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Board is protecting
Unity House assets

I have long held the Star-Bulletin editorial pages in high regard. But three recent editorials regarding Unity House seem to have been written either in ignorance of all the facts or with prejudice. Thursday's editorial regarding the ouster of four members of Unity House by its board is an example.

They were not expelled on "trumped-up charges" but because they held a meeting on July 8 at which they took minutes detailing how they would go about obtaining and dividing the assets of Unity House. It was only after Unity House officials obtained a copy of those minutes and saw the initial steps of a takeover plan in motion that they acted to expel.

Moreover, expulsion of those four people does not deny "union members of their designated representatives in managing Unity House's affairs," as the editorial claimed. Only one of those four was on the Unity House Board.

The other three were regular members. The Unity House board is still, in fact, composed of other people who are involved with both Local 5 and the Teamsters union.

The only question regarding this expulsion should be: Does the Unity House board have a right to keep the nonprofit's assets, estimated at $50 million, away from the two labor unions? The answer: Absolutely.

Neither Local 5 nor Teamsters 996 are members of Unity House. They have no right to the assets. It's true the majority of Unity House beneficiaries are past or present members of those two unions, but not all Local 5 or Teamsters 996 members are Unity House members.

Also, many people from outside those two labor unions are Unity House beneficiaries. Anyone deemed to be a "friend of labor" is eligible for membership at a one-time cost of $10. Grants have been given by the Unity House Board to individuals, other labor unions and organizations that are distinct from either Local 5 or the Teamsters.

Art Rutledge understood the politics of labor in-fighting and how things could change with new administrations. That's why he created Unity House as a separate entity from the two labor unions, to exist on its merits, with its own administration and managing its internal affairs.

And it does this very well -- through scholarships, a retiree center, child-care assistance and other programs that benefit hundreds of local families each year.

Jim Boersema
Spokesman
Unity House Board of Directors

Hawaiians must accept court decisions

There have been two significant court decisions involving the Office of Hawaiian Affairs.

First, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that it is unconstitutional to bar non-Hawaiians from voting in OHA elections. Second, U.S. District Judge Helen Gillmor ruled that non-Hawaiians can run in OHA elections.

Some Hawaiian activists have been frustrated and extremely disappointed with these decisions. But they should accept them as in the best interests of Hawaiians and non-Hawaiians. Cease the dispute on racial grounds.

Move into the new millennium and focus on the qualifications and goals of OHA candidates

How Tim Chang

Quotables "When I came home and found out what my dad and Tita had decided, I cried and cried. (But) playing for Coach Tita has been great --almost like being one of the Wahine." Nia Tuitele STANDOUT VOLLEYBALL PLAYER FOR HAWAII PACIFIC UNIVERSITY Describing her initial disappointment at not being able to go to the mainland for college but current joy in playing for the HPU women's team, coached by former University of Hawaii Wahine Tita Ahuna "I go out to eat. At some point in the meal, the person waiting on our table simply says, 'I work for you; I'm a teacher.' It makes you cry." Paul LeMahieu STATE SCHOOLS SUPERINTENDENT On how Hawaii public school teachers need a pay raise

Job inducements aren't same for Pearl workers

In his Sept. 30 letter, Raymond Heath wrote that mainland recruiting is not discriminatory as long as "local workers have as fair a shot as anyone."

However, for one of the two management positions for which the "gene pool" issue was raised, an identical position was open at a mainland naval shipyard.

While the announcement limited the area of consideration to the immediate vicinity of the mainland shipyard without offering any incentives, the announcement for the same position at Pearl was nationwide and included possible relocation expenses, including real estate expenses and a possible recruitment bonus.

What may appear as whining and blathering often is not when the rest of the story comes to light.

If the Navy were really interested in eliminating the perception of discrimination against personnel from Hawaii, then current and future announcements for all managerial jobs at all Navy shipyards would be nationwide and would include the same incentives as offered mainland recruits who accept similar positions at Pearl.

John Priolo
Director
Federal Managers Association
Chapter 19
Pearl Harbor Shipyard/Area

Fish thieves teach hard lesson to students

I am appalled that, for the fourth time, a Kaimuki High School project has been ruined by selfish thieves.

These kids put their hearts, souls and hard work into this project to learn about how to grow fish and wanted to earn money to help the school. Unfortunately, they've learned another lesson: Thieves don't care about education or how hard others work. They take what they want.

I've contributed a small amount to the students to help pay for a few pounds of their fish. I hope others will send in checks to Kaimuki High's Aqua Science Program to make up for the $300-400 in sales that were lost.

Pam Lee Smith
Ewa Beach

Thai drivers don't succumb to road rage

Road rage does not exist in wild, chaotic Bangkok, Thailand, even in the crazy mix of motorbikes, tuk-tuks (three-wheel taxis), buses, trucks and cars crowding five abreast on three-lane streets. Somehow, everybody gets to his destination without road rage.

How is this possible? I venture to say it is because Thais are Buddhist, and manage to control their anger on the roadways. Compassionate consensus?

Martin Halsey Grubb
Pearl City

Dems turned people into helpless victims

The United States is the greatest, most powerful nation. Unfortunately, it is host to a multitude of so many victims of every size and shape. And isn't it strange that most of these victims champion the Democratic Party?

Our nation became great because of those who had self-determination, who provided for themselves and their families. We will become a weak nation if the ethics of self-worth and individual greatness are lost.

John Geng
Kaunakakai, Molokai

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