. The museum announced that it will require return of the loaned items on July 1. The only action that could stop the recall is if there is consensus by the claimants that they do not want the loan recalled. Whether or not the loan is recalled, the repatriation and final disposition processes will continue.

Fourth, it would be irresponsible of the museum to provide a full description of the "circumstances" surrounding the location and security of these items. Such a public record could indeed threaten their security. The board of directors was given a full report on the security measures in place at the interim storage location, and we are satisfied that the artifacts are safe from damage as well as theft.

Finally, your editorial ignores other steps that have been taken to correct this situation, which were outlined in Dr. Duckworth's letter to Stevenson. The museum formed an internal task force to review NAGPRA-related collections management policy.

The task force's recommendations have been given to the board's Collections Committee, and to the four claimant groups, for review and comment. Final decision on policy revisions is expected to be made by the board at its June meeting.

Bert A. Kobayashi
Chairman
Board of Directors
Bishop Museum

Census goofs result in uncounted families

"Census complete"? No way! I mailed in my short form right after I received it. Weeks later I got a visit from a census worker who stated: "We nevah got it" and wanted to do an oral interview. No! "Mail me another form and I will mail in the information," I responded.

The worker told me, "No can do. The system is not set up to work that way." I have not seen the census worker again, and I have not received a second form.

So the state will never know that my family of four, with two school-aged children, officially exists.

What a great country we live in! Sad! The census worker told me that my story is not unique or unusual. It's time for your newspaper to do a survey on the census rather that just reporting what the feds want you to report.

Hugh Dickson

Quotables "Our 6-year-old son has been cheated out of all the many things that his dad was looking forward to teaching him." Lorna Kanehira WIFE OF FORD KANEHIRA, ONE OF THE VICTIMS IN THE XEROX MURDERS Commenting on the future for her family after a jury found Byran Uyesugi guilty of killing her husband and six co-workers "Please accept my prayers for the anger, grief and sorrow this has caused you and your families." Hiroyuki Uyesugi FATHER OF BYRAN UYESUGI, FOUND GUILTY IN THE XEROX SLAYINGS In a letter of apology to the families and friends of the victims

Officials undermine disabilities law

Gov. Ben Cayetano and Attorney General Earl Anzai have tied for the "How Low Can You Go Limbo Award" by their participation and culpability in dismantling the Americans with Disabilities Act.

As a parent of a child with a disability, a sibling of a child whose disability caused her early demise, and a granddaughter who watched her mother care for her infirm parents, I am appalled, embarrassed and amazed that Hawaii officials would consciously decide to facilitate the destruction of basic civil rights for disabled citizens.

You would think that after all these years of federal involvement this administration would have a clue and realize the state has a moral obligation to protect the civil rights for all.

I challenge our elected officials to spend the day going about their business in either a wheelchair or with blinders on (Oh wait, they do the blinders bit already) to see how important the ADA is to everyone and to our future.

Leolinda Parlin

Immersion schools are not adequate

Hawaiian immersion schools are a waste of funds, time and resources and are crippling another generation of Hawaiians. Children should be learning what will prepare them for the future, not service work or welfare. Every job requires the reading and writing of English. I feel this should be mastered first, so our kids can get good jobs and can afford to buy houses and support their families.

Learning Hawaiian is like learning hieroglyphics. Except for a very select few, this is not a business requirement. Hawaiian language should be offered as an elective just like Spanish, French, Japanese, etc.

Henry Pundyke
Kaneohe

Democrats support redistribution of wealth

Richard Y. Will in a recent letter titled "True Democrats support the people" made a very interesting comment. He stated that "A Democrat promotes...fair distribution of wealth."

I wish Mr. Will would define "fair distribution of wealth." If he means fair distribution according to what a person is able and willing to earn, that is the definition of capitalism. But if he means fair distribution espoused by the infamous quote of Karl Marx, "From each according to his abilities, to each according to his needs," that is the definition of socialism.

I suspect that he is leaning towards the latter since we already have so many government programs introduced and supported by Democrats in which redistribution of wealth by the government is their sole purpose.

In any event, to just make a statement "fair distribution of wealth" without defining the terms of "fair" is nonsensical and just politically correct rhetoric.

R.D. Greenamyer
Mililani

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