to the Editor
New Pro Bowl show will expose Hawaii's assets
Regarding the story "NFL recasts Pro Bowl halftime" (Star-Bulletin, Feb. 5): As a longtime Hawaii resident now living far away, I am thrilled that the Pro Bowl halftime entertainment will show something of the culture and aloha of Hawaii nei!
Lee Ann Bowman
Duluth, Minn.
Inaction by U.S. caused overthrow
In his letter to the editor (Star-Bulletin, Jan. 14), Frank Scott says the overthrow of the Hawaiian nation was "not by an official edict of the U.S. government." Scott is correct, but he splits hairs. By failing to condemn the acts of John Stevens, highest-ranking U.S. government representative in Hawaii at the time, and of G.C. Wiltse, captain of the USS Boston, the U.S. government condoned the use of its military power to support the conquest of Hawaii.Scott implies that the "13-member group of Hawaiian subjects referred to as the Committee of Safety" acted alone. Later he says that troops from the USS Boston were sent ashore "to protect Americans." He does not report that the U.S. troops positioned themselves before Iolani Palace in support of the Committee of Safety's armed militia. Scott wonders "whether (the U.S. troops) intimidated the queen." Of course they did; if she sent her troops against them, then Hawaii would be at war with the United States of America -- a war Hawaii could not win.
The United States is directly implicated in the overthrow of a small nation that was not a threat to it or to Americans living in Hawaii. The U.S. government failed to undo what its representatives and the American-born rebels had done. It failed to use the U.S. military to restore and protect the legitimate government of Hawaii. In so doing, it actively condoned and supported the overthrow of the nation of Hawaii.
Milton L. McAngus
Kaneohe
State makes it hard for military members
I am in the United States Air Force and stationed in Nebraska. While being stationed so far from home and with our current situation in the world, it is near impossible for me to renew my driver's license. I know that I can't be the only Hawaii resident in the military with this problem. Hawaii used to be a state that allowed residents in the military to keep their licenses valid while serving in the armed forces. The state could make it convenient for members of the military and offer an online registration form for us.I am not trying to ask the world from our state -- just help us out a little.
Staff Sgt. Ryan K. Bisarra
United States Air Force
Papillion, Neb.
City has discouraged biotech development
Recently there has been a good deal of news about biotech and its enormous potential in Hawaii. What has not been mentioned is the anti-business, anti-property rights record of Honolulu.To cite a specific instance, a few activists in Aiea, supported and abetted by Gary Okino, Duke Bainum and Mayor Jeremy Harris, managed to destroy the business potential of the old Aiea Sugar Mill site. In the process they made a major contribution to the eventual bankruptcy of Crazy Shirts Inc., as well as shutting off any potential biotech development, which could have been fired by the on-site presence of HARC and Hawaii Biotech, with their 50 or so accomplished scientists.
There could have eventually been a "HARC Park" tech business center at the old sugar mill site, but they assured otherwise.
A prudent investor might look at that record and hesitate to act -- as well he or she should.
Richard O. Rowland
President
Grassroot Institute of Hawaii
How can we spread the love of learning?
Can Abraham Lincoln's feelings about learning and reading be incorporated into our education system? Can our students be inspired and motivated to delight in the pursuit of knowledge and wisdom?What would it take to cause this attitude shift so students awake each morning with the joy of knowing they will learn something new?
Can learning go beyond short-term, rote memorization for testing purposes? Do statistics really reflect the quality of education?
Is there an "out of the box" concept that will produce results? Can a paradigm be created that will challenge young minds to improve their thinking, writing, communication and life skills?
A Tibetan proverb captures the essence: "If I know I will die tomorrow, I can still learn something tonight."
Can the spirit of Lincoln and this proverb be instilled into our students and our education system?
Russell Stephen Pang Deborah Gail Pang
Kaneohe
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[ BRAINSTORM! ]
Can you design a quarter that represents Hawaii??Some states have issued collectible quarters that commemorate their entry into the union. The front of the coin looks the same but the eagle on the back has been replaced by something that represents that state. For example, Georgia's quarter has a peach on it. If you could design Hawaii's quarter, what would it look like?
Send your ideas and solutions by Feb. 17 to:
Or mail them to:
Brainstorm!
c/o Nancy Christenson
Star-Bulletin
500 Ala Moana
7 Waterfront Plaza, Suite 210
Honolulu, Hawaii 96813Fax:
Brainstorm!
c/o Nancy Christenson
529-4750
