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New trustees must be politically untainted

The recent announcement that a selection committee appointed by the courts has whittled down approximately 200-plus applicants for Bishop Estate trusteeships to 15 finalists represents the final stage of the Hawaiian community's efforts to make Kamehameha Schools whole.

It is crucial that the selection process be clean of any political influence. Therefore, it is incumbent upon the selection committee to understand that any candidate who has had a past position with the "old boy Democratic network," whether directly or indirectly, should be considered a new attempt to influence and control the Bishop Estate by the politically powerful of this state.

The appointments of new trustees must be free of any suspicion that the selection process is once again politically tainted. The beneficiaries demand no less.

Rod Ferreira
Kamehameha Schools, Class of 1952
Kamuela, Hawaii

Don't get complacent with demise of Daniel

Hurricane Daniel may have headed away from us, but there are other storms out there. The hurricane season is June through November, so it's only one-third over!

Earthquakes, firestorms, tsuna-mis and acts of terrorism or war can strike at any time of year. Thus, we should always be prepared to be self-sufficient for at least three days (food, water, medication, sanitary needs, etc.).

Don't use all the bottled water you bought to make lemonade. Instead, find a safe place to keep a hurricane/disaster preparedness kit. Stockpile the bottles of water, flashlights and batteries (or better yet, a solar/hand-crank flashlight and radio), canned goods, spare cash and waterproof matches.

When it's time to rotate the stuff -- at the end of November -- only then should you use the bottled water. Just remember to get new ones!

Maria Tome

Quotables "It's easy to be really pretty or really funny, but to put out the emotion in the piece and make it work is hard." Debra T. Yamaki HEAD OF THE FLEDGLING BLUE WATER DANCE COMPANY Financing two performances of "Spirit Dancing" at St. Andrew's Tenney Theatre from her savings and salary as a massage therapist "We were like hostages there at the airport. I don't think the airline can compensate that sort of thing, plus we're walking around like zombies." Connie Comiso HAWAII MARATHON RUNNER One of 290 hapless passengers on American Airlines Flight 39 from San Francisco to Honolulu that was delayed 31 hours

Liberal judiciary is being forced on public

Ben Cayetano appoints Dan Foley to an intermediate court judgeship? I thought the governor was supposed to serve the will of the people.

In case he has forgotten, the will of the people is "no" to homosexual marriage. But it's Cayetano's last term, and I'm sure he's more interested in his own elitist agenda.

After all, what do we, the dunderheaded masses, know? We need culturally sophisticated and progressive thinkers like him to guide us into the New World.

I notice that progressive thinkers like Cayetano are good with snowy words, like his quote regarding Foley: "His stand on legal issues, regardless of whether politically popular or not, speaks volumes of the courage and commitment he will bring to the Intermediate Court of Appeals."

Translation: "Hopefully he'll be able to use judicial power to impose our elitist philosophies upon the people of Hawaii after I'm gone."

You just don't get it, do you, governor? It's not about homophobia or stupidity or a backwoods mentality or conservatism. It's about righteousness. We don't want unrighteous laws governing our land.

Nick Kiefer
Ewa Beach

Friend to gays mustn't be appointed to court

I must thank Elynore Hambleton for speaking the truth (Letters, Aug. 1). The governor couldn't get the people or the Legislature to get it done so, to placate the gay and lesbian community, he appoints the enemy to the court.

Hasn't the Democratic Party hurt Hawaii enough?

F.A. McCafferty

More than Hawaiians support sovereignty

I attended last Sunday's Ka La Ho'iho'i Ea (Restoration Day) at Thomas Square. This annual event commemorates the restoration of the Hawaiian kingdom by the British in 1843. The event was organized by advocates of independence, and its observance is a part of the movement for Hawaiian sovereignty.

Throughout the afternoon, I noticed that about half of the participants and those in attendance were not of Hawaiian ancestry. I saw many local Japanese, Chinese, Caucasian and others of various ethnic backgrounds.

