Racial ignorance is common on mainland

As I read the May 22 article in the Star-Bulletin's online edition regarding the "honest mistake" inflicted upon Governor Cayetano by an ill-advised Las Vegas hotel clerk, I felt my blood rising. Honest mistakes seem to be an epidemic on the mainland, where I have relocated from Hawaii. Well before the Sept. 11 tragedy, the demand to see my passport and green card by certain individuals was and still is unnerving. (I have never seen a green card. Is it truly green?)

I live in an upscale coastal resort town and drive a foreign luxury car, yet I am often queried about my housecleaning charges. I am not a maid. When I pay with currency of high denomination it is closely inspected, yet I never see clerks examining Caucasian customers' money.

I find that people here are more racially ignorant than racist. There is a fine line between the two, but, often and sadly, they go hand in hand.

The ugly experiences of Governor Cayetano and Sam Choy and his family were inexcusable. In my past years in the hotel business, I never once witnessed such a gross error by the staff. I am glad the trade show was a success, but I agree with Choy: Find another resort.

Kealoha Cable
La Jolla, Calif.

Six-story building will ruin peace and quiet

I cannot fathom how a 24-hour double-decker box store with a six-story parking structure for 1,500 cars -- for starters -- just a wedge shot away from Hawaii's largest shopping mall is going to "rev up" our economy, as your recent editorial suggested. Might it not more likely destroy the local businesses in the vicinity?

Certainly it will destroy peace and quiet in what is essentially a residential neighborhood. There are 22 high-rise condominiums, several of them retirement homes, clustered on the Diamond Head side of the proposed site, and mostly single-family homes on the other.

Won't we all have fun with lights blazing 24 hours a day, cars coming and going and doors slamming, not to mention 18-wheelers restocking the place, mostly in the wee hours?

As for traffic, come Christmas shopping time we will give new meaning to the term "gridlock." How about "total seizure?"

How good for businesses, old and new, can that be?

Jim Becker

Maui priest provided humor and wisdom

Nine years ago, at a lovely ceremony in Hawaii Kai, we were married by Father Joseph Bukoski III ("Maui priest removed from duty," Star-Bulletin, May 21). His humor, loving advice and wisdom were a paramount part of that day and the many that have followed. Until we die, we will love and support our dear friend, Father Joe.

Kevin and Sally Takekawa
Rockport, Mass.

(Editor's note: The Rev. Joseph Bukoski of Lahaina was placed on administrative leave by the Roman Catholic Church's Honolulu diocese, after being accused of sexually abusing a minor more than 20 years ago.)

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