Brainstorm! Challenge

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Dobelle's evaluation is public's business

How very disappointing to hear about the unreasonable refusal by University of Hawaii President Evan Dobelle to make available to the public his annual job performance evaluation (Star-Bulletin, Dec. 5). While he is correct that his evaluation is a "personnel matter" and public release of that document would require his waiving its confidentiality, the public is entitled to know about his performance in light of his high salary and his important job.

We are talking about our University of Hawaii. What does he have to hide?

Rep. David A. Pendleton
D- 49th District, Maunawili-Kaneohe

Bush acts selfishly in rushing Iraqi self-rule

In the aftermath of our unilateral invasion of Iraq, we now find ourselves mired in a slough of problems we did not foresee. To give President Bush his due, toppling Saddam Hussein and planting the seed of democracy in Iraq were noble ideas.

But now we are poised to exacerbate our problems in Iraq by rushing to establish Iraqi self-governance long before they are ready. Bush doggedly refuses to allow the United Nations to take over the nation-building.

There is a disturbing parallel between the leadership of this war under Bush and the Vietnam War under President Lyndon Johnson.

Johnson did not end the war in Vietnam even after the perceived threat from the Russians had been understood by most to be a paper tiger. He could not abide ending a war he perceived would be humiliating to himself and his presidency.

Bush is now rushing the self-governance of Iraq so that we can extricate ourselves from that sea of disappointments. His reason, one can only conclude, is based on increasing his chances for re-election.

The decision of Bush as well as that of Johnson can only be viewed as less than noble.

Wendell Davenport
Honolulu

Editorial missed mark on Christmas' meaning

"Don't forget the real reason for the season" -- indeed!

When I saw the headline of the Dec. 1 editorial, I was ready to say, "Way to go, Star-Bulletin." A major daily finally reminding the public about why we celebrate Christmas, but no, it wasn't to be. The concluding line, "Remember, tis the season to be merry not mean," was a total travesty on the real meaning and purpose of Christmas.

Remember, this is a national, federal-government mandated holiday whose sole purpose is to celebrate the birth of our savior, Jesus Christ. And please, don't tell me that mentioning such a thing is offensive to some people and should be avoided.

Maybe the Star-Bulletin could start all over and get it right this time. You might try opening the New Testament and reading the firsthand account of the real meaning of Christmas. At least that writer got it right.

Gerald Bohnet
Spanish Fork, Utah
Former Hawaii resident

Quit politicking with HPD pay raises

Unbelievable! Recruiting and retaining qualified men and women who can become police officers is a nationwide problem. Due to the high standards required to become a police officer, less than 4 percent of those who apply for positions with the Honolulu Police Department are hired. The job knowledge and competence required of our officers today is mind-boggling.

"Just compensation" is a necessity for our police officers. They are willing to give their lives to safeguard their fellow citizens, just as Glen Gaspar and Ryan Goto did. Yet our leaders in the city administration and the City Council have differences about how the arbitrated pay raise will be funded. With the latest increases in health-plan costs, our officers are now taking home less that they were before July 1. Many were anticipating the pay raise to help balance the increased health-plan costs. This is an injustice to our police officers, and they should not be treated as pawns. It is time to stop the political sparring and resolve this issue!

Lee Donohue
Police chief
Honolulu Police Department

Council members act like whiny children

Until recently, I had never seen a City Council hearing. Last week I saw the Council on Olelo debating raising the vehicle tax to pay for police officers' raises. After watching for about 30 minutes I turned to my husband and asked if it was always like this. He asked me what I meant and I told him, "These people sound so stupid."

Councilwoman Ann Kobayashi kept insisting the money for the raises must be there "somewhere." Instead of trying to find a solution, she spent much of her time pointing fingers and whining about whose fault this mess is. Councilwoman, please try to be more helpful.

And I'm beginning to wonder why I voted for Charles Djou. His mantra is "cut the budget." He represents East Honolulu and I bet most of us don't want the budget cut. Our parks are barely maintained, the Satellite City Hall is on the chopping block and the city can't keep up with the potholes. So, what service do you want to cut, Mr. Djou? Please try to be more realistic.

I expect my elected officials to work on my behalf as well as my community's. I expect a thoughtful, intelligent and cooperative effort to work through our problems. I don't allow my children to moan, groan and point fingers. I expect them to work things out. You are setting a poor example.

Lani Kokaaina
Hawaii Kai

Schools help define Hawaiians' identity

The question that we have asked others is "What is a Hawaiian"?

My answer is that Hawaiians are half-breeds or a mixture of many races, which makes them unsure of their identity. Others who are not Hawaiian are trying to tell us or show us that they are more intelligent than we are. Our "tutus" have given us a history of our family tree, a genealogy to be passed on to our children and grandchildren. The Bible also carries a genealogy for us to read and learn of the past.

In these islands we also learn to share our knowledge with others. We call it aloha.

Princess Pauahi Bishop, knowing that the people from the outside world will not accept us, created a will to educate the children of these islands. Her estate serves many needs of the children, such as transportation, lunches, school supplies, staff and financial aid for those who qualify.

To be admitted to this school an application requires a name, address, grade and age, plus a birth certificate for verification. This is a private school with rules and regulations. The admission office has taken it for granted that we all understand the application system. We all learn by mistakes, but it's a good lesson for all of us.

We need to do what is pono.

Lucy M. Akau
Waimanalo

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[ BRAINSTORM! ] Dirty gutter talk Those orange rolls that highway engineers have been shoving into storm drain openings -- there must be a more efficient or practical or attractive way to filter out road debris. These things are about as useful and pleasing to the eye as huge, discarded cigarette butts. Send your ideas, drawings and solutions by Thursday, Dec. 17 to: brainstorm@starbulletin.com Or mail them to: Brainstorm! c/o Burl Burlingame Star-Bulletin 500 Ala Moana 7 Waterfront Plaza, Suite 210 Honolulu, Hawaii 96813 Fax: Brainstorm! c/o Burl Burlingame 529-4750