Let race be part of you, not who you are

The Akaka Bill must be defeated. This legislation permits preferential treatment of an ethnic group and violates the Constitution of the United States. There is no benefit to non-Hawaiians who continue to be denied admission to Kamehameha Schools, housing and special-education grants that discriminate on the basis of race, while being asked to finance these programs. These programs are costly, diminish funds for public schools and generate resentment among Hawaii's diverse population.

As someone who is half Blackfeet (American Indian), I say: Let us move toward a Hawaii that cares for all of its people equally, where your race, name and skin color are a part of you, not who you are.

Jeff Thomas
Mililani

Supreme Court was too lenient with lawyer

I was dismayed and distressed by the first Hawaii Supreme Court ruling against the Office of Disciplinary Counsel, but was certain that the judges would come to their senses upon considering the appeal. Unfortunately, that was not to be ("High court rebuffs move for stiffer sanctions on lawyer," Star-Bulletin, June 4).

I am extremely distressed, assuming the facts in the case were accurately stated, that instead of "what is right and fair?" being the criterion for the court's decision, it was "who do you know?" I thought in a democratic system touting "liberty and justice for all," nothing this bad could happen, and twice at that!

What possible justification could the court have for their ruling on a lawyer who was dishonest in court dealings in four separate instances and received only 300 hours of community service? If this is fair, then all the lawyers previously sanctioned were treated unfairly. The conclusion has to be that this was another example of right being overruled by connections. How can any citizen in the future expect justice -- unless, of course, they happen to be friends with the judges?

Bonnie Melton
Kaneohe

WMDs really do exist -- in Washington, D.C.

Yes, I do worry about WMD, our government's "words of mass deceit" that lead us into an unnecessary and costly war, which we will forever pay for.

Richard Lam
Haleiwa

Slower traffic should keep right on freeways

The implication in Steve Marsh's June 7 letter to the editor is that other drivers are unaware of what the sign "slower traffic keep right" means. As my husband (and you know who you are) can attest, I am always after him to get out of the left lane when people are passing him on the right.

To expand my point, I add that these signs belong on freeways or highways where cars are traveling at a higher speed. As he is from Mililani, I'm sure that Marsh has been behind many people on H2 or H1 who should be driving in the right-most lane. It is ludicrous to have these signs on a residential part of the Pali Highway where multiple deaths have been caused by speeding cars.

Peggy McInnis
Kailua

Parade participants had to go before going

On Saturday I experienced a disturbing situation at the YWCA at Richards Street. While waiting for the 87th Annual King Kamehameha Day Parade to start, several parade participants, including me, were told by the receptionist at the desk, "My boss said you guys can't use the bathroom here, no public restroom is available." In the past, the YWCA was gracious enough to let parade participants use their restrooms.

I find it rather disturbing that an organization that provides shelter and services for more than 700,000 women and children cannot find it in its heart to let a handful of people use the restroom. Would Jesus turn me away? I think not.

Daniel Asao

Swimming can again be big in Hawaii

It would be great to see a resurgence in Hawaii in swimming, but the state Department of Education and Accounting and General Services have to take an interest in the maintenance of the schools, especially those once blessed with swimming pools but now neglected.

Olympic swimmer Duke Kahanamoku has his statue in Waikiki, but the memories of Olympic swimmers Johnnie Weismuller and local boy Buster Crabbe performing at the War Memorial Natatorium is lost but to our very senior citizens. Completion of the Natatorium restoration would do much to bring swimming back into public consciousness and renown in Hawaii.

The state and City and County cannot do it alone in these times of fiscal austerity. We need more corporate and private philanthropic interest in contributing to the revitalization of the Natatorium. I'm sure Hawaii's citizens and visitors will respond generously as well.

T. J. Davies Jr.

Kapolei

Good teacher touched so many in 35 years

I would like to thank my son Blaine's second-grade teacher, Rowena Chun of Hokulani Elementary School, who is retiring after 35 years of teaching. During this year, and I'm sure every year previous, she has demonstrated her skill, diligence and dedication to her class and her school. She is a good example of life's unsung heroes, doing her job and touching countless lives every day.

How many students have benefited from her teaching? How many minds are better off knowing her? I'm sure my son always will remember her as a kind and good person who touched his life. So let's thank Rowena Chun and all public school teachers like her, who make little lives better by doing such an important job, unfairly I think, for love more than money.

Waylen Wataru