Yet a "group of 13" residents led by Thurston Twigg-Smith, William Burgess and Kenneth Conklin assert that the Hawaiian movement is about "Hawaiian" or "ethnic supremacy."

If this had been a Ku Klux Klan gathering, not many African Americans or "people of color" would have been there. So if the Hawaiian movement is "supremacist," why were half of those in attendance non-Hawaiians?

The "group of 13," not unlike the all-white male "Committee of Safety" formed to thwart the queen in 1893, continues to use race to secure their privilege, power and paradise under the guise of "equal rights."

Tony Castanha

Marijuana law is conservative, not liberal

C.T. Marshall's July 31 letter characterizing Hawaii's medical marijuana law as an example of "liberal thinking" is just plain ignorant. This excellent law supports the conservative principle that a medical doctor is more qualified to make important health decisions on behalf of a patient than a bunch of politicians and government bureaucrats.

Patrick Kloor

Shuttle employees saved lost camera

My companion and I arrived at Honolulu Airport on July 8 and found many options for transportation to our hotel in Waikiki. We opted to use a shuttle service.

In our excitement to get our bags and check into the hotel, I left my JVC video camera in the shuttle's overhead compartment. I didn't realize it was missing until sometime later, after business hours.

When I called the shuttle service the next day, to my surprise and delight, they had the camera and delivered it to my hotel.

Also, I must mention how very helpful all the bus and trolley drivers were, and how easy it was to see your beautiful island while using public transportation.

Hawaii was the last of the 50 states I have visited and was the icing on the cake! Thank you.

Rona Levine
Deerfield Beach, Fla.

What's the hold-up with bay improvements?

Let's get this Hanauma Bay facility moving! It's been a year since the Hanauma Bay Task Force, on which I served, submitted our recommendations to the mayor for a vastly improved plan for new bay facilities.

What's the hang-up? We see parallels with the Kapiolani Bandstand project. A few dissidents get media coverage seeking delays, and the same ones continuously write letters (not always accurate) to the editor.

Some people think there's a controversy, but the bandstand opened on Independence Day and the public embraced it, thrilled with its historic beauty. We expect the same will happen when improvements are finally completed at Hanauma Bay.

Local kids will visit more, enjoying the high quality exhibit area and learning facilities; they will urge their parents to visit. The existing inadequate buildings will be replaced and the new learning center will be nestled in the natural surroundings, hidden under grass and rock-like facades.

Our island community will be proud of it and enjoy it for years to come. So let's get moving. It's long overdue.

Bob Stengle

Statements were insulting to gay community

The members of our task force are saddened to hear that part of the reason for the change in the University of Hawaii logo was the association of the rainbow with the gay community.

UH Athletic Director Hugh Yoshida told KGMB: "That logo really put a stigma on our program at times in regards to it's part of the gay community, their flags and so forth. Some of the student athletes had some feelings in regards to that."

It was also reported that, during the logo's unveiling ceremony, Charlie Wade, assistant women's volleyball coach, joked that he had been propositioned by a man because of the logo.

These remarks are offensive to many individuals and contribute to a hostile and exclusionary climate, even as we work to establish the university as a symbol of acceptance and respect for diversity in all its forms.

The real stigma is the one placed upon UH by such remarks, especially by Yoshida, one of its most visible and respected administrators.

Karl Minke
Associate Professor, University of Hawaii Manoa
representative, UH Task Force on Sexual Orientation

Good and bad about change in UH nickname

I like the new identity system for the University of Hawaii and am glad it will be implemented. The new system will enable UH teams to be consistent in colors and identifying marks, which wasn't the case before.

Every year it seemed like fans were introduced to new styles of uniforms and new combinations of colors -- from the aloha-print shorts of men's volleyball players to the orange jerseys of the baseball players.

As for the reasons stated by the UH department for changing the logo, whatever. If there were other college teams or professional teams with the name Rainbows, I could see the point of changing it. I find it hard to believe, though, that Jesse Jackson's Rainbow Coalition would be mixed up with UH scores on ESPN.

