Kaapu's quest was to make life better

On the passing of former City Councilman and deputy city manager, Kekoa Kaapu, your paper has displayed a compassionate and personal tribute to this unique individual.

Both dailies carried a timely editorial, and the Star-Bulletin actually had a front page story with colored photo of Kekoa ("Isle politician had long history of public service," Star-Bulletin, Oct. 17).

Since I have the singular privilege of having drawn nomination papers for the same City Council race back in 1998, I was struck by his humility and good naturedness when he showed up at the headquarters of the run-off challenger to then Councilman Andy Mirikitani.

The same week that he had filed papers on behalf of the senior citizens whose two-year bus passes were dishonored by passage of the bus fare increase, I saw Kekoa walk down the street on Punchbowl. I turned to my associate and told her that there goes the man who was a delegate to both the 1968 and the 1978 State constitutional conventions. He was gone the day after, and we found out about his passing Thursday.

Ann Kobayashi and Frank Fasi, both former opponents in races, had gracious words to say about Kekoa, and my appreciation goes to both of them. May the soul and spirit of Kekoa Kaapu rest in peace. And may his aloha live on in the heart of the people of Honolulu.

Arvid Tadao Youngquist
Honolulu

Abercrombie alone voted for peace

Thank you Rep. Neil Abercrombie for appropriately voting against the giveaway of $87 billion for President Bush's folly in Iraq. What a disappointment to read of Senators Inouye's and Akaka's, and Representative Case's "yes" vote to continue this no-exit quagmire.

Our country's credibility was lost with the preemptive strike on Iraq without U.N. approval and under false pretenses. Our troops want to come home. Families are grieving.There are reports that there are more casualties than reported to the American public.There is nothing honorable about this situation. I see shades of Vietnam.

Pat Blair
Kailua

Private cemeteries should be regulated

The on-going problems of private cemeteries as witnessed by the Honolulu Memorial Park raises the question as to revising Hawaii's regulation of the death-care industry.

Whereas Hawaii requires some cemeteries to be licensed to operate, those cemeteries operated by families, communities and or churches are not required to be licensed.

Albeit cemetery licenses must be renewed every two years, state law does not require inspections of Hawaii's 14 cemeteries.

Inspectors can be counted to investigate complaints against all cemeteries. These include using letters and monetary fines by the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs. Readers concerned with all aspects of funeral and cemetery goods and services regulations should avail themselves of U.S. General Accounting Office Report (GAO-03-757: August 2003) entitled Death Care Industry.

John K. Kingsley
Wahiawa

Pope helped defeat communism in Europe

As Pope John Paul celebrates 25 years as head of the Roman Catholic Church, it is a good time to reflect on one of the great men of our times.

Who cannot admire a man, who by strength of will, a dogged tenacity, and a deep faith, overcomes serious illness and physical incapacity so he can continue to lead the church and perform pastoral work to the world?

One of his greatest achievements was his role in the defeat of communism in Europe. He gave hope and spiritual courage to his beloved Polish people. He helped in the creation of Solidarity, a national movement as well as a national workers' union in Poland.

Through the efforts of John Paul and Solidarity, Poland in 1989-1990 regained her independence and freedom. We saw the rotten facade of communism collapse in central and eastern Europe and then in Russia itself.

His role as a spiritual and religious leader has been one of controversy as well as praise, but he is a man who speaks the truth as he sees it. To those who oppose him, he gives them respect and love.

John Paul defies stereotypes. He has spoken of the beautiful spirituality of genuine love between a man and woman. He has spoken of the sacredness of all human life. He has spoken for and visited the poor and oppressed of the Third World.

As he opposed the evils of communism, he also told the world of the defects of capitalism. He talked about the perils of secularism and materialism.

As the Pope faces the end of his earthly life, he has touched millions in mind and heart. He has touched us to our very souls. Even those who have never met him, have been personally touched by his spiritual charisma. He is one of too few great men and women in our times.

Theodore Taba
Honolulu

Quit sniping and help Courtney Linde

I cannot believe Rep. Neil Abercrombie would use the case of Courtney Linde, an Air Force airman from Hawaii Kai, to hit on President Bush's administration regarding the U.S. military's position on her cancer treatments ("Abercrombie asks for discharge review," Star-Bulletin, Oct. 18).

President Bush probably had no idea that there was an issue here as these situations typically don't reach him directly.

Uncaring? Unknowing? Abercrombie didn't know about it either until the story broke in the Star-Bulletin, and he's a member of the U.S. House Armed Services Committee. He should have known about these kinds of policies and should have addressed them before critical issues like these arise. To put blame on President Bush while he sat on the very committee that oversees military personnel is totally wrong.

Forget party politics, and let's work on getting Courtney Linde healthy again.

Craig Watanabe
Honolulu

It's hard to justify pre-emptive attack

Suppose, for a moment, that China, Japan, Korea and Southeast Asia decide to attack Pearl Harbor pre-emptively because we have weapons of mass destruction, meaning nuclear arms, on our submarines? Would the entire rationalization for our failed war in Iraq fall apart entirely?

I think President Bush is a spoiled old boy, who does not know what he is doing at all!

I opposed the war in Iraq. If Bush is charged with war crimes, then I have no sympathy for him.

Phil Robertson
Honolulu