Attacks on Lingle's plan were undeserved

The way the Democratic candidates attacked Linda Lingle's agenda earlier this week shows exactly why they have failed to solve the problems facing Hawaii. They didn't take time to read the agenda. Instead, they just started attacking it.

The truth is Lingle's agenda is thoughtful and comprehensive. Maybe if the other candidates would spend a little time reading it, they might start coming up with their own ideas to solve the problems facing us.

I applaud Lingle for taking the time to put her thoughts down on paper so concisely so we can all see what she will do as governor. I found her agenda refreshing and a real effort to start dealing with the problems we face every day.

Stephanie Aveiro
Aiea

Hawaiians unfairly criticize Nainoa

Few people have inspired more pride in Hawaiians during the past 20 years than Nainoa Thompson. His vision, courage and personal accomplishments as a Hokule'a navigator have greatly contributed to the cultural renewal of indigenous people throughout Hawaii and the Pacific.

Therefore, it deeply saddens me to see people turn so easily on Nainoa, and to lash out in anger and disrespect for his support, as a Kamehameha Schools trustee, of a plan to admit a non-Hawaiian.

Ask yourself, what have you done in your life to inspire pride in others? Is your idea of courage chastising someone for decisions you don't agree with? What is your vision for Hawaii and our world?

In her will, Pauahi gave "full power" to the trustees "to regulate the admission of pupils." If you disagree with the trustees' decisions, you have a right to respectfully share your opinion with them. But calling for resignations simply because the trustees did not do what you wanted them to is immature and hardly prudent. Only if someone is clearly corrupt or continually makes decisions that are not in the best interest of an organization, should he be called upon to resign.

We have trusted Nainoa to be the "eyes of the canoe" for many years. Why not trust him and all the trustees to guide Kamehameha into new, uncharted waters?

Adam T. Kahualaulani Mick
Hokule'a crewmember

Most students aren't truly 'native'

What's all this fuss about letting a non-Hawaiian into Kamehameha Schools? Most of the students already there are not native Hawaiians. It appears that the people complaining the most about the admission of a non-Hawaiian are the toenail Hawaiians of 1/64th Hawaiian blood or who have one Hawaiian ancestor in 500, rather than real native Hawaiians with not less than one-half Hawaiian blood.

What is the difference between someone with no Hawaiian blood and someone with 1/64th Hawaiian blood? In Rice vs. Cayetano, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that the only difference is racial discrimination. Why should this one student, who doesn't happen to have the necessary single drop of Hawaiian blood, be denied admission based on race?

The only qualification for admission should be being at least 50 percent Hawaiian blood. If there are spaces after these Hawaiians have been admitted with full scholarships, others should be admitted without regard to race. Toenail Hawaiians could be given scholarships based upon their amount of Hawaiian blood.

Walter R. Schoettle

Corporate tactics scarier than al-Qaida

Now that the Dow Jones has plummeted below post-9/11 levels in the wake of corporate scandals, one wonders where the greater terror lies. The practices of large corporations here at home appear to be more terrifying than schemes.

Edward Ruggiero

Diamond Head or bust for Waikiki walkers

Like many local paddlers, I went to Waikiki on July 4 for the canoe races and found two strange phenomena:

1. The street signs in Waikiki are only readable if you are walking toward Diamond Head. (Between Kapahulu and the Royal Hawaiian, the only exception to this is Uluniu Street.)

If you are on foot, walking Ewa on Kalakaua Avenue, you have no idea what street you are approaching. You need to get to the intersection, and then look back toward Diamond Head to read the street name.

The signs are not user friendly to pedestrians headed Ewa on Kalakaua, who may need to know the name of the cross streets.

2. The bike lane has been sacrificed. Presumably the bike riders can just compete with cars.Who cares? I do.

Gerry DeBenedetti
Kaimuki

Surf events tie up too many winter days

Last year the Parks Department violated its rules by authorizing three contests in a row at Pipeline, covering 39 days of holding periods. Sixty-five days were reserved for holding periods at Pipeline last year, an incredible one-third of the winter season. Many other contests were held at Haleiwa and Sunset Beach. In fact, only three weekends in six months were free of contest holding periods.

The Department of Parks and Recreation is working now to finalize the 2002-2003 North Shore surf contest schedule, analyzing and prioritizing conflicting requests for a limited number of permits.