I will miss the old logo and name for sentimental reasons. I have many good memories of hearing the crowd scream, "Here we go, Rainbows, here we go!" and sportscaster Jim Leahey saying emphatically, "The Bows stand at the precipice."

The Rainbows, both in name and mystique, is forever a part of the collective memory of local culture.

David G. Kim
New York City

Faulty radio system affects HPD morale

In his July 27 letter, Steven Burke expressed concern for the Honolulu Police Department's new communications system and its effect on the safety of officers.

I was with HPD in 1997 when the new radios were put into operation. We were assured that funding had been set aside so the system could be upgraded.

As field officers began to experience numerous problems, we were told the governor would not release the funds for the upgrade. Without the upgrade, the system posed a major safety issue.

The lack of concern for officer safety is one of the reasons many of Honolulu's finest have left for the Pacific Northwest, and many more are making inquiries.

The welfare of police officers must be given a high priority to assure quality police service and to maintain morale.

Rome Esmeralda
Mountlake Terrace, Wash.

Discipline is lacking in public school system

Your July 28 issue contained a brief story about a 13-year-old boy who allegedly attacked his teacher at Highlands Intermediate School. The reported reason for the attack was that the boy had been asked to turn down his radio.

Anyone who doubts the perilous state of our public schools need look no further than this incident.

All the money in the world, all the emphasis on standards, smaller class size, community-based management, sensitivity training or whatever the solution of the day will have minimal effect unless discipline is restored to the classroom.

The state Board of Education can start by not allowing students to bring radios to school in the first place. It's no wonder most people who have a choice send their children to private schools.

Richard Griffin
Kaneohe

Campaign 2000
is under way

Russ Francis knows what the people want

It was with great pleasure that I learned Russ Francis is running for Congress in the 2nd Congressional District. His positions on education, small business development, the environment and family values are in keeping with the spirit of the new millennium and of the voters.

We must approach the serious problems of this state and its future with a determination to correct the abuses committed by one party and its representatives over the past 40 years.

I have heard Francis speak to large, enthusiastic groups. He truly echoes the concerns and thinking of the people of this state.

Doreen Batoon
Kaneohe

Espero is getting preferential treatment

As a resident of a Gentry Homes development in Ewa Beach, I am wondering why -- after many prior election years of allowing political signage in private yards -- the Gentry Community Association has decided to suddenly enforce the covenants and restrictions, and to remove all political signs from homeowners' property.

The only difference from prior years is that this time the association has an employee, Willie Espero, who is in the fight of his life for election to the state House.

It is an odd coincidence that, only three days after I pointed out to Espero that I had his rival's sign in my yard, I received notice from the association that I would be fined $100 if I didn't take it down within 24 hours.

It seems unethical for the association, several of whom are on Espero's campaign committee, to take sides with one of its employees just because he is running for political office. It appears as if they want to give him an advantage at the expense of a homeowner's freedom of speech.

Espero, rather than seeking to quash individual freedom, should conduct a good campaign and try to prove to voters why he should be elected. The people at the Gentry Community Association should be ashamed of themselves.

Cliff Mercado
Ewa Beach

There's a great alternative to Kanno

With all the talk and letters about Sen. Brian Kanno, no one has mentioned that a superb replacement has stepped forward and entered the race. Hank Makini, an optometrist with an office in Kapolei, is campaigning hard to become a senator from the 20th District.

Makini is running for all the right reasons. He wants to return the power of the Legislature to the people of the district and to bring much-needed improvements to our schools and transportation infrastructure.

Makini owes no allegiance to special interest unions and won't ask them how he should vote like Kanno did when he asked Russell Okata of the Hawaii Government Employees Association how to vote on former Attorney General Margery Bronster's reconfirmation.

Finally, a great candidate with our interests at heart, whom we can all get behind and elect!

Laurie Von Hamm
Ewa Beach

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