FCC's bad-word ruling is really *%#@-ed up

I am disappointed in a recent decision of the Federal Communications Commission in approving the use of the "F" word for use on any TV show or radio program, any time day or night. The use of words like that is degrading and offensive.

The FCC has the responsibility of enforcing what constitutes decency on our nation's airwaves. Why have they failed the American people in this responsibility? To whom is the FCC accountable?

Thanks for letting me air my frustrations.

Bob Sowdon
Kapaa, Kauai

Outsiders are stealing Hawaiians' identity

Respect! Why can't everyone who comes to Hawaii respect our tradition and culture? Is it so hard? So it doesn't suit your needs. Remember you chose to come here. We did not ask you to come here. God had placed people in all the different parts of the world. He had placed Hawaiians in Hawaii, but we had welcomed all races so much that we married into their nationality. So, today we are the only ones who have merged with all races.

It is Princess Pauahi's will that is trying to educate Hawaiian children to learn about today's world and also to keep our culture and the aloha that everyone enjoys alive. There is no such thing as discrimination, when her will is trying to keep a culture and its people alive.

You destroy her legacy, you destroy our culture, you take our lands, you take our ancestors, you take our identity, you destroy aloha and you destroy the Hawaiian people. What more do you want?

Kamakana Aquino
Ninth grade
Roosevelt High School

Is being "Hawaiian" only about money?

Regarding the Akaka bill and the Arakaki lawsuit, it seems as though something more than reporting about the money should be the norm. Sure, it is nice to think of all those millions of dollars of other peoples' money flowing into Hawaii and into the hands of Hawaiians as opposed to some other interest group I don't really relate to, still ... aren't there larger legitimate issues at stake?

From what I have been able to read, there are serious concerns that Hawaiians really are a race and not a nation. Shouldn't that issue be put to rest before demanding recognition as a nation? With racial politics a mark of the past we may be unwise to promote racial politics as a hope for the future.

Perhaps there are many like me in the public who would like to hear more reasoned discourse and logical arguments than just the howling and yowling about the possibility of losing someone else's money.

Yes, I was raised here and yes, I am married to a beautiful woman who is part-Hawaiian, so yes, perhaps I could benefit from the other people's money some way, too. So what?

William Jardine
Kamuela, Hawaii

Dobelle kept promise to fund Hilo program

The article "Hawaiian language program funded" (Star-Bulletin, Oct. 17) left the impression that the College of Hawaiian Language at the University of Hawaii-Hilo was not funded until action was taken at the Board of Regents meeting in Hilo. That is incorrect.

To date, $750,000 has been allocated to the program -- $500,000 earlier this year and an additional $250,000 of new dollars earmarked by the UH administration last week. President Evan Dobelle did make good on his promise to fund the program. The most important issue raised at the regents' meeting in Hilo was how the long-term promise of financial stability for this unique program can be achieved.

Action taken by the BOR last week requires the UH administration to report on two issues: feasibility of a new building to house the College of Hawaiian Language at Hilo and how the program will be fully funded.

Rose Tseng
Chancellor
University of Hawaii-Hilo

It's pointless to take revenge on sharks

I think it is appalling to go out and start killing sharks after Kauai surfer Bethany Hamilton's arm was bitten off. Let us all remember that the ocean is the home of sharks, whales and various other creatures. These creatures, like us human beings, were made by God and serve a purpose in this universe.

I think it is outrageous to go out and seek sharks out for killing. It's not going to bring her arm back. When we visit the ocean for surfing or swimming, we must remember that we are in the homes of these creatures and accidents will happen. That is the chance we take when we go into the water.

I feel very sorry for Bethany and am glad to hear that she is on the mend, but to seek this creatures out for killing is a sick thing to do.

Linda L. Wilkes
Toluca Lake, Calif.