Selfish pushiness hurts schools, society

Regarding non-Hawaiians who insist on attending Kamehameha Schools ("Judge allows non-Hawaiian to attend Kamehameha," Star-Bulletin, Aug. 20): If you force your way into someone else's space because you think it is your legal right to occupy that same space, you cannot expect that person to want to be your friend. After all, you have stolen from that person, even though the law may allow your actions. The law does not always account for the circumstances of each situation. It can't.

That's why this type of selfish, bullying pushiness is so often unwisely permitted. If following the rules doesn't work, you just sue to get what you want. How sad and unfortunate this is for Kamehameha Schools, and for society in general.

Irene Kubojiri
Honolulu

Princess Pauahi's trust is not public money

I am so tired of issues dealing with "what's public vs. what's private" and the rights people think they have. Bernice Pauahi Bishop was both a public and private person. Before she died, she created a trust for her people, the Hawaiians, with her money. That's private money, not public money.

If you want to talk about a public money issue, let's discuss the Hurricane Relief Fund that a lot of us put money into and the Legislature wanted to spend on more social programs. What was their plan when the hurricane finally comes, which everyone agrees is just a matter of time? Reimburse us for our insurance premiums, or pay for fixing our homes?

Elaine Hoffman
Honolulu

Mom's dishonesty caused the problem

Knowing that Kamehameha Schools accepts only students who have Hawaiian ancestry, why are people still trying to get into the school when they can't even be honest about their own ancestry?

All private schools have their own policies and requirements for admission. If anyone applies to a private school, he should make sure that he meets all of the requirements. Kalena Santos should not have knowingly submitted incorrect information on her son's application to Kamehameha Schools. That fact precedes any motion to challenge the schools' admissions policy.

I'm sure there are others who would like their children to attend Kamehameha but don't because they are not of Hawaiian ancestry. They look at options such as applying to other private schools or sending their children to public school.

No one should act under false pretenses and then blame the rules for their actions.

Collette Chinen
Honolulu

If we refuse to seek truth, we all suffer

In his Aug. 17 letter to the editor, Tom Dolan implies that all the religious faiths of the world ultimately speak about and serve the same god. But Muhammed did not claim to be god. Neither did Buddha or Confucius. Of all the central figures of the world's main religious faiths, only Jesus Christ claimed to be God and lived a life aligned with his claims.

But is religious faith simply a blind hope in the unknowable? Is it possible to know whether Jesus, or anybody else, is the "truth"? The real truth is, most of us won't bother to take the time or make a sincere effort to find out for ourselves. So we and our families, our culture and our community suffer as a result of our neglect of seeking the truth.

Steve Klein
Kailua

Gays use hate speech against opponents

It is kind of ironic how homosexual activists are the ones claiming that they are being discriminated against, but they are always quick to call anybody who disagrees with them a "homophobe," "bigot" or "ambassador of hate" (Letters, Star- Bulletin, Aug. 17).

They are not interested in debate or discourse, only in name-calling and smear tactics. This is worrisome in a democracy. Already in Canada, homosexuals are claiming that the Bible is hate speech and shouldn't be allowed to see the light of day.

I just pray that people like City Councilman Mike Gabbard continue taking a stand for what is right and don't allow same-sex marriage to become a reality in Hawaii.

Mary Papish
Kailua