Advertisement - Click to support our sponsors.

There was no previous opposition to statue

I have been following with keen interest the controversy about Kazu Fukuda's statue to be erected at James Campbell High School.

I was a member of the faculty during the inception and presentation of the statue to the school and community. I clearly remember when Fukuda gave a presentation of his vision on Open School night, and he was well received.

No one stood up and said that they were appalled or that the bare-breasted statue was indecent. As a matter of fact, the presentation was greeted with applause and approval.

We mere mortals have a right to our views and perceptions, but most of us are not artists, who through visions and interpretations enlighten the rest of the world. Their gift is our legacy.

Hawaii's myths and folklore are deep and pure, enabling people to feel a proud sense of who they are and where they have come from. Our children hold much respect for their culture, whether they show it or not.

Campbell High School has a lot going for it. There is a spirit that prevails in spite of unrest, the daily turmoil that teens feel no matter where they are. They know that there are positive role models who stand up for what they believe.

It is, in the truest sense, what will feed these children's souls and minds. Believe in the aloha spirit, as it is our very foundation.

Andrea Distenfeld
Waipahu

Quotables "These are our tax dollars. It will be too bad if we have to stop these tours." Karen Knudsen MEMBER OF THE STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION Who believes the practice of civilians going on military flights and exercises helps foster an understanding of expectations placed on the nation's armed forces "He's created jobs and opportunities for people to get ahead in this state. He should be praised instead of deported." Roy Yamaguchi HAWAII CHEF AND RESTAURATEUR Upset by the possibility that island restaurant owner Chai Chaowasaree may be deported to his native Thailand because of immigration problems

Republicans are acting shamelessly in session

Linda Lingle, chairwoman of the Hawaii GOP, is at it again. She was actually seen in the House Republican caucus room right before the ugliest and least productive floor session in decades. Is this her idea of open government?

Members of the House GOP interrupted Speaker Calvin Say more than three dozen times, even though everyone knows Say is the most fair and accommodating man to hold that seat in a generation.

They deliberately did this until 2:30 in the morning, when he was too exhausted from six and a half hours of interruptions and attacks to conduct business efficiently.

It was a disgusting display of machismo and partisanship; it was pure, high-contact politics.

The Republicans have brought Washington-style politics to Hawaii. Brace yourselves, because the dogs are loose.

Alexander Denniston

Hawaii GOP is abusing its newfound power

As a hiker, I am glad to see the state House moving legislation to improve conditions at our public parks. But I just learned that the Republicans are filibustering and legislative deadlines might not be met.

I don't care what the dispute is. It sounds like inside politics to me. How shameful to let a political power play by the minority interfere with one of the first positive environmental actions I've seen in a while from the state.

Republicans, I was happy to see that you have larger numbers this session, but perhaps you are losing sight of what matters the most.

Yukiko Fujikami
Kailua

Yonamine doesn't deserve public support

Although I do not always agree with her, I do agree with and support Diane Chang's Saturday column on the DUI arrest of state Rep. Nobu Yonamine. There is no question that any elected official arrested for driving under the influence should resign his position.

It appears that Yonamine's early announcement to resign was calculated to obtain sympathy. His friends are wrong to support someone who drives under the influence with a potential of causing harm to people and property.

Yonamine says that he doesn't have a drinking problem; obviously, he must have a bigger problem, especially since this is his second offense. I wonder how many times he has driven under the influence of alcohol without getting caught?

Weak excuses, such as that he has served well in the past, do not excuse DUI no matter how great his past service has been. He put the lives of people in jeopardy.

We should not tolerate DUI offenses by any drivers, especially in a position of public trust or influence.

Howard S. Okada

Defending freedom is not quiet proposition

In her Feb. 16 letter, Robin Makapagal wrote that the Kaneohe Marine Corps Base must do something about the noise from jets because it rattles her windows and sometimes makes it hard for her to think.

May I remind the writer that, before entering the gates of many military installations throughout the nation, you pass a sign that puts everything into perspective when it comes to the military. The sign reads, "Pardon the noise. It's the sound of freedom."

Steve Kakaio Jr.
Kaneohe

Politicians should work in teachers' conditions

I am not a teacher. I am a much-concerned grandmother.

Education is always a big election-year issue for politicians like Governor Cayetano. Years of neglect and unaccountability by these politicians and the gullibility of voters have led to the deterioration of our schools.

Teachers should not be penalized for the lack of books and computer equipment or the physical deterioration of buildings at our schools. In fact, they are on the front lines coping with these problems daily.

It should be mandatory that our politicians work under the same conditions as our teachers and children in the many schools on our "most in need" list. Oversimplified? Perhaps. Angry and frustrated? Darn right!

Jean Yamada

Long-term care help is needed in Hawaii

My wife and I are senior citizens who care for our parents using family resources. The cost is too much for working adult children.

I need a program to help me live at home in my neighborhood as I get older and need assistance. Three years ago, I applied for long-term care insurance from a mainland company that has a working relationship with HMSA but I was refused due to a pre-existing medical condition.

We need a long-term care insurance program for Hawaii residents.

George Lee

---

Write a
Letter to the Editor

Want to write a letter to the editor?
Let all Star-Bulletin readers know what you think.
Please keep your letter to about 200 words.
You can send it by e-mail to letters@starbulletin.com
or you can fill in the online form for a faster response.
Or print it and mail it to: Letters to the Editor, P.O. Box 3080,
Honolulu, Hawaii 96802. Or fax it to: 523-8509.
Always be sure to include your daytime phone number.