It is not an easy task when more and more permit applications are submitted every year.

All we ask is that the public's right to use its beaches and near-shore waters is protected. We trust that the rules will be followed this year.

Gil Riviere
Let's Surf Coalition
Haleiwa

Arrested city official was tireless worker

I am saddened to learn of the arrest of Mike Amii, director of the city Community Services Department and aide to Mayor Harris. While he was working for the Parks Department, our area experienced a lot of budget cutbacks in services, one of them being maintaining the tall grass in the mudslide areas of upper Wailupe Valley.

I was referred to Amii, who was always pleasant, tireless and prompt. He went above and beyond the call of duty when it came to dealing with my complaints with the Parks Department. Not only did he see to it that the job got done in terms of scheduling, but he made sure it was done right, and he always followed up with a telephone call.

A tireless city worker? We should have more like Mike Amii. Perhaps then our government would run more smoothly and be more functional.

Hang in there Mike! I am behind you 110 percent, like you were for us in upper Wailupe Valley. Thank you.

Gayle Nakama

Topping airport trees made them eyesores

I was shocked to see the topped monkeypod trees at the Honolulu International Airport culture garden. How could the Department of Transportation have done that to these beautiful trees? What impression do you think the visitors to our tropical state are taking home with them?

By this blatant act of pruning malpractice the DOT has not only marred the image of our state to visitors, but has likewise disillusioned our homecoming travelers.

What is the DOT going to do to make these trees healthy and aesthetically pleasing again?

Irma Cunha

Where have all the soothing sounds gone?

Hawaii ... rustling palms, pebbles rolling in the surf, mellow sounds of ukuleles and tradewinds in the treetops.

A typical day and night on the most remote islands on Earth: Sirens, car alarms, screeching bus brakes, helicopters, street-cleaning machines, garbage trucks, leaf blowers, tree cutters, tree shredders, hotel generator testing, drills, diggers, back-up beepers. All this in the hotel and residential area of Waikiki.

My scream is lost in this nightmare. Aaaaaagh!

Lois Raynor

State vet contradicts himself on rabies

On July 16, James Foppoli, the state veterinarian, was featured on a television news program. He claimed that quarantine had previously uncovered two cases of rabies in Hawaii. But according to other accounts and statements he himself has made, there never has been a documented case of rabies in Hawaii. There was a rabies scare in the 1960s, but that was later determined to be a misdiagnosis.

Why is the state veterinarian trying to scare an already ignorant public on the subject of rabies and quarantine?

The whole quarantine issue boils down to nothing but dollar signs for a limited few who work for the state of Hawaii. Quarantine was started by the British, and Hawaii adopted the quarantine system while under British influence. Wake up, guys, this is the United States of America!

Jennie Wolfe
Mililani

Pay HPD's officers what they deserve

Chief Lee Donohue stated he would need $16-18 million to support an increase to keep the Honolulu Police Department's finest here at home. I was a federal law enforcement officer in San Francisco for many years and I must remind Hawaiian residents that you cannot afford not to give these men and women what they deserve.

Tourism is our No. 1 industry. If our mainland visitors do not feel safe here, they will go elsewhere and we lose. I believe that, among our residents and all our hotel and business owners, we can agree on a substantial and fair increase to finance what these brave men and women deserve.

Considering the threats we face today, a pay increase for HPD would not only bring about a surge in morale never seen in HPD's history, but also they and we would be blessed.

Bob Ruiz
Owner, Diamond Rain Gutter & Window Cleaners

Using etiquette helps when sign-waving

Three cheers for state Senate candidate Gerald Nakata (Letters, Star-Bulletin, July 23)! I, too, never thought I'd be sign-waving, yet it has turned out to be very encouraging.

My family and I decided to start on a Saturday, figuring that people would be in a better mood. We ended up with almost 50 people waving. We lined both sides of the highway and found that there were a lot of people waving back and honking horns, and it was nice even just to see a smile. Some people even pull over to talk.

When you have a low-budget campaign, sign-waving is the quickest way to get your name out there.

I found out there is even a class in sign-waving and a certain etiquette, which helps to prevent possible traffic snarls.

Good for you, Gerald. Keep it up!

Cameron K. Heen
City Council Candidate, District 4

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