HTA should help fund Sunset on the Beach

Sunset on the Beach is an event enjoyed by locals and visitors alike. It brings local life into Waikiki, hence it is excellent for tourism. The Hawaii Tourism Authority receives about 60 million tax dollars yearly to invigorate tourism. High on HTA's list is the revitalization of Waikiki. It seems reasonable for HTA to underwrite the additional funding to keep this popular and fun event alive. It's a good deal for everyone.

Laure Dillon

Waikiki events offer chance to have fun

Please let Mayor Harris and the City and County of Honolulu know they should keep Sunset on the Beach a weekly event, if not always at Waikiki, then somewhere else on Oahu. The event is a service to kamaainas and visitors alike.

I feel fortunate to come to Honolulu once or twice a year. Last November and this May I participated in the events. It is nice to be part of a fun event, meet nice folks and just have a good time.

Pamela Tempel
Sacramento, Calif.

Church's responsibility to victims ignored

The Hawaii Catholic church's new "zero tolerance" policy concerning sexual abuse applies more to victims than to the priest perpetrators. The Roman Catholic Diocese of Honolulu refuses to investigate sex abuse victims' claims or offer any form of assistance to those traumatized by accused pedophile priests. The church continues to hide behind the statute of limitations and legal definitions of liability.

Despite Bishop DiLorenzo's claims that the church has strict policies and procedures regarding abuse, nothing has changed. The church continues to suppress information and refuses to help victims, even going so far as to countersue one victim's family.

The church's policy of secrecy continues; names of accused pedophile priests still living in Hawaii are withheld. Victims of abuse continue to be victimized, this time by a cold-hearted hierarchy.

The Honolulu Star-Bulletin needs to stop praising the church in its editorials and start petitioning for the release of documents.

Lynne Jensen's story indicates that the Diocese was aware of an alleged pedophile priest 17 years ago and took no action. What else are they hiding?

Holly J. Huber

Film truly portrays Filipino-American lives

"The Debut," a Filipino-American film, has been playing here for about three weeks. It is a highly entertaining film that captures the essence of how a Filipino-American family lives. But I'm heartbroken to hear that the movie's stay here is in jeopardy due to a lack of moviegoers. I'm also told that most of the moviegoers are non-Filipinos. That is not a bad thing, but I'm reaching out to tell my fellow kababayans that this movie shows you on the big screen.

I'm glad there is a movie out there that shares my culture with the rest of the world. It was also refreshing not to see Asian Americans portrayed as gangsters or kung-fu fighters.

I encourage everyone, especially the Filipino community, to go and see this movie and not let it die out in the hoopla of summer blockbusters.

Amor Del Rosario

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