Natatorium could use one-way flow system

One man's throwaway is the stuff that makes the next man's income. It the way of nature, and of life itself.

Governor Cayetano has signed the bill setting forth the requirements for the Waikiki Natatorium. I have a suggestion that will not add much in cost.

Not far away from the Natatorium is the Waikiki Aquarium. It takes 110 million gallons of fresh sea water from an 84-foot well and runs it through the display tanks. This 110 million gallons is continually discharged through a pipe back into the ocean.

My idea is to use this flow as a pump to cause a continuous flow of fresh sea water through the Natatorium by tapping into the power of that discharge by passing it through a Venturi system. This will cause a great suction on a discharge line running from the west opening to the sea at the bottom of the Natatorium, thus solving the problem of constantly pumping the Natatorium full of fresh seawater, with no cost of power.

Capt. Skip Crawford
U.S. Navy, retired

Disrespectful visitors violate Punchbowl

My father, Lt. Col. Harvey M. Browne Sr., was laid to rest on April 23, 1999 at the National Cemetery of the Pacific at Punchbowl. I say "laid to rest" facetiously because of the daily recreational habits of disrespectful individuals who walk their dogs, skate and do their cardiovascular exercises where our veterans slumber.

The cemetery's two managers have a bird's-eye view of the park, as their office fronts the Committal Shelter, where the final services of our soldiers are conducted.

At about 11 a.m. on June 10, uniformed soldiers stood with a casket in the Committal Shelter, surrounded by family and friends. I saw a woman pulling a girl on roller skates right in front of the funeral service. If it were my loved one's service, I would have been even more mortified and angry than I was. I did not know that veteran, but in my heart I felt he was disgraced in his final moments before being placed in Mother Earth.

The continual intrusions on sacred land are an abomination for all of our deceased veterans, not just my father. It kills me, excuse the pun, to witness citizens ignoring the sign clearly posted at the entrance gates: "Government property -- do not enter when cemetery is closed."

Recently the cemetery's closing time was extended from 4:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. I wonder if this was done for the families of the deceased or for those who want to use the grounds for other reasons.

Denise M. Browne
Kailua

Let's focus on 'good' instead of God

Regarding the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals decision on the use of "under God" in the Pledge of Allegiance, being half-Buddhist and half-Christian put me in a better position to reflect. A friend of mine, when asked if she had a god, said yes, she did. Then she was asked, what is it's name? She smiled and answered, "Good."

Would we be better as "one nation under Universal Good"? Would this help to remove the religious barriers that have hindered world peace?

I believe that if more people and countries focus on doing good, the issue of being "under God" will become moot and will take care of itself.

Adrian Chang

Japan caused Korea great suffering

I was dismayed at the statements made in Richard Halloran's column about the lingering hostilities between Korea and Japan (Star-Bulletin, June 30). To suggest Koreans stubbornly continue to harbor ill will toward Japan without fully understanding the underlying reasons is narrow-minded and myopic.

Halloran's statement of Japan's "harsh colonial rule" is a gross understatement of the tragic events: more than 200,000 "comfort women" -- many of them teenagers -- kidnapped and forced to "serve" Japan's Imperial Army; Frankenstein-like medical testing on young men to develop improved biological weapons; homes, land and property all stripped away; widespread poverty; cultural genocide -- Koreans forced to speak only Japanese and use Japanese names.

An important reason why Koreans find it so hard to forgive is Japan's refusal to accept responsibility and make amends. If you purchase a Japanese history textbook, you won't find what I have described above.

A generation of Japanese is growing up never knowing the tragic mistakes of the past ... and you know what they say about those who forget the past, don't you? Research the countless lawsuits thrown out by Japanese courts that were filed by former comfort women seeking nothing more than an official apology and nominal financial sum. It appears easier to wait for these elderly women to pass away than to apologize.

How do you forgive when history is openly glossed over?

Tony H. Lee
San Jose, Calif.

Mufi could be mayor sooner than later

Mufi Hannemann has made the right decision not to run for any office in this year's elections. Before Mayor Harris pulled out of the gubernatorial race, Mufi was leading in all mayoral polls and was endorsed by many public and private sector unions. He was being wooed by the Republicans and also was looking at running for another elective office as a Democrat before coming to his well-thought-out decision.

Mufi and his friends plan to be active in voter registration during the next two years, when he again may run for mayor. This could happen even sooner if the current investigations by multiple agencies into alleged campaign fund-raising irregularities by Harris' campaign turn up evidence of criminal wrongdoing.

Steven T.K. Burke
Pearl City

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